Celebrating diversity with Pride

This year, Alex and Adam who are supported by Mirus, are joining the Pride Cymru march in Cardiff on Saturday 22^nd June as ambassadors for Mirus.

Alex attended last year’s Pride Cymru march

Pride is all about celebrating diversity within society, and the LGBTQ+ community. One of the main goals of Pride is to create safe and supportive environments where everyone can be themselves.  Autistic people and people with learning disabilities are an important part of the LGBTQ+ community, and everyone’s involvement is essential for a truly inclusive celebration of diversity.

As part of their roles as Mirus Ambassadors, Alex and Adam share their experiences of autism and learning disabilities to help influence decision making and the work that Mirus does. They are also passionate about ensuring people’s voices are heard and their rights are championed. By attending Pride, they will bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the LGBTQ+ community.

Adam said:

“We are all different, but we are all the same. We should accept people for who they are.”

Alex and Adam’s presence at Pride has encouraged other people who are supported by Mirus to attend, and this year even more members of Mirus’ social group are excited to join the march.

Alex said:

“Pride is going to be brilliant! I’m representing Mirus. I’m gay myself, and I think it’s nice that people can be themselves.”

After the Pride Cymru march, Alex, Adam and other people who are supported by Mirus will attend The Big Queer Picnic in Sophia Gardens. The Big Queer Picnic is a free, accessible and inclusive event, organised by volunteers. Their aim is to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, without commercialisation.

Many of The Big Queer Picnic’s volunteers and performers have disabilities, and organisers have been excellent at proactively considering accessibility for as many people as possible. They have conducted ground tests with different types of wheelchairs, pointed out the louder and quieter areas of the venue on a map, and have produced a fantastic accessibility guide. This year, they also successfully raised enough funds to provide additional accessible toilets for attendees.

After learning of the inclusive event, the Mirus Ambassadors were keen to promote it to others, so that even more people can experience a welcoming space, and find community, support and acceptance.

Adam said:

“Go along to The Big Queer Picnic and have some fun!”

Alex and Adam have created a video to encourage others to celebrate pride. You can watch it below:

Accessibility

Read the short accessibility guide to The Big Queer Picnic at this link.

Read the full accessibility guide to The Big Queer Picnic at this link.