Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras still leading the way in hosting Youth and Family Zone
Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras Youth and Family Zone 2012
Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras still leading the way in hosting Youth and Family Zone
Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras, September 1st 2012
For the third year running Cardiff Mardi Gras will host a Youth and Family Zone at the Coopers Field event on September 1st 2012. The Youth and Family Zone is the first of its kind at a Mardi Gras or Pride Event. Whilst the Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras aims to engage people in a fun way, it is an important element in a wider strategy to combat hate crime and to encourage and respect diversity, leading to safer communities in which everyone lives, works and plays. Combating homophobic hate crime is one of the major aims of the Cardiff Wales Mardi Gras making it a fundamental right for individuals to feel safe and not persecuted on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
Because many young people identify themselves as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or those who are questioning their sexual or gender identity are getting younger each year, organisers feel that it is important for an event of such stature to provide an area for these young people to access any support or relevant services they may need.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler gives his support to the Youth and Family Zone, “Cardiff LGBT Mardi Gras is an event that is really committed to supporting children and young people. I am proud that this is the first event of its kind in the UK to feature a Youth and Family zone after its debut two years ago, which has proved to be a huge success. It is so important that LGBT young people, their families and friends can meet each other in a safe environment, get advice and support and have a great time.”
Many families with children as well as teenagers from all over Wales and beyond attend Mardi Gras and the specific Family and Youth Zone aims to provide a safe space for young people, offering activities such as face painting, beat boxing and arts & crafts.
The Youth Zone offers young people the chance to speak to qualified youth workers about any issues they may face (Substance Misuse, Sexual Health, ‘Coming out’) and signpost young people onto the relevant agencies in their areas.
Stonewall research in 2007 (The School Report) reveals the alarming extent and nature of homophobic bullying currently faced by young gay people in school. Almost two thirds of young lesbian, gay and bisexual people have experienced direct homophobic bullying.
In 2009, the Teachers' Report by Stonewall found that homophobic bullying affects more than the 150,000 gay pupils that were already identified in the School Report. Nine in ten secondary school teachers and more than two in five primary school teachers say homophobic bullying occurs in their school. The results of this report confirm that homophobic bullying is a problem that affects not only young gay people, but young heterosexual people too.
John Bond is the Committee member responsible for the Family and Youth Zone, he said, “Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras is an important event in Cardiff’s diary where the city and surrounding areas show their support for equality. I believe that Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras has taken the important step of recognising that the LGBT community is also made up of young people who know their sexual or gender identity or there are those young people who maybe questioning this. I strongly believe that by introducing the Youth & Family Zone as a main concept into the event shows the commitment to be accessible-for-all. Young people go through a lot of issues when trying to cope with their sexual/gender identity. The Youth & Family Zone can be a place to meet likeminded people, get support and advice and if needed signposted to other agencies. The Youth & Family is proud to have so many supporters and partners and we are building on this each year to make the Youth & Family area a huge success.”
The Youth Zone at Cardiff Wales LGBT Mardi Gras has grown in popularity each year. In 2010, the Youth Zone engaged with around 500 young people and in 2011, this grew to around 1,000. Each year the Youth Officer engages with many organisations that can provide activities or support for young people. These organisations include:
- Cardiff County Council Youth Service
- Cardiff Youth Service Detached Street-Based Team
- Cardiff YMCA
- Cardiff C-Card Scheme (Condom Card)
- Boulders Climbing Centre
- YMCA Bike Club
- Youth Cymru
- The Sprout (Cardiff Young Person Information Website)
- Plasmawr Comprehensive School, Cardiff
- Cardiff High School Anti-Homophobia Group
- Ezeeeplay
- Newlink Wales
On the Sprout website hisgirl210410 posted, “2011 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, 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.”
(Reference Article: http://www.thesprout.co.uk/en/news/review-mardi-gras-2011/05982.html)
END