These are the Leeds landmarks which will be lit up in rainbow colours for LGBT+ History Month

Leeds Council is celebrating LGBT History Month with a series of events organised across Leeds.

Landmarks are being lit up tonight (February 1) until the end of the month.

These are the buildings taking part:

-Leeds Town Hall

-Leeds Civic Hall

-The O2 Academy

-The St John's Centre

-The Queens Hotel

-First Direct arena

A Leeds Council statement said: "LGBT+ History Month 2018’s packed schedule aims to educate out prejudice through events including: The Leeds Queer Film Fest at Hyde Park Picturehouse; LGBT+ only sports activities including running, badminton and martial arts; LGBT+ history talks, an art exhibition at Leeds Art University and a drag queen storytime at Leeds Children’s Library, as well as numerous social events to meet people within the LGBT+ community and beyond.

"The Leeds Branch of the National Education Union is also running a writing competition for young people aged 11-16 with the aims of celebrating Leeds’ diverse community and combatting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools. For the full information pack including an entry form, people should email: [email protected]

Councillor James Lewis, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and LGBT+ champion said: “We are very proud of Leeds’ long and strong LGBT+ history and I would encourage everyone in the city to celebrate our LGBT+ community and enjoy the wide range of events and activities lined up during February.

“LGBT History Month reminds us that everyone has the right to fulfil their ambitions, achieve their potential, be happy and feel loved. It’s a time for LGBT+ people to reflect and be proud of our ancestors and contemporaries who are role-models and always part of our community.”

Cllr Lewis added: “We are extremely proud and pleased of our achievement in making Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers, and the progress we have made over the past year. We will continue to innovate and improve to ensure we remain at the forefront of LGBT inclusivity for both our staff and the people of Leeds.”