tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334743762011-07-07T21:49:50.200ZA personal take on LGBT issues and law, politics, religion, human rights and campaigning - an eclectic mix. Comments and contestation welcome.Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.comBlogger2781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-90789450729468892452010-08-31T10:13:00.000Z2010-08-31T10:13:35.364Z

Tories crash to landslide defeats in latest council by-elections » Local Government » 24dash.com

Louisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870690431792657834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-66344387710463216012010-08-29T19:51:00.005Z2010-08-29T20:41:08.706Z

Although the media is reporting it as "hotting up" the Leadership election is now drawing to a close.I have been able to have numerous conversations with colleagues in the Labour Party, UNISON and LGBT Labour about the relative merits of each candidate; I attended the UNISON hustings and watched the New Statesman hustings on TV; read articles by each candidate and read numerous tweets on

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-71239700187353916672010-08-28T18:57:00.004Z2010-08-29T19:51:20.872Z

10 countries in the world now have marriage equality (Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Portugal and now Argentina) as well as in several US States - Massachussets, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington DC and the state of Mexico City.A number of other countries are in the process of preparing legislation to introduce equal marriage (

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-6489073470904135042010-08-22T15:29:00.003Z2010-08-29T20:43:58.035Z

Very disturbing news that the Government has scrapped or is in the process of scrapping the UK government's Human Rights Report.This is a very worrying development and will impact on many groups, including LGBT people worldwide.It's a clear indication the government gives good lip service on LGBT equality in the wider world but isn't prepared to do the work required or rather is quite happy to

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-91634096007477989632010-08-22T11:40:00.002Z2010-08-22T11:54:06.083Z

First stage is one of relief and feeling glad to not be under pressure of being the government. This last about 3 minutes.Then comes a feeling of emptiness and then a strange lack of purpose and direction.After that a strange fascination with the inevitable leadership contest.Then comes the angriness.Then the feelings of disoerientation.It's all so difficult. You have to defend a manfesto you've

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-81001200914659631742010-08-22T11:30:00.003Z2010-08-22T11:39:55.354Z

Commiserations to comrades inAustralia after the General Election held there on Saturday (an election held under the Alternative Vote....).It appears there will be a hung Parliament with a handful of independents holding the balance of power. Unless they are able to give very firm backing to either party it is likely there will have to be a fresh General Election.It's interesting territory - and

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-2950556174763760162010-08-08T22:38:00.003Z2010-08-08T23:02:53.277Z

This process has not exactly set the nation alight. Unjustly we tend to think of US politics. But the US contest to become the nominee takes place over several years over which less successful candidates fall out of the race and happens (or consludes) just before the actual election.Our contest takes place in the wake of an election defeat where the new government is enjoying its honeymoon (aided

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-69727041978858798932010-08-08T21:53:00.003Z2010-08-08T22:22:26.834Z

Oops, with all their funding the organisers of Prop 8 gave no thought to defending legal cases after it passed and struggled because their campaign consisted of a) galvanising religious antigay sentiment b) lying c) using 'despisal' techniques - 'a storm is coming' 'they're after your children' etc.This is easy to do against small minorities such as LGB people but likely to be unconstutional and

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-85970407776858126172010-07-16T21:53:00.002Z2010-07-16T22:02:25.827Z

OK so I found the whole 'losing the election' thing and the whole 'we're going to lose the election' thing pretty bad, pretty hard to deal with and pretty traumatising.Hopefully I'm lifting out of my post (and pre....) election funk a little now. Adapting to opposition is a really hard thing to do but do it we must. Good governance needs governments that carry out their manifestoes (ah yes, those

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-84118634727458949542010-06-24T21:36:00.004Z2010-06-24T21:43:05.070Z

It's true the Coalition started with warmth and good will in the media and all governments get a honeymoon. But the reality is now seen. A fiscal tightening and retrenchment was inevitable. But increasing the regressive VAT to 20%, cutting benefits (thus increasing child poverty and relative poverty overall) and now raising the retirement age.It is pretty certain that many of these things were

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-70788522126518417122010-05-07T20:05:00.002Z2010-05-07T20:30:36.320Z

I cannot remember a more dramatic result from an election. It was unpredictable because the swing between parties was no where near uniform and because it was not clear what the final result was going to be.Usually UK elections the exit poll results plus the first few results tell you who has won and that they will have a working majority plus or minus a few surprise local 'upsets'.In this

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-63283928432712605052010-05-05T23:54:00.002Z2010-05-06T00:02:11.419Z

OK, I'm not pretending everything over the past 13 years is all brilliant - some of it isn't. Some of it is brilliant but took a long time to get there.BUT for the Human Rights Act, Civil Partnerships, Minimum Wage, saving us from a massive depression, Sure Start, improving the NHS......Added to the risk of getting a Tory led administration with or without a majority that will put all of this at

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-13703532797399322622010-03-26T17:32:00.002Z2010-03-26T17:47:39.188Z

