Leeds goes pink to celebrate LGB&T* history month

A number of prominent city centre buildings including Leeds Town Hall and the first direct arena will be lit up pink on the 1 February 2017 to celebrate the start of LGB&T* history month.

Leeds has a vibrant LGB&T* community and a number of events have been organised across the city to showcase the fantastic contribution they make to the city. Along with key buildings being lit up pink, Leeds Town Hall and Civic Hall will be flying rainbow flags on 1 February and 28 February 2017 to mark the start and end of the celebrations.

Various organisations are getting involved with the celebrations, with the Leeds City Council LGB&T* staff network coordinating and promoting the events and activities taking place across the city. Across the month there is a full schedule of activities in place, including art installations by Queerology, a Campus Pride event at Leeds Beckett University, key speakers such as LGB&T* activist and co-founder of Black Pride, Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah talking at Leeds University and The Leeds Queer Film Festival, amongst many other exciting and varied events.

As well as February celebrating history month, this year it also marks the passing of an important milestone; the 50^th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England.

Cllr James Lewis, deputy leader and LGB&T* champion said:

“We are very proud of Leeds long and strong LGB&T* history. I would encourage the LGB &T* community and everyone in the city to enjoy the wide range of events and activities lined up for History Month during February.

“From lighting up city centre buildings in pink to film screenings, workshops and displays and social events across the city, we are pleased that lots of organisations are putting on a strong and varied range of events so in Leeds LGB &T* history month is really brought to life.”

To find out more about what events are taking place across the month and download the events brochure visit http://whatson.leeds.gov.uk/Pages/eventdetails.aspx?eventId=whatson-1761

or follow @LeedsCC_LGBT or contact LeedsLGBT@leeds.gov.uk

Use the hashtag #LeedsLGBTHistory to let us know about events you’re attending, and take part in the conversations across the city during February.