Tag: BBC

Faith and Pride1 Comment

Jonathan Loved David

Michael McFarland Campbell

On Sunday 24 July, my husband Andrew delivered a talk in All Souls’ Church, Belfast as part of the inaugural Faith and Pride event during Belfast Pride Festival. The talk was entitled Jonathan Loved David, and the text is available for download here. Andrew was heard on BBC Radio Ulster as part of William Crawley‘s programme Sunday Sequence. You may still be able to hear him in that on BBC iPlayer about 20 minutes into the programme. It’s well worth a listen. It was rather clever of the Rev. Stafford Carson to comment on the talk before it was even … Continue reading Jonathan Loved David

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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?”

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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Cistercians, Film, Religious OrdersLeave a comment

Of Gods and Men

hibernocatholic1

I look forward to the being able to watch the French film Of Gods and Men at Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast during the week beginning 31 December 2010 (according to Artificial Eye).

Seven French Cistercian monks were kidnapped and then killed at Tibhirine in Algeria, amidst rising religious and factional violence. Their murderers were never found.

“When it happened, as a nation, France was shocked,” says the film’s producer Etienne Comar. Continue reading “Of Gods and Men”

Ballymena, Heraldry, London, newsLeave a comment

Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen We’re coming up on a milestone in the reign of our Sovereign Lady, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, &c.*. The last milestone was Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee – the forthcoming is the Diamond Jubilee in 2010. Jubilee Cities With these milestones often comes a race among various towns in the United Kingdom to be the three in 2000 (or four five† in 2002) that become cities in what … Continue reading Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

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Belfast, Law, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, PSNILeave a comment

Paramilitary style shooting in Ardoyne: help the police find those responsible

Michael McFarland Campbell

Man shot in legs in north Belfast The news that a man has been shot in the legs in Ardoyne, in north Belfast in what police say is a ‘paramilitary style’ shooting is shocking. The man said to be in his late 20s has been treated for gunshot wounds in hospital. I totally condemn the actions of the three masked men who entered the house in Brompton Park and shot him. The whole of our society needs to stand up to the thugs and scum who continue these attacks. Anyone with any information that will lead to the arrest and … Continue reading Paramilitary style shooting in Ardoyne: help the police find those responsible

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Justice, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, PSNILeave a comment

“known to police”: the whole truth?

Michael McFarland Campbell

In East Tyrone Magistrates Court yesterday a phrase was used by a detective constable in a bail hearing that has my brain considering whether this is correct or not. The defendant was arrested at the scene of the finding of some ammunition and a holdall containing a revolver in a car in which he claims he was being taken to be a victim of a “so-called punishment shooting”*, lying face down on the back seat with a blanket over his head. His solicitor said, bail should be permitted as his client had no previous record. Yet the detective constable replied: … Continue reading “known to police”: the whole truth?

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Belfast, newsLeave a comment

city centre stabbing – condemned

Michael McFarland Campbell

I have condemned the city centre stabbing in Belfast’s Royal Avenue here I condemn the stabbing in Belfast city centre’s Royal Avenue earlier this evening. I trust that the people of Belfast who may have been in the area around 1815 will assist the Police Service of Northern Ireland by giving witness statements if required. Continue reading city centre stabbing – condemned

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