The details (with some excerpts) here.This was described as a 'car crash' of an interview. Cameron became confused at times and disoriented and at one point forgetting it was a televised interview.It's important to ask why his discomfiture.Could have been he'd had no sleep that night, had had a row with his staff and was therefore out of sorts.It is likely this was the case.This does have some

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-55930047549225188352010-03-04T23:00:00.004Z2010-03-04T23:55:41.655Z

I saw this in Pink News. See also ILGA-Europe.It's a very important ruling, especially as it's unanimous and builds on previous rulings in similar cases (notably Austria).The Court concluded that 'de facto marital cohabitation' must include same sex couples under the right to private life and freedom from discrimination.I find para 92 (near the end) to be particularly important in terms of the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-53578062452831936352010-03-04T22:44:00.003Z2010-03-04T22:59:59.750Z

I must admit I still scratch my head about this one and struggle to see how it can work given the practicalities. Hopefully the government can work something out.I am glad that the House of Lords did vote in this way. Kudos to Lord Alli who has been a fantastic performer in the House of Lords on this and on many other issues.I am also glad for the fact that there is some respect for the spiritual

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-43597983172698470242010-03-04T22:24:00.007Z2010-03-04T23:31:22.249Z

Sad to hear of the death of Michael Foot at the wonderful age of 96.My favourite memory (only from recordings - I was too young when it happened) is Michael Foot's wind up speech in the confidence motion that brought down Callaghan's government in 1979.His oratory therefore wasn't just good for barnstorming rallies and wooing the faithful at Conference (great though he was at that). He was a

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-81759752440397489432010-02-03T13:20:00.003Z2010-02-03T13:36:56.894Z

I have not followed all the intricate comings and goings of the Equality Bill but here's my brief overview to date:Unfortunately the God-squad have been in action (bishops in the Lords) and latterly (and much more high profile) His Holiness the Pope.The Pope's timing is a bit off as he attacked the Equality Bill as a whole after the bishops had won the votes in question and the intervention isn't

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-53170007219991902372009-12-09T10:54:00.005Z2009-12-09T11:24:43.292Z

The anti-homosexual agenda started in the 1998 Lambeth Conference now bears its full bitter fruit.We see that the Archbishop of Canterbury is unable to bear witness against pure evil - the proposed anti-homosexuality bill which includes the death penalty for some 'offences' and imposes threat of imprisonment on any who fail to 'inform' on a homosexual - do we not recognise Stalinism made manifest

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-14268210531014036232009-11-18T13:17:00.002Z2009-11-18T13:24:39.267Z

News on PinkNews that Stonewall and LGCM are asking for the Government to allow churches to carry out Civil Partnerships.Not sure what I think about this as Civil Partnership is 'civil' and not religious but on the other hand there is the freedom of religion argument and churches are not allowed to honour their faith in being able to join together same sex couples, though of course nothing stops

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-525949196683705412009-11-16T13:52:00.006Z2009-11-16T16:31:06.156Z

The government has now backed down on the attempt to remove the so called free speech amendment inserted into the legislation in a previous session.I am sorry to say that, though I oppose the amendment, I think it was a mistake to try to reverse it as the Government did not have the votes in the House of Lords and it was never likely to win on the issue.The 'free speech' amendment is not needed

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-34660684795471571482009-11-14T19:43:00.002Z2009-11-14T20:42:49.395Z

This is a recent government announcement also announced by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) at the same time.Press reaction has not been good.The Royal College of Nursing has been pushing this agenda for some time, while UNISON has been much more cautious stressing difficulties in recruiting from diverse backgrounds and these concerns remain an issue.But I think the time has now come to

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-30705039714046204172009-11-07T20:45:00.002Z2009-11-07T21:00:56.383Z

This is the Bill in Uganda, promoted by right wing Christian groups based in the US who want to make the law on homosexuality even more extreme than it already is (homosexuality is already a criminal offence) and introduce the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", life imprisonment for other offences, an offence of "attempted homosexuality", including 'touching' as a homosexual act and

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-42187026837277317172009-11-07T20:27:00.004Z2009-11-07T20:44:42.323Z

Disappointment because it was a battle we might have won and came close to winning but didn't.But at least we tried and came close.I consider that the vote of 47% was a good floor on which to build. In life, in this kind of campaign, you need to start somewhere.It will take a few years to come back at this in Maine, but I am convinced we will come back in both Maine and California.There was also

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-44593793502933504622009-11-04T04:52:00.002Z2009-11-04T04:55:01.052Z

Seems like tonight isn't the night for marriage equality by referendum in Maine. Results are being predicted at 52-48%.Again this is incredibly close and actually a great achievement although winning would have been a better one.We can still come back in Maine as in California

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-6855848485582505162009-11-04T01:54:00.007Z2009-11-04T04:14:57.531Z

That exciting time when polls close and there's no more you can do win or lose.I am watching the live feed of the Maine election night party after the vote for or against the proposal to reject the law on same sex marriage.The party looks good! But no results yet so probably best to get the partying in now!First results here (initial returns not good at 3% count).Whatever the result I think we

