Radio show spreads LGBT+ message beyond city
AN LGBT+ radio programme which was launched 18 months ago on Radio Cardiff has now established itself in smaller communities too.
The Pride Cymru show discusses topical LGBT+ issues happening around Wales and is celebrating its first anniversary of expanding onto Bro Radio, a station that broadcasts to Barry and the surrounding Vale communities.
Set up in 2009, Bro Radio brings local news and updates as well as speciality shows dedicated to Welsh music and language.
The radio station reached out to The Pride Cymru Show on Radio Cardiff to ignite much-needed conversation surrounding LGBT+ life in Barry and the Vale – and a year on, it’s proving to be a success.
“Following the success of the Barry Pride in 2019, we wanted to continue the conversation around LGBT rights and the issues in Barry and across the wider Vale of Glamorgan,” said Nathan Spackman, Operations Director of Bro Radio.
“We knew of the work of (presenter) Mathew Wilson and the team at The Pride Cymru Radio Show, which we felt was the perfect fit for our listeners.”
Cardiff-based host Wilson believes it’s important to take the LGBT+ message beyond the capital.
“It’s really important to get the LGBT+ message across,” he said.
“The Vale has always been a conservative area in terms of behaviour. Some people have to hide who they really are. I know people who aren’t out because they’re scared about what others will say.”
According to Mathew, the lockdown measures have seen an increase in listeners tuning in each week.
“We’ve seen that our mixcloud feature has highlighted that listeners have more than doubled in lockdown.
“We’ve seen people interacting more, we’re getting more people messaging us in the week and replying to our posts online.”
The Pride Cymru show has been heavily involved in progressive LGBT+ events, taking part in a two-day long marathon last year supporting Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend as well as Bristol and Gloucester Pride events.
The Pride Cymru Show is broadcast every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm.
To find out how to listen in your area, visit the Radio Cardiff website.