When Rob called me to tell me the news that I had been chosen as this year’s grand marshal, was taken aback. I thought it was a call to discuss how AMACH LGBT+ Galway could help out with preparations! I am extremely honoured at being chosen. I have loved volunteering over the past several years with AMACH both as Chairperson and now as vice- Chairperson. Whatever work that I have put into this great charity I receive abundance back from the people that I meet and to be a part of the best community spirit I have ever experienced.
In my role as deputy General Manager, GUH and previously as Laboratory Manager, the past few years have been difficult. Within the past two pride festivals, Galway Community Pride has honoured healthcare workers, acknowledging their commitment to providing safe patient care to those with COVID-19. The staff on the GUH Pride Committee will walk alongside me at the parade, to give them the opportunity to see the love and appreciation the community have for them, now that we can socialise as we learn to live safely with COVID-19.
Our community has experienced some very dark days recently, with the harrowing murders in Sligo to increasing incidents of homophobic and transphobic attacks. We must remember that Pride is protest as well as a chance to celebrate. We must remember the work done by so many before to fight for equality and focus on the battles ahead including trans healthcare and hate crime legislation.
I am looking forward to the week-long festival, packed I am sure as ever with a varied line up of fabulous events to attend. Happy Pride everyone!
Thanks a million,
Maria
Nuair a ghlaoigh Rob orm chun an scéala a chur in iúl dom go raibh mé roghnaithe mar Marshal mhór na bliana seo, baineadh geit asam. Shíl mé gur glaoch chun plé a bhí ann conas a d’fhéadfadh AMACH LGBT+ Gaillimhcabhrú leis na hullmhúcháin! Is mór
an onóir dom a bheith roghnaithe. Is breá liom obair
dheonach , le roinnt blianta anuas le AMACH mar
Chathaoirleach agus anois mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Cibé
obair atá déanta agam sa charthanacht iontach seo faighim
flúirseach ar ais ó na daoine a mbuailim leo agus a bheith mar chuid den spiorad pobail is fearr dá bhfuil taithí agam riamh.
I mo ról mar Leas-Bhainisteoir Ginearálta, GUH agus roimhe seo mar Bhainisteoir Saotharlainne, bhí na blianta beaga anuas deacair. An dá fhéile bród seo caite, tá ómós tugtha ag Pobál Bród na Gaillimhe d’oibrithe cúram sláinte, ag aithint a dtiomantas do chúram othar sábháilte a sholáthar dóibh siúd ar a bhfuil COVID-19. Siúlfaidh an fhoireann ar Choiste GUH Pride liom ag an pharáid, chun deis a thabhairt dóibh an grá agus an meas atá ag an bpobal orthu a fheiceáil, anois gur féidir linn dul i mbun sail sóisialta agus muid ag foghlaim conas maireachtáil go sábháilte le COVID-19.
Tá roinnt laethanta an-dorcha tagtha ar ár bpobal le déanaí, leis na dúnmharuithe uafásacha i Sligeach. Mar gheall ar líon méadaitheach d’ionsaithe homafóbach agus trasfóbach, Ní mór dúinn cuimhneamh gur agóid é Pride chomh maith le deis chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh. Ní mór dúinn cuimhneamh ar an obair a rinne an oiread sin daoine roimhe seo chun troid ar son an chomhionannais agus díriú ar na cathanna atá romhainn lena n-áirítear reachtaíocht tras-shláinte agus fuathchoireachta.
Táim ag súil go mór leis an bhféile a bheidh ar siúl ar feadh ná seachtaine, agus táim lán cinnte mar a bhí riamh le raon leathan imeachtaí iontacha le freastal orthu. Bród Shona daoibh go léir!
Go raibh míle maith agat,
Maria