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-15890403804063475482009-10-22T22:02:00.002Z2009-10-22T22:16:17.881Z

After already performing same sex blessings and supporting the country's recent gender neutral marriage law Sweden's national Church (Lutheran) adopted a decision to permit same sex marriages in its churches.This is a positive and natural progression for that Church which has also elected a partnered Lesbian as Bishop of Stockholm and comes after pressure from the Church of England not to proceed

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-32355057904284851172009-10-22T21:37:00.006Z2009-10-22T22:01:59.230Z

I'm not - as said in an earlier post - sure what will become of the opening of Rome to Anglicans. I think for some fully formed Anglican entities they will very speedily be absorbed as they may already wish to be.For the rest of us we may see realities stretch and evolve over decades of slow accretion to Rome, parish by parish as negotiations over assets proceed and the pathway gets 'opened up'

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-9923882632702093492009-10-21T19:40:00.004Z2009-10-21T20:29:23.785Z

The latest high profile announcement from Rome has led to some possibly exaggerated response on the Internet.There are doubtless some churches constituted on the fringe of Anglicanism that will move seemlessly across to Rome and to that extent I rejoice. If a group of the faithful belong with Rome I rejoice that the path is being cleared.The big barrier is, of course, property issues. That will

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-86806315962495646862009-10-20T19:57:00.002Z2009-10-20T20:01:20.752Z

I thought it was a beautiful service and I was moved especially by the eulogy from Boyzone and in particular the emotional sentiments from Ronan Keating that he struggled so hard to get out.I know pop stars live very much in the public gaze and this often gets overdone but I think in this instance the balance was right and there was a lot of bravery to allow others into share some of the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-45694230292098714912009-10-16T20:55:00.002Z2009-10-16T21:13:15.687Z

I was very shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Stephen Gately.I have never met him, seen him perform, bought any records or even wanted to see him perform. I'm not too keen on Boyzone but the music is nice and easily listenable too. If he was appearing in my local town I wouldn't have gone to see him.Again he wasn't in any way the musical genius that Michael Jackson was, though he was

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-88346485804972050932009-08-22T23:30:00.006Z2009-08-23T00:03:10.049Z

Quite a lot of recent development worthy not note.Firstly a while back (month of July) the American Episcopal Church (TEC-The Episcopal Church) held its 3 yearly General Convention. This gathering passed a number of pro LGBT resolutions appearing (at least) to overturn the moratorium on appointing gay bishops and starting the process of collecting materials used for same sex partnerships.This

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-41737100577704066302009-06-05T08:26:00.002Z2009-06-05T08:34:01.532Z

The European and local elections have proved as brutal and dangerous for the government as expected and the results aren't even in yet.It is clear that Brown's former cabinet was collapsing about his ears so it's just as well he's having a reshuffle.Why don't Brown's ministers have loyalty toward him? Yet again a failure of the political arts that stand between ..... well between what we have now

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-12929696481332319262009-06-04T18:32:00.000Z2009-06-04T18:34:20.661Z

Still time to cast your vote in the European elections.Polls only close at 10pm. Your vote can help to keep out the BNP whichever party you vote for.Let's use our votes to keep out the fascists

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-40610142561201986532009-06-03T23:12:00.002Z2009-06-03T23:17:04.754Z

We know that he is (or at least intends to) but we don't quite know why.The key to staying is to want to do something with the 12 months that are left. At the moment I have no sense of Brown having an ambition that is the measure of the situation. He tends to view minor tinkering as being crucial and vital reform.Time to look to the bigger frame of history and actually do something brave with the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-27385861013402113992009-06-03T22:53:00.004Z2009-06-03T23:36:46.795Z

New Hampshire now becomes the US 6th state to enact same sex marriage, joining Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa (by Court action) and more recently Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire (through the legislature).The law in Maine is however subject to popular review in a referendum if enough signatures can be found to oppose the provision.The law passed its final hurdle in the Assembly by 198 to 176.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-50892752448499452112009-06-03T16:42:00.005Z2009-06-03T16:48:56.382Z

Tomorrow is election day for all of the UK in the elections to the European Parliament.It is crucial to prevent the BNP from taking a seat which will give them access to funding and a prominence they don't deserve.You can stop the BNP by voting for any other party this is because the election is by PR, making it easier for them to take a seat but also easier for us to stop if enough people vote

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-46944449879542218162009-05-29T22:26:00.003Z2009-05-29T22:30:44.370Z

Just too good an article which I post a link to for the sheer enjoyment one can gain from reading the outgushings of an unbalanced mind - all the way from Sarah Palin country.Article here referenced by (Andrew Sullivan) and too good not to post. Just read a smattering of the comments to heighten the enjoyment.......

