Pride events are being held in many towns across rural Wales for the first-time.
It is intended to be a celebration of the lives of lesbians, gay, bisexual and trans people who live in rural areas.
It has been 50 years since Pride began in London, and the Pride parades attract thousands of people every year.
These smaller events aim to raise visibility for LGBTQ+ people living in rural areas, and combat loneliness and isolation.
Ivy Taylor resides in Llandrindod Wells (Powys) and says she didn't realize being trans could be possible as a child.
She knew she was alone and that she had to go.
She said, "[There] are] so many trans people in the area, who are living openly, authentically that it almost wasn't possible for me to realize that it was possible, that it was something that I could do, and that there was a more authentic part of myself that I could embrace."
She discovered who she was after living in Brighton for many years. She wanted to go back to rural Wales, where she felt she had found her true self.
She said that she believes there is a misconception that rural areas are less homophobic, transphobic, or accepting. However, this has not been her experience.
"I believe the problem is population density. It's easier to build communities when there are fewer people.
Ivy is one the organizers of Llandrindod Wells Pride, which will take place next weekend.
She expressed relief and gratitude at the number of shop windows decorated in rainbow colors to welcome Pride.
"Pride is helping to unify an otherwise highly fragmented and dissimilar community... letting it know that it's safe and accessible, and they can be themselves without judgment."
Andrew Powell, a Caerphilly farmer, has also experienced isolation.
Andrew said, "It was the isolation that I felt a lot. I didn't have anybody to look up too, someone like me, to talk to, and to understand things."
He is a member of Agrespect, a charity that works to increase visibility for the LGBT community in rural areas.
Andrew is a Young Farmers Club (YFC) member. He said that it was difficult to be in such a social setting and feel so alone, though he felt that things were improving.
He said, "There was the juxtaposition between being in a very large social group and feeling isolated and lonely most days."
"We have people like Nigel Owens as president of the national YFC, which has been a great thing to have someone openly gay in public."
Andrew stated that he considered this year's rural Pride events a tremendously positive development. The fact that the Llandrindod Wells event took place at the same moment as the Royal Welsh Show in nearby Builth Wells was the cherry on top.
He said, "Many people can't travel to Cardiff to Pride. A lot of farming families only make it to the Royal Welsh Show. It is their only time away from the farm."
Hay-on-Wye already has its Pride event. However, Graham Nolan, the organiser of the event was afraid that no-one would show up when he sent out notices. He claimed he couldn't have been more wrong.
"The event was amazing!" Graham said that they didn't expect to see the numbers we saw.
It was like being a child and thinking that no one will come to my party, but then everyone does.
"It was amazing and the entire town really turned up, the sense allyship, community that was created was breathtaking, we are pinching ourselves for being able to pull it off."
He said, "It was an amazing response, a mom, whom I'd never met before stopped me and broke down on the street, saying how important it is for her young child that this event took place."
He said that "our legacy is how we create more events going forward" and added: "Our work continues, there will be 2023."
Shaun Griffiths from Llandrindod wells agrees with this view. Before he joined Pride, he said he could go for a month and not see another gay person.
He's a mid- and north Powys LGBTQIA+ peer support worker at Mind. He has seen firsthand the effects of isolation on mental health.
He stated that the Pride event in the city will be one the most significant moments of his entire life.
"This has been probably the most amazing journey I've ever taken, it's going be incredible and I'm really excited to see where it will take us in the future."
BBC Radio Wales' Country Focus broadcasts at 07:00 BST Sunday mornings. It is also available on BBC Sounds.
