The trail was created as a way to celebrate and highlight the history, events and people that have influenced Leeds' LGBTQ+ heritage.
You may be aware of the numerous blue plaques dotted around the city, awarded by the Leeds Civic Trust to commemorate people, events and buildings which hold cultural and historical significance.
But did you know that there's also 15 rainbow coloured plaques placed around the city which make up the Rainbow Plaque Trail?
Image: Leeds Civic Trust
Created in 2018, the Leeds Civic Trust and the Leeds LGBTQ+ Hub worked together to prepare the special trail, recognising places around the city which have influenced our rich LGBTQ+ history.
Image: Leeds Civic Trust
You can find plaques at 15 different locations across the city including one at The Mill Hill Chapel in city square. This chapel was the first place of worship in Leeds city centre to marry same-sex couples after the legalisation of the 2014 marriage act.
The chapel itself has a rich and fruitful history going back hundreds of years, the unitarian church was granted Grade II listed status in the 1960s and was later awarded a blue plaque by Leeds Civic Trust in 1991 as a spot of cultural significance.
You can find another plaque at The New Penny on Call Lane, an iconic venue which is reportedly the longest continually running gay bar in the country. Starting life as the Hope and Anchor in 1953, fourteen years before The Sexual Offences Act in 1967 decriminalised homosexual acts, meaning the bar had to operate under a shroud of secrecy.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
After a change of ownership, the pub changed its name to the New Penny in 1982 and has since become one of the most popular and most iconic venues in Leeds.
There are 15 plaques in total to find and other locations include Charlie's Nightclub in Queen's Court, the BBC building and many more. Embarking on the trail is a fantastic way to remember and appreciate the experiences, people and events that have shaped our LGBTQ+ heritage.
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
‘Actually lost for words’ – huge artist speaks out as Leeds Festival set is cancelled due to overcrowding
Clementine Hall
For the second day in a row, a huge set has been cancelled due to overcrowding at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Day two of the festival and there's some pretty disappointed ravers hanging their head as one of the biggest dance music sets of the day is cancelled.
Omar+, a rising British electronic DJ and producer, was due to play on the brand-new Warehouse stage at Reading yesterday and Leeds today.
Yesterday's set was cancelled last minute due to overcrowding, and low and behold the same has happened here in Leeds.
Announcing the sad news to his story, Omar+ said "Actually lost for words. My Leeds set has been cancelled due to overcrowding."
He then went on to show a screenshot of a text message, reading: "I've never seen something like this in my entire life where two shows back to back are cancelled due to overcrowding."
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading yesterday, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
Clementine Hall -
11th August 2022 
