Political parties have been banned from taking part in Pride Cymru 2025 over concerns of a lack of action regarding a Supreme Court ruling over the legal definition of a woman. They said politicians would be welcomed, but not on an official basis.
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00:00Pride Cymru, Wales' biggest LGBT plus event, has confirmed it will ban political parties from taking part in this year's parade and festival following growing concerns over a recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the legal definition of a woman.
00:15Organisers say the decision was made in solidarity with the trans community and reflects frustration with what they see as a lack of meaningful action from political parties in response to the court's ruling which defines a woman based on biological sex alone.
00:28Many in the trans community have viewed the decision as setting a dangerous precedent.
00:32In an open letter to the Welsh Government back in April, Pride Cymru said that they welcomed clear ambitions for LGBTQ plus equality from ministers in Cardiff Bay but they said they wanted clarity on what next steps were being taken in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision.
00:47They also called for a public reaffirmation of Wales as an open and inclusive nation.
00:52According to organisers, political parties have not done enough in the aftermath of the ruling.
00:56The decision to exclude them from Pride was made following feedback from within the LGBTQ plus community itself.
01:02Pride Cymru has stressed that any politicians are still welcome to attend the event in a personal capacity but they will not be allowed to formally represent their party either in the parade or at the festival site.
01:13The event has grown significantly in recent years and now draws thousands of people into the centre of Cardiff. Last year's celebration at Cardiff Castle was the biggest on record.
01:22This year Pride Cymru moved to Cooper's Field in Butte Park with a packed line of performances including chart topper Ella Henderson and Celebrity Big Brother finalist Danny Beard.
01:31The iconic parade will once again take to the streets of Cardiff featuring local businesses, charities and community groups but for the first time political parties will miss out.
01:41J.D.P. Watkins reporting for Local TV.