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

Why today’s #LGBTQ+ #PrideinLondon is a day of mixed emotions for me and for many

Today is Pride in London, the United Kingdom’s largest gathering of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer people together with their allies and friends and others whose life, love, or identity is marked in some way by difference. For me and for many it is a day of great celebration for the achievements of equality… Continue reading Why today’s #LGBTQ+ #PrideinLondon is a day of mixed emotions for me and for many

St Paul’s Remembrance: “Brexit and Trump were won with lies and fear. Two world wars were won with truth and courage.”- I agree.

Yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral was, as usual, a moving and solemn occasion. It was attended by the City’s new Lord Mayor, the Aldermen and Common Councilmen, as well Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and many representatives of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and countless old comrades from former… Continue reading St Paul’s Remembrance: “Brexit and Trump were won with lies and fear. Two world wars were won with truth and courage.”- I agree.

The Terrorism Act? What on earth were the Police thinking?!!

Regardless of your view on the rights and wrongs of Edward Snowden’s leaking of US intelligence data, the use by British Police yesterday of the Terrorism Act to hold the partner of a Guardian journalist connected to Mr Snowden seems inappropriate, disproportionate, and quite frankly wrong! David Miranda, the partner of columnist and journalist Glenn… Continue reading The Terrorism Act? What on earth were the Police thinking?!!

Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia

I have always had the greatest admiration for Stephen Fry – his talent, his passion, his humanity, his advocacy for equality and for those, like him, who struggle with their mental health. I had the good fortune once to share a long train journey with him and found him to be not only the hugely… Continue reading Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia

What kind of Liberal votes for secret courts?

I often find myself in a minority being a supporter of the coalition. I strongly believed that the Liberal Democrats could be a moderating influence on the more knee jerk authoritarian instincts of the Conservatives whilst setting the economy straight in a fair but firm manner. I’m not going to talk about economic policy here,… Continue reading What kind of Liberal votes for secret courts?

Why the Public Sector Equality Duty matters to all of us

A very dear friend of mine posted on my Facebook wall a few weeks ago this quote, as he was concerned that we spend too much time focusing on the needs of particular groups in society: “I am not for gay rights, I am not for women’s rights, I am not for handicapped rights, I… Continue reading Why the Public Sector Equality Duty matters to all of us