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-18684553012095353242009-05-28T13:28:00.004Z2009-05-28T15:40:04.181Z

Sweden's Lutheran national Church has elected a new bishop in Stockholme, Eva Brunne by 413 votes to 365 and who is in a Civil Partnership with another woman and a long standing priest in the church.Sweden's church has also approved the blessing of civil partnerships and supported Sweden's recent introduction of same sex marriage. For the time being they do not allow marriage ceremonies for same

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-76958403333152999312009-05-27T21:30:00.002Z2009-05-27T21:34:24.711Z

I thought it was a travesty. I shall never forget his endeavours to promote Margate as a gay tourism venue and indeed I am planning to holiday there this year.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-23724975180191343672009-05-27T21:08:00.003Z2009-05-27T21:48:06.957Z

I am just bowled away by BBC's poetry season where there's nearly a poem every night. John Donne, Milton's Paradise Lost, Auden, Arnold and tomorrow Beowulf, a poem I recently discovered for myself and find both enjoyable and difficult (especially in translation as we have to read it - Old English is nothing like English as we know it as this clip shows my views on translations of Beowulf maybe

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-15317198258975867832009-05-26T17:25:00.009Z2009-05-27T21:46:22.198Z

News just in that prop 8 banning same sex marriage has been upheld by the California's Supreme Court - the ruling can be found here.The ruling is as expected from judges' comments in oral argument and therefore unsurprising to that extent.The key point of interest to me is that on page 92 of the ruling they uphold explicitly that discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is held to be '

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-35437426318074943562009-05-26T16:43:00.004Z2009-05-29T22:31:56.174Z

Article by Alan Johnson in the Times a few days ago supporting a referendum on General Election Day over whether we introduce a form of top up of seats in order to produce a form of proportionality as well as maintaining the constituency link.I think this is a once in a generation chance to put electoral reform before voters in a referendum. Doing so on the day of the next general election has

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-55614737968279626902009-05-25T22:33:00.004Z2009-05-25T22:57:06.886Z

Firstly, contrary to the release from the Associated Press the Church of Scotland, though the national Church, is not part of the Anglican Communion but that's another and quite long story.Nonetheless a historic decision of the General Assembly to allow an openly gay minister to be installed by a majority of 326 to 267.There is now to be a Commission to look into the matter and report back in

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-28810868342019909362009-05-20T22:13:00.004Z2009-05-20T22:37:58.151Z

I was glad to see the Speaker reflected on things and decided to step aside so quicly but this can only be first step in reconnecting Parliament to the people.I think politicians can some of the changes needed but ultimately the challenge is bigger - to move away from a chamber steeped in the charm and make believe of 19th century flummery that people can't connect with or take seriously towards

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-85168281151265325412009-05-18T16:53:00.003Z2009-05-18T16:57:20.993Z

I watched the Speaker live in on TV and the discussions that followed. It was not a pretty sight. Whilst the Speaker didn't fill in MP's claims and normally is not challenged, these are not normal times and it seems the Speaker has been active in gumming up the works - not his fault alone but his position is clearly untenable.I think if he had reflected on his own role and stated he would stand

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-91218713776303007552009-05-17T17:54:00.002Z2009-05-17T18:06:34.598Z

If a blog isn't a good place to make a statement of the bleedin, albeit painfully obvious I don't know what is.Suffice to say that the situation was dire before the expenses row. We are clearly in a legitimation crisis of profound proportions.One could apportion blame - the inability of party leaders to get together and sort something out, collective denial, failings of the Speaker ......The

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-25737186857478671552009-05-17T16:52:00.004Z2009-05-17T17:00:32.723Z

Broadly encouraging developments - especially in New England.Marriage equality bills have been endorsed by the legislatures of 3 states (Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire). In Vermont the Governor refused to sign the bill but the bill's supporters were able to muster a required 2/3 majority to override a veto; the bill passed in Maine but may be subject to a voter referendum and most recently the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-7655928724097408982009-04-03T20:55:00.003Z2009-04-03T21:19:29.139Z

Just had to blog about latest developments from Iowa's Supreme Court ruling released today.Iowa is not the first Supreme Court in the US to endorse same sex marriage (following Hawaii - overturned by a constitutional amendment- Massachusetts and Connecticut). It is though the first to be a unanimous ruling as well as being outside of the comfort zones of New England and trendy California.It's

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-23168633426371984202009-01-30T22:29:00.002Z2009-01-30T22:39:21.830Z

I was so completely overwhelmed by Barack Obama's inauguration event I couldn't blog about it. I still struggle to find words to express what I'm (still) feeling. The sight of the crowds, the excitement, a Democrat in the White House, an African American as President of the US....The inauguration itself had its moments. Rick Warren was as uneventful as predicted and quite emollient in tone. The

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-82832160041236283172009-01-02T00:30:00.003Z2009-01-02T00:50:26.685Z

This is the one where Obama has invited an evangelical pastor to do the 'invocation' at the inauguration ceremony.I think in the long run that getting rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell, federal discrimination legislation and support for moves in the UN to support the ending of the criminalisation of same sex relationships (to give just a few examples) are what we are wanting from Obama over the next 4

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-26754652312150732572008-12-23T18:08:00.006Z2008-12-23T18:24:29.313Z

