Author's posts

Not on our bus, Or, We don’t need no segregation

WHEN I FIRST went to an LGBT social group in Bath in my late 20s, I met an older generation of gay men who would speak in code to each other to avoid ‘outing’ themselves to others who might overhear them. For example, when discussing another man and wondering if he were gay, they would say …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/08/not-on-our-bus/

The power of love: An LGBT history of Liverpool

Gaydio, the UK’s only radio station for the LGBT community, aired a documentary this week about the LGBT history of Liverpool. It’s a powerful and moving oral history told by members of Liverpool’s LGBT communities past and present. I was interviewed about my work with LGBT young people over the last eight years, and the impact of the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/06/power-of-love-lgbt-history-liverpool/

UPDATE: The ultimate question – Have I found the answer?

I BEGAN this blog a year ago after attending a seminar called ‘The Book You Were Born To Write’ by Nick Williams. Completing my 42nd year felt like an apt moment to do so, since 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe and Everything! It’s been an interesting and eventful …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/09/03/the-ultimate-question-have-i-found-the-answer/

‘I am what I am’ – A reflection on identity

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: …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/08/11/i-am-what-i-am/

Waiting for the lovers – Why we can’t rewrite this love song yet

THIS HAUNTING AND POIGNANT SONG is dedicated to those who don’t feel free to love for fear of judgement, or even physical assault, by others who assume their love is wrong: They met across the dance floor just like many other lovers Each of them were caught within a trance And with the nervousness of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/05/27/waiting-for-the-lovers/

‘No-one is silent though many are not heard’ – Why I work to change this

This quotation, from a poster called ‘How To Build Community‘, was part of the inspiration that led me to start this blog around nine months ago. I have written about my experience as a gay Christian, as part of the first same sex couple to register our civil partnership in a place of worship in the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/05/19/idaho13/

‘He was killed because he loved another boy’ – Why I support LGBT youth

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/03/02/building-on-foundation-for-lgbt-youth/

Are we there yet? – The road to marriage equality

  THE HOUSE of Commons vote in favour of same-sex marriage on Tuesday 5th February was a landmark for equality, but it’s not the end of the journey – As Liverpool prepares to host the UK’s first National Gay Wedding Show next month, this is my personal response to the marriage equality debate, written for the March …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/02/10/are-we-there-yet/

Nine ways to understand yourself and others

HAVE YOU EVER wondered why people are so different? Why they can’t all be like you? Why people don’t understand where you’re coming from or what makes you tick? Welcome to the human race – questions like these have preoccupied us for centuries, and no doubt will for generations to come. There have been many …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/27/nine-ways/

Keeping faith in Pride

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2013/01/25/keeping-faith-in-pride/

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