Leeds Pride is one of the biggest and best parties of the year! If you’re local to Leeds you know that the Freedom Quarter and Lower Briggate is the place to be. With some amazing venues like Viaduct Showbar, Queens Court and Fibre, the street has become a focal point for the celebrations.
What time is the Leeds Pride Parade 2022?
It’s been two long years since Leeds was last able to celebrate Pride with a parade and this Sunday it's back with a bang (and glitter... and flags, and rainbows and pretty much the best vibes the city see's all year round!) There’s a slight changes to the route, but don’t worry the map below is simple enough to follow! The parade will begin at 2pm in Millennium Square and end in The Calls.
The parade also changed it's name this year, to the Robert Payne Parade. This change is in honour of Blayds Bar owner Robert Payne who sadly passed away in 2021. Robert was well known throughout the Leeds LGBT+ community and the Leeds bar scene. Robert is being recognised for the tireless commitments he made to support Leeds Pride and Blayds Bar, whom he ran with his husband.
Who are the Angels of Freedom?
The Angels of Freedom is a community based project charity. They provide support to the LGBT+ community in a number of ways. From the events they run, to the outreach work they do on the streets of Leeds.
One of their biggest projects is the visible support they offer every Friday night from 7pm-11pm around the Lower Briggate and Call Lane areas. If you’re local to the area you may have seen them walking the busy streets of Leeds in their bright pink hi-vis vests. These volunteers give up their own Friday evenings in the hope they can offer a friendly face to someone who may need it, or give some guidance about the support that’s available for the LGBT+ community within Leeds.
The Angels of Freedom also run other various support in the form of;
- Coffee & Cake evening @ Well being and Social Café on the first Tuesday of each month. Which has recently moved to new event space so they can now expand their wellbeing offer during the first half of the evening, whilst continuing to provide the social space for friendly chatter an board games!
- Working with British Transport Police, West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City council to provide Pride Friendly Trains and safe transport to events such as Leeds First Friday
- By providing safe spaces for families wanting to open a dialogue to support their children in coming out as LGTB+. Leeds Freedom Families provides a great number of ways to get in touch, so whatever situation families find themselves in, they can reach out in way that suits them best.
How are Smiffys supporting Angels of Freedom?
This year Smiffys are honoured to be able to support the Angels of Freedom. Will we do this by:
- By providing financial funding to supply FFLAG resource booklets. The booklets are printed in a variety useful topics and are used at Leeds Freedom Families support groups.
- Supporting the Wellbeing & Social café year round by funding catering services for events.
- Kitting out their volunteers with Smiffys accessories and providing lots of prizes for games that will be taking place on Sunday!
- Smiffys will also be providing costumes to Angels of Freedom for their annual YuleFest in December.
What Pride events are taking place in Leeds?
Here’s the official times for Leeds Pride on Sunday 7th August.
- 12pm - 2pm - Sainsbury's Parade Stage - Millennium Square
- 2pm - The Robert Payne Parade
- 3pm - 9pm - first direct Main Stage - Lower Briggate
Leeds Pride Village Fete 2022 – Head over to Mill Hill Chapel if you’re looking for a family friendly way to spend your Sunday. A safe space to celebrate with others in the community, enjoy food and refreshments and lots of fun activities.
Viaduct Showbar - Catch your favourite Viaduct queens, entertainers and DJs across the whole weekend at the iconic Leeds venue!
CHOW DOWN Leeds – Not too far from all the action, Chow Down are hosting a special Pride Drag Brunch. A perfect warm up for the parade!!