WRF2 : We Are Family Too

My family make me feel like I am the luckiest person alive. I have a beautiful partner and a beautiful daughter. I am privileged to be a parent and a partner. To have other people to support and share the joy and the struggles of life. That each member know that they are cherished and loved, even when there are arguments and difficulties. Its a wonderful thing and to always remember that, you never know how long you have got. Tell the people that are closest that you love them every day just in case.

- Fiona Clarke, Meath

To me, family is a group of people who love and support each other throughout life. Family is unconditional and something that is such a large part of my life. I moved to Dublin from a small country town trying to escape my old life, my lack of friends, being one of the few gays in the town, and I was looking forward to many new things happening in my life.

I loved the big city, the bright lights, the hustle and bustle of the areas but I always wished my family were here with me so I wouldn’t feel so alone and isolated. I love my family, they support me and I still learn things from them, even though I still remain stubborn about it. My granny who lives with my family back home would always say “Respect your mother and don’t dare bite the hand that feeds you or God help you” which I still find funny but I still agree with it.

I’m nothing without my family or friends. I consider my friends a family because we’re like a larger group of families that care for each other, and also people I can confide in when struggling to admit things to my parents – being gay was a main part of that. The day I outed myself to my parents my father turned to me and said “I’ll always love you no matter what” which really reinforced my ideas of unconditional love.

Family is much more than your parents, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins, it’s a community of loving and caring people who will always be there for you.

- Mark Hughes, Louth

Family is a group of people no matter what age or gender or their orientation they stick together through what ever has been thrown in their path. Helping each other to achieve a better way of living. A Family is equal.

– Robyn Maguire, Dublin

And the picture is of the pride flag she carried last year with her Family.

Last month my uncle died from cancer. He had been putting up the fight of his life for thirteen years. Over those years I only seen him a few times. He was a taxi driver, a huge family man, kind and an Elvis fan. Every time the future began to look bright again, the cancer came back stronger each time.

Over the past two years his condition went downhill and we didn’t know when but we knew the end was in sight. My family had always visited him and gave him the love and the support he needed when he was at his lowest points. What amazed me and what showed me what family really meant during the last weeks of my uncles life was how my mother and her brothers and sisters came together and helped each other through this difficult time. They were all up around his bedside everyday. They talked to him even though his sight, speech and mobility had gone. Sometimes if they were lucky he would show a sign that he was listening. The only things keeping my uncle alive were his hearing, his heart and his family.

My mother would come home for a rest and go straight back up to him. She told us how he was and how every night they were in his house the nurse would tell them to say their goodbyes, but he just wouldn’t let go.

What family means to me is being there for each other in the hardest of times, it means pulling together and facing what life throws at us, family means holding on until the very last second. My mother told us that they told him it was alright to let go, because they didn’t understand why my uncle held on for so long at the end. But i believe he held on until he knew that his brothers and sisters and his family would be alright as long as they had each other.

This Sunday my family are going to my uncles grave for his birthday. A dove will be released and balloons held by my uncles brothers and sisters will float gently up to the heavens with their love for him.

Family to me is this.

- Jen Gore,  Dublin

When I was young it was my brother, sisters, and parents. I was the youngest in my household so I would depend on them and they were always there for me no matter what. I felt part of a loving environment and knew that what ever happens down the road I would have the support of my family.

As I grew so did my family, friends became more like siblings, we all watch out for each other and all have love for one another. If one of us were in need the rest would lend a hand and have a shoulder to cry on or a level head to give advice. I live with four very close friends at the minute who I am happy to call part of my family.

But I can’t help think on the future, when they will be all married off and having families of there own… Will I find a partner? Will we be allowed to get married? Have kids? Will our laws protect my children like they would of the children of my friends? Will our kids be made fun of for having two dad’s?

However life turns out for me I know I will have the support and love of my family, but still would like the chance to start my own some day to love and share my life with them.

- Joe Mulrennan, Roscommon

From the always ideal Waltons to the truly dysfunctional menagerie that is the Simpson family we all know that families come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments. I consider myself to have two families, the blood line that I have come from and the many LGBTQ friends that I have made in Dublin and further afield. I think of them as my family too.

Just like any family at times there are spats, there are times when you have to step on eggshells and times you have to tell someone their outfit is fabulous when in fact it looks like a fashion car crash; all this comes with the territory and I know that when I really need help, support or just an ear to bend my LGBTQ family will be there for me with a bottle of red in their hands.

I think that this years pride theme, “”We Are Family Too”", is especially relevant as we eagerly anticipate the passing of the Civil Partnership Bill. To be united as partners in the eyes of the state is progress but LGBTQ family units deserve recognition too and I hope that a day will come that we get same the same rights as everyone else; the sooner the better too.

Have an amazing pride and make sure you go all of the Pride Events!!!
Will Keane, Dublin Pride 2010 Head of Events, Dublin

“Family means love, support, security, safe. Family is a secure environment to be yourself around those you love, a place to grow.
Family is parents and children together.

If straight couples can adopt children & artificially get pregnant to create their “”family”", then why can’t we!”

- Julie Stimpson, Dublin

“The constant unwavering love and support for me from those close to
me who share my family ties. Though gone they are not forgotten.”
- Louise Hannon, Dublin 6