To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month this year, new artwork has been revealed on Castle Street, with four progressive pride flag designs painted on the carriageway to celebrate and remember the history, lives, and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, plus community in Cardiff.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride March in the UK in 1972, highlighting a key equality milestone in the early Gay Rights Movement.
This year the theme is ‘art’ – exploring ideas of creative expression for political progress. The chosen tagline is, ‘The Arc is Long’, taken from Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s quote, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice’.
The new artwork on Castle Street builds on the traditional six colours of the original pride flag to include black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQ+ communities of colour, as well as pink, light blue and white, representing the transgender community.
The artwork is a visual representation to show the city’s support for equality and diversity in the Welsh Capital and isn’t intended as a pedestrian crossing.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, Cllr Chris Weaver, said:
“Since February 1st, Cardiff Castle has been lit up with rainbow colours to mark the beginning of the LGBTQ+ History Month this year. As the theme is art, we wanted to ensure that the new progressive pride designs are as visible as possible to the public, so this is why they have been painted on Castle Street, the main thoroughfare that passes through the city centre.
“Cardiff is a diverse city that is committed to delivering a fair society for all and we are very proud of that. Regardless ofrace, religious beliefs, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender, our services and support are open to all and as a society we have to embrace that people are different and stress the importance of equality and inclusion for all.The Council will continue to work with the community and others to make Cardiff as safe and inclusive as possible.”
