a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Pride celebrated in style as hundreds brave the rain
Torfaen Pride ran on Saturday. And with more than 70 food and craft stalls, a funfair, multiple bars and two main stages full of performers, there was something for everyone!
This was the event's second year and the rain couldn't keep people away.
Organised by LGBTQ+ Charity Friends of Dorothy Cymru, over 5,000 came along to the jamboree.
The Rainbow Bar owners 47-year-old Becky Romani and 48-year-old Keeley Baxter (Image: NQ) Becky Romani, 47, and 48-year-old Keeley Baxter run Newport lesbian cocktail business The Rainbow Bar which is based in Caerleon.
Becky attended her first Pride with her 47-year-old girlfriend Kelly Devile.
The trio had the following to say about today's event.
Becky said: 'We are really chuffed to be here representing the LGBTQ+ community and we are very excited to be here.
'We are lesbian owned and lesbian run bar, and we are best friends and we set it up originally as a bit of a hobby and we are just enjoying life together."
Girlfriends Becky Romani and Kelly Devile (Image: NQ) She added: 'There's a huge community. Just reach out. It's so important that people do.
"No one should be on their own or sad.
"They need to come here and see everyone is welcome.'
Amy Adams is a transgender woman.
The 56-year-old said: "It's something for all the community, not just LGBT.
Transgender woman Amy Adams at Torfaen Pride (Image: NQ) 'I'm trans, and when you see Pride mentioned you get some people saying, 'how much is that going to cost the council?' Today the council is charging us to use the park.
'How many times do you get a free event with live music that doesn't cost people a penny and you can just turn up?'
Friend's Rhi Jones 25, Shanon Charles 28 and David Parrish 28 at Torfaen Pride (Image: NQ) Rhi Jones, 25, talked about gender identity and how Pride is a safe space.
She said: 'I think it's so amazing seeing so many people! I came out as pansexual and struggled with my gender identity.
'Don't listen to people who are going to be negative or try put you down.
'There are communities here if you walk and talk to someone at Pride, they will help you and be nice there's no judgement here.'
They also recommended the following platform for LGBTQ+ mental health services.
'Regarding mental health platforms Melo is great. They're part of the NHS and have outlets for people who are LGBTQ+ and Trans.'
Tammy Paxton Newport based Drag Queen on stage (Image: NQ) Tammy Paxton is a drag queen from Newport.
The self-described "hostess with the mostest" talked about how Pride was historically a form of protest and how exciting it is for Torfaen Pride to be running once more.
Tammy said: 'I preformed the first year here as the hostess with the mostest and I'm here once again to take the reins on a fantastic event.
'It's absolutely lovely to see the first time around we had such a wonderful turn out and we've got even more people here it's amazing!'
Tammy Paxton Newport based Drag Queen in her dressing room (Image: NQ) Tammy added: 'One thing people forget though is that Pride is fundamentally a protest, we have to attend our Pride and it's about making the queer community feel safe and visible.'
Torfaen Pride organiser Jamie Wake with a rainbow umbrella (Image: NQ) Jamie Wake, aged 47, is the key organiser behind Torfaen Pride.
He said: 'The weather was touch and go but after every rainstorm there's a rainbow and it's time to shine bright today.
'Last year we had 5,000 people and today there's people everywhere and it's a free day!'
