Preparations proceed apace!

Preparations proceed apace for our two upcoming events: the regional Human Rights and Equality event in Derby a week today and Choice Unlimited at Leicester Tigers two weeks later.

First task this morning, writing a press release for the Derby date. This is for print media in Derby and Derbyshire as well as BBC Radio Derby. From the insider's point of view, the big draw in Derby is our securing Shami Chakrarbarti as keynote speaker. We need to be able to highlight that, while acknowledging that she's not so well know to the general reader. As a compromise, we're putting at the foot of the press release that this is a bit of a coup for us, that it's a bit of a coup for Derby and that media outlets would do well to turn up and cover the event and try to get an interview with her.

Kelly and I spend an hour or so working on the seminar that we'll be presenting at Derby next week, looking at the current debate initiated by the Coalition government about withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rgihts and the creation of a UK Bill of Rights.

I've a meeting with Jo Tallack, General manager at Highcross Leicester this lunchtime, to discuss how their Multi-Faith Prayer Room has fared since it was opened for public use at the end of November last year. While there, I show her the posters and fliers for Choice Unlimited. WE also review the exhibition in Highcross during Inter Faith Week 2011 and discuss the possibility of introducing some new elements for the same event later this year. Jo takes a poster for the community and charities notice board and a clutch of fliers to put on the information desk. Canon Barry Naylor and Julie-Ann Heath are in that meeting and I tell them that I'll be bringing down posters and fliers to St martin's House in the next couple of days. Just before that meeting,we bump into Sarah Harrison, Director of the LE1 city centre team, give her a flier and say I'll email her an electronic version of the flier ASAP.

I've given Jo the fliers that I was intending to take to the SACRE meeting at Soar Valley Community College later this afternoon so I make my way back to LCIL for more. while I'm there, we get a call from Harish Mandalia at Leicester City Council's Social Inclusion Team, which leads to me visiting their base at the Mett Centre at Lee Circle half an hour later with fliers and posters for Choice Unlimited. I've met Harish at a  number of events over the years, but haven;t put the name with the face. Similarly, I've often heard of the Mett Centre but didn't know where it is until today.

After this, I'm off to SACRE, where I'm given a few minutes at the end of the meeting to speak about choice Unlimited and distribute fliers to attendees.

We are winning the fight against anti-gay army

This article appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

We are winning the fight against anti-gay army

I've received a number of communications from readers of the Derby Telegraph expressing concern over three critical responses to my letter "Archbishop of York out of touch with modern thinking" (February 8) "Hit back!" they urge, "don't let them get away with it".

I say to your readers, take heart.

Regarding same-sex marriage, we are winning the battle.

Leaders of the three main political parties are on our side. A majority of MPs, reflecting two thirds of the population, wish to see civil gay marriage enshrined in law. It will happen.

It was expected that correspondents like Nigel Tilly ("Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins", February 14) twist my comparison with 1960s racism and 21st century homophobia. On the other hand, I was surprised Colin Clark ("Archbishop of York is best person for job", February 14) descended to making two inappropriate references about my mother.

In similar low taste, Ray Jordan ("What goes on in your home should stay there", March 5) is "sick and tired of reading about you and your lifestyle". Mr Jordan reminds me of Rod Clulow's letter of last year under the heading – "Frequent letters will not affect views of the majority".

Wrong! Thanks to sustained campaigning from LGBT people, Mr Clulow's majority is now the minority. Debate is necessary and desirable for educating the ignorant and is important in keeping gay issues in the public arena.

To all people disposed to join the chorus against my efforts, I'd make two points: you belong to an ever diminishing army in retreat and your immoderate letters say more about you than they do about me.

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper

Gay couples should have right to marry

This Op-Ed piece appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Gay couples should have right to marry

David Cameron's proposal to legalise same-sex marriage has been criticised by Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, and now also by controversial East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer.

Cardinal O'Brien makes a number of arguments to support his view on the grounds of religion and tradition. And he argues that the logical extension of accepting same-sex marriage is polygamous marriage between varying numbers of men and women.

Picking up on this observation, Mr Helmer asks: "If two men have a right to marry, how can we deny the same right to two siblings? Are we to authorise incest?"

The answer to this ridiculous remark is that it is up to society to define the limits of the law on marriage and one would imagine that it is unlikely to sanction incest.

Just because the concept of marriage may be extended to same-sex unions does not mean that chaos reigns and anything goes.

What is being proposed is not to tear up the institution of marriage but to extend its definition in order to better reflect the more tolerant age in which we now live.

The idea that marriage can only ever be the union of a man and a woman is not a fixed concept which is part of some sort of mystical natural law.

While we understand that it is an article of religious faith for some people, that is not the case for many others who will feel that society should be able to change its definition just like any other institution or law.

Indeed, it is a tribute to the concept of marriage that many same-sex couples wish to be able to make this commitment to one another.

If they were only worried about having a legally recognised relationship then the existing civil partnership law would be sufficient.

