With over 12,000 people expected to attend, Leeds Pride is the largest mass participation Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) event in Yorkshire. Starting at noon Sunday August 2nd in Millennium Square, this year’s main stage is being sponsored and presented by Real Radio who are also on board with SHOUT, City Dweller and Bent magazines as our main media partners.

Real Radio has announced that former Ordinary Boy Preston and Eurovision’s Jade Ewan have been confirmed as performing at this year’s Leeds Pride. The event is now in its fourth year, and is a celebration for the lesbian, gay, and transgender community and is open to everyone

The stage show will take place in the iconic Millennium Square on Aug 2nd and will be hosted by Real Radio breakfast show co-presenter Gayle Lofthouse and weekend presenter Guy Harris. The event will feature local talent and a variety of acts in addition to the headline artists. Following the show there will be a parade which will start at 3pm, with festivities continuing later in the lower Briggate area of the city.

Preston, who made it down to the final four in 2007 Big Brother and had four top ten hit’s with The Ordinary Boy’s, is now launching a solo career with his first Album “Whatever Forever” . The debut single “Dressed to Kill” is released on August 23rd

After successfully representing the UK in The Eurovision Song Contest, Jade Ewen is releasing her debut single "My Man" In September. A number of songwriters, including Gary Barlow, have been confirmed as contributing songs to her upcoming album.

Ricky Durkin, Programme Director at Real Radio said; “Real Radio is delighted to present profile artists, Preston and Jade Ewen, to Leeds Pride. The great thing about Pride is its inclusiveness. This event is a chance for everyone to celebrate the diversity of Leeds and what better way than with a fantastic music event such as this?”

The stage will also see returning artists from last year a variety of new acts including Bears Aloud, as well as your Leeds Pride favourite selections from Drag Idol, Bridge Factor and many, many more. We are still looking for volunteers to assist with stewarding duties on the day in Millennium Square and on the Parade, for more information contact Ann Marie on 0113 244 4209, or email@: amaguire@mesmac.co.uk.

Further new developments for Leeds Pride this year is the Jongleurs Comedy Club Pride event on Saturday the 1st August, with the doors opening at 2.30pm for three hours of comedy followed by an after show party at Bar Risa, to get everyone in the mood for the big day on Sunday. The Jongleurs line up will include; Kandy Knight, Mark Walker and Jason Wood. Jongleurs are donating 33% of the ticket value to Leeds Pride so with only 300 tickets at £15.00 per person available book now to avoid any pre Pride disappointment, contact Jongleurs on 0844 844 0044 or online at www.jongleurs.com, and start your Pride weekend with a smile.

There will be a BSL interpreter and accessible toilets on Millennium Square, making for a truly inclusive event. Then its time for the huge crowds to take to the streets of Leeds in what for many is the highlight of the day, the fantastic Leeds Pride Parade.

The parade will be led, as has become the tradition, by the stunning hundred foot rainbow flag followed by a cavalcade of motorised and walking floats, thousands of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans folk, our friends, families and allies.

Mark Thomson, from Yorkshire MESMAC explained, “With the new partners involved in this years event including Real Radio, Jongleurs and with our organising partners Leeds City Council Leeds Pride 4 will be one of the largest free to participate prides in the country, this takes a lot of work from the Pride Committee to bring together but we feel every once of sweat and every gray hair gained will ensure that Leeds Pride is the place to be on Sunday 2nd August”.

The Lower Briggate venues have already started gearing up for what will be the biggest day of the year, with other business getting on board to. Pick up your official Leeds Pride t-shirt form Nice and Naughty on Lower Briggate to show your support.