LAUNCESTON welcomed the bold, proud flag of Cornwall Pride on Saturday, June 22, as part of a two-day pride tour across the county.

Set up two years ago by Nathaniel Kenworthy Gomes, Cornwall Pride is creating important conversations across Cornwall, and spreading a positive message about acceptance and embracing who you are.

On Saturday, June 22, the Cornwall Pride tour bus pulled up in Launceston to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the Launceston Castle grounds. With many donned in colourful and glitzy clothing for the occasion, and accompanied by a huge colourful flag that was proudly displayed, the party were met by mayor and mayoress Dave and Carole Gordon, as well as between 40 and 50 supporters.

Nathaniel said: “It was fantastic. Over the two days we were met by some incredible people with a really high regard for what we were doing. I think we did make a difference to people’s lives over the two days.

“Each area was different in numbers, but we had around 40 to 50 people in each town, as well as the people on the bus at the same time. Overall we are really thankful to all the towns and councils that welcomed us.”

The project came about two years ago when Nathaniel wanted to make Cornwall ‘a little bit more connected’. Supporting people ‘coming out’ and creating more awareness is at the top of their list of priorities for the project.

Launceston, and the rest of Cornwall, was very welcoming to the pride tour bus as they arrived, as Nathaniel explained: “There was no hate crime reported, and to be there at Launceston Castle and have the mayor and mayoress there to welcome us was just perfect.

“The message we put in place, and our ethos, is to love who you want to love and be who you want to be. Everyone has the ability to be who they are. We definitely will be back again next year.”