During this very special week of Happy Valley Pride, we are thrilled to announce Kate O’Donnell has become our new patron.

Kate is an award winning transgender performer, activist, theatre and cabaret maker. She brought her fantastic show “Hayley and Me” to the festival last year and also worked with us when we adopted her #StandByYourTrans campaign to help spread the message of diversity and tolerance throughout Calderdale.

In 2016 Kate she founded Trans Creative, a trans arts company whose aim is to help trans people tell their stories. As Artistic Director, Kate has just completed her second, hugely successful, Trans Vegas festival, the UK’s first Trans Arts Festival.

Her work is autobiographical, entertaining and political showing pride and strength in being transgender and includes; the award-winning Big Girl’s Blouse with its successful twitter campaign #StandByYourTrans ( winning Manchester Pride’s, “Spirit of the Parade” Award, 2018) she has also created several well received cabaret performances; “A Short History of My Tits”, “No Pride” and “Hayley and Me”. With support from Arts Council England, she is currently touring her critically acclaimed one woman show “You’ve Changed” in the UK and across Europe, following its premiere at the Edinburgh Festival.

“Having just worked with Kate on Trans Vegas, I know how lucky we are that she has agreed to be our second ever patron along with Peter Tatchell. As one of the most committed and visible Trans people in the country, I hope Kate’s involvement with us sends a positive message to the Trans community in our LGBTQ+ family. Kate will be joining us for the weekend events at Happy Valley Pride.”

— Happy Valley Pride Chair, Tim Whitehead