THIS WOMAN'S WORK
Attitude UK|July/August 2022
As the only openly lesbian member of the Welsh Parliament, North Wales's Hannah Blythyn is already one of a kind. Now she's on a mission for a total ban on so-called 'conversion therapy' in Wales - and to make it Europe's most LGBTQ+-friendly country, as Attitude discovered
Jamie Tabberer
THIS WOMAN'S WORK

Part hipster log cabin, part gleaming spaceship, Cardiff's Senedd building, home of the Welsh Parliament, is one of the most fantastically strange buildings in the UK. Opened in 2006 at a cost of £69.6 million, it's a fittingly dynamic home to such a young government (voters opted for devolution in a 1997 referendum) and a far cry from the imposing, pompous, ugly buildings of storied governments elsewhere. Glass walls mirror the country's 'transparent' democracy. Inside, surfaces like Welsh slate and red cedar wood beg to be touched. It's an intimate, inviting environment that becomes positively womblike in the underground debating chamber, the circular shape inferring equal status among Members of the Senedd (MSS) and supposedly making debate less confrontational.

"You're clearly going to have your differences in the chamber. I have a very different political position than some of my colleagues, particularly the Welsh Conservatives," says Hannah Blythyn, the Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for the Delyn constituency, and the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership since 2021. "But you see each other and have a relationship in passing because there's not enough of us [to avoid each other]!"

It's true: the government canteen, for example - serving 'Welsh Italian lasagne' with 'Celtic Pride minced beef' on the day of Attitude's visit - is tiny. But the Welsh government's smaller size has its advantages.

"As one of 60 rather than one of 600, you've got much more chance of making a difference," Hannah adds of life as an MS as opposed to an MP. It's a different style of politics - and this softly-spoken 43-year-old is a different type of politician, amid a tidal wave of post-Trump attention-seekers.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Attitude UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Attitude UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ATTITUDE UKAlle anzeigen
SUPER TROUPERS
Attitude UK

SUPER TROUPERS

Happily married couple Mark Gatiss and lan Hallard have collaborated on a play inspired by lan's devotion to ABBA. Now beginning its UK tour, The Way Old Friends Do is not about the Swedish superstars, but two mates performing as ABBA in drag. We interviewed the pair to find out more...

time-read
10 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Welcome to MIAMI
Attitude UK

Welcome to MIAMI

We explore the queer and vibrant streets of Miami Beach before getting a feel for Wynwood, Miami's trendy up-and-coming neighbourhood

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Work of ART
Attitude UK

Work of ART

Michael F. Rumsby always aspired to be an artist. After a very successful career in PR, he's now following his passion full time, as he shares here

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Right MOVES
Attitude UK

Right MOVES

Meet a fashion icon who can do it all. Sakeema Peng Crook is an international model, content creator, dancer and activist whose mantra is embodying positive change

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2023
Getting SERIOUS
Attitude UK

Getting SERIOUS

Not content with making the nation laugh, comedian turned campaigner Joe Lycett has taken to speaking out on the issues of the day - from David Beckham becoming the face of antigay Qatar in the World Cup to the UK government's immigration policy. We loved him before but now we love him even more...

time-read
7 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Transforming LIVES
Attitude UK

Transforming LIVES

In 2020, Dani St James founded Not A Phase, a charity that wants to make a difference for trans and gender-diverse adults. Here, she tells us more

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
A breath of FRESH AIR
Attitude UK

A breath of FRESH AIR

From encouraging cycling to implementing Ultra-Low Emission Oliver Lord has made London's controversial Zone, eco campaigner great strides towards cutting pollution

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Freer THAN EVER
Attitude UK

Freer THAN EVER

Actor Adam Ali on bringing their \"queer Arab magic\" to film and TV, including Waterloo Road, coming out, and how they hope to inspire and influence positive change through representation

time-read
8 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Aqua MAN
Attitude UK

Aqua MAN

As one of the few publicly gay professional swimmers, Team GB's Daniel Jervis discusses coming out, the highs and lows of 2022 and what's up next

time-read
9 Minuten  |
March/April 2023
Baptism OF FIRE
Attitude UK

Baptism OF FIRE

Here, globetrotting guru and founder of LGBTQ+ travel website Every Queer, Meg Ten Eyck writes about her recent trip to Burning Man

time-read
8 Minuten  |
March/April 2023