Veteran LGBT human rights activist and gay marriage campaigner Peter Tatchell will be leading Britain’s Birmingham Pride Parade on 25 May.

The parade is supporting the pending same-sex marriage bill, to legalize gay marriage in England and Wales, due to resume its progress through parliament on 20 May.

Pride festival director Lawrence Barton said: ‘Peter Tatchell has been at the forefront of the campaign for same-sex marriage equality, so we are absolutely delighted that he will be leading our Equal Love themed Carnival Parade this year.’

Tatchell is the founder of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. It campaigns to protect and promote human rights worldwide.

He said: ‘The battle for marriage equality is almost won but not quite. We are still striving for equal love rights. Our efforts are part of a worldwide movement for LGBT equality. Queer freedom is an unstoppable global trend.’

Both France and New Zealand introduced same-sex marriage in the last month.

Tatchell said: ‘I am proud to support Birmingham Pride 2013. I hope you will join me for a fabulous parade and party. The LGBT community makes a huge, positive contribution to the city; enriching its cultural diversity.

‘It is important to keep campaigning for LGBT dignity, respect, acceptance and human rights – in Birmingham and across the UK.’

Birmingham Gay Pride will take place on 25 to 26 May and will be headlined by JLS, Bananarama, Paloma Faith, Stooshe. Gay Star News is global media partner of the event.