‘Pride is a protest’: how the Leeds LGBTQ+ community are using festival to be seen and heard

Leeds Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary in the city centre this weekend.

For the past two decades, the LGBTQ+ community has used the annual event to break stigmas, build connections, and advocate for equality, and it has grown bigger every year.

Now, tens of thousands of people are expected to arrive in Leeds city centre today (July 18) and tomorrow (July 19) as Leeds Pride becomes a two day festival for the very first time.

For the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Stephen Holroyd, it has been “amazing” to see the event unite and provide visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.

“It started out as this small little event, we never thought it would turn into something with thousands of people now coming to it,” Cllr Holroyd told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It’s open to anybody and it brings everyone together.”

Cllr Holroyd alongside his partner Simon Mapals recently made history as the first ever openly gay couple to hold the office of Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor's Consort of Leeds, a milestone which Cllr Holroyd described as a “real honour”.

Originally from Wakefield before moving to Leeds in 2014, Cllr Holroyd has been a regular attendee to Leeds Pride and noted that come rain or shine, it’s a place where everyone has a good time.

As this year’s Leeds Pride will feature entertainment from performers such as La Voix, Baga Chipz, the Pop N’ Rock Choir and the Viaduct Showgirls, attendees can certainly expect a party.

However, Cllr Holroyd highlighted that alongside this fun atmosphere, Leeds Pride also has a poignant message.

Cllr Holroyd said: “Pride is a protest.

“It shows that we are here and we are not going anywhere.

“People can come together to be themselves.”

Rob Wilson, founder of local LGBTQ+ non-profit Angels of Freedom, said that Leeds Pride has been “epic” in the way it has increased the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the city.

This year, Angels of Freedom, who are best-known for providing volunteering in the Freedom Quarter on Friday nights, will participate in the Leeds Pride Sunday parade for the very first time.

Rob said: “Our members are really proud to be part of the Angels of Freedom, so I couldn’t not give them that opportunity to do the parade.

“The acceptance that is shown and people celebrating them as they walk through is really powerful. It gives people a really good feeling, a real good buzz.”

Angels of Freedom will also host a complimentary event to Leeds Pride in Dortmund Square on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm, for anyone who wants a quieter way to be part of the celebration.

From Rob’s perspective, Leeds Pride has “come a long way” from its origins as a picnic on Woodhouse Moor.

As the festival continues to grow, Rob spotlights the grassroots efforts such as West Yorkshire Black Pride, which will particularly celebrate people of colour who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

For the future, the LGBTQ+ advocate wants a greater inclusion of these groups at Leeds Pride to ensure the whole community is represented at the festival.

Both Cllr Holroyd and Rob highlighted that as the LGBTQ+ community continue to face challenges including threats to trans rights, and growing homophobia on social media, the weekend of Pride becomes a space to encourage inclusion rather than division.

“We are a community that is under attack, particularly trans and non-binary communities,” Rob said.

“Pride is an opportunity to really push that to the forefront of conversations and really try and do something about it.”

“There’s so much going on at the minute that needs to be highlighted, that needs support, and that needs allies to get on board with.”

Leeds Pride is a festival which encourages acceptance of anyone and everyone.

As the event marks 20 years, Rob encourages the Leeds population to come together and show that it is okay to be who you are.

Rob said: “We need those people at the sidelines cheering us on, and showing that acceptance.

“They show that away from social media, people aren’t against the community, that there is love and support for our LGBTQ communities as they go through the city.”