Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones. | Photo: HBO
A Game of Thrones star has lashed out at his local council for not flying the rainbow flag during the Welsh pride celebrations, Price Cymru.
Wales’ biggest Pride event ran from August 24-26 with 50,000 people attending in the capital, Cardiff.
But one local council in the south-west town of Carmarthen has copped criticism for flying the rainbow flags over its building in honor of Pride Cymru. It was the only council in Wales that didn’t fly the flag to mark Pride Cymru. The council also didn’t fly the flag for LGBTI History Month (LGBTHM).
Best known for his menacing performance as the ambitious and sadistic Ramsay Bolton in GOT, Iwan Rheon grew up in Carmarthen.
He said it was ‘terrible’ the council didn’t fly the rainbow flag when asked about the issue on Twitter.
Leighton Jenkins asked Rheon: ‘Hi Iwan, as a Carmarthen boy, do you have a view on Carmarthen Council’s refusal to fly the pride flag last weekend for @PrideCymru and their refusal to fly the pride flag for @LGBTHM ?’
@iwanrheon Hi Iwan, as a Carmarthen boy, do you have a view on Carmarthen Council’s refusal to fly the pride flag last weekend for @PrideCymru and their refusal to fly the pride flag for @LGBTHM ? Link to story: https://t.co/Na01vLJwkA
— Leighton Jenkins (@jenkinsleighto) August 28, 2018
To which the GOT star replied: ‘I think it’s terrible. Shame on them. We should celebrate each other and everyone should be represented.’
I think it’s terrible. Shame on them. We should celebrate each other and everyone should be represented. 🏳️🌈
— Iwan Rheon (@iwanrheon) August 28, 2018
Council hits back
But the council defended itself saying it had flown the rainbow flag on previous occasions.
‘Carmarthenshire County Council continues to proudly support and celebrate LGBT staff members and residents,’ council head, Councillor Emlyn Dole told Wales Online.
‘We have flown the Rainbow Flag on three occasions so far this year, for two days during LGBT History month in February; on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in May; and at Llanelli Town Hall to celebrate a local LGBT Day event in August.
‘We have received no other requests to fly the Rainbow Flag, and likewise have not refused any requests.’
