A Personal Story from Jacqueline Doherty | Celebrating Pride
Aunt Rida, “Mama Pride” (Alan’s Mum)
Celebrating Pride: A Personal Story from Jacqueline Doherty | Shared by: Jacqueline Doherty, Integrated Registered Pharmacy Technician, St. Mary's General Hospital, Grand River Hospital
As we embrace Pride Month, I wanted to share a deeply personal story about my family and our journey to celebrate love and inclusivity. This story is especially meaningful as it revolves around the first-ever Pride Parade in my hometown in 2022—a milestone that my family played a significant role in achieving.
For many years, my cousins collaborated with Inishowen Pride (Ireland) to turn the dream of a Pride Parade into a reality. Their dedication and hard work culminated in a momentous day that filled our small town with colour, joy, and unity. Among the parade leaders were some of my cousins, proudly marching at the forefront, embodying the spirit of the event. The reason my family has fought so hard for this cause is deeply personal. My cousin Alan took his own life in his early 30s due to the bullying and lack of acceptance he faced while growing up in our community. After his death, my family made their voices heard across Ireland by appearing on TV, being interviewed for newspapers, speaking on the radio, and advocating passionately during a time in the early 2000s when such visibility was rare.
One of my favourite photos from that day features my Aunt Rita, lovingly known as "Mama Pride." Her radiant smile and unwavering support were a cornerstone for our family and the community. Sadly, my Aunt passed away before the parade took place in June last year. However, her spirit and message lived on. One of her tweets, "Love is all that matters," was embraced as the parade's slogan. It was a beautiful tribute to her legacy and to Alan. I was fortunate enough to find hoodies bearing this slogan when I visited home at the end of June last year, a tangible reminder of her lasting impact.
Reflecting on this journey, I am filled with immense pride for what the Doherty family has achieved in our small, traditional Irish Catholic town. We have taken significant steps toward fostering acceptance and love, proving that powerful change is possible when driven by love and determination, no matter the size of the community.