I thought that it was doing just fine by itself.Really there is this paranoid nonsense behind alot of homophobia saying that if we abaondon homophobic beliefs and practices that heterosexuality will collapse.Evidence appears to be against this supposition and leaving people to their own devices roughly the same number come out straight.It's basically the idea that homosexuals are the first

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-51021772764565814562008-12-21T15:48:00.005Z2008-12-21T16:15:03.640Z

News from the US is that Barack Obama has chosen Rick Warren (evangelical right wing pastor who has compared same-sex marriage to pedophilia and incest and actively camapaigned in favour of Proposition 8 in California) to give the invocation or prayer at his inauguration.The prayer will probably last 60 seconds and say nice heart warming things but the sense of sadness and loss that the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-55987709905618042452008-12-19T22:07:00.004Z2008-12-20T00:55:58.106Z

News in today, causing much relief as the original ET ruling was a complete nightmare. There is no doubt that the original judgment was at the very least badly written (and in parts incomprehensible).If upheld it would have led to chaos in many employers as employees religious scruples would presumably have to have been given effect by employers irrespective of the core business of the employer

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-88669037146784970022008-12-18T20:18:00.004Z2008-12-18T20:50:51.025Z

A ground breaking day today at the UN as first of all an amendment to remove sexual orientation from a resolution on extra judicial killings was defeated 60 - 76.Secondly, 66 countries from 5 continents had signed up to a statement read out by Argentina on sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights. This was followed up by a high level side event with a number of impressive speakers (

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-83502648066049610532008-12-12T20:40:00.006Z2008-12-12T21:08:06.914Z

Just a brief mention of the 60th anniversary of that fantastic document, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights text here and presented in a great animation on Youtube.Obviously the declaration came out of the terrible realisation of the depths that humanity can descend to but also ways that human rights are violated in smaller ways as well that tend to undermine the rule of law and equity

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-6465625452848135972008-12-12T20:05:00.002Z2008-12-12T20:33:50.680Z

Complete exhaustion after UNISON's annual LGBT Conference is my excuse as to an absence of blogging.The database of Conference decisions can be found here (at the time of checking it lacked composites and motions carried for National Delegate Conference).Most people there thought it was a really great Conference and although I was really tired at the end one of the most enjoyable ones I have

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-53701739640166700922008-11-07T23:40:00.002Z2008-11-07T23:52:42.271Z

Fantastic news of the Labour Party winning a by election (singular). Majority of 6,700!This (alongside some council election gains) is phenomenal and denotes renewed confidence in the Labour government (as opposed to the dire abject despair).We are going into a very deep recession and we desperately need the government to cushion the fall at a time when the unfettered free market has failed

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-24767076849404018482008-11-07T22:58:00.003Z2008-11-07T23:39:15.303Z

Obama wins big in the all important electoral college - picking the so called lock of the Republican's "Southern Strategy". Dems have struggled hard in all elections for the presidency since the passage of civil rights sparked all the politics of resentment that have coralled a Southern erstwhile Democratic stronghold for the Republicans.Noticably the thinking has been the need for the Dems to do

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-39318949367072091412008-11-03T22:52:00.003Z2008-11-03T22:56:25.677Z

From Andrew Sullivan.....Madelyn Payne Dunham RIP Obama was so right to make sure he spent time with her before she passed on. But what an emotional blow on election eve for the candidate from Illinois. He has survived this campaign with remarkable emotional maturity and self-control. I just wish this didn't have to add to it. None of his parents will witness tomorrow.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-65880395937745683072008-11-03T11:16:00.002Z2008-11-03T11:24:58.581Z

Apart from a clear ideological preference for the Democrats, Obama is quite clearly the better candidate - calm, cool, not a hothead or erratic, a strategist rather than a tactician and a powerful orator.He is quite clearly what the US and the world needs from this election.He would also be (so far as I can tell) the first country in the developed world to elect a leader from a minority ethnic

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-81544996716090920922008-11-03T11:13:00.001Z2008-11-03T11:16:37.554Z

Ahead of tomorrow's excitement....Congratulations to UNISON and Louise in getting elected to the ILGA Europe board. It has only 10 members and covers the whole of Europe not just the EU, so getting elected at the first attempt is a real achievement.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-36843140839706347172008-10-22T23:18:00.002Z2008-10-22T23:21:51.831Z

Passed by 335 to 129 votes.Any Commons amendments will need to be agreed by the Lords prior to Royal Assent.I do though regret that it has not been possible to improve the regime for access to abortion services and that Westminster has not been able to legislate to help women in Northern Ireland.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-14907229892664440712008-10-22T17:32:00.005Z2008-10-22T17:40:41.971Z

The outcome of the US Presidential election (According to electoral-vote.com Obama has a steady projected lead - however we all remember the last 2 contests and the Republicans are playing dirty - no surprises there). I am getting most of my up to date info from Sullivan's Daily Dish (pro Obama blog).The outcome of the vote on Prop 8 in California (see previous)The outcome of the Indian Court

