From L-R Becca Oakley (Mind) Pete Roberts, Ivy Taylor, Shaun Griffiths (Mind), Aster Woods
Llandrindod Wells is set to host the first ever Powys Pride event this summer, bringing together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community in celebration and solidarity.
The day-long festival will include a parade, live music, local talent, arts, crafts, activities for children, and information from LGBTQIA+ organisations. The festival will culminate in a party at the Pavilion from 6.30pm until 12pm. Tickets will be made available nearer the time.
Nearly four years in the making, Powys Pride is a Mid and North Powys Mind project driven by a dedicated volunteer team with additional support from Llandrindod Wells Town Council, and funding secured through the PAVO Social Value Development Fund.
“In a place as rural as Powys it can be difficult to build a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ people, which is why Pride is so important here,” said Shaun Griffiths, Mid and North Powys Mind’s LGBTQIA+ support worker.
“It helps reach people who might otherwise live on the margins, or who feel like they are alone. Pride is about celebrating our differences, about coming together as a community in love and compassion for ourselves and each other.
“It’s also a great opportunity to get the wider Powys community involved, and we’ve already received lots of really positive support from people and organisations across the county.”
Powys Pride is more than just a single day in the calendar however, and the planning committee has been working hard on delivering a number of community and fundraising events such as regular coffee mornings at the Mid and North Powys Mind office. Community outreach has also been an important part of the programme, with pop-up stalls appearing across Powys in Welshpool, Newtown, Brecon, Builth Wells and many other towns. Two further events are currently planned in the run-up to July 16.
The first is a talent night set to take place at the Rock Park in Llandrindod Wells on February 18 at 7pm. Tickets are £7.50 and are available from Junk ‘n’ Disorderly in Llandrindod Wells. The second is a screening of the 2014 British comedy-drama Pride at the Lost Arc in Rhayader on March 18. Pride tells the true story of how Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM), a group of gay activists in London, raised funds in solidarity with a South Wales mining community during the miners’ strike of 1984-85.
Former Labour MP Sian James, who is portrayed in the film by actress Jessica Gunning as a passionate supporter of LGSM’s efforts, will also introduce the screening. Tickets will be made available soon.
Powys Pride is organised by volunteers, and supported through donations. If you would like to get involved, please visit PowysPride.org or email powyspride@gmail.com.
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