Categories: sexuality
Date: 02 August 2010 14:02:59
So the Indie on Sunday printed it's 10th Pink List on Sunday. Number one were Gareth Thomas (Welsh rugby Player) and Mary Portas (aka Mary Queen of Shops). Rabbi Lionel Blue came in at 74 (dropping down from 54); Jeffrey John was a new entry at 91, Rev. Scott Rennie was at 96 (down from 88 last year) and Rabbi Sheila Shulman was a late new entry at 99.
I have to admit when I saw an accompanying article, (which I can't find), asking whether the list was necessary any longer I was asking myself the same question. I mean can't we just accept we have equality and move on? Is the list getting the gay community labelled as different in the same way women sometimes are, in a way which focuses on them as "other" rather than just another strand of the same?
But then I thought about it. What this list reflects is that in some spheres equality has been gained and their are an abundance of role models, (business, entertainment and politics), yet in others areas there is still discrimination and fear. Homophobic bullying is still an issue, which is why Stonewall had their poster campaign last year. Just last week I was looking for an alternative word for engagement so as not to offend anybody. On one hand many people in our society just don't care and will live and let live and on the other a minority of people have a level of prejudice which a serious impact on others lives.
On a personal note something that I am coming to realise is that under the current regulations of the Connexion I will not be able to have a blessing following a civil partnership in church. I will be able to request a minister to say prayers privately according to the info I have found on the Connexion website, but then that opens the question....what do the regulations mean by privately. Can we have a religious blessing with friends present, just not on church premesis without compromising anybody by asking? These are all things I guess will need to be explored....unless in the next couple of years Conference passess updated resolutions. (Um, if anybody knows what the situation is please could they let me know...I have been avoiding becoming involved in Outcome because of my adversion to "rainbow flag waving groups" and so don't know what's what, exactly).