Doctrine or Discrimination? Why the Church of England’s Advice Misses the Heart of the Gospel

In the last week the Church of England has published four substantial papers intended to provide theological, legal, and doctrinal clarity on matters arising from the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process. They cover everything from the nature of doctrine itself (GS Misc 1429), to the doctrine of marriage and the Prayers of Love… Continue reading Doctrine or Discrimination? Why the Church of England’s Advice Misses the Heart of the Gospel

Brown Shirts Around the Corner? Why We Must Confront Britain’s Slide to the Far Right

Yesterday’s scenes in London — tens of thousands rallying behind Tommy Robinson, violent clashes with police, and chants straight from the darkest pages of European history — were not an aberration. They were a symptom of something far more dangerous: a political culture that has normalised far-right populism and is increasingly dancing to its tune.… Continue reading Brown Shirts Around the Corner? Why We Must Confront Britain’s Slide to the Far Right

Trans youth are loved

In the summer of 2024, in the face of open hostility towards trans people and especially trans young people, in the media, social media, and in political life, the Trans Solidarity Alliance invited celebrities, politicians, and the general public to record short videos telling trans young people that they are loved. Here is mine.

Pride in the City 2023

I had the privilege of hosting the reception at Guildhall following the Pride flag raising in June 2023. Here is the speech I gave welcoming the over 200 guests that evening.

The Oxford Union: The Commercialisation of Pride has Done More Harm Than Good

On 1 June 2023, I was invited to speak at The Oxford Union, supporting the motion “This House believes that commercialisation of Pride has done more harm than good”. It also gave me the opportunity to comment robustly on the Union’s decision to platform gender critical academic Kathleen Stock who espoused her transphobic views without… Continue reading The Oxford Union: The Commercialisation of Pride has Done More Harm Than Good

For the sake of diversity, and a great game, it is time to get behind Basketball in Britain

I had the privilege of spending Saturday evening with a packed crowd at London’s Copper Box watching Great Britain take on Greece in an international men’s basketball game. On the basis of their respective world rankings, and the quality of the players (a number of the Greeks are in NBA teams), this should have been… Continue reading For the sake of diversity, and a great game, it is time to get behind Basketball in Britain

Pride in London – Advisory Board report questions organisers approach on diversity

“the current Pride organisers have failed to grasp the importance of diversity, nor of the intersectionalities that many LGBT+ people experience around race, gender, age, disability, and even their sexual orientation and identity”

The LGBT Rainbow Flag will fly above the City of London Guildhall every year from now on! 

The City of London’s governing Court of Common Council agreed on Thursday 20 July to adopt a motion which means that the LGBT Pride Flag, the Rainbow Flag, will fly above the ancient Guildhall every year to mark Pride week in London. In proposing the motion, which was signed by 40 elected Members of the… Continue reading The LGBT Rainbow Flag will fly above the City of London Guildhall every year from now on! 

Diversity Champion: It is time for me to ‘come out’ – I am a Freemason

I like to think of my life as being an open book. Whether it be my membership of the Liberal Democrats (or even that I used to be a Tory), my passion for Rochdale Football Club, or my sexual orientation; it is all out there clearly on public display. I’m even reasonably open that I… Continue reading Diversity Champion: It is time for me to ‘come out’ – I am a Freemason

FA dismissal: Edward Lord will still lead the way in UK sport

Letter of support which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 23 September 2014 following my removal from the FA Inclusion Advisory Board. My thanks go to all those who signed it.  SIR – Having known and worked with Edward Lord, the inclusion adviser dismissed by the Football Association last week, we are surprised by the FA’s… Continue reading FA dismissal: Edward Lord will still lead the way in UK sport