HEREFORD will host a Pride event in October as a well-known drag queen tries to bring the LGBTQ+ community together.

Dean Goodwin-Evans, also know as Boo La Croux who was named Miss Drag Queen UK 2021, said Hereford Pride would take place on October 2 at The Courtyard arts centre in Edgar Street.

Mr Goodwin-Evans, who lives with husband Paul in Eardisley, near Kington, said he benefited from LGBTQ+ support when he was made homeless when he came out as gay as the age of 16.

H wanted to make sure there was the same level of support in Herefordshire, having moved to the county in 2019 and worked as a hairdresser.

He told Herefordshire high sheriff Jo Hilditch's Bench Talk podcast that he was the only drag queen in the county who was "out there", and felt the county could do more for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

"When I first came to Hereford I realised there really weren't any LGBT services and I really wanted to help with that because of the fact I lost my family home at 16 and needed that service to help get me housed," he said.

"So the fact I found out, I only wanted a little information at the time like what's going on or is there any clubs, and the local council said there was nothing.

"Recently, since lockdowns, the community has got together in Hereford. There's a couple of [Facebook] pages popped up.

"I started one myself a couple of years ago called LGBT+ News and Events Hereford. There's now also Gay Herefordshire page, and there is a group of us which are trying our hardest to bring the community together.

"We're arranging a Pride for October 2."

Mr Goodwin-Evans, who lives on a farm, said there would be other events as well, with a gay night called 'Femmeboy' which should give people a safe space.

He said that as well as the community coming together more, younger generations in Hereford were more accepting of people who identified as LGBTQ+.

Mr Goodwin-Evans said it was also "beautiful" to see older generations become more accepting, and while Hereford was still slightly behind, it was "getting there".