Meet Jen Carlin

It wasn’t until some friends a few years ago asked her to volunteer with them that she actually put her name down…. but now she’s never looked back.

Jen is one of our newly appointed Coordinators for Women’s Programs in the Volunteer Working Group and it’s something she’s really passionate about.

“I think this role is so important and we’ll be focussing on women and how we can gain their interest in becoming a volunteer.”

Jen’s loving the chance to be able to talk to young people about volunteering and why she does it.

“I volunteered because my mum is gay. I grew up out west where people thought twice about coming out. She came out to me when I was 13 and it was something I had to keep hidden so that I didn’t get bullied.”

Jen finds volunteering a way to let other kids with a gay parent or gay parents know they aren’t alone and there is nothing at all to be ashamed of.

“I want children and adolescents, especially in suburban or country areas to know that having gay parents is not just a city thing and there are people everywhere to support them when they need help.”

Jen wants to make more people aware that Mardi Gras isn’t just for gay and lesbian people.

“You just have to be supportive and believe in a change for the good.”

“I grew up in a place where holding hands with someone of the same sex has a real stigma.”

Jen’s most memorable moment as a Mardi Gras volunteer was holding the hand of her friend as they walked along the Parade route in front of thousands of cheering crowd members.

“A straight person holding the hand of a lesbian… If it were Blacktown I would have been the subject of taunts. This is what needs to change.”

Jen really enjoys giving her time to something she really believes in and supports.

“I have a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. I have also made some great friends and I love coming to head office for meetings knowing that my opinions and ideas are valued.”

Share your story…

Be one of our featured volunteers! Send your favourite volunteer stories and photos to volunteers@mardigras.org.au.

Join us...

You can help out on the day at one of our events, or make the magic happen behind the scenes on one of our working groups.

Mardi Gras Twitter Feed