What It’s Like To Be Me...

This project is supported by Bank of Ireland and The Community Foundation for Ireland as part of The Begin Together Fund 201 - Mental Wellbeing.

Venus Patel: “There’s so much strength in being a queer Person of Colour, and there’s so much resilience that we all have because we deal with so many things, and we see so many flaws in the world, but we’re still able to hope for change and see that there’s potential in the world. So I feel like there’s a lot of power within that.” 

Darren Collins: “It’s great being an LGBT person within the Travelling community because you’re a new community within your own community. So you’re breaking down barriers that would have never really been broken before.”

Alannah Murray: “Being queer and disabled has made me who I am, in a way I’m not a queer person outside of a disabled person and vice versa. I’m not disabled one day and queer the next day, I’m both at the same time. So I think being able to accept myself and that the two identities are the same rather than just separate has been a really positive move for me.”

“There’s a lot of stigma around disability, but you are perfect. You’re wonderful and you don’t need to dampen down your disability to be accepted. You will 
find your people.”

Leesa Brennan: “I am very fortunate that I can talk and I can hear with my hearing aids, so I kind of have the best of both worlds… One of my best friends is the exact same as me and we just have this bond. If I talk about something that I’ve noticed or something that I’m struggling with, she’ll have the exact same thing. Also, it’s great when you’re on a night out and when everything is so loud we can just sign at each other and it’s great… That is a big positive, it’s just like our own little space and we both have each other’s backs.”

Aimée Murphy: “I had huge euphoria transitioning, I can be myself… I’m so proud that I can be that person in front of my mom and dad. My family can see the true Aimée, the person they grew up with. My son can see who I am… Me being me and being visible and representing the Trans community and speaking out is what I would have needed and it’s great that I can do that. I feel it’s really important for other Trans people.”

Steven Piece: “Being a Person of Colour you have some kind of bond with other People of Colour that may have gone through similar experiences that you have, like maybe immigrating from somewhat of an oppressive country, and just having the chance to really reimagine your life. When I was a kid in Mongolia, I would have never imagined that I had the bravery to come out and live my life the way I do today.”