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Leeds Pride to become UK’s first pride with Premier League players to join parade

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 3rd August 2022

The attendance of past and present players from Leeds United makes Leeds Pride the first UK Pride event to have Premier League footballers in attendance.

Leeds United is a premium sponsor of the event, for the second time, but this will be the first time players have attended the Pride Weekend.

Luke (Bill) Ayling, Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former Leeds United playesr Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan will all be in attendance, appearing with members of Marching Out Together and other Leeds United supporters.

Angus Kinnear the Leeds United CEO, issued a statement to explain why he looking forward to attending his first Pride event here in Leeds: “The Leeds United players and directors all send their best wishes to Marching Out Together and everyone associated with Leeds Pride. We do hope fans will come along and join us or watch the Parade pass through the city – it is a great opportunity to show our support to the LGBT+ community.

Image: Marching Out Together

“Everyone will be meeting at 1.30pm, as the parade assembles on Cookridge Street and Portland Crescent. Please look out for the Leeds United shirts and the Marching Out Together flags!”

Leeds United has also reported that a number of members of the first team have recorded messages to show their support for Marching Out Together. Captain Liam Cooper said: “I am proud to captain a club that not only supports Leeds Pride, but also works throughout the year with Marching Out Together, to make sure that everybody at Elland Road feels welcome.”

Read More: Incredible street artist unveils LGBTQ+ inclusivity in football mural in Leeds

The news was announced on Facebook by the Leeds LGBT+ Pride page earlier this week:

"Looks like we’ll be making history at the weekend! We’re the first UK Pride event to have current and past Premier League footballs attending. Huge moment for football and it’s support to breakdown barriers and we’d like to thank Leeds United for taking a huge step as LGBT+ allies.

"Here are the thoughts of WIGGY, Chair, MOT Marching Out Together: “This Sunday sees Leeds pride return for the 1st time in 3 years and I cannot wait. For the second time in their history, Leeds United are a premium sponsor of the event.

"The importance of having Leeds United sponsor the event is massive - a powerful visible statement showing Leeds United not only welcome everyone at Elland Road, but want to be seen to support the wider local LGBT+ community.

"Marching Out Together will be joined on the pride march by staff and officials from Leeds United. And in a huge statement of solidarity, for the first time in Pride history, an active Premier League player will be marching at a pride parade.

"Luke Ayling (“Bill”) will proudly stand side by side with Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former stars Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan along with Marching Out Together members and other Leeds United fans.

"We can't wait to see everyone at the march on Sunday. Please do come along, bring your friends and family, have a fun day and be part of Pride history with Luke Ayling and former stars.”

Read More: There’s a Leeds United college dedicated entirely to sport

For more information about Leeds Pride 2022, visit the Leeds LGBT Pride Facebook page.

Feature Image- Leeds United

News

Major DJ has set cancelled as overcrowding concerns continue at Leeds Festival

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

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.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

News

‘Actually lost for words’ – huge artist speaks out as Leeds Festival set is cancelled due to overcrowding

Clementine Hall 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.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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