Everything you need to know about Cardiff Pride 2019
It's one of the biggest weekends in the Cardiff calendar and Pride 2019 is set to be one of the biggest ever in its 20th anniversary year.
Here's all you need to know about the events, acts and activities during the bank holiday weekend, as well as the all-important weather forecast for the parade.
Since 1999, the event, which was formerly known as Cardiff Mardi Gras, has grown significantly as more and more acts come to Cardiff to perform across the weekend and make a stand for inclusivity.
Organisers say around 15,000 people attended last year's Cardiff Pride celebrations. This year they are expecting more than 40,000 people.
On Thursday, organisers announced that due to the forecasted hot weather, the dog show during the festival is cancelled.
Who is playing?
Across four stages, Pride goers can look forward to seeing legendary Scottish band Texas, Gok Wan, Liberty X, Atomic Kitten, Samantha Mumba and Bang Bang Romeo, as well as comedy sensations Joel Dommett and Robert White.
ITV Cymru Wales has featured inspiration LGBT stories across its online and on-air platforms in the week running up to Pride.
These have included:
‘I could have lost everything’: The first openly gay man in the navy
Gay man who fled Morocco claims asylum seekers’ fears are not ‘taken seriously’
Being bisexual is not just a ‘stepping stone to becoming gay’
When does it start?
The festival runs over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday's headliners include Donna Marie as Lady Gaga, plus what organisers say are "the UK's best tribute acts" to Bruno Mars, Pink and Dolly Parton.
The parade starts at 11am on Saturday and will set off from the Cardiff City Hall Lawns and is due to finish at around 12:30.
Saturday's headliners include Texas, Liberty X and stylist Gok Wan.
Sunday will see comedian Joel Dommett perform on the Glee Stage, as well as Honeyz and Atomic Kitten play sets on the main stage.
What is Pride?
Organisers say Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend aims to "highlight the ongoing fight against hatred and discrimination that the LGBT+ community faces on a daily basis".
This year the event’s campaign is titled #StillProud, a campaign which celebrates the journey made by the LGBT+ community and the journey that is still to be made.
With 2019 being the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York and and Pride Cymru’s 20th anniversary, organisers say it is an important year to reflect on how far legislation has come but how far society still has to progress to achieve equality and tolerance.
Road closures
A number of roads in the city centre will be closed between 9am and 2pm on Saturday August 24th.
· Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
· Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street.
· Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street.
· Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment.)
· Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.)
· Saunders Road from its junction with St Mary Street.
· Customhouse Street throughout its length (access to private car parks will be permitted).
· Penarth Road from its junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the rear of the Central Train Station.
· North Road up between Boulevard De Nantes to the junction with Column Road.
· King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Access for buses and residents will be maintained on Westgate Street.
Did you know?
To make the event as accessible and as inclusive as possible, Pride Cymru’s Faith Tent will be back as well as special viewing platforms for anyone with accessibility needs.
Organisers also say this year will also see an increasing number of British Sign Language interpreters at the event and the introduction of the ‘Quiet Hour’ from 12noon on Sunday.
Brollies or sun hats?
It could be one of the best Pride weekends ever for weather, with sunshine and 29 degrees centigrade expected on both Saturday and Sunday, and 27 degrees on Friday.