LGBTQ A Day In My Shoes: Charlie McHugh
This month we have the wonderful Charlie McHugh taking part in the feature LGBTQ A Day In My Shoes. Read her story below…
LGBTQ A Day In My Shoes: Charlie McHugh
Please tell us your name, where you live, and your current ‘situation’ (single, married, kids etc).
My name is Charlie and I live in Bolton with my wife and our daughter.
How do you identify?
I identify as a lesbian/queer.
My coming out story is pretty boring. Boring in the way that it wasn’t tragic. Thankfully my friends and family are very supportive.
Can you describe a day in your shoes? What are your likes/dislikes? What do you like to get up to? Include any challenges you may face.
Day to day activities include entertaining our four year old whether that is arts and crafts, puzzles, drawing, swingball or anything that is outdoors. Otherwise it’s, FaceTimes, work, dance parties and randomly bursting into song. Each day is finished with an episode of Greys Anatomy – but we have to skip the episode where *spoiler alert* Derek dies.
How do you celebrate PRIDE?
Each year we watch the parade, we have taken our daughter to each one too! We love all the colours, the music, the fun – but most of all it’s a day when you feel most accepted.
What’s the hardest part of being part of the LGBTQ community?
That you don’t come with a badge. People assume that you’re straight, like that’s the norm or the only option. Especially since being married, people see the ring and ask what my ‘husband’ does for a living. When I mention our daughter people assume that I must be straight, like there aren’t other ways to have a family. And my favourite – when the doc asks why I am not on contraception!
What’s the most amazing part?
The community. They are so welcoming, no matter your experience or background or sexuality!
What is allyship to you? What advice would you give to LGBTQ allies?
Keep informed. The world is constantly changing. Small things, even certain words that were once polite are now considered an insult to certain groups of people.
Have you ever experienced discrimination? Can you tell us about it?
The only time I can think of is when I was trying to book a holiday and they would not allow an all same sex booking. It would have been easy for me to add a fake male to our booking or change the sex of my wife or myself but that would not fix the issue. Instead I contacted the firm and explained that their ruling was excluding my family.
Can you tell us the most supportive thing someone has said/done for you?
Our family, friends and bosses wrote character references to support our application for our daughter. They wrote such amazing things and were so heartfelt.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?
Ignore what everyone else is doing. What you are feeling is normal. Your true self is welcome.
If you could say one thing to your future self, what would that be?
Do more. Try harder to connect with others, especially those who are like you, and more so those who are not. Listen more, talk less.
Can you offer any advice to anyone reading this who may be struggling with their own identity?
Take it at your own pace. Do not fee pressured to come out if it is going to put you in danger. Things will get better.
Where can readers find out more about you?
I have two instagrams, our personal ones handle is @mamamummyandmimi and our business page is @thesweettoothbolton. You can also find us on facebook.
If you enjoyed reading about a day in Charlie’s shoes, go follow her across her channels. Don’t forget to head to our instagram where you can find lots of LGBTQ+ content, and you can follow our transitional life!
You can also read more of our stories like when Zoey came out as transgender, how you should not presume someone’s sexuality, and how Kelly felt when Zoey came out!
