June usually marks the celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride in London and in many places around the world. Whilst the Pride in London parade was cancelled this year, Middlesex Cricket ran a series of interviews and content features to champion the equality and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people – not only… Continue reading Talking to Middlesex Cricket about LGBTQ+ Equality
Trans rights should be supported not reversed. A cautionary note to the Minister for Women & Equalities Liz Truss @trussliz @GEOgovuk
On Wednesday this week, the UK Government Minister for Women & Equalities, Liz Truss MP, who serves in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Trade, set out her priorities for the Government Equalities Office in a statement to a House of Commons Select Committee. To the distress of many in LGBTQ communities,… Continue reading Trans rights should be supported not reversed. A cautionary note to the Minister for Women & Equalities Liz Truss @trussliz @GEOgovuk
Overcoming the new ‘permission to hate’ – stopping racism in football grounds, transphobia in the media, antisemitism and Islamaphobia in politics, and the rise in nationalism
Yet again yesterday, we woke to news headlines reporting racist chants at a football ground. This time it is apparently the supporters of Tottenham Hotspur directing ‘monkey noises’ at players of Chelsea in their game on Sunday. Those of us involved in the administration of sport had hoped that this kind of conduct had been… Continue reading Overcoming the new ‘permission to hate’ – stopping racism in football grounds, transphobia in the media, antisemitism and Islamaphobia in politics, and the rise in nationalism
“We have always stood up for the people. We have always stood up for the rule of law.” – my remarks to the City of London’s Common Council
On Thursday 10 October 2019, the City of London’s governing Court of Common Council boldly reiterated its longstanding support for the United Kingdom’s Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law. The motion, proposed by my colleagues Deputy Tom Sleigh and Alderman Tim Hailes came in response to recent attacks on the judiciary by public figures… Continue reading “We have always stood up for the people. We have always stood up for the rule of law.” – my remarks to the City of London’s Common Council
Colonial-era museums – a disturbing anachronism in need of reform or an enduring contribution to our knowledge of other cultures? A personal view having visited the @Pitt_Rivers Museum, Oxford.
As I sat a few days ago in Oxford’s famous Pitt Rivers Museum, with its extraordinary collection of artefacts, initially established from a gift by Victorian army officer and explorer, General Augustus Pitt-Rivers, I felt hugely challenged by the content and history of the items on display. On entering the museum’s cavernous exhibition hall, one… Continue reading Colonial-era museums – a disturbing anachronism in need of reform or an enduring contribution to our knowledge of other cultures? A personal view having visited the @Pitt_Rivers Museum, Oxford.
In defence of @PrideinLondon organisers: hateful #TERFs put them in an impossible position, and the @MetPoliceUK were powerless to help.
A lot has been said, including by many of my friends, about the incursion by a tiny group of Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists (TERFs) at the start of Saturday’s Pride in London parade route, and about the apparent failure of the Pride organisers to remove them and to protect trans attendees from seeing their message… Continue reading In defence of @PrideinLondon organisers: hateful #TERFs put them in an impossible position, and the @MetPoliceUK were powerless to help.
A true leader in #London, Haringey’s @ClaireKober speaks out for inclusive visionary leadership, and warns against populism and surrendering power to vocal minorities
Every so often I have the privilege of hearing a speech that is inspiring and thought provoking. As readers of my blog will know, my political inspiration doesn’t always from ‘my side of the aisle’ and so it was last week, when a Labour politician grabbed my attention and my applause by the power and… Continue reading A true leader in #London, Haringey’s @ClaireKober speaks out for inclusive visionary leadership, and warns against populism and surrendering power to vocal minorities
My final thoughts as Chair of Universities Scheme: Freemasonry needs to ditch 1950s attitudes
Today’s Universities Scheme conference at Freemasons’ Hall in London saw the end of my eight year tenure as Chairman of the Scheme, and provided an opportunity to reflect on the Craft and its future. In my valedictory address, I set out some thoughts about Freemasonry and the ongoing need for change, to better reflect modern… Continue reading My final thoughts as Chair of Universities Scheme: Freemasonry needs to ditch 1950s attitudes
For the sake of diversity, and a great game, it is time to get behind #Basketball in Britain
I had the privilege of spending Saturday evening with a packed crowd at London’s Copper Box watching Great Britain take on Greece in an international men’s basketball game. On the basis of their respective world rankings, and the quality of the players (a number of the Greeks are in NBA teams), this should have been… Continue reading For the sake of diversity, and a great game, it is time to get behind #Basketball in Britain
Pride in London and my Queer journey – a personal perspective and response to @LondonLGBTPride
Yesterday’s release of the Community Advisory Board’s annual report into this year’s Pride in London, and the social media storm that followed, was an interesting and painful experience for me. Whilst the wave of euphoria that I have felt supporting the CAB from bi and queer friends, and from those who feel that Pride has… Continue reading Pride in London and my Queer journey – a personal perspective and response to @LondonLGBTPride
C. E. Lord OBE 