Pride – time to party!
Marchers paraded joyously through the streets to celebrate this year's Leicester Pride.
Traffic stopped and shoppers looked on as hundreds of revellers snaked their way along city streets on Saturday afternoon.
The procession, celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, congregated in the Cultural Quarter.
The parade, carrying balloons, flags and banners, began at Curve at 1pm and made its way to the Clock Tower, along High Street, up Loseby Lane and New Walk to Victoria Park.
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Sally Fokinther, 49, of Fosse Road North, said: "The parade is so colourful, so wonderful. It is a real joy.
"It is lovely that all these great people can take to the streets of Leicester and show off like this."
After the parade entered Victoria Park, the party started. The Rainbow & Dove, in Charles Street – which sponsored Leicester Pride – ran a free bus shuttle service between the bar and Victoria Park every half an hour from 11am until 8pm, when the party ended.
In the park, music boomed from a main stage while other partygoers raved away to dance music in a large white marquee.
Drag queen Miss Marty, who was hosting the live music stage, said: "I do the Birmingham Pride, too, but I love it here in Leicester.
"The Pride in Birmingham is more urban and city centre-based than this. Leicester is much greener and it is lovely to be in a park.
"It's a great party and who doesn't love a party?"
Fairground rides provided thrills and fun, table tennis tables gave players a chance to show off their skills, while stalls offered food and drink and clothing.
A stall run by Northampton Outlaws – a gay-friendly rugby team – featured players, in full kit, offering massages for £5 and a hug for £1.
Outlaw Danny Shuter, 34, said: "This is a brilliant event and we are so happy to be here."
Team mate Craig Pullen, 38, said: "It is our first time here and it is fab. What I love is the mix of people.
"It is wonderful to see so many different ages and types of people just getting together."
Rachael Wragg got into the spirit of the day by dressing up as cartoon character Rainbow Bright. Rachael, from Earl Shilton, said: "It is going to be a great day out.
"We saw the event advertised and thought we would come along and get involved. We quite like parties."
Her cousin Becky Murgatroyd, 28, donned a Wonder Woman outfit.
Becky, also from Earl Shilton, said: "We have never been before but it has a lovely chilled-out vibe to it."
Friends Glen Thomas and Lawrence Bell made the short trip into town from Blaby for the party in Victoria Park. Glen, 42, said: "I have been coming to this event for years and I love it.
"We are so lucky that such a great event is staged on our doorstep so we are delighted to be able to come along and support it."
Lawrence, 46, said: "It is good that so many different people of all ages come along and have fun together.
"There is real gentle feel to this event and Leicester should be very proud of staging such a celebration."
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