Pride 20th Anniversary
Pride Cymru is celebrating its 20th birthday this month. As we head into festivities, partying and a weekend of some sickening queer representation, its perhaps also time to look back on its origins.
“Pride Cymru has changed massively. It’s gone from a one-day knees-up in a park to a three-day queer festival,” says Lisa Power, co-founder of Stonewall UK. “When I moved from Cardiff to London in 2007, there were no out politicians. Now, in 2019 we have out and proud LGBT+ politicians in the Senedd.”
The acceptance of queer culture hasn’t always been the celebration we know today. The annual parade actually dates back to 1975, but – in Power’s words – “faded away in the general hostile environment of Section 28 and AIDS-phobia of the late 80s” and was only revived in 2015. From the first brick thrown by trans women of colour in the Stonewall riots nearly 50 years ago, a lot has changed for LGBT+ people in Wales and across the globe.
“When we founded the Stonewall group in the UK after the Thatcher government passed the first explicitly anti-gay legislation here for 100 years, we deliberately chose that name. We wanted to always remember how the modern fight was born,” Power explains.
Two decades of Pride all started with 2,000 people in Bute Park. Now, crowds of fabulous attendees surpass the 50,000 mark. “We had about 2,000 people turn up at the Circle Of Stones in Bute Park,” says Robert Keetch – who, along with legendary drag queen Miss Kitty, was one of the organisers of the first Cardiff Pride, showcasing local acts as well as Tina Cousins and Steve Houghton. “Miss Kitty and I even performed. We weren’t originally there to perform but there was time to fill, so we did!”
Pride Cymru this year will see headline acts and regional talent gracing the cabaret stage, with all assured for a day filled with love, rainbows sequins and glitter! “Kitty and I will be doing our original routine too. Hopefully to more than 2,000 people this time!” Keetch says. With Gok Wan, Texas and a few surprises in store, it’s looking to be a fab weekend. JOE ALI
City Hall Lawns, Cardiff, Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug. Tickets: from £7.50. Info: www.pridecymru.co.uk