Join Rory and march with Moya Cole Hospice at this year’s Manchester Pride parade
Read Rory's story about why Pride is still so important and working at Moya Cole Hospice
I’m proud that Moya Cole Hospice is once again marching in this year’s Manchester Pride Parade.
Everyone I have met through working at Moya Cole Hospice has been so understanding, kind, and accepting.
When I was nineteen, I felt uncertainty around my gender identity and wondered if I might have a place in the LGBTQ+ community. Initially, I thought I was non-binary, and it was only in later years that I came to accept my identity as a transman. After years of struggling in which I was always at odds with myself, I realised that something had to change. Going through the motions of life was one thing but it was essential I started to live my life authentically.
Last summer, I realised the extent of my identity and couldn’t hide myself any longer. So, I changed my name and came out as a trans man, I was met with a lot of positivity in the process.
The way I see myself is as a trans man with non-binary sprinkles. I use this term, as I don’t see myself as a stereotypically man’s man. It’s taken a long time to get to this realisation.
I’m trans, queer, proud, androgynous, and so much more – not only in self but in how I present myself to the world as well. I do so happily, not just for me, but to show others that older trans people exist, and that they can thrive.
Making the decision to start medically transitioning last September was the best choice I could have made. It has been and remains a truly exciting time for me. I very much look forward to what the future brings.
Working here at Moya Cole Hospice, especially since coming out has been so pleasant. I’ve been employed here for nearly three years and even though colleagues have met different versions of me in that time, nothing has changed. When I say that, I mean that the feeling of acceptance has simply remained.
It’s so essential that people feel they are respected and accommodated in the workplace. I feel genuinely lucky to be able to say that I feel that way, as well.
I would recommend that anyone work here at Moya Cole. The environment is made richer because of the compassion and friendliness everyone brings with them. Whilst we are here to provide a service and do it to the best of our ability, it's so lovely to have a space in which we can feel heard, seen and appreciated as individuals in the process. Rory Haney, Housekeeping Assistant
I feel that with the way things are politically and socially, Pride is more important than ever. It’s not been very great to say the least. There’s been the EHRC’s new guidance regarding toilet usage imposed. There’s been more negativity and strife. With things like this in the media now, the levels of bigotry and hatred have only heightened.
Ultimately, this has been quite a horrible thing to come to terms with, not just for myself but for a lot of lovely people that I know. Pride has always been important and it always will be. In times like these, we need it now more than ever.
At Pride, people can come along and just exist, have that space where they feel seen, respected, loved – they can just be themselves, even if only for a few hours.
I attended the Manchester Pride Parade representing Moya Cole Hospice last year and I look forward to attending this year as well. If you want to learn more about why we are marching in this year’s parade, or if you would like to march with us, you can do so by following this link.