Neath Port Talbot is hosting its first ever Pride weekend. From Thursday, June 29 until Sunday, July 2, Neath and Port Talbot will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with events including a Pride parade, film screenings, parties and arts and crafts sessions.
Organiser Joshua Tuck, 29, said the event started with the idea to host one film screening of the film Pride but has since "snowballed" into a huge celebration across the weekend. The community response has already been amazing, said Joshua, who explained that many people who grew up as gay in the eighties in Neath Port Talbot said they never thought they would see the day that Pride came to the area.
"It has been amazing putting together the first ever Neath Port Talbot Pride. So many people have come together and put in mountains of effort to put on, what we think, is a fantastic set of events across the full weekend," he said. "We have been so touched by the enthusiasm of every business and organisation involved and we are so proud of how it’s brought our whole NPT community together,” said Joshua Tuck.
For one dad from Aberavon, the event is a way to give back to the community that has embraced him for who he is. Owain Parfaitt, 35, works at the Aberavon restaurant Franco's which is hosting a Pride Party on Friday, June 30.
"I used to live in Cardiff, then in Bristol. I was used to living in places with big, established Pride events. We thought it would be really lovely to have a small town equivalent," said Owain. When he first moved to Aberavon with his partner, Owain said he did not know what to expect but said they have been "embraced as a couple" since living and working in the area. "My experiences being gay in a small town have been much more positive on the whole," said Owain.
As a father of a young child, Owain said it is extremely important to him that Neath Port Talbot is a safe and welcoming place for all types of people. "These events and having this visibility are really important. Our children need that representation and safe spaces." Although he has received some negative comments on social media since posting about the Pride event, he said it has only inspired him to make the event "bigger and brighter".
Here is a selection of events happening across Neath Port Talbot this weekend. For the full schedule, visit the NPT Pride Facebook page.
Thursday
- Pride will launch at Port Talbot Market: There will be a range of pride themed stalls and live entertainment (3pm- 7.30pm).
- Murphy's Main Stage Pride Karaoke Night: Dress up as your favourite LGBTQ+ stars and sing some Pride themed songs. Prizes on offer for the best dressed and best singers (8pm).
- The Grand Hotel is hosting a performance from popular local band The Hat & The Fiddle Band (9pm).
Friday
- Pride Parade along Aberavon beachfront (10am). The parade will start at Scarlet Avenue car park (SA12 7PH).
- Côr Serenata ladies choir will be performing a beautiful medley of songs at Aberafan Shopping Centre (11am- 12pm).
- Pride Party at Franco's, Aberavon Beach (1pm-7pm).
- Pride Party at the Neath Rugby Clubhouse (7.30pm).
- Pride Party at Port Talbot Soccer Club with drag artist Coco Aine and Supernova Sirens Burlesque troupe (from 8pm). Tickets are £2.50 and can be purchased on the night from the venue at Webb Place, SA12 6AG.
Saturday
- Pride-themed market at Glan Afan School (10am-3pm).
- 'Disco Rounders' at Aberavon beach. A game of rounders with music (10.15am-1pm).
- Flash mob and Kinky Boots cast performance at Aberafan Shopping Centre (12.30pm to around 4pm).
- Family-friendly LGBTQ+ BBQ at The Flying Pig Ystalyfera (2pm).
- Pride Disco for children and families at Murphy's Main Stage (2pm-5pm).
- Cocktails and canapes at The Old Olive Kart Coffee Bar & Deli with a nautical theme (4pm- 7pm).
- Showing of the Afan Arts film 'Same but Different' at The Plaza, YMCA Port Talbot. Tickets are free but there will be a £1 donation (cash only) to go towards the Rhys Murray Fund, ensuring his lasting legacy (5pm- 7pm).
- 'Everybody's Talking about Jamie' screening at the YMCA Neath (5pm- 7pm). Free popcorn, hotdogs and soft drinks available. Free entry but must book tickets with YMCA Neath directly.
- Shiny Vinyl Presents music night at Afan Ales & Fine Wines. Live original music, poetry and guest speakers (7pm).
- Supernova Sirens Burlesque troupe will be performing at Murphy's Main Stage (8-9pm).
Sunday
- 'Pride' film screening at The Plaza, YMCA Port Talbot. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A with Sian James and Pride cast member Menna Trussler (2pm-5pm).
- Official Pride After-Party at The Plaza, YMCA Port Talbot (7pm until late). Book tickets here.