However, they clearly value marriage as something more than that and the fact that they want to make this commitment surely strengthens the institution.

We fully support David Cameron's proposals on this subject. Allowing same-sex couples to marry would do no harm to anybody and would remove a manifest inequality.

"If we allow gay men to marry, why not siblings?"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

"If we allow gay men to marry, why not siblings?"

Controversial Euro MP Roger Helmer has criticised moves to legalise gay marriage, saying: "If two men have a right to marry, how can we deny the same right to two siblings?"

Civil partnerships have been available under UK law since 2004 and give two people the same rights as marriage. However, the two processes are technically different.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that he wants to legalise gay marriage in the UK, but Britain's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, said the move would go against "natural law".

On his blog yesterday, Mr Helmer, who lives in Ashby Magna and represents the East Midlands, wrote: "Cardinal O'Brien makes the point, quite reasonably, that once you start to tamper with the institution of marriage, you get into some very murky water indeed.

"If two men can be married, why not three men? Or a two men and a woman? He could have gone further. Why not a commune? If two men have a right to marry, how can we deny the same right to two siblings? Are we to authorise incest?"

Responding to Cardinal O'Brien's claim that plans to legalise gay marriage were "a grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right", Mr Helmer wrote: "Brilliant. I wish I'd thought of the phrase. Perhaps he ought to be a politician."

It comes just a few days after Mr Helmer defected from the Conservatives to join the UK Independence Party, saying that David Cameron was "too left wing".

However, his comments on gay marriage immediately came in for criticism.

Canon Barry Naylor, urban canon at Leicester Cathedral, said: "Comments like that are clearly intended to be offensive.

"I rarely agree with what David Cameron has to say, but I believe his proposal to legalise same-sex marriage would actually strengthen the institution of marriage, rather than weaken it."

Peter Adams, 65, who lives in Leicester city centre, and works with gay and lesbian people in the area, said: "Mr Helmer's comments are ridiculous. It's such an unintelligent remark to make that you can't give it any credence. There's no logical step between same-sex marriage and incest."

When asked by the Mercury whether his comments were offensive, Mr Helmer said: "I don't think so. I've nothing against homosexuals, they can do what they like.

"But marriage has been recognised for thousands of years as a bond as being between a man and a woman. It's the best environment in which to raise children."

The Very Rev Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester, said: "Our position is quite clear; the Church recognises arrangements made by the state for two people of the same sex to be in a civil partnership.

"However, the Church itself only recognises marriage as between a man and woman exclusively.

"The only way to change this is through the General Synod of the Church of England.

"However, a debate on this issue has not been scheduled yet."

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Marriages and civil partnerships

Legally, civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters such as inheritance tax.

However a same-sex couple who have had a civil partnership cannot currently claim to be married.

Campaigners, such as Peter Tatchell, say that having a two-tier system for recognising the partnership between two people is a form of “apartheid”.

The Government could overhaul the law on marriage itself, allowing same-sex couples to have civil weddings and declare themselves “married”, rather than simply in a civil partnership.

Any proposal to introduce same-sex marriages would refer to civil marriages, in register offices and other licensed venues, rather than church weddings.

No church or religious group could be forced to host a civil partnership ceremony against their will under the Equality Act.

"What goes on in your home should stay there"

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

"What goes on in your home should stay there"

With regard to the letters from Nigel Tilly ("Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins") and Colin Clark ("Archbishop of York is best person for job") (Telegraph, February 14), I couldn't agree more with their opinions on Narvel Annable's remarks about Dr Sentamu's background and oblique reference to his colour.

Also, I couldn't care less about what you and your partner get up to in your own home but don't keep trying to justify it in the media.

I am sick and tired of reading about you and your lifestyle. Give it a rest, please.

Ray Jordan

Marlborough DriveBelper

Big Society: The Good, The Bad & The Unequal

At the Midland Hotel, Bradford, today for Big Society: The Good,The Bad & The Unequal. This national conference is hosted by JUSTWest Yorkshire and is jointly sponsored by them, Runnymede Trust, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

We're welcomed by Ratna Lachman, Chief Exec of JUST West Yorkshire and Maureen Grant from Joseph Rowntree charitable Trust, who set the tone for the rest of the day. The conference focuses on four main areas:

• What does "fairness" mean in the context of Big Society?
• Can Big Society deliver racial justice?
• Does Big Society privilege the South over the North?
• Is Big Society a cover for big cuts?

This event also marks the publication of a new book (with the same title as the conference), to help inform discourse regarding Big Society, to interrogate Big Society agenda, particularly as it affects VCS organisations, practitioners and service users. The book provides systematic, intelligent critique, provides an alternate narrative rather than one of grudging acquiescence and makes no bones about the necessity of speaking truth to power.

There are three plenary presentations (all of which you can access, faithful reader, by clicking on the title below):

• Anna Coote (New Economics Foundation): Fairness and Equality in the Big Society
• Ed Cox (Institute of Public Policy Research): Two Geographies Divided by One Big Society
• Rob Berkeley (Runnymede Trust): The Colour of Big Society

After lunch, we also see a young people's video presentation on Big Society.

