Newport was a sea of rainbows and glitter at the weekend for the city’s first ever pride festival. Organised by Andrew Mudd and Adam Smith with the help of sponsors including Newport Bus, Dragon Taxis, Newport City Homes and Newport City Council, Belle Vue Park played host to a carnival atmosphere for young and old before many hit the city centre to party into the night.
Children danced in their droves as drag act Ruby Slippers and DJ Kim performed at the bandstand, outdoor bars served drinks throughout the day, and the tea rooms were heaving. Stalls were set up by Queer Emporium and others to spread awareness of all-inclusive spaces, while cofounder of the Terrence Higgins Trust Martyn Butler OBE spoke to people about the charity’s endless efforts in furthering HIV prevention in Wales.
Many left messages of thanks to organisers and wrote about what they would say to those struggling to come to terms with their sexuality or gender. One person wrote how they came out on Saturday, after 50 years of keeping it to themselves. Co-organiser Adam said the message left him in tears and provided a perfect example of why pride is needed.
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“I am blown away,” Adam, vice chairman of Pride in the Port, told WalesOnline. “What a truly phenomenal weekend this has been. I was nervous and I didn’t know what to expect - it’s been nine months in the making.
“But the crowd seemed to love it and the support and feedback we’ve received has been brilliant. People ask why we need pride - that message in itself answers that. Pride is vital.
“I’ve wanted to do this for years, but I haven’t had the confidence or felt comfortable enough to do it. Now I have people around me who are the right people to make this a success - hence why now was the right time.
“It was so lovely to see families there and so many young people utilising the park in that way. The difference in ages shows we’ve really hit the nail on the head.”
There is only one gay venue in Newport by definition, which is Atlantica Bar at Market Street. Asked if he felt the city’s first pride could be a springboard for more all-inclusive venues in the city, Adam said he would rather focus on the willingness of existing venues to contribute.
“We can’t thank Robbie White at Atlantica enough for everything he has done for this, but there has been a lot done by many others too,” Adam continued. “Other venues have listened, asked us how they can help, and have been willing to support. The city centre was so busy on Saturday night - busier than usual according to Gwent Police.
“There was the Pen and Wig, Crosskeys, Le Pub, Hogarths, and McCanns, all doing events. McCanns had a biker pride event and Le Pub had punk pride on Saturday. I think that highlights to LGBT+ people that you can have a space in Newport where you can feel safe and comfortable to be yourself.”
Pride in the Port is already planning next year’s event, when the group is committed to including a march through the city and keeping the event free for all who attend. Chairman Andrew Mudd said Saturday’s event pulled in 2,000 people and peaked at just under 1,000.
“It has been an awe-inspiring weekend,” he said. “I’m so proud of my team. My main inspiration for doing this was to get all these people together and show we are visible and we are together.
“I hope Newport can have more all-inclusive coffee shops and alternative meeting centres to bars - things that are representative of every day lifestyle. The community is diverse and the opportunities should also be diverse to match it.”
Martyn Butler OBE said the event “must be a springboard” for LGBT+ visibility in Newport. “I’ve been involved in pride since the very first in London when it was very volatile and police were there to hassle us rather than protect us,” he said. “To see the Gwent Police stall there and the police there partying with us, that was special.
“I’ve seen that change now, and it’s remarkable. To see pride in Newport, I didn’t think I’d ever see the day. I’ve seen over the years things Rainbow Newport has tried to achieve and at times 12 people have turned up. There just didn’t seem to be an appetite for it. So when Adam said he was going to do this I thought: ‘Oh my word, are you sure?’ In the past I’ve felt like a fish out of water in Newport.
“I genuinely feel now that people are coming out and things are changing. If there is a party, or a coffee evening or what have you, then people are going to show up now. There is a community, you are welcome.
“This must be a springboard. I would fully expect next year we will see double the numbers, we’ve seen it elsewhere. I do hope that’s what happens.
“It was great to see corporations involve themselves and the council. It sends a message and pushes it in people’s faces a little bit - that’s great. It gets people asking what it’s all about. I can well imagine in a few years we might see Newport covered in rainbows a lot more.”
Pride in the Port has its first annual general meeting in October and is encouraging those interested to attend and stand for positions on the committee. If you are interested in becoming a member you can sign up via Pride in the Port’s website here.
Adam and Andrew thanked the 40 volunteers who contributed to making the event possible. Adam added: “Pride in the Port is all volunteers and they made history by stepping up and choosing to give something back to their community. Bring on next year, we’ll be back bigger and better.”
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