ALL ARE WELCOME
Promising mischief and naughty stunts, Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party will celebrate everything about Queer Britannia. GEMMA DUNN finds out more from the Birmingham-born comic
FOR a long time, comedian Joe Lycett admits he “didn’t really get Pride”.
“I couldn’t understand how I could be proud of something I didn’t have a choice in,” the 33-yearold comedian says of the annual LGBTQ+ movement, which this year celebrates 50 years in the UK.
“I didn’t choose to be bisexual. But as I’ve grown I’ve realised I did have a choice, a choice to be open and brave and say, ‘This is who I am’.
“I think Pride is many things to many people, but to me it’s pride in taking that leap.”
Pride is observed each June to honour the 1969 Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
A police raid in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn sparked several protests.
Patrons of the Stonewall and other Village lesbian and gay bars, as well as people from the neighbourhood, fought back when police became violent.
Pride commemorates the coming together of people in love and friendship, in turn offering up an entire month of events dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ+ voices and culture and the support of LGBTQ+ rights across the globe.
Since 1972, men, women and non-binary protesters have marched through the streets of Britain for recognition and equality. But its half-century anniversary has served up its best month yet.
Joe, for one, is getting in on the action by hosting a dazzling party live from Birmingham.
Titled Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party, the twohour inclusive spectacular – part of Channel 4’s Proud All Over programming – will see the lovable stand-up comic and consumer warrior celebrating all things LGBTQ+ alongside a host of famous faces.
“Hopefully, it’ll be thoughtprovoking, nostalgic, a little moving and ideally funny!” he says.
“All are welcome, and we have an insanely good line up!”
Joining Joe for the night will be fellow comedians Mawaan Rizwan and Rosie Jones, whilst confirmed to perform are Boy George and Culture Club, Steps and Self Esteem.
Also on the guest list are Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes, who only last week came out as gay, EastEnder’s Danny Dyer, comedian Mae Martin, the cast of hit Netflix drama Heartstopper, acting legend Dame Joan Collins, comedians Tom Allen and Gina Yashere, plus drag stars Tia Kofi, Lawrence Chaney and Adam All.
“Our line up is sensational, and I feel spoilt as it is!” Joe admits. When pushed on his dream guest he says: “My queer icon growing up was Quentin Crisp, but alas he’s been dead for some time.
“I would’ve loved to meet him and interview him. Thankfully there’s some amazing stuff on YouTube, so I can get my fix!”
Guaranteeing mayhem, mischief and naughty stunts, the extravaganza will also be reliving the queer telly that shocked Britain, whilst the specially invited audience – made up of LGBTQ+ icons, allies of the LGBTQ+ community
Hopefully, it’ll be thoughtprovoking, nostalgic, a little moving and ideally funny! Joe Lycett, left, on his Big Pride Party on Channel 4
and local heroes – will be sharing their own stories of Pride.
Plus, Joe – known for his elaborate social media feats – will be pulling off one his most ambitious stunts to date, which involves a load of MPs and an impromptu statue in Westminster.
“We will be highlighting some of the issues facing our community today in a fun and light-hearted way,” quips Joe.
As for throwing the celebration in his hometown: “It seems like such a waste. Why do it in Birmingham?” teases the native
Brummie.
“London would’ve been better. London is a great city. The capital. All the best things happen there. The Tube! A Soho House on every corner! Pret! What’s Birmingham got?”
The star is being facetious, of course, as he still lives in the West Midlands city, despite a busy TV schedule predominantly based in London.
While he’s made a name for himself on popular shows such as Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Never Mind the Buzzcocks,
Joe, who in previous interviews has described himself as being pansexual – meaning he’s attracted to people of all genders and sexes – has been tight-lipped on his relationship status.
Will he be attending many Pride celebrations this year?
“I’ve already been to a small Pride in Birmingham and I will try to get to the main Pride there later this summer,” he answers.
“I’m a big advocate for the smaller Pride parties. The big ones are fantastic in lots of ways, but I love it when Pride can come to local communities.”
He adds: “I met a lesbian couple at Pride once who had just got married.
“Their biological families had rejected them and so they decided to go to Pride for their wedding party because, in their words, they wanted to be ‘with our family.’ That’s what it’s all about to me.”
“It’s great Channel 4 are championing this,” Joe continues.
“They’ve been at the forefront of this stuff for a long time, and it was always the channel I loved growing up, commissioning bold shows that no one else would.
“So much queer talent is launched by Channel 4, myself included.
“We should fight for it to remain independent and publicly owned [the Government is in the process of privatising the channel]. It does more for us than we know.”
Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party is