Bradford Gay Pride

I was pleased to see the gay flag (rainbow stripes) flying proudly above Bradford town hall today (hence my blip).

This is because this Saturday 21st May is Bradford pride.

It starts at 1.30pm at Bradford urban garden near Midland hotel.

There will be stalls, a bar & entertainment on the main stage. Corri star Anthony Cotton will also be a guest.

You can find a full programme HERE

Bradford Pride is the city?s annual festival of equality and diversity (a day for the whole community not just the gay community).

People have asked me what the point of gay pride is & why we bother given that lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people are largely accepted in the UK now.

Even as a gay man I used to think that there was no need for gay pride but there are still lots of young people who are bullied at school & who have to hide their sexuality plus violence against gay men & women is still reported far too often in the UK.

Also over the last few years there has been an increase in gay bullying in schools leading to a number of young people in the US & UK taking their own lives which needless to say is a tragic waste.

My partner is from Malawi in Africa where being gay will land you 13yrs in jail and there are a number of countries where being gay leads to a death sentence - most notably in & closest to home in Iran where they have publicly hanged teenage boys in the street!

If you want to know how civilised a nation is take a look at how they treat their gay citizens!

People can no more change their sexuality than left handed people can change their handedness!

Even if I weren't gay I would champion gay rights as gay rights are just human rights!

Anyway rant over lol if you feel like free entertainment with music & comedy in Bradford this Saturday pop along!