Cardiff street painted with Progress Pride flag for LGBT History Month
"Cardiff is a diverse city that is committed to delivering a fair society for all and we are very proud of that," says city councillor Chris Weaver.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Twitter/@cardiffcouncil
A street in the middle of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, has been painted with four Progress Pride flags to mark LGBT History Month.
Castle Street, which runs through the city centre and in front of the iconic Cardiff Castle has had the flags painted to celebrate the LGBTQ community. The Progress Pride flag includes the standard rainbow colours as well as blue, pink, and white chevrons for the trans community and brown and black chevrons for People of Colour.
2022 marks 50 years since the very first Pride march in the UK, which took place in 1972. 2022’s theme is art. Cardiff Castle has also been lit up in rainbow lights since 1 February to mark LGBT History Month.
“We are over the moon”
Pride Cymru, who organise the annual Pride events in the city were among those celebrating the tribute tweeting: “We are over the moon to see @cardiffcouncil joining with other cities across the UK in celebrating the diversity of our communities and recognising the importance of visibility of our LGBTQ+ community will have in challenging hate and discrimination”
We are over the moon to see @cardiffcouncil joining with other cities across the UK in celebrating the diversity of our communities and recognising the importance of visibility of our LGBTQ+ community will have in challenging hate and discrimination
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍 https://t.co/mGpSJfmX4l— Pride Cymru (@PrideCymru) February 7, 2022
However, many people took to social media to criticise the council and question why such a display was needed with comments often turning homophobic.
In a statement announcing the artwork, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation, and Performance, Councillor Chris Weaver, said: “As the theme is art, we wanted to ensure that the new progressive pride designs are as visible as possible to the public, so this is why they have been painted on Castle Street, the main thoroughfare that passes through the city centre.
He continued: “Cardiff is a diverse city that is committed to delivering a fair society for all and we are very proud of that. Regardless of race, religious beliefs, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender, our services and support are open to all and as a society we have to embrace that people are different and stress the importance of equality and inclusion for all.
“The Council will continue to work with the community and others to make Cardiff as safe and inclusive as possible.”
The display comes after the conclusion of a trial that saw three people convicted of murdering a doctor in the capital’s Bute Park. Dr. Gary Jenkins was said to have been “viciously beaten, robbed, tortured” in the homophobic attack in July 2021 and died 16 days later.
Homophobic hate crimes have also doubled since 2016, according to the latest figures.
That is why this display is needed.
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