Tag: Northern Ireland

APNI, Belfast, LGBT4 Comments

Judith Cochrane MLA’s answer on why she was absent from chamber for #equalmarriageni vote yesterday

Michael McFarland Campbell

Just been speaking to Judith Cochrane MLA, one of three Alliance Party MLAs unable to bring themselves to be present in The Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday for the Marriage Equality vote. I asked her: “Can you tell me why you were absent from the chamber yesterday for the Equal Marriage vote?” Her response is below. I am sorry if you feel that I let you down yesterday. I have many friends in the LGBT community both in NI and further afield whom I care about deeply but who accept that I believe that marriage is between a man and a … Continue reading Judith Cochrane MLA’s answer on why she was absent from chamber for #equalmarriageni vote yesterday

Rate this:

APNI, Belfast, Blogging, Conservatives, DUP, Equal Marriage, Northern Ireland, politics, SDLP, Sinn Féin, TUV, UUPLeave a comment
If you don't vote for me, don't expect me to vote for you.

A message to all the MLAs in Stormont #equalmarriage #religiousfreedom

Michael McFarland Campbell

On Monday 1 October there is a motion in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Equal Marriage: That this Assembly believes that all couples, including those of the same sex, should have the right to marry in the eyes of the … Continue reading A message to all the MLAs in Stormont #equalmarriage #religiousfreedom

Rate this:

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?

Rate this:

Lisburn, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Another hall in the community is targeted – this really must stop.

Michael McFarland Campbell

  Another week has passed and news has reached me of another community hall in Northern Ireland being targeted and burnt. Fortunately, in this case, it seems that it has not been gutted. But a lot of damage has been done. The hall in question is a Masonic hall in Lisburn. A fuller report can be found courtesy of the Ulster Star. As the Ulster Star article suggests, the hall may have been mistaken for an Orange Hall—but that is no excuse. Burning each other’s halls is not going to help solve our community’s difficulties. Sitting down and talking about them does. The … Continue reading Another hall in the community is targeted – this really must stop.

Rate this:

BooksLeave a comment

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…

Rate this:

Blogging, LGBT, StonewallLeave a comment

Stonewall, #equalmarriageni, and trading names – a reminder about #moreBS

Michael McFarland Campbell

So Stonewall is now campaigning for Equal Marriage – according to the feed on Twitter and its website. But let’s be honest, this wasn’t always the case: Stonewall initially refused to change their position or engage with critics and even appeared to argue that marriage equality would be too expensive. However, shortly before a planned demonstration by marriage equality campaigners was due to take place outside the 2010 Stonewall Awards, Stonewall announced that they would campaign for same-sex marriage. (whythesilencestonewall.wordpress.com) Stonewall keeps telling us that it is working for LGBT equality across the UK. Indeed, its name on Twitter suggests … Continue reading Stonewall, #equalmarriageni, and trading names – a reminder about #moreBS

Rate this:

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…

Rate this: