Following a violent homophobic attack, Holmfirth in West Yorkshire staged its first Pride event featuring local queer art and inclusive activities, uniting residents and businesses in a vibrant show of support and marking a hopeful new chapter for the town’s LGBTQ+ community.
A small town in West Yorkshire is making waves following a recent homophobic attack that served as the catalyst for its inaugural Pride event. Holmfirth Pride 2025 unfolded over the weekend as a vibrant answer to violence, featuring activities like a rainbow scavenger hunt, drag bingo, and a showcase of local queer art. Organised by local residents Hilary Bowyer and Isobel Heely, the festival drew inspiration from an incident on 12 April, when a man in his twenties was assaulted outside The Old Bridge pub by a group of at least five attackers, provoking outrage and solidarity within the community.
Heely, a local business owner, expressed her dismay over the initial attack, stating, “As a close-knit community, we were all horrified when we heard about the incident and did not want anybody to feel like we were not supportive.” The attack, described by local police as “thuggish and cowardly,” left the victim with facial injuries and was classified as a hate crime by West Yorkshire Police. This incident has necessitated a call for action, prompting the local council to encourage witnesses to come forward.
The Pride event resonated strongly with the residents and local businesses, with a remarkable 65 establishments displaying bunting in support. Heely noted, “All the businesses in the town have got bunting up and people are leaving their mark in the streets with chalk to show acceptance." This communal display of solidarity is particularly poignant in light of Holmfirth’s history with LGBTQ+ events; the town previously hosted the Pink Picnic, a pioneering LGBTQ+ festival in the North of England, which began in 1986 but ceased operations in 2013 due to organisational challenges.
The positive response to Holmfirth Pride has been overwhelming, with Heely revealing that it has brought her to tears. “It has been heartwarming to see such a positive response to something negative,” she said. The event was organised in a remarkably short timeframe of six weeks, receiving crucial funding from the parish council and Kirklees Council. Plans are already underway to make this an annual event, sending a clear message of inclusivity: “We just want to send a message that everybody belongs and we will not tolerate hate.”
As Holmfirth embarks on this new chapter, the local government is keenly observing the community's momentum. Kirklees Pride 2025 is set for 7 June and will feature a diverse range of performances, including notable indie pop band The Hoosiers and various drag acts. The concatenation of these events serves not only as a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity but also as a testament to the resilience of a community determined not to let hate define them.
While the ambivalence surrounding the original attack casts a shadow, Holmfirth's response marks a significant moment in its cultural evolution, demonstrating how adversity can galvanise a community into action.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date of the homophobic attack on 12 April 2025. The BBC report was published on 9 June 2025, indicating timely coverage. The event's organisation within six weeks and the recent attack suggest high freshness. However, the report includes references to other sources, which may indicate some recycled content. Notably, the Pink News article from 15 April 2025 provides details about the attack, and the Examiner Live article from 28 August 2024 discusses the Pink Picnic festival. The inclusion of these references may affect the originality score. Additionally, the report mentions plans for Kirklees Pride 2025 on 7 June, which has already occurred, suggesting a need for updated information. The report also references the Pink Picnic festival, which ceased operations in 2013, indicating that some content may be outdated. These factors may impact the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Isobel Heely, a local business owner, expressing her dismay over the initial attack and the positive response to Holmfirth Pride. These quotes are consistent with statements made in the Pink News article from 15 April 2025. The similarity in wording suggests potential reuse of content. However, no earlier matches for these specific quotes were found, indicating they may be original or exclusive to this report.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the BBC, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. This lends credibility to the report. However, the inclusion of references to other sources, such as the Pink News and Examiner Live articles, may indicate some reliance on external content. The report also mentions plans for Kirklees Pride 2025 on 7 June, which has already occurred, suggesting a need for updated information. Additionally, the report references the Pink Picnic festival, which ceased operations in 2013, indicating that some content may be outdated. These factors may affect the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible account of events, detailing the homophobic attack on 12 April 2025 and the subsequent organisation of Holmfirth Pride 2025. The involvement of local residents and the support from local businesses are consistent with community responses to similar events. However, the report mentions plans for Kirklees Pride 2025 on 7 June, which has already occurred, suggesting a need for updated information. Additionally, the report references the Pink Picnic festival, which ceased operations in 2013, indicating that some content may be outdated. These factors may affect the overall plausibility score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and plausible account of events, with the BBC as a reputable source. However, the inclusion of references to other sources, such as the Pink News and Examiner Live articles, suggests some reliance on external content. The report also mentions plans for Kirklees Pride 2025 on 7 June, which has already occurred, indicating a need for updated information. Additionally, the report references the Pink Picnic festival, which ceased operations in 2013, indicating that some content may be outdated. These factors introduce uncertainties regarding the freshness and originality of the content. Further verification is recommended to confirm the accuracy and originality of the information presented. The overall confidence in the assessment is medium due to these uncertainties.
