Pembrokeshire Pride makes history

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Pembrokeshire Pride makes history
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A hugely successful three-day festival celebrating diversity and inclusivity in Pembrokeshire has made history and been hailed a triumph by organisers and attendees alike.
The festival held on July 14-16 was the first-ever Pembrokeshire Pride event - and it paves the way for regular inclusive events to not only support the LGBTQ+ community in Pembrokeshire, but also to celebrate it. And now Boulevard Showbar, in Milford Haven, is providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to come together.
Kicking off the rainbow festival was a fun and frivolous evening hosted by drag queen Miss Kitty; Friday evening saw a storming performance by Karin Bello with her Typically Tina show.
The weekend culminated in a family-friendly day at Boulevard Showbar where organisations and supporters set up stands and more than 300 people flooded through the doors, for cake, conversation and camaraderie.
Finally the event ended with a fabulous live show from Jaymi Hensley - from Union J who brought the house down - but even that was topped when Boulevard hosted its first proposal of marriage live from the stage; Jaymi describing it as ‘a bucket-list wish for any performer!’
The event has been judged to be of such significant cultural importance to the whole of Wales that promotional material from Pembrokeshire Pride has been sought by St Fagan’s National Museum of History for its LGBTQ+ history collection.
“Pembrokeshire Pride 2022 - WE DID IT!
“What an incredible three days we have had!
“When I decided it was time that Pembrokeshire had a pride event of its own I honestly didn't know how it would be received, was there a desire for it?
“Would the community want to come along? Well, the past three days have shown me how much Pembrokeshire has embraced having its very first Pride Event! Our daytime event on “Saturday saw more than 300 people come through the doors, which is so much more than we could have anticipated.
“Last night, our third and final night of celebration, I stood at the back of the room and had a few tears just witnessing the love in the room. I want to thank each and every person who made the past few days possible but especially the community for coming together and showing that love is love no matter what,” said Drew - Founder and Chairperson of Pembrokeshire Pride
Pembrokeshire Pride was organised by a small constituted community group - that received no support from any elected body, apart from a very welcome donation from Neyland Town Council.
“We were really thrilled that Neyland Town Councillors offered their support - the money was very welcome, but more than that we are hugely appreciative of the fact that the wanted to support the LGBTQ+ community in Pembrokeshire - we would remind other community councils and local authorities that according to ONS data around 18,000 people in Pembrokeshire identify as LGBTQ+ - that’s 18,000 Pembrokeshire voters looking for support,” said Drew.
Pembrokeshire Pride was supported by the Original Factory Shop, in Miflord Haven, which supplied a fabulous balloon arch to decorate the entrance of Boulevard Showbar.
“Thank you, Original Factory Shop. If any local business or organisation would like to help us to expand our activities, please reach out - we would welcome any offers of assistance from anyone who wants to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a community that has been severely marginalised so far ”
Last weekend’s celebration of what an inclusive and diverse Pembrokeshire could look like is only the beginning - organisers canvassed attendees at the weekend’s events and all had ideas about how Pride can become a Pembrokeshire-wide, all-year-round series of events.
“There were lots and lots of young people who attended the Pride celebrations - they were all particularly keen to see more family-friendly, all-inclusive events - not necessarily under-18 events, but ones where they can socialise and network with adults who might have experienced what they are going through - and come out the other side, so we are definitely going to look at organising some more things for all ages.”
Others attending Pride told their stories and described how important it was to them to find a safe space where they could be themselves and not be judged. One young person had been totally rejected by their family and made homeless after coming out; another had been horribly bullied at school while transitioning; their stories heart-breaking and so sad - bearing in mind this is 2022 and discrimination on the grounds of your sexuality has been illegal since 2010.
These are just some of the comments received by the organisers at the end pf the weekend’s celebrations - proof positive that there can be no question that Pembrokeshire Pride is long overdue:
Thank you to the whole team of your amazing committee and volunteers - you all made this spark ignite the realisation in many that Pembrokeshire too deserves a safe space and movement to be welcomed.
Thank you so much ! My son has struggled with bullies from day one of his transition and being there yesterday made him see that he can be in a room and community full of love and acceptance and truly be himself!
So proud to be a part of this incredible community and I really cannot wait to see what’s next!
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. My two kids saw what it was like to belong to an accepting community. It showed them that it's ok - not just parents saying it - to be who you truly are.
It showed them they are not alone and how they can have confidence to be who they are. I saw a lot of that in the room - everyone was friendly, accepting. Can't forget the fun we had too, it was amazing. We came back for the night and they brought friends and although they were shy during the day and worried; they were rocking that floor in the evening. It brought tears to my eyes - the love, confidence, safety and happiness in that room. You have brought to Millford a safe venue. Thank you so much.
Bigger better next year. We are part of the community and the community is more accepting that we realise. Let's bring forward the rainbows.
It felt like such a safe space to be in.
Thank you to all the volunteers and everyone who made the effort to come along. Two of my children have been on a journey the past few years where they have found it hard to be accepted by the wider community. For me, that changed yesterday. Everyone in attendance was so welcoming, friendly and fun. Thank you for putting on this incredible event and for making my children feel welcome, accepted and loved.
Thank you! Such an amazingly positive, friendly and joyous event. Well done for making it happen.
Absolutely fantastic, I would’ve loved this growing up. Will be there for next year’s!
The organising committee warned, however, that in order to achieve its ambitions to create a programme of family-friendly, inclusive events it will need a team of volunteers to help make that happen.
“Next year we’d love to have a parade - but we will need lots of help to make that, and everything else we want to achieve, a reality… so please reach out and get in touch if you can help in any way - whether that’s in person or financially. You can message us at www.facebook.com/pembrokeshirepride or email info@pembrokeshirepride.com”

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