On the evening of 25 September, Bedwellty Park played host to a truly inspirational celebration of Pride, creativity and self-expression as young people took centre stage in the Blaenau Gwent Pride Fashion Show.
Hosted by the fabulous Pride Cymru Ambassador, Dr Bev, the event brought together friends, family members, allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community for an uplifting evening that celebrated individuality, confidence and belonging.
The fashion show showcased the creativity and talent of members of the Youth Service's LGBTQ+ group based at Abertillery Learning Community, who designed, created and modelled their own unique outfits. Demonstrating both creativity and a commitment to sustainability, all of the outfits featured in the show were made using preloved clothing, transformed into eye-catching fashion pieces that reflected the young people's personalities, identities and experiences. Each participant showed remarkable courage and confidence as they took to the runway, receiving enthusiastic support from an audience united in celebration.
Following the show, Dr Bev delivered a powerful performance and spoke passionately about the importance of representation, visibility and creating spaces where people can feel seen, valued and accepted for who they are. Their message resonated strongly with the audience and reinforced the significance of continuing to champion equality and inclusion within our communities.
Mrs Greeves, Abertillery Learning Community, said:
“A wonderful night was had by parents/carers/staff and organisers. I am extremely proud of all of the models but especially our ALC pupils. The time and dedication they spent making their costumes and expressing themselves through make up, it was an absolute privilege to be part of this evening. The children were glowing and made memories that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I certainly won’t forget the night our children lit up Bedwellty house with colour, attitude, pride, love and sassiness walking that catwalk!”
The evening was also attended by Councillor Chris Smith, Blaenau Gwent's Equality Champion, who came along to show his support for the young people and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Councillor Chris Smith said:
"It was a privilege to attend the Blaenau Gwent Pride Fashion Show and see our young people expressing themselves with such confidence, creativity and pride. Events like this send a powerful message that everyone deserves to feel accepted, valued and celebrated for who they are. I would like to thank all of those involved in organising the event and look forward to seeing Pride in Blaenau Gwent continue to grow in the years ahead."
The event builds on the success of the first ever Blaenau Gwent Pride celebrations held last year and demonstrates the growing momentum behind creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for everyone. Seeing so many people come together to celebrate diversity and support our young people highlights just how important these events are in fostering understanding, acceptance and community pride.
The fashion show was made possible thanks to funding from the Pride Cymru Grassroots Pride Fund and the Youth Service Grant, whose support enabled this special celebration to become a reality. The project also promoted sustainable fashion by encouraging participants to reimagine and repurpose preloved clothing, showcasing how creativity can breathe new life into existing garments while reducing waste.
The organisers would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Chloe's Community Cupboard, Tredegar, for their generous donations of clothing. Their support helped make the project possible and enabled the young people to create and showcase their unique designs using preloved materials.
As the event came to a close, there was a real sense of optimism for the future. The enthusiasm, talent and support on display throughout the evening reflected the strength of Blaenau Gwent's communities and the commitment to ensuring that everyone feels they belong.
We hope this is just the beginning, and that Pride celebrations in Blaenau Gwent continue to grow and flourish for many years to come, providing opportunities for future generations to celebrate who they are, share their stories and inspire others to do the same.
Together, we are creating a Blaenau Gwent where everyone can be proud to be themselves.
For anyone interested in joining the Youth Service's LGBTQ+ group, or finding out more about the wide range of clubs, activities and opportunities available through the Youth Service, please contact andrea.roberts@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk for further information.
