Leeds City Council set to lead the parade for Leeds Pride this weekend

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Eileen Taylor together with staff from across Leeds City Council gathered in front of Leeds Civic Hall today in preparation for their part in this weekend’s Leeds Pride.

The council has been invited to lead the Leeds Pride parade at this year’s Pride event in recognition of the work it has done to support LGBT+ equality in the city and its help in organising Leeds Pride each year. Over 100 council employees will take part in the parade through the city centre, walking alongside our two open top buses and two access buses which the council provide to make the parade as accessible as possible for everyone.

Now in its 14^th year, Leeds Pride takes place on Sunday 4 August and is the largest free Pride in the UK with over 55,000 people attending last year. The event is a fantastic opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the city’s LGBT+ community and equality and diversity rights in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere of fun and colour.

Events take place throughout the weekend; with the Pride Parkrun on Woodhouse Moor on Saturday 3 August from 8.30am, followed by a Community Marketplace in Brodrick Hall, Leeds City Museum from 11am to 3pm where people can find out about LGBT+ services, support and social groups in Leeds. The Civic Hall will be lit in the colours of the rainbow and will proudly display the Pride flag for all to see, the Bi and Trans flags will also be flying this year from the Town Hall.

The event will start at 12 noon with two hours of live music entertainment in the heart of the city on Millennium Square, this will be followed at 2pm by a spectacular rainbow coloured parade winding its way down to Lower Briggate for the street party from 3pm, with the celebrations continuing well into the evening.

For information about Leeds Pride events across the weekend visit: www.leedsinspired.co.uk/leeds-pride-weekend-2019 and http://www.leedspride.com

Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Eileen Taylor said:

“We are incredibly proud as a city to be hosting our 14^th successive Leeds Pride, and cannot wait for the fun and festivities to begin.

“Leeds Pride is one of the real highlights in our city’s events’ calendar, and is an occasion that is attended not just by people from Leeds and Yorkshire, but from across the UK and countries around the world. We are looking forward to providing another unforgettable party on August 4.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Learning, Skills, Employment and Equality said:

“We are thrilled to support Leeds Pride and incredibly proud to have been asked to lead the parade this year. We are a LGBT+ Inclusive City and the work we have been doing is more important now than ever before.

“As the city’s largest employer, and ranked in the top 10 employers in the UK for their role in promoting LGBT+ equality in the workplace, it is fitting that the council is leading the way and setting the standard in its LGBT+ Inclusive work for other organisations and businesses in Leeds. I am sure that this weekend’s Pride will be another huge success, as the city comes together to celebrate our LGBT+ communities.”

Councillor Hannah Bithell, Leeds City Council’s LGBT+ Champion said:

“I am looking forward to being actively involved in this year’s Leeds Pride; with a whole host of events and activities planned for the weekend. Over 120 floats are expected to join the parade with thousands of people predicted to line the street of Leeds.

“Leeds Pride is a celebration of our LGBT+ communities, is free to everyone, and continues to develop each year with more and more varied events to make it inclusive for all. I cannot wait for this year’s event, which looks like it will be the biggest and best yet.”

Liaqat Ali, Director of Leeds Pride said:

“We are delighted to invite Leeds City Council to lead this year’s Leeds Pride parade in the city. This reflects the work they have done over the last few years to support LGBT+ equality in the city and the organisation of Leeds Pride each year. We are honoured that they are leading the parade and look forward to seeing many Leeds City Council staff on the council buses and walking proudly with their banner.”