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-59673971513702966282008-10-22T16:22:00.003Z2008-10-22T17:01:26.073Z

Latest polls show homophobic Proposition 8, restricting marriage to heterosexual couples and intending to upend a Constitutional provision of non-discrimination enacted by the Supreme Court of California (albeit recently).Stripping people of constitutional protections and measures affording equality and fairness for all is a grave and serious step to take.I am not sure what happens if it passes,

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-1334454931386602782008-10-03T09:54:00.003Z2008-10-03T10:07:23.868Z

There are two theories here.One is that she isn't verbally articulate in that her command of vocabulary and expression (fluent use of English constructions) and can't construct moderately complex sentences 'on the hoof'. She just isn't good at speaking.The other theory is that she can't express herself because she hasn't gained the content to talk fluently about.She has been a good debater in

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-1768219330393489212008-09-29T21:59:00.002Z2008-09-29T22:32:19.553Z

I didn't pick up much from the LibDems, though Vince Cable gave a great speech. I didn't rate Nick Clegg much though.I was at the Labour Conference as delegate for LGBT Labour as an affiliated socialist society, mainly to move a rules debate to add gender identity to the rule book.The mood of the Conference was best described as 'grisly'. I think that, with some remove, it did its job of

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-48504603706875429192008-09-29T21:48:00.004Z2008-09-29T22:34:29.589Z

After a prolonged summer break (according to my view summer really ends after the close of the Labour Party Conference) I thought I'd get back to blogging.Not much has happened in the intervening period - Western capitalism has been teetering on the edge of collapse, Gordon Brown has faced a rebellion in the Parliamentary Party (if by no more than a handful of MP's), the American Conventions

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-49604506676624463152008-07-29T21:03:00.003Z2008-07-29T21:09:50.557Z

Increasingly it appears that support is ebbing away from Gordon Brown as Labour Leader and it is difficult to conceive of things carrying on like this for much longer.Miliband has just written a comment in the Guardian which looks to me like a leadership bid and it is being reported that Harriet Harman may also be considering standing, though she denies this.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-38740738759765098612008-07-29T20:59:00.003Z2008-07-29T21:03:31.613Z

I only recently saw this advertisement on the telly - what a liberty! Doin the Lambrini is nothing other than Jumpstyle I blogged about earlier.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-51691174982040448452008-07-25T21:04:00.001Z2008-07-25T21:06:21.297Z

Keeping quiet about it at the moment. Surely by election losses are (even with big swings) not uniformly indicative of the outcome of the next General Election.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-60996662079779515292008-07-25T20:38:00.004Z2008-07-25T21:04:20.072Z

Congrats to the two latest groups awarded consultative status at the UN to represent LGBT issues of concern - COC from the Netherlands and Spain's FELTGB.Louise has already blogged (in a more timely manner....) and it is well covered on the ILGA Europe web site.This is an important breakthrough at the UN where several other NGO's (including ILGA-Europe) have already been agreed after a long

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-50551521327650690612008-07-22T19:22:00.003Z2008-07-22T20:02:30.731Z

I was genuinely thrilled by news of the arrest of Radovan Karadzic. It comes after the installation of a new pro-EU government in Serbia only recently, itself born of political instability following the West's recognition of an independent Kosovo.I was thrilled until I saw footage on More 4 news tonight.It showed the Serbs leading off groups of Muslim men (the youngest was 16). They lay them down

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-33096490461866301242008-07-18T22:14:00.002Z2008-07-18T22:20:50.053Z

Now the Supreme Court in California has confirmed that proposition 8 will be on November's ballot (with the intention of reversing same sex marriage) two opinion polls show that the No vote has a small lead.Latest figures show a lead of 51-42%.This is good but incredibly narrow and anything could happen between now and then. Still a good initial poll finding that (hopefully) will encourage the No

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-80461782152578520952008-07-17T20:38:00.003Z2008-07-17T20:48:11.965Z

Louise has some interesting blog entries about the 2 day Local Government industrial action which is now drawing to a close, with further industrial action doubtless being planned in what are, I must say, extraordinary economic pressures with considerable increases in utilities, petrol and food biting a big hole in our living standards.UNISON also has lots of information about the strike action

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-50125601351592086532008-07-15T22:29:00.002Z2008-07-15T22:39:07.100Z

At a time of heightened inflation in basic goods, this is a message of solidarity to all Local Government workers taking industrial action on the 16th and 17th July.For more information see:UNISON blog on pay mattersJon Rogers' (by now famous) blog I, of course, shall not be taking industrial action given I am an NHS employee and we aren't taking industrial action at this time, though we may do

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-23358201515934622252008-07-15T22:16:00.003Z2008-07-15T22:29:24.659Z

In their current proposals for a fuel price stabiliser the Tories are stating that the government has a duty to fix the price of petrol so that people can plan ahead..... sound familiar anyone?Maybe this can be extended to bread, milk, shoes and so on and we can have a fully socialist command economy.Of course the implication of the Tories proposal is potentially very expensive, if the price of

