Michael comments on a misleading post from a former Moderator of the PCI about tonight’s inaugural Faith and Pride event in All Souls’ Church, Belfast, at 7pm. Continue reading correcting Stafford Carson on ‘Gay Pride sermon’
Belfast Pride Festival 2011 is almost upon us and there is plenty to do in the first weekend. There’s even a short film season this week in the Odeon Cinema Belfast. Michael reminds us of all of this. Continue reading This weekend: come out for a film, a walk, two talk, a lark in the park, and much, much more
The first FLAGS* outdoor weekend event was held in Snowdonia last weekend. Four members of FLAGS attended from Shropshire, Birmingham, and Northern Ireland. With the campsite at Dôlgam between Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed on the A5 road, we woke up on Saturday morning to a great view of Snowdonia, which we were set to climb that day.
We rose, pooled the resources for making breakfast and got going in Eddie’s car to Rhyd Ddu via Beddgelert. We climbed up the Rhyd Ddu path to the summit with lots of stunning views. Continue reading “Snow, Sunshine, and Scouts: part 2 – FLAGS does Snowdon”
Last weekend, I was away in Wales with Scouts. It was the first outdoor activity event run by FLAGS – Active Support Unit for Lesbians & Gays in Scouting which whilst not overly well attended, to put it mildly, did bring four of us together for some craic and some good exercise in Snowdonia. Being a Scouting event we were prepared for most eventualities.
I set off on foot to catch the bus to Belfast Central Station with Andrew. In the station, we waited until the barrier opened, I crossed beyond it, looked back – hoping to get a hug from him – but he was walking away… Turns out we were both nearly in tears: it was the first time we’ve been apart for quite some time, and certainly since our marriage just over a month previously.
The journey from Belfast to Dublin was uneventful, Continue reading “Snow, Sunshine, and Scouts: part 1”
Back in March I was pleased that the Faith Mission Shop in Queen Street, Belfast had removed Chick Tracts from sale given the homophobic views expressed in them. Yesterday I was disappointed with Faith Mission.
After my blog post in March I had gone in to see this for myself. Whilst there I asked if there were any books on living with HIV – as there were many on living with cancer. I was pointed to a small section marked ‘ethics’. At this point I saw three words next to each other on a shelf which was immediately below the shelf marked ‘Homosexuality‘. Continue reading “Christian bookshop lumps AIDS with Death and Suicide”
Just like straight people, gay people are a diverse bunch. On one hand there are the drug-fuelled, sexually promiscuous party-goers, and on the other hand there are the couples in decades-long stable, faithful relationships. Because of that diversity you can’t look at one part of the spectrum and judge the whole continuum based on one small sample. Similarly Christians are a diverse bunch. In Northern Ireland we have a number of big denominations… read the rest here. Continue reading blogged elsewhere: Diversity and Judgement
Originally written for the Liberal Democrats in Northern Ireland blog, Michael takes a look at fighting homophobia at home in Northern Ireland where it appears to be rising by 20.6% and in Uganda. Continue reading challenging homophobia at home and abroad – a Lib Dem view
I just signed a petition demanding that Ugandan President Musevini veto the “Kill The Gays” bill should it be passed in Parliament.We just learned the “kill the gays” bill – a death sentence for LGBT people in Uganda – could come up for a vote in the next 72 hours if we don’t act now. Conservative leaders are trying hard to push the bill forward before the millions like us who oppose it have a chance to speak out. If we can create a massive international outcry, theres a chance to stop this bill from becoming law. This hateful bill … Continue reading “Kill The Gays” bill should be vetoed – please sign this petition
Yesterday, as it became clear that the Referendum on the Voting System had not been a YES, Andrew and I said YES in May once more to each other in a very special way: I solemnly promise that I will protect you, N., my brother, with my utmost care, that I will honour and cherish you in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, and that in all things I will be to you a faithful and loving husband. our vow to each other Andrew McFarland and I entered into a civil partnership with each other in Belfast City … Continue reading saying #yesinmay together when the UK said NO #mccamf11
Homophobic bullying is something that many if not most LGBT people have suffered at some point in their lives. The recent report by The Rainbow Project on which I commented last week helped to highlight how LGBT people do not feel able to be themselves at work in Northern Ireland. I’ve just seen the video below which is produced by the Irish Youth Group BeLonGTo. I highly recommend it. I’ve also attached the poster that can be obtained from their website for the Stand Up! LGBT Awareness Weeks 4th – 15th April 2011. I don’t know if this is only … Continue reading Don’t stand for homophobic bullying – Stand up for your LGBT friends
Gyronny Herald 