The Sprout

Review: Mardi Gras 2011

Posted by hisgirl210410 from Cardiff - Published on 05/09/2011 at 09:22
3 comments » - Tagged as Culture, Festivals, People, Volunteering

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On Saturday 3rd September, theSprout joined in with the Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras 2011 at Cooper’s Field.

This was my first year at Mardi Gras and to be honest I didn't really know what to expect. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed! It was so much fun, the atmosphere was so nice and everyone was there to just have a good time and be themselves in an excepting environment.

I was surprised how during the day there were so many families who had brought their children along and that there was actually something for everyone, no matter how old or young. In the Youth Zone tent, where theSprout was based, there was a mini soft play area, face painting and bead craft which I hadn't expected as I hadn't anticipated such an age range for the festival.

I learned a lot while I was at the festival that without attending I would have not come across anywhere else, such as the struggles that lesbian, gay and transgender people go through when trying to get anything from work to health care. It was a real eye-opener and it gave me an insight into how difficult it is choosing the lifestyle but there are people in Cardiff and around the UK dedicated to helping improving things for the LGBT community.

There is even a church dedicated to the lesbian and gay community. I personally loved this organisation because I am Christian and also bisexual but a minimum amount of people at my church know because, as most of you know, it’s not really excepted as fitting the ideals of God's plan. Yet this church were really exercising the fact that God loves everyone whatever your sexuality and they make it true that even if you're attracted to the same sex you can still be a Christian and love God.

TheSprout made their cosy little corner into a diary room and managed to find some willing participants that told us how it was for them coming out and life as gay, lesbian or transgender along with some advice for any Sprouters that are in similar situations.

I had come across the problems lesbian and gay people may encounter but transgender was really a new concept for me apart from on Hollyoaks but that's not real life and not believable. When a lovely lady came in and I listened to her telling theSprout cam about life as a transgender, I was moved by her story and how happy she was to be herself yet the sorrow she felt when she expressed that she felt that transgenders would never be as easily accepted as gay men or lesbian women.

I think one of my favourite things about the day had to be the cross-dressers, I was so jealous! Some of them looked gorgeous and I have to say carried off their dresses better than a lot of women I know. Another thing that shocked me was some of the singing that were coming from the drag artists, talk about amazing!

The whole day left a huge smile on my face and a big eye opener when it came to how extensiveness of the LGBT community. If you missed it, you missed a great day and you should totally make sure you make next year’s festival. I know I'll be there. Along with people who have travelled from all over to participate in the biggest LGBT Mardi Gras in Wales.

There was so much going on that I could talk about it for hours, but I don't want to bore you so I will leave it there having said about the things I was most intrigued by and my favourite bits, so as to give you a taste of what it was like being at Mardi Gras 2011.

I wasn't around for the evening performances as theSprout, along with the Youth Zone, packed up; so if you were there then please feel free to review your time at Mardi Gras, we'd love an insight into what happens when the night really gets going after the families have gone home and the stalls have packed up.

Keep checking theSprout all week for photos and videos from Mardi Gras 2011!

News » Categories » Festivals

Organisations » Cardiff Youth Service

Organisations » Loud and Proud: Cardiff LGBT Youth Provision

Info » Family & Relationships » Being in a Relationship » Same Sex Relationships

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3 Comments – Post a comment

LoudandProud

Commented 8 months ago - 5th September 2011 - 12:36pm

This is a fantastic review and I have posted this to all the committee members at Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras. The youth zone was fantastic and in all the areas dedicated to young people we engaged with just around 1000 young people.

I feel sorry for whoever has to go through all the video footage. Can I thank the Sprout and all the other organisations who were involved in the Youth Zone.

If anyone else would like to write a review for Mardi Gras, please go ahead and if there are any improvements we can make then please email committee@cardiffmardigras.co.uk.

Bring on Mardi Gras 2012!!

Sprout Editor

Commented 8 months ago - 6th September 2011 - 11:29am

It was an amazing day! Thanks to Loud and Proud and the Youth service for organising the Youth Zone and all the young people and volunteers that helped out. The Youth Zone is a brilliant addition to a brilliant festival! Photos and vids coming soon!