2013-05-25T20:08:20-04:00 Simon C. Johnson http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=simon-c-johnson Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Simon C. Johnson Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2301008 2012-12-14T19:00:00-05:00 2013-02-13T05:12:01-05:00

Simon C. Johnson http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simon-c-johnson/
Petty you might say, yes - but consider the laughable statements against same-sex marriage or those who have made sweeping statements on behalf of gay men and women. We supposedly do not want equal marriage and did you know that same-sex marriage will pave the way for polygamy?




I have to wonder if those who said, and those who have risen to these ridiculous statements want to encourage rational discussion and debate or if they're grabbing headlines and column inches for their own profile. And with same-sex marriage proposals now made public I'm worried that those same voices are quick to dismiss the advances of equality the proposals lay out.

A 'hear, hear' for David Cameron - those plans should be celebrated by the gay community, but I have a feeling the most militant of us won't be cosying up to the Conservative party just yet. But can we take a step back and acknowledge that equality can't happen overnight? It should, but it takes time and railroading of individuals or institutions will, in the long run, require much more earth moving to dig their heels out.

Whilst I'm not in favour of voting on equality, I support Cameron's free vote. As I've already mentioned, it's been mistaken by some backbench Tories as license to demonstrate intolerance and out of touch views of a Party that introduced Section 28 banning schools and councils from recognising the LGBT community - and those views will certainly be used against any Party or person in upcoming elections.

Maria Miller has only recently changed her tune from suggesting that we, the gay community, would have "locks" placed on our "freedom" - reworded to "legal locks" - to protect and appease the Church. Confusing statements coming from the minister whose remit is to promote equality and freedom. Is she really on our side?

So, I say it's time to take a break and "celebrate not discriminate" as shadow equalities minister Yvette Cooper rightly said. For those who have been vocal against gay marriage to now support or simply accept the view of the majority of the House of Commons and that of the British people who are broadly in favour of same-sex marriage. And for those questioning whatever motivation David Cameron might have in pledging to legalise same-sex marriage, the fact is, he's doing it and with that equality wins.

The mariachi band was canned. I hope same-sex marriages won't be.

Photo (c) Laura Macarto]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1470027 2012-05-02T19:00:00-04:00 2012-07-02T05:12:13-04:00

Simon C. Johnson http://www.huffingtonpost.com/simon-c-johnson/
With the years of endured bullying at secondary school long behind me, I'd almost forgotten that bullying wasn't buried at my school. Amongst the sport, the stage productions and field trips, bullying was and still is infectious across classrooms. Spreading from the top, right down to unsuspecting first years - and recently fuelled by the Catholic Education Service issuing 'guidance' on inequality to over 350 state-funded Catholic Schools.

Why I ticked the Christian box in 2011's census is almost beyond me. I'm not a religious person and never bought into my Sunday school teaching that an omnipresent being created the universe. The BBC does a better job of explaining evolution, but what I do believe in are values that are supposedly at the heart of religion or any modern day society; love, respect, tolerance, honesty and forgiveness.

The Catholic Education Service and the secondary school involved in this scandalous behavior, now being investigated by the Education Secretary Michael Gove, seem to have conveniently forgotten their own values and responsibilities to each and every one of their students regardless of sexuality or belief.

By not presenting a balanced view of the debate on equal marriage, perhaps violating the Equality Act, they encourage intolerance and continue the cycle of bullying in the classroom that spills onto the school bus, backstage at assembly and kicked about the football pitch. The only sanctuary being at home, a solution I was all too familiar with. Stonewall's 2007 'School Report' uncovered almost two thirds (65%) of young lesbian, gay and bisexual students have experienced bullying. Attend a faith school and there's only a twenty five percent chance you won't.

The Financial Services Authority assess banks as to their 'fit and proper-ness' to hold credit licenses and Ofcom is investigating BSkyB as a 'fit and proper' owner of a broadcast license. Tax funded St Philomena Catholic High School and all state-funded schools should be judged (not particularly Christian of me) on their 'fit and proper' bullying and equality policies. No state-funded, or any school for that matter, should be preaching inequality and empowering bullies to do so - particularly when those schools are bankrolled by us.]]>