Conference considers Force’s LGBT+ history

8 June 2026

The Force’s LGBT+ history was highlighted by the West Midlands Police Museum heritage manager Corinne Brazier when she gave a speech at Saturday’s first Force PROUD Conference and Community Event.

Corinne was among the guest speakers to address the morning conference which was held at Tally Ho and organised by the West Midlands Police LGBTQ+ Network.

Family day

Others included Keegan Hirst, a former England rugby league prop who was the first British professional rugby league player to come out as gay while still playing, and West Midlands DS Chaz Sherghill who talked about his own experiences as a gay officer.

The conference, which ran from 9am until 2pm, was opened by Neil Jones-Keyte and Ste Heeley, co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Network, and Simon Foster, the Police and Crime Commissioner, also addressed delegates.

From 2pm, the event moved to the field outside with the family day starting with a demonstration from the Operations department featuring dogs, drones, firearms, traffic and horses.

Among the partner organisations supporting the event was West Midlands Police Federation with chair Jess Davies and deputy chair Mat Minton on hand to answer questions from anyone visiting the branch’s stand.

Jess said afterwards: “We were pleased to be able to attend this event and show our support to members of the LGBTQ+ Network. There were some really thought-provoking inputs from the guest speakers and I was particularly interested in Keegan’s motivational speech.

“It was also quite eye-opening to hear Corinne’s talk about the Force’s LGBT+ history and to see how the Force has evolved.”

Challenges

Other partner organisations in attendance included the LGBT Centre charity in Birmingham, the Birmingham Bulls Rugby Club, and representatives of the ambulance and fire services.

Ste said afterwards: “Our PROUD day was an opportunity not just to bring together LGBTQ+ colleagues, allies and partner organisations for some support and networking – but was an opportunity to highlight and discuss some of the key challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community locally as well as nationally and agree what actions we need to take.

“As co-chairs, Neil and I are very grateful for the support of the Fed and the other partners that attended on the day to help make this inaugural event the success it was. We intend to build on what we have started here – so watch this space for a future event - once the committee has had a well-earned rest after all the frantic organisation that is!”