Mark Drakeford will become the first serving First Minister to head up the Pride Cymru parade when it takes to the streets of Cardiff today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The First Minister has accepted the invitation to join Pride Cymru to show his commitment as an ally to LGBTQ+ people in Wales. He will lead the march alongside LGBTQ+ activists and community leaders across the country.
He will later speak on the main stage at Pride where he will reiterate the Welsh Government’s support for tackling bullying in schools and improving health services for trans people.
The Welsh Government is committed to introducing LGBTQ+ inclusive Relationships and Sexuality education into the new curriculum and is in the process of setting up a brand new gender identity service that will, over time, improve access to essential healthcare for trans people in Wales. The First Minister has also appointed 2 openly gay AMs – Jeremy Miles and Hannah Blythyn – to serve in prominent roles in the Welsh Government.
Ahead of the Pride Cymru parade, First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said:
“I am proud to be an ally of LGBTQ+ people across Wales and to march by your side.
“Pride is not just a celebration, it is an essential reminder that progress isn’t inevitable. It must be fought for by us all.
“I remember the dark days of the 1980s when gay men and lesbians were regularly mocked and dehumanised by a hostile government and in the press. Today, we see all too familiar tactics used against trans people.
“We must reject such bigotry wherever it exists in our communities. We must stand up against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in all their forms.
“Together, we will build a Wales where LGBTQ+ people are accepted without exception.”
Jane Hutt, the Welsh Government Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, who is responsible for equalities, added:
“What a fantastic landmark celebration this weekend is for Pride Cymru, marking their 20th anniversary with a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive parade and festivities on the streets of Cardiff.
“By marching through our country’s capital city, thousands of people will show their Welsh passion, their honour and their pride at being free to be who they are, without fear or prejudice – as it should be.
“Events like Pride are not only a show of strength for our LGBT+ community, but they also help provide a platform for conversations to influence policy across Wales and on a national level.
“We will continue to strive to reassure all our communities that equality is at the core of what we do, that diversity will always be celebrated and discrimination has no place in Wales. Mwynhewch pawb!”