Passing Comment
By Sue Vincent Jones:
Could Barry Pride make a return this year?
So, our bold and brilliant Barry Pride could be back on the Rainbow cards, according to the little bird who tweeted in my ear earlier this week.
Three long years after the amazing inaugural event, loud and proud Barrians may be marching again in our home town – just in time to catch the end of the season.
How excited was I back in 2019 that Barry was having its first ever Pride – another community event in our town’s calendar that was long overdue. And what a stunning success that sunny September day proved to be.
The idea, whispered about in the town for a few years, was boosted by the super success of Llantwit Major Pride, and then it just happened. Massive credit goes to all who finally got the Rainbow Flag flying from our Barry mast, with a big shout out to those residents who initially drove this forward.
They may have now taken a step back whilst others frantically try to put the show on the road within the next few months, but credit where credit is due. I know there were also probably trillions of other people, groups and communities who supported and sponsored this event too – and will continue to do.
So, massive thanks to you too. Barry is always better when we come together. Cool Cadstock and tribute gig GlastonBarry are testament to this – and then some.
So, Barry Pride is another chance for our community to unite to commemorate and celebrate. Our town has already shown we are warm and welcoming with acceptance of all our residents in the alphabet soup of queerness, LGBTIAQ, or otherwise
We can also use this opportunity to educate. We must show that there are always different ways of living and loving. I strongly believe we should only ever judge people by the size of their hearts and not by their sexual orientation, gender identity – or anything else for that matter.
As a Barry Pride Ambassador, I can’t think of a better way to show our community that we are queer and we are here – glitter, rainbow flags, rave whistles, and the odd bit of gold lame – optional of course!
Now, if the rest of our hometown embrace that difference again, show up, and stand with us as friends and allies, we will once again show our beautiful Barrybados at its best.
Watch this space.
- The views expressed by columnists of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Glamorgan Star, its employees or its proprietors.
🌟 This article first appeared in the printed edition of the Glamorgan Star on 11.08.22. Read it in print first!
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