This article about my work was published last week on the blog of Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people: Coming out to yourself… …is the first step FOR THE LAST nine years, I have had the pleasure of supporting young people who identify as lesbian, gay,… Read more »
THE CLOCKS WENT FORWARD in the UK last weekend, in more ways than one. The official start of British Summer Time with daylight saving coincided with the legalisation of same-sex marriages in England and Wales. So began an extraordinary week for LGBT equality. On Saturday March 29th, lesbian and gay couples around the country vied to be the first to… Read more »
A YEAR AGO TODAY, Stephen Fry came to Liverpool to meet members of the Liverpool LGBT youth group GYRO (gay youth ‘r’ out) to find out about their experiences of being young and LGBT in 21st Century Britain. It was planned as part of his documentary on homophobia called Stephen Fry: Out There which was first broadcast by the BBC… Read more »
LAST WEDNESDAY: former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who resigned from professional football last September, announced he is gay. No other professional footballer currently playing in this country has had the courage to do the same. Hitzlsperger said there is “a long way to go” before there will be an openly gay man playing in a top league. He explained: ‘The… Read more »
TODAY, the third Thursday in October, is Spirit Day, when millions of people wear purple and change their social media profile pictures to help create a world in which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people are celebrated and accepted for who they are. What is Spirit Day? Spirit Day is an annual day held on the third Thursday of October when… Read more »
The following text is a reflection I presented today during Morning Prayer at the church I attend with my partner. The church chooses a monthly theme for its services – this month’s theme was Musicals! When my partner and I were asked to lead a service on the theme of musicals, at first I thought: ‘How stereotypical! Asking a gay… Read more »
MARCH 1st was the third anniversary of the first meeting of the Michael Causer Foundation. Michael Causer, from Whiston, Merseyside, died on 2nd August 2008 aged just 18 after being brutally assaulted and left for dead eight days earlier. The parents of the murdered gay teenager have set up a Foundation in his name to provide housing and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual… Read more »
TONIGHT I was invited to share my story at the local meeting of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, which describes itself as: a UK-based international charity which challenges homophobia and transphobia, especially within the Church and faith based organisations, as well as working to create and praying for an inclusive church. The timing seemed apt, as I planned to… Read more »
TODAY I STAYED at home in the warmth, working on the annual report of the Michael Causer Foundation, of which I am a trustee. To prevent me going stir-crazy from being home all day, I decided to walk to the evening service at a nearby Anglican Church. On the way, I passed the derelict Welsh Presbyterian Church (above), known as… Read more »
I AM very fortunate to be a youth worker, which means often when I’m working, I also get to play! Working with young people aged 13-25 helps keep me young. This is the rainbow umbrella I use to lead my LGBT youth group in the Liverpool Pride march each year. It is a highlight of the year – although a… Read more »
