What Is Bradford's Back In The Pink Weekend ?

Ever walked through a city and wondered about the stories hidden in its streets? Bradford has a rich and vibrant history, and this October, a special festival is set to shine a light on a really important part of it. The 'Back in the Pink' weekend, running from 10 – 12 October, is all about celebrating the city's LGBTQ+ heritage.

It's a throwback to a series of festivals called 'Bradford in the Pink' that happened around 40 years ago, bringing the stories, achievements, and activism of LGBTQ+ people back into the spotlight. This event isn't just a look back; it's a full-on celebration, packed with walking tours, art exhibitions, film screenings, and even a massive party. It's a key part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations, showing just how central the LGBTQ+ community has been to the city's cultural life.

The whole thing is a collaboration between Castles In The Sky Projects and Bradford 2025, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, ensuring this important history gets the attention it deserves.

Remembering a history that resonates today

The 'Back in the Pink' festival is a powerful reminder that the LGBTQ+ community has always been a vital part of Bradford's story. It's about looking at the culture and activism that thrived in the city during the late 20th century. Think of it as opening a time capsule filled with stories of courage, creativity, and community. The organisers have put together a weekend that explores this past through a variety of engaging events.

Alice Parsons of Castles In The Sky, a key organisation behind the event, puts it perfectly:

“Back in the Pink is a reminder that LGBTQ+ culture has always had a place in Bradford. Over the course of the weekend, we’ll be remembering a history that resonates today, spotlighting the people and organisations who laid the foundations for our community and being inspired by stories of activism and creativity There will be exhibitions, talks, and walking tours to explore, as well as a great party with iconic local cabaret artists, drag acts and DJs. Don’t miss it!”

Big conversations and big nights out

On Saturday, 11 October, from 3pm to 6:30pm, the Bradford Playhouse will host 'Big Nights OUT'. This isn't your average history lesson; it's a series of lively conversations about the nightlife and activism that shaped Bradford’s LGBTQ+ community. There are two main panel discussions planned:

• Visual Culture: The first chat explores how art and design were used for protest and celebration. Imagine the posters, flyers for club nights, and badges that people created to build a sense of community and fight for their rights. The panel features Zorian Clayton, a curator from the famous V&A museum in London, Bradford-based artist Alan Richardson, and DJ Leon Davis. They'll discuss everything from Richardson's work with the Bradford Gay Switchboard to Davis's project archiving queer nightlife. It shows how arts and creativity were fundamental tools.
• Untold Stories: The second discussion is led by Tash Walker, host of the award-winning podcast 'The Log Books'. It focuses on the incredible story of telephone support lines like the Bradford Gay Switchboard and Lesbian Line. Before the internet, these phone lines were a lifeline, offering support and a sense of connection for people who often felt isolated. This panel will feature volunteers and callers from that time, sharing powerful personal stories about the vital role these services played in the community.

It's time for a pink after dark party

What’s a celebration without a proper party? On the evening of Saturday, 11 October, from 8:30pm until 2:30am, the Loading Bay will transform for 'Pink After Dark'. This event is a tribute to the legendary, long-lost LGBTQ+ venues of Bradford, like the Bavaria and the Junction. It promises to be an immersive night of cabaret, performance, and music, celebrating the spaces where people found joy and community. The lineup is fantastic, featuring the "national northern darling" David Hoyle for his Bradford debut. He'll be joined by local legends of cabaret, including Unknown Amazon, Jude Kershaw, and Jenn Wilson. The night will be filled with live art, drag artists, and incredible music. Providing the tunes will be some of Yorkshire’s finest DJs, including Michael Upson, founder of the dance party Love Muscle, alongside MelaD and Luscious. It's set to be an unforgettable night of celebrating Bradford's vibrant queer arts scene.

A special trip to the cinema

On Sunday, 12 October, from 11am to 2pm, the festival takes over the Bradford Playhouse for the 'Back in the Pink Cinema special'. This event recreates the kind of film screenings that were organised by gay and lesbian groups back in the 1980s as a way to gather, share stories, and organise. It's a nod to the power of cinema in building a community. The main feature is the documentary 'Before Stonewall' (1984). This film is a landmark piece of history, showcasing LGBTQ+ life and activism in the USA before the famous Stonewall uprising. It was actually screened in Bradford back in 1988 by the Bradford Lesbian Line to raise awareness and funds to fight against Section 28, a controversial law at the time. The film's message of solidarity and the importance of knowing history is as relevant now as it was then, making it essential viewing for understanding the wider cultural context. The press for such events in the past was crucial for spreading the word.

More to see and do around the city

Alongside the main events, the weekend is packed with other ways to explore Bradford's rich LGBTQ+ heritage.

• Bradford LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour: Taking place on 10 and 11 October, these tours led by Alice Parsons are already sold out! It just goes to show how eager people are to uncover the hidden history of activism and community right on their doorstep.
• OUT All Night Exhibition: On 11 October, the Loading Bay will host a free pop-up exhibition from the new Bradford LGBTQ+ Archive. This is a chance to see real materials from the past, alongside new commissions from contemporary artists like Jude Kershaw and Jenn Willson. It’s a direct link to the creativity and lives of the people who came before.

This festival is a fantastic example of the kind of dynamic cultural events happening across the district as part of Bradford 2025. It’s a city that’s proudly celebrating all the different communities and artists that make up its unique culture. This investment in telling diverse stories is what makes Bradford's tenure as UK City of Culture so special. It's not just about big shows; it's about the deep, meaningful history of its people.