Wales. the smallest country that is part of the UK, has really good queer news again this week.  Firstly, Gareth Thomas,  a former Wales captain and one of the first openly gay professional rugby players, is increasing his activism within the LGBTQ community.  He has launched a new campaign with a queer non-profit, You Are Loved and Grindr to raise awareness of the dangers of chemsex and drug misuse in the LGBTQIA+ community.  The campaign Grindr for Equality Presents: Out in the Open with You Are Loved,   aims to shed light on chemsex – the use of drugs to enhance sex – and the serious risks it can carry, including overdose, HIV transmission and declining mental health.

Speaking of the campaign, he said: “For too long, people have hidden their struggles for fear of being judged, and that silence fuels a negative cycle of shame and harm. No one should feel ashamed to speak out or ask for help. If we start having more open conversations, then the stigma starts to break down and ultimately, we can not only change lives but save them.”

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The second piece of good Welsh news is that the Church in Wales’ governing body has approved a bill making blessings of same-sex marriages permanent, while allowing individual clergy to opt out of offering the service.

The bill was passed on 16 April by the church’s 143-member governing body, with the motion requiring a two-thirds majority in each of the three Orders: bishops, clergy and lay members, reports BBC News. Lay members voted 48 to eight in favour with two abstentions, and clergy voted 32 to seven, with five abstentions. Bishops then confirmed the bill’s passing with no objections.

During the debate, Bishop of St Asaph Gregory Cameron spoke about “the damage that rejection of our LGBT brothers and sisters in Christ does”. He added: “Please can we not be a church that inflicts such pain, and that I believe is the fundamental choice at the base of this bill.”

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PS Queerguru apologies to all our readers in Wakes (and ekshwetec) for failing to keep up with all their news.  Especially the fact that one of their most famous countrywomen, Dame Shirley Bassey, celebrated her 89th birthday and is still belting  out  DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER