We will not be silent: Pride is our collective voice - loud and visible

June is Pride month. Here, Sharon James-Evans, principal of Cardiff and Vale College, argues that the annual LGBTQ+ celebration is more important than ever

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EVERY year, I look forward to Pride Month.

It's not just to celebrate the progress we've made, but also to remind myself that, even in moments of joy, we have to stay vigilant.

Pride has always been both a celebration and a prompt - a moment to rejoice, but also a call to action and a time to speak out.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the largest not-for-profit LGBTQ+ organisation in Wales, which will host more than 50,000 people in a weekend of celebration and solidarity.

It promises to be a wonderful event, but beyond the parades and festivities, it's also a reminder of the work still to be done.

As a gay woman, Pride means so much more than just a celebration of who we are. It's a direct response to the ever-present danger of regression affecting many in our society, especially at a time when there is a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, particularly affecting transgender people in the United States.

And it's not just about trans people. The fight for trans rights is fundamentally a fight for all human rights. It echoes the same ideals that have driven other liberation movements whether it's for racial justice, women's rights, or disability rights. At its core, the trans rights movement is about autonomy, self-determination, freedom from violence, and the ability to live without societal limitations.

Indeed, I find myself increasingly concerned by what's unfolding in the United States.