Latest news with #CymruQueersforPalestine
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Married At First Sight icon pays a visit to ‘big, bold and beautiful' Cardiff
Married At First Sight icon pays a visit to 'big, bold and beautiful' Cardiff The reality TV star arrived in the Welsh capital just in time for a vibrant weekend of Pride celebrations Mel Schilling appears on both UK and Australian versions of the popular dating show (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Married At First Sight UK favourite Mel Schilling made a surprise stop in Cardiff this weekend, and shared her appreciation for Cardiff's Pride Cymru celebrations over the weekend. The relationship expert shared a snap of Queen Street filled with rainbow flags and crowds on her Instagram story, captioning it: 'When you arrive in Cardiff in the middle of a big, bold, beautiful Pride celebration.' This was also followed by a shot of Cardiff Castle with a gif attached saying 'Show your pride', and paired with the song I Am What I Am by Gloria Gaynor. It's not clear why Mel was in the capital, but her timing lined up perfectly with Pride Cymru, which returned to the city on Saturday for its 40th anniversary. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Mel Schilling shared a snap of Queen Street filled with rainbow flags and crowds on her Instagram story (Image: Instagram: @mel_schilling1 ) The 53-year-old relationship expert appears on both UK and Australian versions of the popular dating show which sees strangers marrying each other after meeting for the first time at the alter. She's appeared in 16 seasons of the programme in total, 11 Down Under and five in the UK, and she's hinted that she's got exciting news coming very soon. Article continues below Mel told the Mirror earlier this month "I have some exciting stuff coming down the line. Nothing I can talk about yet but some of it is TV but also moving into other mediums as well so I have a lot really exciting stuff coming up and I cannot wait to start sharing it so watch this space." As well as working on secret projects, Mel has teamed up with Tesco to launch the UK's first supermarket wedding gift registry offering couples a range of gift packages covering off the everyday essentials. The first Pride in Wales took place back in 1985 with fewer than 100 people, but fast forward to this weekend, and thousands turned up, with more people signing up in advance than ever before. The atmosphere throughout the day was full of plenty of colour, energy and celebration, with families, performers and community groups all taking part in the lively event. Lots of people spoke about the importance of visibility, especially this year with the LGBTQ+, telling WalesOnline that the community is still facing a number of barriers in society. The protest group Cymru Queers for Palestine blocked the original parade route near Cardiff Castle after saying they had tried to engage with Pride Cymru before the event but felt they were ignored. Hannah, from Cymru Queers for Palestine said: "We contacted Pride, met with them and they ignored us. So we will not stop and we will not rest until we say that Pride Cymru has no ties to the Israeli war machine.' The parade was rerouted, and Pride Cymru later released a statement saying: 'Despite our best efforts to engage with the group ahead of and during the event, the situation on the ground made it impossible to proceed with the original parade route as planned. 'Pride is a space for protest, celebration, and solidarity. We remain committed to creating a Pride that reflects the diversity and voices of our entire community.' Article continues below The celebrations carried on in Coopers Field, with performances from Ella Henderson, Shola Ama, Kimberly Wyatt, Booty Luv and local drag star Carrie Sauce. Whether Mel Schilling was here for work or just passing through, it's safe to say she definitely got a warm, and very colourful Cardiff welcome.
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The best pictures from Pride Cymru 2025 as thousands take to the streets in celebration
Pride Cymru returned to Cardiff today with thousands taking part in the city's biggest annual march, marking the 40th anniversary of the first Pride event in Wales. The original Pride in 1985 drew fewer than 100 people and today's event saw more sign-ups in advance than ever before. The atmosphere throughout the day was upbeat and full of colour, with families, community groups, and performers all taking part. Many attendees spoke about the importance of visibility and creating space for people to be themselves and the importance of children being able to see people expressing themselves freely and positively in public. A pro-Palestine protest group, Cymru Queers for Palestine, blocked the original route near Cardiff Castle. The group said they had tried to engage with Pride Cymru beforehand but felt their concerns were ignored. Hannah, from Cymru Queers for Palestine, told WalesOnline: "We contacted Pride, met with them and they ignored us. So we will not stop and we will not rest until we say that Pride Cymru has no ties to the Israeli war machine." The parade was redirected, and Pride Cymru later released a statement emphasising Pride as a space for both celebration and protest, stating: "Despite our best efforts to engage with the group ahead of and during the event, the situation on the ground made it impossible to proceed with the original parade route as planned." They continued: "Pride is a space for protest, celebration, and solidarity. We remain committed to creating a Pride that reflects the diversity and voices of our entire community." Attendees also highlighted how Pride remains rooted in activism, especially in the face of growing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights. The celebrations are continuing in Cooper's Field with performances from Ella Henderson, Shola Ama, Kimberly Wyatt, Booty Luv, and more Local drag performer Carrie Sauce.
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Protesters block Pride parade through Cardiff city centre
Protesters block Pride parade through Cardiff city centre The protesters lay in front of Cardiff Castle and held a banner reading: 'Profiting from genocide' Cymru Queers for Palestine blocks Pride Cymru march through Cardiff (Image: Richard Swingler ) A pro-Palestine demonstration brought a parade celebrating LGBT+ culture to a standstill in the centre of Cardiff. The Pride Cymru march started outside the Angel Hotel on Castle Street but was halted outside Cardiff Castle shortly before 11.30am on Saturday. They were halted by a group called Cymru Queers for Palestine, protesting Israel's attacks on Gaza. Around 50 protesters were blocking the road, some lying down in front of Cardiff Castle and others holding a banner that reads: "Profiting from genocide." The group says its demonstration is over an alleged sponsorship link to the event with companies alleged to have ties with Israel. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Hannah, from Cymru Queers for Palestine, told WalesOnline: "We contacted Pride, met with them and they ignored us. So we will not stop and we will not rest until we say that Pride Cymru has no ties to the Israeli war machine." After around 20 minutes the parade changed its planned route and continued along St Mary Street. One crowd member, Cal, said Pride "has always been a protest" and that those who support Palestine and fight "the rods of capitalism" are part of "one struggle". Article continues below Hundreds took part in the parade Pride Cymru has been approached for comment. You can follow our live coverage of Pride Cymru's celebration in Cardiff here. Pride Cymru's parade through Cardiff is the city's biggest annual march. This year's event has seen more sign up in advance than ever before meaning more colour, more glitter, and more people than ever expected. Article continues below This year, in the 40th year of Pride events in Cardiff, the march was led by some of those who were there in 1985, here you can read two of the stories from people there on that day, joined by members of the trans community, against a retrenchment of their rights following the recent Supreme Court decision. The parade started outside the Angel Hotel and after the delay it wound its way through the city centre.
