The Charcoal Hut is situated in Myddfai, a village on the outskirts of a town of some 2,000 people called Llandovery. It’s a close-knit community that thrives on the kindness of its people. But the charm of everyone knowing everyone can become a trial for those who are LGBTQ+.
Most funding for LGBTQ+ activities goes to cities, which means if you are part of the community but live in a rural area you must travel to the capital to engage in the rich and thriving LGBTQ+ culture. So for the LGBTQ+ community of Llandovery, it can feel isolating.
Then there’s the other problem of figuring out who you are when everyone knows everyone. How can you explore your identity without the luxury of anonymity? So for many people moving away feels like the only option.
Heart of Wales LGBTQ+ and Safe Spaces
Just over two years ago, the Charcoal Hut received a DM on instagram from a local community group called Heart of Wales LGBTQ+, who support the LGBTQ+ community in Llandovery and the surrounding area.
They said that the main topic of conversation at their first meeting was the worry of not knowing which businesses were safe for their community to frequent. This means that most LGBTQ+ people and their families would not shop locally out of fear of being in an unsafe environment. To combat this, HoW LGBTQ+ made a safe spaces list which we are so proud to be a part of.
Of course, we had always considered ourselves a safe space to the LGBTQ+ community but it really hit home that we could do more.
Investing in your community
It’s so important to us to invest in our community, to support and amplify the local causes and groups who, most often, are run by volunteers.
That’s why we have joined the mailing list of Heart of Wales LGBTQ+ to hear all about their news and spread the word when they hold events. We were sponsors of the very first Llandovery Pride and for its second, had the opportunity to sponsor the fabulous Nail Moorjani (They / Them) who was the storyteller for the children in the afternoon as well as at the evening cabaret.
Rural Prides
Our small involvement in Llandovery Pride has helped make an incredible impact. By bringing world class Queer artists to Llandovery, the LGBTQ+ community are able to experience their culture and celebrate themselves in their hometown. It also has an educational effect: dispelling myths that are perpetuated by the media and showcasing the beauty, diversity and joy of the LGBTQ+ community.
Rural Prides have a different feel to Prides in the city. There’s a party atmosphere, naturally, but the occasion seems to be much more than that. You will hear conversations taking place for the first time; important ones. Incredulous exclamations of ‘I never thought I’d see this in my hometown’ and pronouns being shared in places where the notion of asking for pronouns is alien. It’s events like this that have long lasting effects.
And with most regional Prides taking place outside of ‘Pride Month’ – Aberystwyth Pride 20th April 2024, Brecon Pride 27th July 2024 and Llandovery’s Cabaret Gala 26th October – it spreads a beautiful message, that LGBTQ+ people exist all year round and should be celebrated as such.
The ‘Pride’ Effect
Even though Rural Prides are as unique as their locations, they have one main similarity.
They are all grassroots.
They have been created by tiny committees that make incredible things happen, from shoestring budgets raised by bake sales and donations. It’s about a community coming together and realising that LGBTQ+ folk can add so much to their towns when they are accepted and supported.
It’s coming to the realisation that: we may be different but you’re still a part of our community, and every subsection, group, demographic is equally as important as the next. It’s at events like this that you see true community pride, and we are so proud to be a part of it!