Category: LGBT

LGBT, Northern Ireland life, Social DevelopmentLeave a comment

Northern Ireland – not as homophobic as you might think…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Today a report Through our eyes: experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the workplace was published by The Rainbow Project having been commissioned by the Department for Social Development. Interpreting statistics is always a difficult task, and it always depends upon how you look at things what you end up saying. In this post, I am going to quote from the Key Findings and Recommendations document for the above report, and then make my own suggestions on more positive statements that could be made instead. In the Workplace More than 1 in 4 (26.9%) respondents from the private … Continue reading Northern Ireland – not as homophobic as you might think…

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Faith and Pride, LGBTLeave a comment

Two men in a bed? Faith and Pride

Michael McFarland Campbell

Andrew has posted on his blog… There was recently a case in the UK when two Christians who owned a hotel wouldn’t allow a gay couple to have a double room. Obviously, as a gay Christian, I disagree with their decision because I don’t think it is wrong for anyone (Christian or not) to be in a same-sex relationship. But what does the Bible say about two men in one bed? The Bible says it is OK. Read the rest on Faith and Pride. Continue reading Two men in a bed? Faith and Pride

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Belfast, Football, LGBT, LGBT History Month, news, Northern Ireland2 Comments

will the Irish FA play teams in Homophobia v Football?

Michael McFarland Campbell
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Following sectarian incidents at the Northern Ireland v Scotland match in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin recently, the Irish FA has said that

Information has now come to light which has provided the name of one of those involved. The Association will now seek to confirm the identity of this individual. If their identity is confirmed, the Irish FA will place a life time ban on this person from receiving tickets to all Northern Ireland home and away games.

I reiterate my hope that they will do this for any homophobic chanting at football matches under its control.

Let's hope the Irish FA joins in the International Day against homophobia in football.

Today is 19 February 2011 and is the second international day opposing homophobia in football. Continue reading “will the Irish FA play teams in Homophobia v Football?”

DELGA, England, LGBT, LGBT History Month, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, politics, Scotland, Wales2 Comments

Reforming the marriage law – why not on a UK basis? – Scotland and NI lag behind

Michael McFarland Campbell

Today in LGBT History Month, we have another good news story resulting from the Liberal Democrats forming the coalition government with the Tories in Westminster. Liberal Democrat Minister for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone MP has launched consultation on reforming the marriage and civil partnership laws in the United Kingdom sorry England & Wales in line with the Liberal Democrats Equal Marriage Policy voted on at Party Conference in September. Unfortunately, this will not be done across the UK as a whole which will mean that whilst Lynne is Minister for Equalities she will be putting out consultation on something that will … Continue reading Reforming the marriage law – why not on a UK basis? – Scotland and NI lag behind

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Human Rights, LGBTLeave a comment

Hate. We say no. So should you.

Michael McFarland Campbell

Yesterday I was up at Stormont for the Unite against Hate awards ceremony hosted by MLAs Basil McCrea, Conall McDevitt, and Chris Lyttle in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings. There were many awards to various different organisations who have supported the Unite against Hate campaign in diverse ways, including The Rainbow Project and Outburst. We were treated to some live music by Joe Echo who sang Imagine. This was truly inspirational and was much better than Nuala McKeever‘s jokes that just went on and on, and were somewhat lacking. Tim McGarry would’ve been better – but we’d had him last … Continue reading Hate. We say no. So should you.

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Blogging, Faith and Pride, LGBTLeave a comment

Different Translations

Andrew McFarland Campbell

There are two passages in the New Testament that are often used to prove that same-sex relationships are wrong. They are 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:10. Let’s have a look at 1 Corinthians. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NIV) Read the rest of the post at Faith and Pride. Continue reading Different Translations

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Conservatives, England, Law, LGBT, LGBT History Month, London, news, politics, United Kingdom, WalesLeave a comment

did Sir Humphrey give the advice on Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill?

Michael McFarland Campbell

For many gay men in the United Kingdom, there was light at the end of a tunnel in the Government’s Protection of Freedoms Bill.

The Rt Hon David Cameron, wrote in an exclusive for Pink News:

We will change the law so that any past convictions for consensual homosexual sexual activities, which have since become lawful, will be treated as spent, and will not be disclosed on a criminal record check when applying for a job. This is a question of justice – and it’s right that we should change the law and wipe the slate clean.

Unfortunately, it seems that once again HMG is being economical with the truth. Continue reading “did Sir Humphrey give the advice on Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill?”

catholic, England, gay, Health, Justice, LGBT, mental health, Newcastle, news, OSB1 Comment

no sex other than masturbation allowed – how do you check?

hivblogger
Mr Justice Mostyn, educated at top Catholic school Ampleforth, hands down judgment that is considered homophobic by some.

In a recent case before Mr Justice Mostyn the Court of Protection held in The Law Courts in Newcastle, a disabled man, aged 41 years (hereinafter referred to as ‘Alan’ in line with the judgment) has been barred from having sex with another man until he has a better grasp of the health implications of his act.

According to Pink News,

In the meantime, he will be closely supervised by the local council to ensure his sexual activity is restricted to masturbation in his bedroom or bathroom – and nothing more.

I have some questions about this. Continue reading “no sex other than masturbation allowed – how do you check?”