A rainbow flag flying from Bradford City Hall and a balloon release will mark this years International Day Against Homophobia.

This year will be the first time the Pride flag will be flown over City Hall, on Thursday, May 17, to celebrate the human rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people throughout the world.

The annual day, which is marked internationally, is held to commemorate the moment in 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organisation's list of mental illness.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act, which began the long road to equality and justice for gay, lesbian and transsexual people in the UK.

The day will also be used to raise awareness of the issues men and women are still facing in some countries and to raise the profile of lesbian, gay and bisexual groups, organisations and services available across the district.

A total of 77 countries still punish gay people with imprisonment or execution and in eight countries the death penalty is in force for homosexuality.

Europe is the only continent where no country has laws against homosexuality.