Latest news with #PrideCymru
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
PCC Jane Mudd on police and LGBTQ during Pride month
I want our communities to be places where everyone can live their lives as themselves, free from fear and harm. Where everyone treats each other with the values of acceptance, tolerance, and respect. Coming together and celebrating our cultural differences helps us to build more cohesive communities and this month has been one of celebration. June is Pride month, and as well as joining colleagues and partners from across Wales to celebrate Pride Cymru in Cardiff, my team and I have supported smaller events across Gwent. We attended Torfaen Pride, which is now in its second year and is going from strength to strength, and the very first Bedwas Pride event in Caerphilly. Members of LGBTQ+ communities have often had a difficult relationship with policing, and our presence at these events is important to build trust and confidence. At the start of the month we celebrated national Volunteers Week and I met with members of my animal welfare visitor scheme who are responsible for welfare checks on Gwent's police dogs. They ensure the animals are happy, healthy, and well looked after. I would like to thank them, and all of Gwent's many volunteers, for the hard work they do to support their communities. I was honoured to be invited to the Senedd twice this month to celebrate occasions that are important to many of our residents. I attended a fantastic event to mark the end of Eid and it was lovely to join with our Muslim community to mark this important occasion. My team and I also took part in a special celebration to mark Windrush Day and recognise the contribution that the Windrush Generation have made here in Wales. The Windrush Generation refers to the African-Caribbean men, women and children who arrived in the UK on HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. They came at a time of great labour shortages in the UK and were welcomed as part of the country's efforts to rebuild after WWII. It was a joy to join with so many partners and pay tribute to those who have contributed so much to our communities. I campaigned for election with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and I will never waver on this. I promised to invest in our communities and have created a new fund which aims to bring people across Gwent together, and build our mutual trust, confidence and respect. I look forward to launching this in the coming months. Jane Mudd is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Bishop of Llandaff joins celebrations for Pride in Wales
The Rt Revd Mary Stallard presided over the Pride Eucharist at this year's event in Cardiff, which also marked a decade of the Faith Space at Pride Cymru—a partnership between Llandaff Diocese and The Gathering Cardiff, an ecumenical church for LGBTQ+ people and allies. Ms Stallard said: "It has been so special to be here at the Pride Eucharist. "Pride is just such a wonderful, welcoming festival, and I feel a great sense of being welcomed myself, as well as having an opportunity as Christians together to offer a welcome to everyone who is here." The Faith Space offers a place for prayer, reflection, and community during Pride, and is supported by volunteers from Anglican, Methodist, URC, Quaker, and other faith backgrounds. It also provides resources for LGBTQ+ people of other faiths. Revd Rosemary Hill from Open Table East Cardiff, Diocese of Monmouth, said: "It was a joy and a privilege to be part of Pride in Cardiff this year. "It was wonderful to be able to demonstrate how far the Church in Wales has come in terms of inclusion in the last 10 years, but also acknowledge how far is left to go and to be a hopeful presence for LGBTQ+ people, both within and outside the Church." The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, also welcomed the church's involvement, stating its commitment to inclusion and learning from past mistakes.
Business News Wales
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Principality Building Society Celebrates Pride Cymru with Breakfast Event
(L-R) Gemma Bowen, Chief People Officer and Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer for Principality Building Society Headline sponsors of this year's Pride Cymru event, Principality Building Society, saw an impressive turnout at its annual colleague breakfast event to kick off Wales' biggest celebration of equality and diversity. Ahead of this year's Pride march, Principality hosted a breakfast event at the Parkgate Hotel to bring together colleagues, friends, and family and show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Led by Principality's Chief Customer Officer, and Executive Sponsor of the building society's internal Pride Network, Vicky Wales, the breakfast celebration attracted more than 100 attendees. Guests heard a speech from Duncan Alexander, founder of Principality's Pride network before they represented the society in the march with branded Pride t-shirts. Principality employees and their friends and families took part in the mile-long parade, reaffirming the society's ongoing commitment as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and its pledge to creating a fairer society. This year marked the second year of Principality's third-year partnership deal with Pride Cymru as the headline sponsor. Looking forward, Principality's branch network across Wales will further support local Pride events in Newport, Abergavenny and Torfaen. One highlight will be the return of the Rainbow Roundabout at this year's Cardiff Half Marathon's on Sunday, 5th October, located between miles 10 and 12 of the course in Penylan. Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer at Principality Building Society, said: 'Our partnership with Pride Cymru is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure everyone feels seen, heard and valued. I am especially proud of our internal Pride network, whose passion and commitment made this year's Pride event another success. 'As we mark our 165th year, we're proud to continue to strive for inclusivity and a fairer society within the communities we proudly serve. Our Pride breakfast was a vibrant and meaningful way for our colleagues, their friends and family to celebrate before joining the parade and the festivities across the weekend.' Dan Walsh, Chair of Pride Cymru said: 'Pride is about joy, celebration and unity and it's always a pleasure to see Principality Building Society embrace that so wholeheartedly. We are grateful for their dedication in championing inclusivity and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. A household name across Wales, Principality's active allyship to the LGBTQ+ tells people, whichever city, town or village they live in Wales that there is a place for them in a modern, inclusive Wales.'
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
South Wales fire service staff at Pride Cymru 2025
Firefighters, control room staff, corporate teams, and senior leaders from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) took part in the parade in Cardiff, offering fire safety advice and recruitment information while promoting the service's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Chief fire officer Fin Monahan said: "It is important that we demonstrate our commitment to respect, inclusion, and equality for everyone across all our communities. "Attending Pride is just one of the ways we show that we stand with our LGBTQ+ colleagues and the wider community, celebrating diversity and ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and safe." SWFRS said that taking part in Pride is part of their wider effort to create a workplace culture that is 'inclusive, respectful, and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.' Kirsty Williams, commissioner, said: "It was a pleasure to join colleagues at Pride Cymru and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our communities. "Supporting events like this shows our shared commitment to inclusion and progress." Matthew Collins, DICE business partner, said: "Being part of Pride Cymru is a key part of showing our support and allyship for LGBTQ+ colleagues and the wider community."
South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government announces new partnership to support Pride
The Welsh Government has joined forces with Pride Cymru to manage the successful Grassroots Pride fund for 2025-2026. This aims to ensure that LGBTQ+ communities in Welsh towns and villages continue to benefit from local celebrations. The fund, which has been running for three years, has £38,250 available for the latest round of funding. This financial backing has helped many communities hold Pride events throughout Wales. One of these events was Brecon Pride, which was supported by the Welsh Government. The celebration brought together hundreds of people and featured performances, community stalls, and family activities. Michael Price, chair of Brecon Pride, said: "Pride events like ours have a truly transformative impact on rural communities. "They create spaces where people feel seen and celebrated, while boosting community spirit across our region. "With this funding support, we've been able to reach more people and create a stronger sense of belonging." The Welsh Government's decision to partner with Pride Cymru aims to improve the delivery of the fund and make it more responsive to the needs of local Prides. This collaboration is expected to help local Prides put on high-quality and safe events that do justice to their communities.
