Cardiff may get Pride this year

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

A meeting will be held this week to discuss Cardiff’s first ever Cardiff Pride event.

It is hoped the new event will replace the Cardiff Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which has been cancelled this year.

A lack of community and financial support is being blamed for the cancellation of Wales’ largest Pride event.

Despite the huge success of Mardi Gras in recent years, “high demands placed on committee members have made it difficult to retain volunteers and attract new ones,” the committee said in a statement.

Last year the event was hosted by Charlotte Church attracted crowds of over 40,000.

Local bars and clubs, gay businesses, organisations and members of the LGBT community at large are invited to attend a public meeting in Cardiff City Hall this week to discuss the ‘Cardiff Pride’ event.

A spokesperson for the management team said,

“The aim of the meeting is to give the gay community across South Wales a chance to hear the plans for this year’s event and to give as many people as possible an opportunity to have an input into shaping the day.

“We want as many people from across South Wales and the entire UK to see what a fine diverse modern city Cardiff has become.

“This is backed by an ever-growing range of stylish gay bars, clubs and a sauna.

“With rumours of other new gay venues possibly opening in the city this year there is much to offer local gay people and visitors,” the spokesperson added.

“In addition to the main event which will take place at Coopers Field in the grounds behind Cardiff Castle, the nearby city centre gay bars and clubs will greatly enhance the weekend with parties long into the night and on the Sunday.”

It is hoped that the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will resume in 2009.

Further information about this year’s event will appear soon on www.pridecardiff.org