After the unanticipated popularity of Llandovery’s first ever Pride in 2022, it was assured of its return in 2023. But almost as soon as the progress flags were lowered and Miss Beaver’s chicken fillets tossed to the floor, the financial landscape of the UK took a devastating turn. So when Heart of Wales LGBTQ+’s Pride Committee reconvened to prep this year’s festivities, it was against the backdrop of people struggling to make ends meet and begged the question: How do you organise Pride during a cost of living crisis?
Adversity really does bring out the best in people – something the LGBTQ+ community have proved many times over. In its first iteration, the bulk of the costs of Llandovery Pride were funded with donations by individuals and organisations such as the Llandovery Rotary Club. Last year the Go Fund Me page was a simple way for people to show their support, whereas this year, with purse strings being necessarily tightened, Heart of Wales LGBTQ+ has found people are still fervently showing their love, just in alternative ways.
Armed with glitter and streamers, one resident – who has asked for their benevolence to remain anonymous – has volunteered to campify the Castle Hotel Ballroom, which will be hosting Pride’s closing cabaret: An Eve With Beav.
Anything from workshops to whistles, venues to raffle prizes, have been provided free of charge by businesses local to Llandovery.
Why is Pride essential for rural communities?
“Your post code shouldn’t dictate your opportunity to live freely,” insists Heart of Wales LGBTQ+ founder and Llandovery Pride committee member Ella Peel who points out that “celebration can help erode barriers”.
Ella was also keen to share that the Pride committee didn’t want cost to become yet another hurdle for the LGBTQ+ community to access queer culture, explaining that: “the overwhelming majority of our events are completely free”.
What events and activities are on offer?
Brand new for 2023 is an Art Exhibition hosted at the Old Printing Office on Broad Street, featuring pieces by Llandovery born Roan Jones (@loverat.tattoo).
Returning from last year will be the Heart of Wales Film Festival, which screens a selection of short films from new and emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers from across the globe.
The Soap Box Stage: an open air protest platform, featuring spoken word and live music from local LGBTQ+ performers.
Craft workshops at Market Square, and Family Story Time in the ruins of Llandovery Castle, hosted by the award winning non-binary story-teller Niall Moorjani.
And an all-day market featuring products from some of the best queer owned businesses in Wales.
The only ticketed event is the cabaret in which organiser Craig Osborne believes: “provides amazing value for money. Our acts represent the cream of queer talent. You wouldn’t normally be able to see any one of them for this price [£10] but we’ve managed to hoist five acts from the most vibrant cities in the UK to little old Llandovery.”
A noticeably Celtic pulse runs through the heart of the cabaret too, with Justin Drag (drag king), Jordropper (gender fluid drag artist) and Venetia Blind (drag queen) all based in Cardiff, while Niall Moorjani (storyteller) is originally from Scotland and the host of the evening is Llandovery’s very own, Miss Beaver.
So in answer to the question: How do you organise Pride during a cost of living crisis?
It’s pretty simple: with hard work, creativity and the open arms of a generous community who believe that whoever you are you should be celebrated.
Llandovery Pride takes place on Saturday, July 29 from 10am for a day full of family friendly celebrations.
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