Tag: belfast

Belfast, Blogging, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life3 Comments

No road signage but plenty of signs of the Ulster Covenant commemoration

Michael McFarland Campbell

This morning I have been walking up what later on will be the Ulster Covenant Centenary Parade route. I’m heading to the capital, Dublin, for the day for a meeting in Molesworth Street. However, one thought particularly struck me as I walked up the Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast. The parade organisers have no signs up telling motorists and others that it is a major parade route. If this were London this would almost certainly have been done. There are signs that it is a parade route—lots of Union Flags flying at half-lamppost! Continue reading No road signage but plenty of signs of the Ulster Covenant commemoration

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Belfast Pride, christian, Independent, LGBT, Media, Newspapers4 Comments

Strudwick’s Gay ‘cure’ therapy exposé: was it entrapment?

Michael McFarland Campbell

  Last night, Amnesty International in Northern Ireland hosted their annual Belfast Pride Lecture in Belfast’s Europa Hotel. The exhibition hall was nearly packed to the gunnels; everyone crowding in to hear Patrick Strudwick’s thoughts on “The dangerous world of gay ‘cures’”. In 2010 journalist Patrick Strudwick published “The Ex-Gay Files: The Bizarre World of Gay-to-Straight Conversion” in The Independent, chronicling a year of undercover investigation of therapists claiming to be able to ‘convert’ gays and lesbians to heterosexuality. In some countries, ‘gay conversion therapy’ is used as a form of punishment amounting to torture against gay people. Strudwick’s exposé shone a spotlight … Continue reading Strudwick’s Gay ‘cure’ therapy exposé: was it entrapment?

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6 months and finally unpacking…

Michael McFarland Campbell

It’s about ten days before our friend Peter will be over to stay for the weekend of the Belfast Pride Parade. I’ve stayed with him many times on my jaunts to Bedford in the past year so it will be good to return the hospitality. However, anyone who has been in our flat will know that we have had an sitting room jam packed with boxes—until today. This lunchtime, our cleaner Tracey and I have spent three hours clearing and putting rubbish out. No one who knows me will be surprised that we have uncovered many more books, so the Health & Safety Officers will be … Continue reading 6 months and finally unpacking…

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christian, Church of England, LGBT, news, OxfordLeave a comment

Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford

Michael McFarland Campbell

With Belfast City Council voting in favour of equal rights with regard to marriage in the city of Belfast, it was refreshing to read a statement from the Chaplain of Pembroke College, Oxford: Civil Partnerships and Pembroke College Chapel The Governing Body and chaplain are dedicated to the mission of the chapel as fully including the whole college community, past and present, staff, students, and fellows. Same sex couples are most welcome to approach the chaplain with regard to preparation, celebration, and prayers when entering a Civil Partnership and for continuing support and counsel within their relationship as any other … Continue reading Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford

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Belfast, DUP, LGBT, news, politics4 Comments

Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Last night, Belfast City Council became the first council in Northern Ireland to support marriage equality. The Council voted in favour of the motion [proposed by Sinn Féin, supported by SDLP councillors and one Alliance councillor1]: This Council supports the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Belfast regardless of race, religion or sexuality. However, as my friend Stephen Glenn so rightly says, that the Council voted in favour “isn’t all the story”. For there were no votes against, not because all councillors were in favour of the motion but, rather, because the Unionist councillors left … Continue reading Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…

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BelfastLeave a comment

Just after Evensong, a burning bush appeared…

Michael McFarland Campbell

It’s not every day that you see a burning bush on your way home from church, but that is exactly what happened to Andrew and me this evening. Not for us any voice to take our shoes off as we were standing on holy ground, nor did this appear to be the Holy Spirit at work on the Feast of Pentecost – no this burning bush had a much simpler explanation. You see, Belfast has been suffering enjoying somewhat of a heat wave in recent days. This means that many people have been enjoying barbecues. Now, what do you do … Continue reading Just after Evensong, a burning bush appeared…

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