The Cardiff Gay Liberation Front was founded by Howard Llewellyn in July 1971 and met independently before later merging with Cardiff Campaign for Homosexual Equality.
On August 14th 1971, the GLF held an event called ‘Gay Day,’ which was attended by around 20 people, in Cardiff Castle Park (Bute Park) where the photograph was taken by Howard Llewellyn.
Llewellyn was a gay liberation activist, later becoming secretary of the LGBT Rights Committee for Trades Union Congress Wales.
The people in the photograph are wearing costumes that spell out ‘GAY’ ‘LIB’.
In 1967, new legislation was passed that partially decriminalised homosexuality, leading to a boom in Welsh gay culture in the 1970s.
Pubs like the King’s Cross, the Blue Anchor and the Golden Cross became officially LGBTQ+ friendly bars.
The GLF regularly met in the Blue Anchor before merging with Cardiff Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and meeting in Chapter Arts Centre.
Physical description
A black and white photograph of six people standing in Bute park, with trees behind them. They are wearing white costumes that spell out the words ‘GAY’ ‘LIB’, and making peace signs with their hands. There are more people in the background, sitting against trees and on the grass.
