Preview: Leeds LGBT Pride

When: Sunday 7th August

Words: Christopher Armstrong

Get your glitz and glamour glad rags ready for Leeds’ biggest event of the year – LGBT Pride 2011!

It’s time stand up tall and join the crowd of over 20,000 for one heck of a party. Whether you’re gay, straight, bi or transgender it promises to be one unforgettable event. Oh, and it’s absolutely free.

Entering its 6th year, Leeds Pride is going to be bigger and better than ever. With live entertainment, colourful costumes and a massive street party, the good times are going to last well into the night. An event with no prejudice, everyone is welcome. The atmosphere is unlike any other, unity and kinship at its best as people stand together to show support for the LGBT community.

The Real Radio main stage kicks off proceedings at 12 noon in the beautiful Millennium Square. Join the throng to witness brilliant performances from superb local and national talents. Stunning, top- 10 chart sensation ‘Parade’ and the gorgeous boys of ‘Eli Prime’ headline the event. Expect performances from party divas Novena, Tameka and the Queen of the scene, vocalist extraordinaire, Kira.

The parade will begin as the majestic Town Hall clock strikes 3pm. A vast array of floats will lead the way through the city centre; spirits will be high as the streets come alive with outrageous costumes and rainbow flags, the symbol of gay pride. Feel free to wave, shout, cheer and sing as the atmosphere swells.

The Parade will meander down the pedestrianised Call Lane towards Lower Briggate. Conveniently close to Leeds train station, this street is the heart of Leeds gay scene and the residence to what promises to be one epic street party. Explore Queens Court, Fibre and Club Mission as they present the biggest courtyard party of the year. The drinks will be flowing from over 20 bars, go for a spin on the funfair, or take home a souvenir from the market stalls. More international cabaret acts than you can shake a stiletto at are supported by three outdoor stages: Blayds Bar, The Viaduct Showbar and Lower Briggate Pride stage.

Some of the acts set to perform include:

Georgie Boy –Boy George Tribute,

Cherry Pops – Drag Idol winner 2010

The Viaduct Showgirls – Drag cabaret from the Award winning Viaduct Showbar

Miss Sordid – Cabaret from the Bridge Bar’s resident DJ & Host

Dame Shirley Bassey Experience –The UK’s top Shirley Bassey tribute

Bears Aloud – Clawing their way out of their Blayds Bar den, it’s the original bears in frocks.

Miss Orry – The Queens court’s sharp-tongued sensation

Cheryl Hole – Cabaret from Leeds’s very own Cheryl Hole!

For those who want to party hard; the biggest gay club nights, Homo and Backdoor Disco, have teamed up to host the official Pride After party. Top DJs will keep the festivities going till 4am with camp chart tunes.

Do not miss this extraordinary annual event. Be loud, be proud and have the glitter to hand because, as Gloria Gaynor once said, “Life’s not worth a damn, ‘til you can shout out, I AM WHAT I AM!”

For more information see www.leedspride.com