Cardiff Mardi Gras celebrate Charlotte’s baby news
The organisers of one of the largest free lesbian and gay festivals in the UK yesterday celebrated the pregnancy of one of their patrons.
Singer Charlotte Church announced last week that she is pregnant. The 21-year-old is a patron of Cardiff Mardi Gras.
“The Mardi Gras committee are delighted to hear the news of Charlotte’s pregnancy,” said Mardi Gras spokesman Mark Williams.
“As a patron Charlotte’s been a great supporter of the event and our campaign to combat homophobia.
“We’ll definitely make sure we have space for Charlotte, Gavin and the pushchair at this year’s event!”
The Cardiff Mardi Gras party will be held on 1st September in Coopers Field.
However, there are a series of other events, the first being held this month.
With Welsh assembly elections in May and following the heavily debated Sexual Orientation Regulations, on 13th March a “Question Time” with representatives from all four major political parties in Wales has been arranged.
The public meeting, organised in conjunction with Amnesty International and Stonewall Cymru, will take place at the Old Banking Hall, 113 Bute Street, Mermaid Quay (Cardiff Bay).
Sue Thomas, one of the organisers of Cardiff Mardi Gras, explained that the six colours of the rainbow flag were the theme of this year’s events.
“We want to ensure that we continue to raise awareness that Mardi Gras is about much more than one day a year,” she said.
“We are organising monthly events in line with the six colours and their meanings culminating in our main event on 1st September in Coopers field in Cardiff.”
A well established image in gay communities worldwide, the gay pride flag, designed by a man called Gilbert Baker, was debuted at the 1978 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade.
It has six colours. Each colour on the flag has a different meaning. Red (Life) Orange (Healing) Yellow (Sun) Green (Nature) Blue (Harmony) Violet (Spirit).
Later this month Mardi Gras will team up with Terrence Higgins Trust to celebrate rainbow red, the colour of life.
There will be a quiz night on 22nd March hosted by CJ de Mooi, known for appearing on the cult BBC show Eggheads, at the Angel Hotel in the centre of Cardiff.
Cardiff Mardi Gras attracts around 40,000 visitors and is now In its 9th year.
Its patrons are mum-to-be Charlotte and Doctor Who regeneration and Queer as Folk writer Russell T Davies.
For more information visit www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk