Gay facts unveiled at festival

Gay celebrations are held across the UK

The most comprehensive survey of gay and bisexual people in Wales will be previewed at the National Eisteddfod.

Gay rights organisation Stonewall Cymru will reveal some of the key findings of the survey at the annual celebration of Welsh language and culture, this year being held at Meifod, Montgomeryshire, in mid Wales.

The festival kicks off on Saturday and runs for a week.

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people were canvassed by the Welsh arm of Stonewall in an effort to understand the extent of discrimination faced in Wales.

Stonewall Cymru will have the support of politicians such as Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Lembit Opik and Welsh assembly member and Presiding Officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

Both will be speaking on the Maes talking about the importance of equality.

Wales has been particularly supportive of gay rights in recent years, with the capital city flying the flag.

Gay people have been canvassed about discrimination

Cardiff is preparing to host the fifth annual Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras on Saturday, 30 August.

Set in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, the event attracts thousands from all over the UK.

Last year's celebration was the UK's second largest one-day gay event. Only Brighton attracted more visitors in 2002.

The National Eisteddfod is visiting northern Powys for the second time in its 140-year history. The last time was in 1965, when Newtown played host.

With sweltering temperatures forecast for this year's event, organisers are confident of attracting 20,000 people a day.

Saturday will see the first part of a new Welsh dictionary and a definitive Welsh postage stamp unveiled.

Meanwhile, visitors to the art and craft exhibition area will see a huge textile mosaic created by school children, which celebrates the wildlife and landscape of Montgomeryshire.