Trans in the City presents award to the Welsh Government for its LGBTQ+ Action Plan
Trans in the City presented Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, with the prestigious CEO’s award at our annual gala evening to celebrate Trans Awareness Week. The award recognises the hard work of the Welsh Government in delivering its LGBTQ+ Action Plan.
Trans in the City CEO Bobbi Pickard said, “The CEO’s award is our flagship award. All our awards go to the most deserving, usually unsung people within our community, whether they’re trans, non-binary or allies. But the CEO’s award is the pinnacle, highlighting people who have gone above and beyond for the community. Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Government, and everyone else involved with the LGBTQ+ Action Plan have delivered a phenomenal amount of work over the last few years to push the plan through and make Wales one of the most trans-inclusive places in Europe to live and work. Their defence of the trans and non-binary community and the active allyship they’ve shown through this plan, and at other times, has been exemplary, and they are so deserving of the CEO’s award.”
On the award win, Mark Drakeford said, “On behalf of the Welsh Government, I am delighted to receive this award, an award that recognizes the ambition of our LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, and the work of Welsh ministers, community groups and officials across the Welsh Government…
We want Wales to be a nation where everyone feels free, supported, and safe to live their lives as they would choose to do so…
We recognize the discrimination that trans and non-binary communities continue to experience. That is why our aim is to use every lever we have available to guarantee that stigma and discrimination have no place here in Wales. By strengthening human rights, by banning conversion practices, by removing barriers which prevent LGBTQ+ from being able to live freely and without hate and abuse…
We believe that decisions on transgender people’s participation in any part of society should come from a starting point of inclusion and that LGBTQ+ rights, including trans rights, are human rights. The Welsh Government’s position is that trans men are men, and women are women, and non-binary identities are valid.”
This LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales was established to help coordinate action by the Welsh Government. The plan sets out an overarching vision to improve the lives of, and outcomes for, LGBTQ+ people. It includes a wide range of policy-specific actions relating to human rights, education, improving safety, housing, health and social care, sport, culture, and promoting community cohesion. In particular, through this Action Plan, the Welsh Government commits to defend and promote the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people and to make those communities feel welcome and included in Welsh society.
For the last six years, Trans in the City has hosted a gala that brings people and organisations together during Trans Awareness Week to celebrate trans and non-binary people, businesses, charities and allies. Starting in 2018, with only a few sponsors, Trans in the City has grown from strength to strength, and it's back with its second awards ceremony, which includes categories like Trans Champion, Trans Inclusive Organisation, and the CEO's award.