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With over 12,000 people expected to attend, Leeds Pride is the largest lgbt event in Yorkshire.
‘Starting at noon on Sunday August 2nd in Millennium Square,’ they tell us, ‘this year’s main stage is being sponsored and presented by Real Radio who are also on board with Shout!, City Dweller and Bent magazines as our main media partners. The stage will see a constellation of local and national stars entertain the crowds. There will be a BSL interpreter and accessible toilets on Millennium Square, making for a truly inclusive event. Then it’s time for the huge crowds to take to the streets of Leeds in what for many is the highlight of the day, the fantastic Leeds Pride parade.’
The parade will be led, as has become the tradition, by the stunning hundred foot rainbow flag followed by a cavalcade of motorised and walking floats, thousands of queerfolk, friends, families and allies.
Sarah Booth 17 who participated in her first Leeds Pride last year said: ‘ I really can’t wait for August 2nd, last year’s parade was the most exciting day of my life, I’ve never felt so confident and comfortable being a young lesbian as I did that day, its been a boost for me throughout the year.’
Liquat Ali, Parade Co-ordinator, said: ‘We’ve decided to keep the same route for the parade because it’s highly visible, which is really important. In fact we have notice that more and more people have come to town specially to watch the parade! The route is also quite gentle so lots of people can take part, if you need assistance over part or the entire route there is an accessible minibus; just let us know before hand.’
The parade takes crowds through the city centre, down to the Calls and Lower Briggate area, when it’s time for the gay venues to take over the task of entertaining the thousands of revellers till the early hours. Mark Thomson, from Yorkshire MESMAC explained: ‘We are currently working extremely closely with Leeds City Council to ensure that this year’s Pride can safely accommodate the increase in numbers expected, but also with the added attractions of an outdoor market, street performances, arts fair, funfair and youth focus area’.
Adding to the alfresco fun the scene venues will be adding their own unique flavour and style.
The fun carries on indoors with a whole host of talent gracing the scene venues throughout the day. You can visit the Leeds Pride website from mid July to see a list of acts appearing on the main-stage and in the venues across the city. If you want to get into the spirit of Leeds Pride before August 2nd and have a memento of the day, make your way down to Nice’n’Naughty on Lower Briggate who are the sole distributors of Leeds Pride official T–shirts.
For more information visit the website, follow us on Twitter - Leedspride09 - or join their Facebook group Leeds Pride 2009.
Web: www.leedspride.com
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