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-57417234494363251472008-07-13T22:16:00.007Z2008-07-13T23:01:12.464Z

See this clip from the BBC, showing the appalling incident of disruption of freedom of speech and homophobia during a sermon by Bishop Robinson.Tells you all you need to know - others are just more polite in the way they go about it.The mask slips.Meanwhile, for people who like their religion sane, Bishop Robinson wrote a good article in Saturday's Guardian The God I know is alive and active in

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-59214325424715641402008-07-13T20:52:00.005Z2008-07-13T22:12:45.438Z

It's only now that I discover the wonderful thing that is 'jumpstyle' (more popular in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands).The fact it's performed to 'modern music' (the most accessible in the UK is probably Scooter) can only go so far in disguising the fact it's a cross between Morris dancing and Riverdance.See for yourself (I love it by the way).Scooter Jumping All Over The WorldJumpstyle

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-74417649315132724602008-07-13T20:34:00.002Z2008-07-13T20:52:18.391Z

One more thought - how far does this go? A registrar whose religious beliefs do not allow marriage after divorce? A GP who doesn't approve of the homosexual lifestyle? A pharmacist who does not approve of contraception? Naming ceremonies for the children of same sex parents?In conservative areas where religious groups hold great sway and where perhaps services are thinly spread (e.g. rural areas)

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-46113691090106827962008-07-11T21:08:00.008Z2008-07-12T00:21:07.569Z

I am very troubled by the recent Employment Tribunal on a Registrar refusing to carry out Civil Partnerships (in a case financed by the Christian Institute).It seems to cut across the view expressed by Parliament in the Goods and Services regulations on sexual orientation regulations (where Parliament did debate 'conscience' exemptions being pushed by LCF and Christian Institute but did not go

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-9381287365896845022008-07-09T17:29:00.003Z2008-07-09T17:58:52.536Z

I haven't blogged for a bit, mainly too tired after TUC LGBT Conf and the aftermath of NDC (also a bit of a news lull?).Anyway TUC LGBT Conference held as usual just ahead of Pride in London.A number of topics were debated, particular motions this year included the current inadequacy of legal protections with regard to gender identity, blood donation (again), education, community cohesion ,

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-69414154913126479112008-07-04T23:19:00.003Z2008-07-07T22:40:57.788Z

Extraordinary scenes at the Conference - a prominent UNISON activist wanting to perform "Recital 22" (not sure which composer) and going on and on about a 'Verruca case' and telling everyone in earshot about some Yoghurt Carton principles........Confusion indeed!To cap it all, in the blood debate, one very excited young delegate exclaimed "It's my blood and I'll give to whoever I want". To which

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-82780617002313304332008-06-30T20:10:00.004Z2008-06-30T20:33:06.028Z

In today's Times an interesting article which is worth a read 'The Borisophobes are on the march (or not).I have a few quibbles. The article veers a bit by taking Boris at his word - however the fact is he has been a typical homophobic Tory, supporting Section 28, comparing Civil Partnership to 'a union of 3 men and a dog'.Anyway London voted for him. Not of my doing - I was supporting another

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-72708940288143638312008-06-30T19:24:00.003Z2008-06-30T19:33:21.882Z

Pink News carries this news that Finland's blood donor selection criteria (substantially the same as those in place in the UK and most other countries) is not unlawful and is not contrary to the Finnish constitution and does not, in fact, discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation but is based on expert opinion about the level of risk posed given that men who have had sex with men compared

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-8478186080990497812008-06-30T18:26:00.007Z2008-07-01T00:39:43.368Z

I have often felt tempted to drop a line about this curious US case, where the US Supreme Court has overruled a strict handgun bad in Washington DC.The constitutionality of gun control in the US is of course fascinating and long running and slightly odd for us Europeans where a) we have by long tradition believed in the State's monopoly of violence (a la Weber) and b) we are struggling with both

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-14729522662736339352008-06-30T11:40:00.007Z2008-06-30T12:38:53.425Z

INDIAPride events held for the first time in several Indian cities. This is significant coming ahead of hearings by the Indian Supreme Court on the constitutionality of section 377 of the penal code which criminalises same sex activity.BULGARIA, CZECH REPUBLICThe far right Bulgarian National Union opposes the march in Sofia and police arrest 60 skinheads attempting to disrupt the march.In the

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-61366522287333731002008-06-30T11:22:00.002Z2008-06-30T11:34:23.550Z

Coming 5th behind the BNP has really got to be some kind of historic low point which causes us to reflect on how bad things are at the moment.Whilst it is clear we have a number of exogenous problems (those not of our own making) - notably the price of oil and commodities and the credit crunch, we are in a position where the Party is kind of punch drunk and resigned to defeat at the next

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-83814777065880904092008-06-28T13:10:00.004Z2008-06-28T13:19:37.373Z

