Rugby heroes support gay festival

Gareth Thomas captained Wales and the British and Irish Lions

Rugby star Gareth Thomas and referee Nigel Owens are giving their support to the Mardi Gras festival in Cardiff.

The event is a celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender culture taking place on 4 September.

Owens has agreed to become festival patron while Thomas, now signed to rugby league side Crusaders, is also backing the event.

More than 40,000 people are expected to join the celebrations in the eleventh annual festival of its kind in Cardiff.

The main event in Coopers Field will be preceded by a week's worth of celebrations ranging from concerts and dance performances, sports events, theatre groups, photographic and art exhibitions to tea dances.

Nigel Owens was in his late teens or early twenties before being certain he was gay

"It is truly a privilege and honour to be asked to be a patron," said Owens, who was the first openly gay figure in professional rugby.

"We have all come a long way in recent years but there is still much to be achieved.

"Cardiff Mardi Gras is both a great celebration but also a beacon of the fair, diverse and equal society we all long and strive for."

Richard Newton, chair of the volunteer organising committee for Mardi Gras, said: "This is now a highlight of the summer in Wales.

"We are keen to see as many people from across our diverse communities come along and have a great day.

"I am really excited by the events we are also planning during the festival week."

More details on the Mardi Gras website