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Rugby kicks off city Mardi Gras
BBC News - Sunday, 3 September 2006, 13:34 GMT 14:34 UK
A Welsh gay rugby team faced opponents from several UK cities in one of the headline events at Cardiff's eighth Mardi Gras.
The Cardiff Lions competed in seven-a-side matches against teams from Edinburgh, London and Bristol.
Organisers said heavy rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands at the city's Cooper's Field.
The Cardiff Lions Rugby Football Club, who claim to be Wales's only gay rugby team, was founded in 2004.
Since then they have played against other gay teams from the UK and beyond.
In May they "narrowly missed" getting into the semi-final stages of the Bingham Cup in New York, an international rugby competition open to gay teams.
The Cardiff Lions has 26 playing members as well as six non-playing members and they hope to recruit new members at the Mardi Gras.
"It's not just all about playing rugby, it's about guys who want to get fit, keep active and socialise with others," said Jamie Lewis, a member of the team.
Mr Lewis said it was easier to play in a team of the same sexual orientation, as there was "no discrimination", but on the pitch the players were the same as any other team.
"The teams we play are good teams and we continue that," he explained.
"They might not be the same off the pitch, but on pitch they have exactly the same mentality, they can be equally as aggressive, equally skilled, equally as competitive and determined."
About 6,000 people attended the first Cardiff Mardi Gras in 1999, but the event has grown in the years since, with numbers topping 40,000.
Organisers said Saturday's event was one of the biggest free lesbian and gay events in the UK.
A spokeswoman said: "Revellers were not put off by the bad weather, with many dancing away into the evening under umbrellas."
Lesbian, gay and bisexual equality group Stonewall Cymru asked people to take part in a survey which will be used as part of the group's campaign for fair treatment for lesbian and gay people.
Matt Sibley, organiser of the Top Gayer motor show, said: "It's not just for gay people, it's a family event. Obviously the point of mardi gras is to promote tolerance in the community."
The leader of Cardiff Council, Rodney Berman, spoke on stage about the importance of tolerance and diversity. He was joined by members of the four main political parties in Wales.
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