Pride Cymru is a staple event for the majority of LGBT+ people and allies alike in Wales. First coming to fruition in 1999, the event has continued to grow in popularity ever since. For me and other LGBT+ people, the Covid pandemic and the pause of Pride events left me in a difficult situation. With going out and socialising as one of my favourite things to do (and one of the main ways I connected to the community) three years was a long time to say goodbye.
But this year, the first since 2019, Pride Cymru was back in all its glory. I had the opportunity to head down on the Saturday to take in all it had to offer. Straight from the parade, which hosted the likes of Pinc List features such as Yan White from the Queer Emporium and politician Hannah Blythyn, the atmosphere was incredible. With little opposition, it was the first time in a long time that I felt the entire acronym of the LGBT+ community was present and supportive of one another. While the lockdowns were hell for me, and other people, the pause in our day to day gave a lot of opportunity for people to become educated about issues affecting the wider community.
The mainstage of the event situated just opposite the museum on the City Lawns. With the main line-ups including Mel C, Bimini and Booty Luv, entertainment on the run-up to their appearances consisted of local LGBT+ acts. It was lovely to see so many different types of people have the opportunity to perform on such a big platform. Opening the mainstage was the ever inspiring Zoey, the blogger behind Our Transitional Life. A talented songwriter, singer and jewellery maker, Zoey's presence was great to see and important for so many. It takes a presence to be able to interest a crowd at the start of the day, and Zoey did that with ease.
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So many organisations had market stalls throughout the festival. From Glitter Cymru, to Fast Track Cardiff & Vale, it was refreshing to see so many support networks available to people within our community. With people stopping for advice as they traversed through the different vendors and organisations, it underlined the real reason we have Pride celebrations in the first place - to better the quality of life for all LGBT+ people. Whilst the event was massive in scale, it didn't seem to dilute the real message of Pride for me. From deaf inclusive pride spaces to a faith tent, the festival consisted of so much for people to do, regardless of disability, beliefs or interests.
A music fan to my core, I loved seeing so many acts from Wales take to the stages to showcase their music and cabaret skills. Two notable standouts for me were Cardiff's very own Jolene Dover and Willets. Electro pop artist Willets shone the brightest performing his own material to the crowd. Demanding the stage and working the crowd, he had everyone up on their feet - me included.
"Three long years, mainstage baby, yea it's crazy," Willets said to me backstage.
"I mentioned on the stage that, as a Welsh boy, Cardiff was the first pride I'd ever come to. So with it being the first Pride I've ever played and on the main stage after three years, it's wild. There's always a nice mix in Cardiff Pride compared to other Prides. There's loads of local support. I think this year more than ever they saw a bigger local presence on the mainstage and the rest of the festival. To give us that opportunity to do it all together after so many years of not doing it, the whole thing was everything I wanted it to be."
What was refreshing to see on the mainstage was the incorporation of more alternative acts. Hey Mary, an alternative drag collective in Cardiff, performed a cabaret number that was a great addition. I attended the first event they held back in 2016 and since then they've grown in numbers and helped so many performers come into their own and express themselves. With Fae West covering Paramore songs to Nemesis Repulsa leading the way on the microphone, it felt like a full circle moment and I was just a punter watching in awe!
"It's nice being back, everyone went full out as well. The sense of community and the sense of being together has really been felt this year," Nemesis said.
"When we were walking in the parade, everyone loved it. It was good being back. It was amazing being asked to do it. Hey Mary does give a platform and a stage for all people, and we're becoming known for that. We can give people that credit."
Overall, my experience of Pride Cymru didn't disappoint. Whilst I understand the corporate Pride events can diminish the true meaning of Pride at times, this year's event felt different. Taking into the consideration the entire LGBT+ acronym, Pride Cymru made me feel safe. I felt that I was returning to an evolved place that has taken into account the needs of the community it serves. Whilst nothing is perfect, I think the organisers have outdone themselves and have guaranteed that the annual event continues to become more inclusive and open minded.
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