BRADFORD will once again celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, with a packed programme of events from organisations across the district.

This year’s busy programme includes cabaret, dance shows, support groups, sporting events, and a celebration of queer icon and much more.

The month long celebration of LGBTQ+ history and culture will get underway tomorrow at 9am with a special virtual flag raising ceremony featuring a diverse range of speakers from the LGBTQ+ community as well as representatives from Bradford Council, Bradford 2025 and Bradford Cathedral.

This year a special flag produced by Sew Keighley Pride, during lockdown last year, will also be raised as part of the ceremony. The community patchwork pride flag project in partnership with ICLS, Keighley Pride and Bradford Council contains over 200 fabric patches. The individual patches were created to celebrate people's LGBTQ+ inspirations and stitched into Daniel Quasar's progress pride flag design by international textile artist Morwenna Catt.

There will also be a flag raising ceremony at Cenotaph Square in Keighley at 11am.

Bradford city centre will be lit in traditional LGBTQ+ rainbow colours throughout the month, with City Hall, Margaret McMillan Tower and the Foster Square arches being lit up along with City Park and both city centre theatres, The Alhambra and St George’s Hall.

LGBTQ+ History Month is held in February each year to celebrate and recognise the cultures, past and present, of LGBTQ+ people and others across the sexual orientation spectrum. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Queer/Questioning, with the ‘+’ representing a range of different sexual identities.

Some of the month’s highlights include:

• Aging with pride and dignity conference - the impact of LGBTQ+ history for adult social care

• An audience with Peter Tatchell – online event about the importance of activism and fighting for human rights

• Bradford City AFC LGBTQ+ convention – the first ever independent convention held by the football club

• Queer South Asians - We have always been here - panel event discussing icons of the community and what it means to be a minority within a minority

• Dance like no one is watching – join in with an online all-age dance extravaganza

Councillor Richard Dunbar, LGBTQ+ Champion for Bradford Council, said: “We’ve an entertaining, informative and radical programme of events lined up for this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month.

“The past year has been another challenging one, but we in the queer community are made of strong stuff – we’re resilient, we’re supportive and we know how to agitate for change.

“Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally who’d like to show support or you’d like to find out how to become an ally, there’s something for everyone.

“The Bradford district really is a special place and has much to be proud of and amongst the LGBTQ+ community I see innovators, leaders, creatives and people who work hard to make the lives of others better on a daily basis.

“We hope as many people as possible will get involved and encourage others to do so as well.”

Rick Shaw, Chair of Bradford2025, said: “Bradford2025 is proud to be part of the annual celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month. We're thrilled to support an exciting and celebratory month, joining community groups, schools, volunteers, activists, and organisations from the private, public and third sectors to inspire, engage and provoke conversation.

“Not only is the month an important time to highlight the history and achievements of LGBTQ+ communities – it's also a moment to look at different perspectives on LGBTQ+ inclusion at important intersections.

“Exploring what lessons from history can teach us about the future is central to representing the diversity of Bradford in our bid to become UK City of Culture and we look forward to seeing how communities come together to support this important month.”

Ryan Sparks Chairman of Bradford City AFC, said: “We are proud to be supporting LGBTQ+ History Month here at Bradford City AFC. We pride ourselves on providing equal opportunities and encouraging people from all backgrounds to prosper within our football club - and the city of Bradford. Celebrating differences and being proud of who we are remain key pillars of our organisation, and values we hold highly in everything we do. It is important for us to support such initiatives, year in, year out, as we strive to make our club even more inclusive and welcoming to everyone.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “As a life-long equalities campaigner I have been a committed and active LGBTQ+ ally and friend for many decades. I am determined that all our communities will be safe and feel safe and that hate crime will be taken seriously and dealt with robustly by West Yorkshire Police.

“My new Police and Crime Plan has hate crime as one of its priorities, and Diversity, Equality and Inclusion is one of three cross-cutting themes. Including the voices and experience of all the LGBTQ+ communities of West Yorkshire is a promise we are delighted to make. Have a great month.”

To find out more about LGBTQ+ History Month events and useful links to local support in the Bradford district visit https://www.bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/whats-on-in-bradford-district/lgbtqplus-history-month-2022/