10 September 2026

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LGBTQ+

All the latest LGBTQ+ news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

Bedford Pride: a festival of community, creativity, and celebration

Get ready to crank up the colour and turn up the energy as we get ready to celebrate Bedford’s LGBTQ+ community at Pride this Saturday (5 September). Organised by Rainbow Bedfordshire...

Opinion: I won’t sit back and accept bigotry as the new norm; so why should Ofcom?

After GB News allowed another segment to air that included unfounded tropes against LGBT+ people, Bedford Independent's Sport Editor, Tom Carr asks why the authorities won't act...

Review: Local LGBTQ+ group celebrates Bedford’s first ever Queer Prom

Last month, Rainbow Bedfordshire organised their first ‘Queer Prom’, held at beloved music venue Bedford Esquires. The night promised to be filled with joy...

Higgins hosts exhibition and festival to celebrate LGBT+ History Month

A thought-provoking exhibition display and festival are part of this year's LGBT+ History Month celebrations at the Higgins Bedford this February. This year’s theme, “Activism...

LGBT+ History Month takes centre stage at local charity

LGBT+ History Month is now truly underway and one Bedford charity is looking to make a difference for those in the local LGBTQ+ community. This year’s LGBT+ History Month, which in the UK is in February...

The Barley Mow is back with a promise to reconnect with the LGBTQ+ community

Bedford's premier LGBTQ+ late night venue - the oldest LGBTQ+ venue in the country - has a new owner, with a promise to "return the Barley to its former glory"...

Behind the lens: The Higgins Bedford celebrates LGBT+ History Month

The Higgins Bedford is celebrating LGBT+ History Month this February and visitors can enjoy a new art display and take part in creative events. This year’s theme is...

Esquires takes stance against controversial Qatar World Cup

The owners of a venue in Bedford have confirmed that they will not be showing any World Cup games in response to the controversy surrounding human rights abuses and the...

Street dance and Drag Queen Story Hour at Bedford’s first LGBTQ+ Arts and Wellbeing Festival

Street dance and a Drag Queen Story Hour are among the highlights of Bedford’s first LGBTQ+ Arts and Wellbeing Festival which will be held at the University of Bedfordshire's...

A Bedford first as LGBTQ+ swimming programme launched

The East of England’s first LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) community ‘safe space’ swimming programme has been launched in Bedford...