A FESTIVAL celebrating Bradford’s LGBTQ+ community will return next week after a two-year hiatus.

Bradford Pride, which will aim to provide a new level of visibility for LGBTQ+ people in the district, will run from June 1 to June 30.

It will be the first time the event has been held in person since the pandemic, with the previous two festivals being held online due to coronavirus.

Prior to the pandemic, Bradford Pride attracted large numbers of visitors to the city centre every year.

This year’s festival will include a parade as well as the main event – which is a celebration in Centenary Square on July 9, featuring performances, food stalls, community and commercial marketplaces and fairground rides.

Leon Fleming, Chair of Bradford Pride, expressed his delight at the fact that the festival will be held in person once again this year.

He added that this will also improve the festival’s visibility – something which proved difficult during lockdown.

He said: “I’m thrilled that that we’re being able to put Pride back where it belongs - right in the middle of the city centre, at the centre of the district in full view of the whole of Bradford.

“Leading on something which is so big, so bold, so unapologetic, but which can still be embedded in the concept of community and created by a team of volunteers, is very exciting.”

A spokesperson for key sponsor, Yorkshire Building Society, added: “YBS is incredibly proud to be sponsoring Bradford Pride again in 2022 – seeing the city come to life once more to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community is something we’re delighted to be part of.

“Our HQ is based in Bradford, so being able to support the local community is important to us here at the society. Happy Pride, we’ll see you there.”

Bradford Council Leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “We are really excited to see the return of Bradford Pride to the city this summer and I would like to thank the organisers for putting together such an exciting programme of events.

"The Bradford district has always had an active LGBTQ+ community who contribute massively to making our city the diverse, inclusive and welcoming place it is now known as across the country.”

For all enquiries regarding Bradford Pride, people can email bradfordpride@equitypartnership.org.uk.

A full brochure of events is also available here: https://www.equitypartnership.org.uk/bradford-pride/