Out and About: an LGBTQ+ series

A Flower Sketchbook Workshop and a Pride Tote Bag Workshop with Local Conwy Artist Katie Ellidge

Participants created their own mini sketchbook using pressed/dried flowers inspired by LGBTQ+ references and symbols. Using the language of flowers and inspiration from how the LGBTQ+ community have used flowers to represent themselves throughout history, such as Oscar Wilde’s use of green carnations for gay men and Sappho’s use of violets for lesbians. In another workshop, participants created their own tote bag design inspired by the Pride Display at Colwyn Bay Library and the importance of Pride celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community.

Gender and Sexuality: Creating a Safe Space Workshop with Kayley Roberts BA, MA, MA, MBACP (Accred)

Kayley is a Person-Centred counsellor specialising in working with queer clients and is a member of the queer community. They volunteer for an LGBTQ+ youth group, and are on the committee of volunteers who organise North Wales Pride. Kayley’s workshop focused on how to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ friends and colleagues to come out, including how to deal with judgement and what to do if someone makes a mistake. Taking it back to basics, cutting out the statistics and sticking to the everyday; going beyond powerpoint knowledge, and into practical application.

This took place on Trans Day of Remembrance where a moment of remembrance for those lost in the last year was held, and the origins of the day and its history was discussed.

This workshop was so popular that it sold out and the demand has resulted in Pride Cymru funding an additional session in March 2024.

Proud Creative Writing Workshop with Norena Shopland

Norena is a Welsh historian and writer who is specialised in LGBTQ+ research and history. She gives talks, lectures and workshops on Welsh Heritage and LGBTQ+ History. This creative writing workshop allowed participants to creatively respond to four texts from Wales’ often hidden or forgotten LGBTQ+ history and produce a piece of prose or poetry. The texts ranged from the Ladies of Llangollen to Hugh Despenser the Younger.

Queer Welsh Stories Creative Writing Workshop with Mair Jones

Bilingual creative writing workshop that introduced and explored LGBTQ+ Welsh History, including Welsh language terminology. Participants learned about Welsh LGBTQ+ people, such as John Gibson, Mary Charlotte Lloyd, E. Prosser Rhys, Jan Morris and Henry Cyril Paget, and creatively explored L, G, B and T identities, especially focusing on North Wales.

‘Echoes of LGBTQ+ in Llandudno’ Talk with Llandudno Museum

Fascinating histories of the LGBTQ+ community in the Conwy County town of Llandudno presented by Dr Jeff Morgan and Graham Morgan of Llandudno Museum. Llandudno has been a magnet for many who felt they could not express their true selves back home. A holiday break or longer sojourn in the ‘Queen of Welsh Resorts’ often brought a sense of anonymity and freedom.