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to heal. Ireland has given me the opportunity to
live without fear. Pride celebrations and open discussions about love, resilience, and hope have allowed me to envision a life where I can embrace my identity rather than hide it. Though my past is marked by pain, rejection, and hostility, I now stand proud – determined to use my voice to advocate for those still facing adversity. Image caption: Stella chose not to be photographed, prioritising her privacy and the safety of her family. “Just show up. Back someone up. Sit in the room.” – Patrick welcome. Some of our best meet ups have happened when people with completely different life experiences met each other. We’ve often heard international perspectives on LGBTQ+ families and family rights. Whether you are hoping to meet other LGBTQ+ families or just want to ask for information, we would love to see you at Rainbow Families. Rainbow Families is currently meeting once a month on the third Saturday of the month from 12 noon to 2pm, usually in the Outhouse Café. Occasionally we will be upstairs in the Outhouse Library if we are having a special Storytime event, reading books aloud to families. Hope to see you there! Memorial Quilt. He didn’t always have the resources or the safety net that some others did, but he believed in taking part, however he could. “I didn’t have the ability to be front and centre,” Patrick says. “But I believed in the cause. I was political with a small p. What I do is political – even if it’s just showing up, making space, being counted.” That sense of commitment – to people, to place, to presence – has carried through his decades of volunteering. He’s been with Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre for 25 years, making him the organisation’s longest-serving volunteer. These days, he facilitates two of its most beloved social groups: Gold, for LGBTQ+ people aged Aoife’s Story “A Message of Welcome to Rainbow Families.” I’m Aoife, a facilitator of Rainbow Families, a social group at Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. My own background is that my wife and I have a great teenager. I obtained a retrospective declaration of parentage back in 2020, when our child was eleven. I hope that someday all families will have the same legal recognition. When my wife and I were first trying to find ways to have a child, we felt isolated by our lack of contact with other LGBTQ+ families in Ireland. Information was not freely available in those days and any clinics that would treat LGBTQ+ people were very wary of negative publicity. We would have loved to find other people who could understand our situation. In the present day, when Outhouse advertised for Rainbow Families facilitators, I knew I wanted to be involved. It’s important for a group like ours to exist, to offer the support and friendship of other families. I’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone. Rainbow Families is one of Outhouse’s social groups and operates on a drop-in basis in the Café. People are free to walk in for a chat without any need to sign up. We describe the group as being “a space for LGBTQ+ parents, families, and parents-to-be.” All kinds of families attend and are welcome: single parents, grandparents, couples, people hoping to start a family sometime in the future. Many parents bring their children (of all ages) along, but it also isn’t unusual for a parent or prospective parent to attend by themselves for a chat. There are board games and books available in the Café to entertain children. If you’re thinking about attending Rainbow Families but worry that you won’t “fit in”, please come along. There is no typical attendee and we are all different. Pride is all about celebrating diversity and if Rainbow Families is of interest to you for any reason, you are 22 50 and up, and Men’s Night, a Friday evening drop-in. “Outhouse has been a constant,” he says. “And it’s not just about support, it’s about friendship. Belonging. Having a place to be yourself – whether you’re 25 or 75.” Looking back, Patrick is keenly aware that change hasn’t been linear. “It’s never a straight road. Some things move forward, others go back. But we’ve always kept going. That’s the bit I hope younger people hold onto – it’s not about feeling powerful all the time. It’s about not disappearing when things get hard.” He doesn’t romanticise the struggle, nor does he underestimate today’s challenges. But Patrick believes that collective action – no matter how small – is what makes progress possible. “You don’t have to be a hero,” he says. “Just show up. Back someone up. Sit in the room. Sometimes, that’s enough to help carry things forward.” For Patrick, personal freedom and collective commitment go hand in hand. “I am what I am,” he says, “and I’ve always believed: if you want to be free, you’ve got to show up for others too. That’s the work. That’s what makes the difference.” Patrick’s Story Patrick doesn’t consider himself one of the “superstars” of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ rights movement – but he’s been there through it all. “I was never the one giving the big speech,” he says, “but I was always the bum in the seat. I showed up. That’s what mattered.” Since the 1980s, Patrick has played a quiet but steady role in shaping Ireland’s queer landscape. His work with Gay Community News (GCN) and the Dublin AIDS Alliance began at a time when being openly gay came with serious personal risk – and when HIV and AIDS were devastating the community. Patrick trained in massage therapy to support those living with HIV and AIDS in hospitals like St. James’ and Cherry Orchard. “Back then,” he says, “just being willing to touch someone with care could be seen as political. That tells you something about the time we were living in.” But Patrick’s contributions go beyond care work. In the 1990s, he was one of the voices inside the National Gay Federation pushing for broader inclusion—helping to usher in the name change to the National Lesbian and Gay Federation. He was a peer educator, a health advocate, and a contributor to the Irish AIDS As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that Pride is not just a month – it’s a movement. The work of building a truly inclusive world, a world where every person can exist authentically and joyfully, is ongoing. Each story shared here serves as a reminder that the fight for equality is not just about enduring hardship, but about making space for joy, love, and expression. At Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre, we are committed to being a place where that joy is cultivated. We’re here to support each and every individual in their journey, to provide a space for connection, and to stand as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community. This Pride month, as we honour those who have fought for the rights we enjoy today, we also celebrate the lives that are being lived in full colour, the futures we are building, and the collective joy that propels us forward. As we continue to outlast the doubt, together, we will create a future defined by our courage, our love, and our celebration of who we are. If you believe in the power of community, connection, and queer joy, consider supporting Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre. Your contribution helps ensure that our doors stay open to all. Visit outhouse.ie for more information.