Why gay pride?

I was pleased to see the gay flag (rainbow stripes) flying proudly above Bradford town hall today.

This is because this Saturday 21st May is Bradford pride which starts at 1.30pm at Bradford urban garden near Midland hotel. There will be stalls, a bar & entertainment on the main stage. Corri star Anthony Cotton will also be a guest.

You can find a full programme HERE

Why still have gay pride?

People have asked me what the point of gay pride is & why we bother given that lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people are largely accepted in the UK now.

Even as a gay man I used to think that there was no need for gay pride but there are still lots of young people who are bullied at school & who have to hide their sexuality plus violence against gay men & women is still reported far too often in the UK.

Also over the last few years there has been an increase in gay bullying in schools leading to a number of young people in the US & UK taking their own lives which needless to say is a tragic waste.

My partner is from Malawi in Africa where being gay will land you 13yrs in jail and there are a number of countries where being gay leads to a death sentence - most notably in & closest to home in Iran where they have publicly hanged teenage boys in the street!

Muslim countries more often than not are a bad place to be gay. Under the ridiculous system of sharia law punishment for being gay is death by stoning.

Other countries where you can be murdered just for being what you are include:

Iran
Mauritania
Saudi-Arabia
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
Nigeria (death penalty applies to 12 Northern provinces with Sharia law)

If you want to know how civilised a nation is take a look at how they treat their gay citizens.

Until people learn that being gay cant be taught & that people can no more change their sexuality than left handed people can change the hand they write with intolerance will persist.

Lack of education & religion are the two main causes of such intolerance.

Even if I weren't gay I would champion gay rights as gay rights are just human rights!

If you want to learn more about gay rights or help the fight see Stonewall site or Peter Tatchell's human rights site