Leeds Pride, the largest free Pride event in the UK, kicks off this weekend with a vibrant parade, parkrun, marketplace, and reflection service at Leeds Minster, promoting inclusivity and mental health awareness. The city ensures accessibility for all with buses and AVAs, embodying unity and celebration in the LGBTQ+ community.
What is Leeds Pride and what does it offer?
Leeds Pride is the UK’s largest free Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ community inclusivity and diversity in Leeds. The weekend features a jubilant parade, themed parkrun, LGBT+ Marketplace, and a reflection service at Leeds Minster. The city ensures accessibility for all, with buses and AVAs, and promotes mental health awareness through the ‘Check In With Pride’ campaign.
A Weekend of Inclusivity and Celebration
Leeds is set to showcase its inclusivity and diversity with the city centre transforming for the much-anticipated Leeds Pride event this Sunday, 21st July. Leeds Pride is recognized as the largest free Pride event in the UK, drawing a crowd of over 50,000 attendees annually. The celebrations commence with the Pride Parade at 12pm, commencing opposite Leeds Town Hall and jubilantly making its way to Lower Briggate, the heart of Leeds’ LGBTQ+ community.
Earlier this week, key council leaders rallied outside the Civic Hall to express their support for the event. Councillor James Lewis, along with deputy leader Councillor Jonathan Pryor, and LGBT+ champion, Councillor Hannah Bithell, together with the council’s LGBT+ staff network, epitomized the city’s solidarity.
In a commitment to accessibility, Leeds City Council has notably provided two access buses. One adorned bus will join the parade, a pre-booked opportunity for those requiring assistance, and another will transport individuals from Millennium Square to Lower Briggate, ensuring all have the opportunity to enjoy the festivities from a prime location.
Engaging Events Leading Up to the Parade
The spirit of Leeds Pride is set to infuse the entire weekend, with Saturday brimming with events catering to all. The Woodhouse Moor parkrun will adopt a Pride theme, encouraging participants to dawn their most vibrant rainbow attire for the 9am start. The event promises to be a kaleidoscopic display of support and fitness in unity.
Leeds City Museum is slated to host an LGBT+ Marketplace from 11am to 3pm in the Brodrick Hall, offering a space for attendees to engage with local LGBT+ services, support networks, and social groups. This serves as a valuable resource for community members and allies alike to connect and discover the extensive support Leeds provides.
In a blend of faith and solidarity, Leeds Minster will embrace the community with open arms, hosting a Pride celebration service at 4pm that Saturday. Described as a “service of reflection, prayer and poetry,” the event symbolizes the intersection of spirituality and LGBTQ+ identity, fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and community.
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Amidst the celebration, an important narrative on mental health is being championed by Leeds City Council. Launching the ‘Check In With Pride’ campaign, in association with West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, the initiative underscores the mental health journeys individuals undertake, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign’s mission is to cultivate inclusive dialogue and support networks. Further details, including resources for local support services, can be found at Check In With Pride.
Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, evokes a sense of unity and anticipation: “We love hosting Leeds Pride every year… We can’t wait to celebrate our vibrant LGBT+ community but also make sure that we are all talking more about the issues and discrimination the community still faces.”
Ensuring Access for All
Ensuring that Leeds Pride is an event for everyone, the council has made considerable provisions for accessibility. A raised access platform, or Accessible Viewing Area (AVA), will be available at Millennium Square. Accompanied by a changing places toilet and additional disabled toilets, the AVA ensures a comfortable and inclusive experience for disabled attendees and their carers.
Similar facilities will be present at Lower Briggate, discreetly positioned next to the AVA to maintain convenience and dignity for all users. These considerations underscore the event’s dedication to inclusivity, ensuring that the joy of Pride is shared by all members of the community.
Detailed accessibility information can be found at the Leeds Pride accessibility page, while general event information is available on the main Leeds Pride website.
Leeds Pride is more than a weekend of festivities; it’s a powerful statement of equality, diversity, and acceptance. With the city council’s unwavering support, Leeds continues to be a beacon for LGBTQ+ rights and a welcoming home for all its residents.
- Leeds Pride is the largest free Pride event in the UK, promoting inclusivity and mental health awareness.
- The Pride Parade kicks off at Leeds Town Hall and ends in Lower Briggate, the heart of Leeds’ LGBTQ+ community.
- Leeds City Council provides two access buses for those needing assistance during the event.
- The ‘Check In With Pride’ campaign highlights mental health challenges in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Leeds Pride ensures accessibility for all with raised access platforms and additional facilities for disabled attendees.