A drag queen from Cardiff has been recognised for their work with children helping them fall in love with literature. Winning the Leader of the Year award 2022 at the annual PinkNews awards, Aida H Dee has dedicated her drag career to helping young people feel included whilst promoting reading and its importance.
Another Welsh winner during the awards ceremony was transgender cyclist Emily Bridges, who won the Sports Personality of the Year award for her work on raising awareness and inclusivity within cycling and other elite sports. Emily famously spoke candidly about Boris Johnson's harmful comments surrounding trans athletes appearing in competitions such as the Olympics. Whilst Emily came under immense backlash and abuse online, she has continued to step up and has solidified herself as a role model for many.
Also coming under immense backlash, death threats and protests throughout her summer reading tour, Aida has faced adversity with pride and kept on going, determined to improve inclusion for LGBT+ young people. You can read about that here.
In a heart-warming video posted after her win, Aida was notably surprised and honoured. "This is not for me, this is for trans kids, thank you," Aida emotionally said whilst accepting the award. "I read stories to children, which has caused quite a bit of tension."
Earlier this year during the Drag Queen Story Hour summer tour, Aida H Dee aka Sab Samuel told WalesOnline that his work was saving lives and that the protestors outside the Cardiff Central Library shouldn't class themselves as such.
"I don't see the people outside as protesters. Protesters are there to educate and inform people of wrongdoing. They are also meant to educate themselves on what they are protesting against. These people are saying disgusting things like: 'I am going to get social services on your child.' There is profanity on their t-shirts. I think these people are an insult against people who actually protest against things that need to change in the world," Sab said.
"By doing what I do, I am saving lives. It's weird to say that because there are many people out there saving lives in a more direct way. But there are kids I have come across who would have died by suicide if I hadn't shown them that they are good."
Read next:
- What it's like being on the receiving end of mid Wales' rising hate crimes
Graham Norton quits Twitter amid abuse and JK Rowling backlash after urging 'talk to trans people'
The passionate 16-year-old activist changing Welsh LGBT+ lives for the better
Canada vs the World: Victoria Scone announces return to Drag Race in new international show line up
