Stop Shaming

by Dan Cash, one of the participants for the Stop Shaming Campaign

My name is Dan Cash

I am a gay Irish Traveller and I got involved with Stop Shaming campaign as it was close to my heart as a fellow gay Traveller. Coming out for me was hard. In this, losing most of the friends that I grew up with, not speaking to my family for many years has been hard but most of all the shame I have carried with me for many years for just being myself. This was only made worse by others putting up fake profiles of me on Facebook of my face with very inappropriate words and that for me has caused a lot of shame and embarrassment, as well with not having the backing of my community.

I have come through all of that now and have to say I am proud of what I have become. My advice to anyone that thinks it’s funny to shame someone for who they are, just think about if you would like that done to your sister or brother. Just think of the hurt that’s caused to someone for just being themselves.

My advice is STOP THE SHAME, live and let live, not everyone is as strong