Pride

I've been seeing a few new building projects being made around town and some of the old heritage buildings being pulled down for them. I'm guessing the old ones are probably not earthquake proof and will cost too much to bring up to an acceptable standard. Shame really but that's progress I guess.

Every week at work a lovely gay couple come in and do their shopping. I always make it a point to chat with them and last week they gave me a bag of brand new pride shoelaces that they sell at markets. When I took them home my children and I divided them up and now we all wear them in our shoes.

Linking up with Through my lens, Ruby Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Acceptance

When we moved here to Greymouth we heard about a pink church in Blaketown so I did some digging behind it's story. Owned by local Sam Duckor-Jones it was once an Anglican church built in 1938 and is now a safe place for gay people - he's named it "Gloria". More photos and information about it here.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Pride Month

With June being "Pride Month" here in New Zealand I thought it appropriate that I shared someone who was and still is very special to me.  This is my mum's youngest brother Uncle Kerry who unfortunately passed away in 1978 from suicide when I was 7 years old - he was gay. We have depression, anxiety and autism through the generations of this side of my family. These days we can talk about our feelings with other people but back then you didn't talk about how you felt, you didn't talk about what was bothering you and your sexuality was kept behind closed doors.

I remember this man as being very kind, very gentle and very caring - all of us were devastated by his death. Personally I think if you know of someone who is struggling, either reach out and see if they want to talk or just make sure you are there for them. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesday.