BRADFORD is gearing up for a month-long festival in February, recognising the LGBT community as part of LGBT History Month.

More than 100 events will be taking place in Bradford, including films, sports, discussions and workshops to recognise the contribution of LGBT people to the community.

It is hoped the festival will cement Bradford as one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the UK.

Throughout the month, the Rainbow flag and trans flag will fly from City Hall, workshops for employers and agencies, and sexual health screenings will take place.

Bradford City FC is also getting involved in the festival, and there will be talks and exhibitions and a celebrity football match in aid of the festival

A spokesman for Bradford City said: “We have been committed, for many years, to supporting members of the LGBT community who follow football.

“The club is proud to enhance and intensify the message that inclusion is right for clubs and supporters alike.

“We display the Rainbow flag at all home games, and we are delighted to be, once again, supporting the LGBT History Month.”

An invitation-only screening of Wonderkid, about a gay footballer, is being shown at the National Media Museum on Wednesday, February 1, starting a month of LGBT films.

These include Pride, Paris is Burning, and The Imitation Game at Bradford College, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Delius Arts Centre.

Plays, panels and debates are also taking place throughout the month.

The festival culminates in the Bradford Pride Awards on Wednesday, February 22, which will take place at City Hall.

Festival co-ordinator and Bradford councillor Richard Dunbar said the “fantastic” response to the staging of the festival was “exactly what I’ve come to expect from Bradford”.

He said: “The LGBT community and its allies must stand together to educate and challenge prejudice whilst celebrating our achievements and the progress we have made over the years, including the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales 50 years ago this year.

“At the beginning of November I called a meeting to say we needed to do something good for LGBT History Month and was overwhelmed by the fantastic response from the Council, community groups and people from all across the city.”

Kersten England, chief executive of Bradford Council added: “LGBT people play a big part in making Bradford a vibrant, diverse and energetic city. “

For full listings of events throughout the month, visit lgbtbradford.co.uk.

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