Mammy Power: Mammies for Trans Rights are saying enough is enough. Mammies For Trans Rights show their support across the country. photo: Kennedy O’Brien
The mammies of Ireland were out in force over the weekend to send a message of love and support to Trans kids and their families all over the country
Mammies from all over the country north and south marched in Dublin Trans and Intersex Pride and Limerick Pride at the weekend joining the ‘Mammies for Trans Rights’ group to show their support for their friends and family in the Trans community.
“We were completely blown away by the number of mammies and allies who came to march with us in support of Trans kids,” said Claire Flynn, Co-chair of Mammies for Trans Rights.
“We had some magnificent Mammies who drove all the way from Belfast, we had Aunties from Cork, we had Dads from Galway, and Grans from Limerick as well as every other family member you can think of all marching to support someone they love,” she said.
Because the two events were on at the same time in Limerick & Dublin, the Mammies for Trans Pride group decided to split forces and march in both. “When we first started talking about trying to march in as many Pride marches as we could this summer there were only a few of us, but the number of Mammies reaching out to us has been incredible,” Karen Sugrue, Co-chair of Mammies for Trans Pride said.
“We had 3 Mammies holding the banner in Dublin Pride, ten Mammies and allies turned up for Cork Trans Pride, and at the weekend we had enough Mammies to march in Limerick AND Dublin at the same time. Our next march is Belfast Pride and the Belfast Mammies are the biggest group in the country so we are so excited for that one” she said. Bernie Linanne, who led the group in Dublin said, “While there are some loud voices of division, the support and love that’s out there for Trans people and their families is massive”.
Mammies for Trans Pride is an all Ireland group of Mams and allies who have come together because they find the things that are being said about the Trans community in some places very worrying, and totally misleading and they are worried about the rise in violence and abuse against the Trans & the entire LGBTQIA+ community.
“We are scared for our kids. We had a national conversation in 2015 and again in 2018 and both times the Irish people voted overwhelmingly that people should be allowed to live and love as they choose, and be shown kindness and understanding. People just want to be loved and valued as themselves. That’s it. There’s voices out there that try to make it sound more complicated but that’s all there is to it. And that’s not just what the Trans community wants, every single one of us just wants to be seen and loved as we are. It’s a basic human need” said Karen and Claire.
“So we’re marching this summer to say to our kids, and everyone’s kids, we see you, and we think you’re fantastic, and please eat your greens,” they joked.
If you would like to join the Mammies for their next march in Belfast get in touch with them on @Mams4Trans on Social Media or email them at here
Read more about this year’s Limerick Pride Festival here.