Words from Gareth Thomas: Why Pride Matters to Me

Tuesday 30th June 2026

“As Pride Month comes around each year, I find myself reflecting on just how fortunate I am to now be able to live and work as my authentic self.

That might sound like a simple thing, but for much of my life, it wasn’t.

During my rugby career, I felt I couldn’t be completely honest about who I was. Looking back, that wasn’t because of rugby itself, but because of the stereotype’s society had created around what a rugby player was supposed to be. I felt pressure to fit a certain mould, to be a version of myself that others expected. At times, I felt I had to hide parts of who I was and, ultimately, I felt I had to lie to be included.

Living like that is exhausting.

That’s why the work I do today means so much to me.

Don’t get me wrong I loved playing rugby and representing Wales was a huge honour, but I was hiding a part of me. I retired from professional rugby and stepped into the “real world”, like many former athletes, I guess I was searching for purpose. I wanted to find somewhere I could contribute, continue learning and, most importantly, be myself.

From the moment I met Mark Bailey, his family, the Board of Directors, and the wider team at Trade Centre Wales, I knew this was a place I felt accepted for me, I knew I needed that to thrive.

It was the little things, the simple things. The genuine welcome. The kindness. The way my family was welcomed too. Conversations about my husband were just normal conversations. No judgement, no awkwardness, no hesitation. Just acceptance.

For many people, that may seem insignificant. For me, it meant everything.

For the first time in my professional life, I felt I could simply be Gareth.

I believe that starts at the top. Mark’s principles are clear, but more importantly, he lives by them. When leaders genuinely believe in inclusion, respect and equality, those values become part of the culture. They influence the way people treat one another and create an environment where everyone feels valued.

I also believe that successful organisations must move with the times. Society changes and businesses need to reflect the communities they serve. Sadly, there are still places where people don’t feel comfortable being themselves, and we’re living in a world where, in some cases, people are having to fight to protect rights that others worked incredibly hard to achieve.

That’s why environments like Trade Centre Wales matter.

The workforce is diverse, welcoming, and inclusive. From day one, I felt trusted. I felt valued. Most importantly, I felt judged on my ability rather than my sexuality.

That creates something incredibly powerful.

When you feel safe, accepted, and respected, you stop spending energy hiding parts of yourself. Instead, you can focus on being the very best version of who you are.

That’s certainly been my experience.

One of the things I am most proud of is being able to take the values of Trade Centre Wales into schools and communities across Wales. Through our work, we can start important conversations about respect, inclusion, and acceptance.

I want young people to understand something that took me a long time to learn there is absolutely nothing wrong with being yourself.

Nobody should ever feel that they must hide who they are in order to fit in.

Nobody should ever feel that they are less worthy because of who they love.

And nobody should ever be made to feel different through harmful language, prejudice, or discrimination.

That is why I am so grateful to the schools that continue to welcome us through their doors. Their willingness to engage in these conversations is helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for future generations.

Pride Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate progress, but one month alone is not enough.

The conversations about equality, inclusion and respect need to happen throughout the year. The challenge to harmful language and the support for people who may be struggling to be themselves, needs to happen throughout the year not just in pride month.

Through my own experiences, I know what it feels like to believe you must hide part of yourself. That’s why I am passionate about helping create a world where others don’t have to go through the same thing.

Today, I am proud of who I am.

I am proud of the work we do.

I am proud to represent Trade Centre Wales.

And most of all, I am grateful.

Grateful to Mark Bailey and everyone at Trade Centre Wales for creating an environment where people are valued for who they are and what they contribute.

Grateful to the schools that allow us to share these important messages.

And grateful that I now can encourage others to live openly, confidently, and authentically.

Because when people are accepted for who they are, everybody benefits.”