Prynhawn da pawb. Good afternoon everyone.
I’ve had the privilege of speaking at this event twice before and today is my third time in its third year.
Can I firstly begin by thanking the whole team at CETMA for organising this event and for their work all year round.
This afternoon rightly marks a celebration for the LGBT community but also a time for reflection, to remember those who have sacrificed so much so we could have such tolerance. Love is love and don’t let anyone ever tell you any different.
Llanelli is a proud, friendly place to live and it makes me even prouder to see our town hosting events like today. Our communities are full of people with different backgrounds and beliefs. It’s time to be who we want to be, to do what we want to do. A time to promote images of positivity and share our stories of diversity. A time to inspire more and more.
We must all be brave enough to start a conversation that really matters in every family, in every household, in every community.
Although we have come a long way, there are still too many barriers to overcome.
Plaid Cymru wants every young person to grow up in a country where there is hope, a country where no-one is left behind and a country where we have equality at the heart of our agenda. Prioritising the development of a Gender Identity Clinic, Ending the twelve month blood donation ban and Ensuring greater consistency in recording homophobic bullying within our schools and organisations.
There is a need to be vigilant with some regressive policies still around. Keeping in place the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights will be crucial, both of which underpin so many of the equalities that we now rely on. To quote Nelson Mandela “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”.
In America, President Trump’s three-tweet plan to stop transgender individuals from serving in the military is not only deeply offensive but also incredibly divisive. Let our progressive message of fairness and hope indeed trump that of fear and hate!
Those in any country who pursue hatred offer no answer, they are part of the problem.
If we want change, then we must be the change we want to see. We are all different but at the same time we are all equal. Friends – It will be our actions here today, tomorrow and in the weeks ahead that will affect future generations who are yet to be born!
Enjoy the day! Ymlaen!
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