THE Out and About Festival in Huddersfield, staged to coincide with a massive Gay Pride march in London, was a huge success, according to organisers.
The event, at Huddersfield Town Hall, included stands and exhibitions, a stilt-walker, plumbing workshop, self-defence workshop, a presentation on hate incident reporting and a writing class.
Javier Santana, who helped prepare the event, said: "It is fantastic. It is much bigger this year.
"We want to make sure the interests of gay men and women are represented in a fair way."
He added: "The public's attitude towards gay people is getting better but there is still lots of work to do."
The event was opened by Colne Valley Labour MP Kali Mountford, who said research showed that half of young people who were gay had experienced violence.
"People who are prejudiced against one group of people are very likely to be prejudiced against any group of people that they think to be different," she said.
"If people are racist against black people they are going to be against Asian and homosexual men and women."
There was a free buffet at Lily's Cafe Bar, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, and a barbecue at The Greyhound, Manchester Road.
The event at Huddersfield Town Hall, featured an art exhibition by Christopher Lucas Furminger.
Exhibition stands were staged, among others, by the Brunswick sexual health clinic, Huddersfield, Kirklees Alcohol Advisory Service, Kirklees Lesbian Gay Bisexual Equality Network, the Kirklees LesbiGay Group, the Shap Single Homelessness Accommodation Project, Kirklees Domestic Violence Forum, Kirklees Social Services and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.
The West Yorkshire Police attended and people were encouraged to report hate crimes.
Romi Smith, a reader development officer for Kirklees Libraries, offered people a free book in a bid to start a new reading group for lesbian and gay men.
Ring her on 01924 325040 or 07977 209142.