Latest revelations coming on top of racism in a previous series surely point to the fact that in daily life we try to maintain small courtesies and civilities and this generally holds. The concept of Big Brother is to stoke up good TV. They do this by creating an environment that is not too good for humans (confinement, manipulation) for taste and decency to disintegrate at a rapid rate.It's a

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-46082416030473833552008-06-28T11:04:00.004Z2008-06-28T11:34:41.410Z

I find this from Mark Russell (Leading Anglican and CEO of Church Army) well said and so quote (reported on ekklesia).Original story (Riazat Butt from the Guardian) and Mark Russell's website is here.I know many bishops in England who do not agree with everything other bishops say, or do not agree with some of the things they have done, but are committed to being together, to pray together, and

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-31100268699120758652008-06-26T16:04:00.006Z2008-06-28T13:22:34.700Z

Harriet Harman today launched the government's plans for a new equality bill.Some of the media reaction has been a little hysterical, to say the least.The bill seems to me to be quite balanced and sensible (and needed). Seems there are proposals to incorporate public sector prcurement and a unified public sector equality duty across all equality strands (albeit a streamlined 'duty' - I am sure

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-32120639220357223822008-06-26T07:48:00.005Z2008-06-26T09:40:11.923Z

Long awaited details of the Govt's Equality legislation due to be announced - not sure where though (parliament, press?).Any way I'm sure the press will pick it up whenever it happens.Will be interesting to see what happens to equal pay, procurement, representative action and the public duties to promote equality.This is a mega block buster Bill that (hopefully) will last - if well drafted - over

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-29568711662164050352008-06-26T07:29:00.004Z2008-06-30T11:22:01.055Z

After a long gestation (the Bill is part of the government's coalition agreement as well as in the manifesto of most parties) Ireland's govt finally issues its draft Bill.It's quite an extensive Bill and seems to mirror the approach taken in the UK with Civil Partnerships.There appear to be two main differences - one good, the other not so good.The good thing is that both same and opposite sex

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-80535509360325621462008-06-26T07:22:00.002Z2008-06-26T07:28:40.134Z

Least I think I get it.The Heinz ad isn't actually supposed to be a same sex couple at all. It's a New York Deli man acting as Mum and therefore kissing everyone including husband and that's the joke.We don't know what the complaints were - they were probably from both sides of the argument.The delicious irony is the pickle (probably Branston, HP or Tesco's own brand) that Heinz have manouvred

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-86261929156752857962008-06-25T18:57:00.003Z2008-06-25T19:07:54.521Z

I took the solgan from an article I read somewhere from Stonewall's Ben Summerskill - it's all over the net so I don't think I'll add any links.Louise has blogged that she's none too keen on the ad any way.From my view that's as may be but the reasoning of Heinz is that a few hundred homophobic protestors are to be listened to in preference to all of Heinz's LGBT customers, their freinds,

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-25230305918103130472008-06-20T09:45:00.002Z2008-06-20T09:57:21.642Z

Just a few updates before leaving the country for Poland for a Conference in Warsaw on Trade Unions and LGBT equality.This is an important initiative where hopefully the different unions (including UNISON, Ver.di (German Public services union) and OPZZ in Poland).So only a few minutes to blog some issues of interest.UNISON National Delegate ConferenceLast day today. Yesterday saw the traditonal

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-14424126974986531052008-06-17T11:12:00.002Z2008-06-17T11:17:34.913Z

Some nice footage on BBC website.Reminds me a bit of the scenes accompanying the introduction of Civil Partnerships in the UK - seems we are still arguing about that.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-61541750348489692362008-06-17T00:30:00.000Z2008-06-17T00:30:00.427Z

The California Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage has now entered into force and several couples (some of whom have already been together for years - or decades in some cases) are planning to marry immediately at State offices that are staying open for the occasion.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-4176989205725408562008-06-15T22:52:00.003Z2008-06-15T23:48:39.241Z

Ahead of the introduction (maybe only for a few months) of same sex marriage in California and in the midst of all of the (somewhat overblown in my view) broohaha about the so called Anglican gay wedding I am putting up a weblink to a talk by Andrew Sullivan on same sex marriage from 11 years ago.It's well worth watching - and can be found here - the Daily Dish.

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-5585402008369725202008-06-15T14:40:00.003Z2008-06-15T15:12:35.795Z

Watching last night's Dr Who I could not avoid thinking that the episode was in large part about the thinking of Rene Girard, in artcular his references to the scapegoat mechanism and the need for sacred unity at the expense of indivuals seen as troubling or threatening.Interesting that in the episode it takes no time at all for sacred unity to be established against whatever person was being

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33474376.post-34636777150556906842008-06-15T13:55:00.003Z2008-06-15T14:30:01.449Z

This is currently being mooted around the capitals of Europe.Reuters UK Germany says EU may still pursue EU TreatyIt's a fascinating legal and political question. I'd have thought not, but I think at a minimum there would need to be agreement from the Commission, unanimous agreement from the Council (including Ireland) and the parliament not to mention the ECJ' at least tacit agreement (maybe

Craig Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041142601074251914noreply@blogger.com0