From Cardiff to Brazil – Pride is Making Our World a Better Place

“As part of the Llamau Choir, it was a moment of real honour for us to be welcomed on stage at this year’s Pride Cymru by legendary drag artist Rob Keetch, who some of you may also know as Dr Bev. I’m also truly delighted that Rob is Llamau’s LGBTQ+ Ambassador. Knowing that LGBTQ+ people are four times more likely to experience homelessness is one of many reminders of the challenges that the young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community face. It’s why Llamau is proud to support the community.

As a Pride Ambassador, Dr Bev recently travelled to Brazil as captured in the following story. It highlights two inspirational LQBTQ+ homelessness projects in Brazil and is a timely reminder that many of the issues the community faces here in Wales are being replicated globally. This creates the opportunity for us all to learn from and support our LGBTQ+ communities wherever they happen to be.” - Sam Austin, Llamau Chief Executive.

Rob Keetch's Trip to Brazil

I recently had the privilege of visiting São Paulo as part of the UK Pride delegation, alongside representatives from Pride organisations in Oban (Scotland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), and London (England), as guests of the British Council.

I was honoured to be there both as a performer and as a representative of Pride Cymru, Wales, and the wider UK at the world's largest LGBTQ+ Pride parade. The scale was simply breathtaking. We marched alongside millions of people in a city where the Pride celebrations attracted over a million more people than live in the entirety of Wales.

But while the parade itself was a powerful celebration of visibility, diversity, and joy, it was the stories behind the celebrations that left the deepest impression on me.

One of the most emotional parts of the visit was spending time with two projects supporting LGBTQ+ people facing homelessness and social exclusion, a cause close to my heart as an LGBTQ Ambassador for the Welsh Homeless Charity Llamau.

Visiting Casa 1

The first was Casa 1, a remarkable organisation founded in 2017 that provides shelter and support to LGBTQ+ young people aged 18 to 25 who have been forced from their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

What makes Casa 1 extraordinary is that it goes far beyond providing accommodation. Through its cultural centre and social clinic, it offers free access to education, employability programmes, health support, arts, culture, and community activities. Every month, around 2,000 people access its services. It is a powerful example of what compassion, determination, and community-led action can achieve.

Visiting Casa Florescer

We also visited Casa Florescer, a pioneering 24-hour welcome centre dedicated to supporting trans women experiencing extreme social vulnerability.

Since opening in 2016, Casa Florescer has provided not only safe accommodation, meals, and healthcare support, but also psychological services, legal assistance, education, and pathways into employment and independent living.

It was deeply moving to see a project that places dignity, empowerment, and opportunity at the heart of its work, helping some of society's most marginalised people rebuild their lives. Initially, some of the women were understandably hesitant to speak with us. Yet, with immense courage, they shared their stories—stories marked by rejection, discrimination, violence, and hardship. Despite everything they had endured, they welcomed us with kindness, warmth, and trust once they realised they were among people who would listen without judgement.

Many continue to live in poverty and rely heavily on the support of organisations like Casa Florescer and the generosity of others. When I asked what they needed most, I expected to hear requests for funding, housing, or resources. Instead, the overwhelming answer was education—not for themselves, but for society. Education that fosters understanding. Education that challenges prejudice. Education that reminds us of our shared humanity.

That response has stayed with me ever since.

Pride Changes Lives

Both visits were a stark reminder that Pride is not only about celebration. It is also about solidarity. Across different countries, cultures, and languages, we continue to face many of the same challenges, but we also share the same hopes: safety, dignity, acceptance, and opportunity for all LGBTQ+ people.

I heard stories of incredible resilience, shared experiences of both progress and struggle, and saw first-hand how values of tolerance, respect, and inclusion can be promoted throughout the world. The connections made during this visit will, I hope, strengthen collaboration between our Pride movements for years to come.

As representatives of Pride organisations from all four nations of the United Kingdom, we brought the very best of our movement to one of the most significant Pride events in the world. In return, Brazil gave us valuable lessons in community, resilience, and the power of collective action.

My sincere thanks go to the British Council team for their warm welcome, generosity, and for opening so many doors and opportunities for meaningful exchange. Thank you for showing us the very best of Brazil.

São Paulo gave us an unforgettable celebration, but more importantly, it gave us perspective, inspiration, and renewed determination to continue building a world where every LGBTQ+ person can live openly, safely, and with pride.