Leeds Pride 2024, Through my Lens

24 Jul

The day began at just before 6am.

Having organised the majority of my work gear the night before, all I needed to do was have some breakfast and get to the train station on time.

Parking up I got out of the car and walked towards the station. A man dressed in uniform clutching a piece of paper in one hand and a pen in the other rather happily walked on by me.

"Was it a ticket officer" I thought to myself. I glanced over my shoulder and eyed the man stood next to my car taking its details. At the time there was a moment of panic but it turns out he was just taking my registration down as he'd not yet opened up the ticket office.

One ticket from Barnsley to Leeds and I was on my way. "What would Leeds' Pride be like?" I wondered. Just a week ago I had photographed Barnsley Pride which was a nice small affair but Leeds, Leeds I was certain would be bathed in 'celebrations of togetherness'. I had read that 70'000 people were expected to attend. Visions of me being in a moshpit filled my mind.

Sitting at the station is where Leeds' Pride started for me. Individuals covered in Pride related accessories, t-shirts and face paints sat either side of me talking to each other about their plans for the day.

The excitement was beginning to kick in and it would remain there for the remainder of the day!

COMMUNITY