Virgin Radio UK has announced it is launching Virgin Radio Pride UK, a new radio station for the LGBTQ+ community which will broadcast from June 7 until the end of September.

Virgin Radio Pride UK will seek to reduce inequality by addressing important issues in the core programming, sparking conversations around topics such as: trans-rights, gay adoption issues, living with HIV and helping parents understand LGBTQ+ issues by working closely with various LGBTQ+ partners.

The schedule will be driven by LGBTQ+ presenters including Tia Kofi, Matt Cain, Emma Goswell, Debbie Ryan, Phil Clifton, Shivani Dave, Vicki Blight and Stephen Sullivan who will be joined in conversation with guest celebrity contributors.

The station will also bring to life Pride festivals around the UK, partnering with local celebrations including Blackpool and Oxford Pride, to either amplify the existing event with outside broadcasts or help to replace cancelled events on-air, highlighting the wonderful diversity around the UK.

Virgin Radio Pride UK has also joined up with a range of partners who will feature in the station’s programming including The Food Chain, the charity which exists to ensure people living with HIV in London can access the nutrition they need to lead healthy, independent lives, mental health charity Shout, the UK Aids Memorial Quilt Partnership, All About Trans and The Log Books podcast.

Further scheduled content includes documentaries on what it is to be bisexual in 2021, how LGBTQ+ communities helped shape dance music from Disco to House and Matt Cain’s weekly magazine show - The Sunday Roast - on Sunday afternoon including lively discussion about LGBTQ+ issues with panelists from organisations including All About Trans.

All this sits alongside a predominantly pop-dance and pop-R&B playlist from the last 20 years, complimenting the existing Virgin Radio UK sister stations.

Virgin Radio UK Content Director, Mike Cass said: “From June 7 until mid-September, Virgin Radio Pride UK will broadcast stories from our community, by our community in one big audio festival.

“I’m delighted to have partnered with so many wonderful organisations to create a radio space for LGBTQ+ celebration and storytelling. We will make you laugh, occasionally make you cry, but most importantly make you proud.”

Virgin Radio Pride UK presenter, Tia Kofi said: "I'm so excited to be part of the launch for this incredible new LGBTQ+ station. We have created something made by queer people for queer people and beyond, and it’s going to be amazing! Get ready for the ultimate Friday night pre-party with me, as well as some sensational content from across the LGBTQ+ community."

Matt Cain said: “I'm thrilled to bits to be part of Virgin Radio Pride, and especially excited to be presenting the station's flagship discussion show, Sunday Roast. I'm going to be joined by some terrific guests to chat through all the latest issues affecting the LGBT+ community, both personal and political. And I can't wait to engage with queer listeners all over the country and to give them the intelligent, insightful and uplifting experience they deserve.”

Shivani Dave said: “Radio has always had the power to bring people together, in a way no other medium can. In a time when our community is being targeted and further marginalized, it is incredibly powerful that Virgin Radio UK is dedicating a whole station to all LGBTQ+ people to celebrate and share their experiences. I am honoured to be a part of it and can't wait to laugh, cry, and dance with the listeners.”

You can listen to Virgin Radio Pride UK from June 7 on DAB in London, online or via the Virgin Radio app.