Latest news with #NazirUddin
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thousands defy rain to celebrate Pride festival
Thousands of people defied the downpours to take part in Leeds Pride this weekend. The vibrant annual festival, which celebrates LGBTQ+ life, was held in the city centre on Sunday. Despite the miserable weather, there were smiles everywhere as huge numbers turned out to watch the parade make its way across The Headrow amid a party atmosphere. Several people who attended claimed Leeds had one of the best Pride festivals. One woman, who went to the celebration with her partner and her partner's daughter, said: "Leeds Pride is one of my favourite Prides and I've been to a lot of them. "I like the family feel about this place. It keeps me coming back every year and I'm really excited to be here. "Despite the rain the atmosphere feels like it's buzzing." Pride's distinctive rainbow colours, music, dancing and drag queens all formed part of the fun at the festival, which was first held in Leeds in 2006. Another woman who attended said: "My son came out as gay one-and-a-half years ago, so I wanted to be here for him and to celebrate equality for everyone. "It's amazing. I'm absolutely loving it!" Nazir Uddin, who is originally from Bangladesh, said he had to hide his sexuality until he came to the UK. He said: "It is illegal to be homosexual in my country. "It's not just Bangladesh, there are still 64 countries where it's still illegal, so I'm here to represent all of those who are still hiding their sexuality. "I never experienced this (Pride) back home, so it's like heaven for me and I feel very safe here." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Related stories Pride marchers 'don't let it rain on their parade' Pride festival cancelled amid funding shortfall Glasgow streets awash with colour for Pride march Related internet links Leeds Pride
BBC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Huge turnout for Leeds Pride as rain fails to spoil party mood
Thousands of people defied the downpours to take part in Leeds Pride this vibrant annual festival, which celebrates LGBTQ+ life, was held in the city centre on Sunday. Despite the miserable weather, there were smiles everywhere as huge numbers turned out to watch the parade make its way across The Headrow amid a party atmosphere. Several people who attended claimed Leeds had one of the best Pride festivals. One woman, who went to the celebration with her partner and her partner's daughter, said: "Leeds Pride is one of my favourite Prides and I've been to a lot of them."I like the family feel about this place. It keeps me coming back every year and I'm really excited to be here. "Despite the rain the atmosphere feels like it's buzzing." Pride's distinctive rainbow colours, music, dancing and drag queens all formed part of the fun at the festival, which was first held in Leeds in 2006. Another woman who attended said: "My son came out as gay one-and-a-half years ago, so I wanted to be here for him and to celebrate equality for everyone."It's amazing. I'm absolutely loving it!"Nazir Uddin, who is originally from Bangladesh, said he had to hide his sexuality until he came to the UK. He said: "It is illegal to be homosexual in my country."It's not just Bangladesh, there are still 64 countries where it's still illegal, so I'm here to represent all of those who are still hiding their sexuality."I never experienced this (Pride) back home, so it's like heaven for me and I feel very safe here." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