This is a very different affair from the conference I attended in London a month ago (see blog, Monday 30 January). That one was led by organisations who've obtained contracts and funding to deliver Big Society initiatives and projects, with speakers addressing many in the audience from organisations threatened by the Coalition's austerity regime - as well as by the plain and simple fact that those making decisions about development of the Voluntary and Community Sector just don't "get it". There was an undercurrent of anger and resentment at that event. It would be true to say that here, there's no undercurrent. Quite the opposite: it's more of a rallying cry. From a straw poll, I reckon I'm the only one who attended both conferences - and take it from me, there's quite a difference between the two!

Archbishop of York is best person for job

This article appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Archbishop of York is best person for job

SO, frequent correspondent Narvel Annable thinks the Archbishop of York is out of touch with modern thinking.

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he? Narvel has never replied to my letter recently when I asked him to explain the link in genetics which caused people to be born homosexual. He didn't respond because there is no link.

Homosexuality is a choice and it is not surprising that his mother was upset by her son's way of life.

Now he has the audacity to castigate the Archbishop of York for condemning same-sex marriages. This would surely make his mother extremely ashamed of him?

I do not think it matters that the archbishop is Ugandan, neither does it matter that he was invited rather than elected into his position in the Church of England. What matters is that he is the best person for the job irrespective of race, class or creed.

Narvel may be appalled that the Archbishop is taking a stance against same-sex marriage but he is just as entitled to his opinion as Narvel is to his chosen way of life.

It is obvious that Narvel is far from comfortable with his selected lifestyle, otherwise he wouldn't spend so much time trying to justify it.

Colin Clark

Oakover Drive

Allestree

Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Try to judge a man by his views and not his origins

I have no desire to enter into debate with Narvel Annable ("Archbishop out of touch with modern thinking", Letters, February 8) because I know from his previous letters that he is unable to understand anyone who offers any view of sexual ethics which is different to his own.

I, for one, was pleased to hear Dr Sentamu's recent comments on marriage as being an institution which can only be rightly entered into by persons of the opposite sex.

Whatever arrangements might be accepted in this country to recognise gay relationships, "same sex marriage" is an oxymoron.What concerned me most about Mr Narvel's letter was his reference to Dr Sentamu as "an unelected African".

This indicates to me that his attitude to someone's origin is less liberal than his attitude to their views on sexual relationships.

I am very pleased that the Church of England has an Archbishop who not only speaks out but also does it as someone with a background very much different from that of all of his predecessors.

Please can we agree or disagree with Dr Sentamu on the basis of what he says and not on the basis of his country of origin?

Nigel Tilly

Palm Close

Littleover

Archbishop out of touch with modern thinking

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Archbishop out of touch with modern thinking

Dr John Sentamu has condemned the Government over its plans to legalise same-sex civil marriage. As Peter Tatchell said: "The Archbishop of York's demand to preserve the tradition and history of marriage is similar to the arguments that were past used by the church to justify slavery, colonialism and the denial of votes for women. His stance brings shame and dishonour to the Church of England."

I find it appalling that, of all people, an unelected African should be telling the elected PM of this country to discriminate against gay people who wish to enter into a loving, same-sex civil marriage which is now approved by two-thirds of the population. These proposals to ensure marriage equality for all couples are for register offices only.

Dr Sentamu's recent homophobic outburst shows him intolerant and out of touch with modern thinking. Dismissing my 2006 civil partnership to Terry Durand as a mere 'friendship' is insulting to our 35- year union.

This bigoted Archbishop wants to preserve the status quo. He wants lesbians and gay men to remain inferior to the heterosexual majority.

Before advocating discrimination he would do well to reflect on the bravery of those protesters who, indirectly, made it possible for an African to become the Archbishop of York.

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper

Human Rights seminar in Mansfield

At Mansfield Community & Voluntary Service this morning, delivering the third in a series of seminars for the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) on the Human Rights Act 1998.

Strictly speaking, the part on the Human Rights Act is delivered by Chino Cabon from The Race Equality Centre (TREC), while I present a Beginners Guide to REDP.

The purpose of these seminars is to help Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations appreciate the relevance of the Human Rights Act 1998 to their mission, to understand its relationship to equality and diversity issues, as well enabling them to take part in the current debate about the UK withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and replacing it with a new UK Bill of Rights. These topics will feature prominently in REDP's next regional event, in Derby, 22 March.

Gathered in Community House this morning are eight people, representing  four  VCS organisations and one public authority service provider (spot the out one out):

• Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service
• Disability Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living
• Enable Housing, Care & Support Group
• Peak District Volunteering Advancement
• Rethink

This was a good meeting, a positive experience for (we hope) all who took part. It certainly was for Chino and me, although the fact that we got involved in a crash at the roundabout outside Glenfield Hospital on the outskirts of Leicester rather took the shine off things at the end. Ouch!