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Huge celebrations in Wrexham for city's second Pride event

Huge celebrations in Wrexham for city's second Pride event

Leader Live6 days ago
The family-friendly event started with a street market in Queen's Square at 10am, featuring food and drink and arts and craft stalls, before hundreds took part in the midday Pride March.
This walk, which lasted about 25 minutes, took participants past The Guildhall and through Queen's Square, onto High Street and Chester Street, before finishing at Llwyn Isaf.
The event's main host was drag act Shaggerada, who also led the way at the front of the parade, while North Wales' Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, also took part in the march.
At Llwyn Isaf, there was plenty of entertainment for people to enjoy, including performances from drag artist The Royal Serenity and singer Richard Sefton.
Stalls were also set up on Llwyn Isaf from the likes of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Shelter Cymru, youth charity WeMindTheGap, Extinction Rebellion, and North Wales Trans, Intersex and Nonbinary Network.
Like last year, when the event was held for the first time, it was organised by Pride Wrecsam.
Kate Hutchinson, chair of Pride Wrecsam, said: 'We had tried for about eight years to get it going, and then had our first Pride last year, which exceeded all of our expectations.
'We ended up with about 700 people in the parade, when we thought we'd only get about 300, so that gave us the confidence to hold it again this year.
'It's quite a challenging time for the LGBT community at the moment. There's a lot push-back against their rights, so it's more important than ever that we have this sort of event in the city, to show people that we're here.
'Pride events are important because a lot of people are afraid to be open about who they are. By being visible, we provide a little bit of hope for those who are a little bit scared.
'Plus, it also educates people who aren't part of the LGBT community. It shows them that we're people like anyone else, and that we celebrate who we are, like anyone else does.'
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