Category: LGBT

Heraldry, Human Rights, Justice, Law, LGBT, Uganda2 Comments

‘When you plant a seed, before it dies it won’t produce’ – prophetic words from David Kato

Michael McFarland Campbell

Some of us are very lucky, at worst we may get abuse shouted at us in the street. But in Uganda, you can end up dead as a result of fighting for your human rights. David Kato, Uganadan gay activist and ‘grandfather of the kuchus‘ (as gay people in Uganda call themselves) led the campaign for gay rights in Uganda for more than ten years. For his beliefs he was gaoled. Only three weeks ago he won a case against a newspaper that called for him to be hanged. On Wednesday he appears to have been murdered for his beliefs: … Continue reading ‘When you plant a seed, before it dies it won’t produce’ – prophetic words from David Kato

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Blogging, christian, gay, LGBTLeave a comment

Faith and Pride – Men of Sodom

Michael McFarland Campbell

Gyronny Herald contributor, Andrew McFarland, has just written an article on Faith and Pride. When you read the any book you have to be careful to read what it says, not what you think it says. This is particularly true when it comes to books that people quote from, like the Bible. Snipping a quote out of context can often lead to a misunderstanding about what the passage actually means. The story of Sodom is a good example of where misunderstanding can occur if you just look at the wrong verses. Read the rest of the article at Faith and … Continue reading Faith and Pride – Men of Sodom

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Belfast, gay, HIV, LGBT, MRSA, Northern Ireland1 Comment

all so wonderfully normal (part 2)

Andrew McFarland Campbell

Last night, my friend Conor and his flatmate invited Michael and me to their New Year’s Eve party, in their flat in the Titanic Quarter. There were probably about ten people there, and we spent the evening playing with the Xbox, listening to music, and generally being social. There was also some alcohol consumption, but as a non-drinker I’m going to draw a veil over that. At midnight, we watched Big Ben* on the BBC, and yes Michael and I kissed. It was a completely normal New Year’s Eve party for all of us. Re-read that last sentence: it was … Continue reading all so wonderfully normal (part 2)

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Belfast, christian, LGBT, news, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Christmas Past, Present, and Future

Michael McFarland Campbell
And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.

From Twitter I learn that most people have already opened their presents, their stockings, and parcels – before lunch!

with my parents when I was young

Before we set off for the service on Christmas Eve night, we set up the Christmas tree unlike many of our friends who had had theirs up since December 1. The most we got during Advent was usually an Advent Calendar or in latter years an Advent Candle.

Since my brothers and I were in the choir at the local Anglican parish church – we were allowed to open one present upon our return from Midnight Mass, then bed quickly. Then Santa came round on his second trip* round the UK. Then in the morning we were allowed to see what Santa had left in the stocking.

Something every child could get

Continue reading “Christmas Past, Present, and Future”

Human Rights, LGBTLeave a comment

Without him, I may be in gaol…

Michael McFarland Campbell
Belfast Pride Festival's Party in the Square in Custom House Square, Belfast: one day in the year when the city comes together to celebrate our diversity.

Today I want to pay tribute to a friend of mine, without whom, much of the voluntary work that I do within the LGBT sector in Northern Ireland would have been well nigh impossible. In fact, it is possible, unlikely though it may seem nowadays, that all of us who are gay could still be criminalised within the confines of Northern Ireland. Continue reading “Without him, I may be in gaol…”

gay, LGBTLeave a comment

LGBT not here, thank you!

Michael McFarland Campbell

It wasn’t a country high on my priorities of ones I would like to visit, but with the news that its Parliament is voting next week on legislation to impose fines on those who “promote homosexuality“, Lithuania has definitely gone down the list. Continue reading “LGBT not here, thank you!”

Belfast, gay, LGBT, Media, news, Pink PaperLeave a comment

Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

Michael McFarland Campbell

We’re into the last 24 hours of voting in this year’s Pink Paper Readers Awards. Earlier in the autumn as the awards nominations opened, it was impossible to log that you came from Northern Ireland in the awards. As one of the people that pushed Tris Reid-Smith, Editor of Gay Times and the Pink Paper to include Northern Ireland, this year, I urge all in Northern Ireland to vote for their favourite LGBT venues – and show the rest of the UK and the world that we do have a lively and healthy gay scene, with the largest community Pride … Continue reading Final push for Pink Paper Readers Awards

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Football, gay, Human Rights, LGBTLeave a comment

Remember Justin Fashanu? FIFA should.

Michael McFarland Campbell
Justin Fashanu
Justin Fashanu - the first (and only) professional football player in Britain to come out as gay.

Readers may be interested in the statement on the Justin Campaign website regarding the FIFA decision on the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

Justin Campaign concern

The Justin Campaign is deeply concerned by FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. Both of these countries have extremely poor records on the issue of LGBT rights. Continue reading “Remember Justin Fashanu? FIFA should.”