Rainbow Map

Back in May the European arm of ILGA published their annual Rainbow Map, which ranks countries according to how safe they are for LGBTQ+ citizens in Europe. This year Spain took the top spot, which last year was held by Malta. Shockingly the UK fell to 22nd place. 

It is not good for the UK to be languishing in 22nd place, when just over 10 years ago we were number 1 on the rainbow map. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community I am very concerned about the UK’s fall in the rankings and am beginning to think that the UK, is heading in the direction of not being a safe place for the LGBTQ community. 

The key reasons I think this are:

1. Homophobia / Biphobia / Transphobia is on the rise
2. Transgender rights are slowly being erased, and Transgendered people are being told that they have to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex they were born as, rather than the one they feel comfortable in
3. Conversion therapy / practices have not been banned
4. Some local councils, particularly those run by the Reform Party are forcing the councils they control etc to stop support pride and pride marches etc. 

It’s tine that the UK started to ensure that 

1. LGBTQ+ rights are protected
2. that conversion therapy is banned
3. that transgendered people are shouted to use the bathroom of their choice, not one that they have been told they have to use.
4. Educates people that homophobia / bi phobia / transphobia is wrong. 
5. Not go back to being a country where being a member of the LGBTQ+ community means you have to hide the fact you are a part of it for fear of being attacked etc.

It concerns me that some political parties, such as Reform are telling the councils they run, not to 

1. Support local pride events and marches
2. Stop displaying pride flags
3. Promote pride month, , LGBTQ+ books etc, in libraries 

This is wrong, and local councillors, whilst entitled to their opinions should not be able to order councils to cease involvement in pride marches etc. as I am beginning to wonder, if some of the councillors making the decision have anti LGBT+ views, and therefore think that perhaps they hould not be allowed to let those views inform their role as a councillor, and if needs be abstain from any vote on the issue, as they might not vote in am impartial way. I think if libraries want to show their support for pride, it should be the libraries choice choice rather than the choice of their local councillors, and the same goes for attendance at pride marches. 

 

I think that the government needs to make it clear to all councils, that the Progress Pride flag, and any other LGBTQ flags etc. such as the transgender pride flag can be flown, and that the Reform party's policy of only allowing the Union Jack, Flag of St George and the councils flag to be flown is not acceptable, not compatible with life in modern Britain. 

So if you are able to please show your support for LGBTQ+ rights by:

1. Attending a local pride event, if you can
2. Writing to your local councillors and MP, asking them to show support for LGBTQ+ rights 
3. If you are an ally to the community, let your LGBTQ+ friends and work colleagues know you support them. 

The more support the LGBTQ+ community get, the stronger its voice will be, we want the world to know we are here and will not be marginalised or have our hard fought rights taken away from us. Pride is protest and pride marches are needed more than ever today

Rainbow Laces Campaign

 

As some of you will know, especially those who read this blog,  I wear Rainbow Laces in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign by Stonewall, to show that the LGBTQ Community can participate in sport, exercise etc.giving them the feeling like they belong, and are not an outsider. 

For a while now I have been thinking about how I can show my support at work for the campaign, when it would net be professional of me to wear rainbow coloured laces in my work shoes. Fortunately Stonewall have come up with the answer, and alongside the the rainbow coloured laces they also sell white and black laces, that come complete with a  charm, in the colours of the rainbow pride flag, and either the Stonewall icon, or Stonewall and the Stonewall icon on them. 

This is a brilliant idea and allows me to show my support for the Rainbow Laces campaign, while still wearing black laces in my work shoes,, along with a discreet Rainbow Laces charm, that does not stand out as much as multi-coloured Rainbow Laces.

I’m hoping that by wearing these laces, at work, along with a Progress Pride Flag pin badge,  I’m showing the world that

1. I’m part of the LGBTQ community
2. It’s ok to be a member of the LGBTQ community

I’m hoping that the more people that wear Rainbow Laces, especially during sport, the better, as this will show the world that you are welcome, belong here and that they support inclusion.  

Pride Month 2025 Watch Strap

Bought the new 2025 #pridemonth2025 watch band from Apple. A brilliant design that showcases the individuality of everyone in the #lgbtq community.

What I really like about the strap, is that each strap is assembled by hand from individual strips of vibrant colour, thus making each strap unique as none of the bands, have the strips of colour in exactly the same place. 

It is brilliant to see Apple support Pride Month by creating a new Apple Watch band each year, along with iPhone and iPad wallpapers, when more and more companies are stopping their support of Pride Month & the LGBTQ community thanks to Donal Trump dismantling Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies. 

What I would like to see Apple do next year for pride, is create a new sport loop band along with a Nike pride band & watch face as well, as they have not had new designs for either of these since 2022.  It is also good  to see that Apple are still selling the last versions of the pride Sport Loop  and the Braided Solo Loop bands, giving their customers chance to have a pride strap in their favourite type of watch band, as not everyone likes to wear the fluoroelastomer sport bands.

Keep up the good work Apple, and keep supporting the LGBT Community, it's appreciated!

 

I'm a Gay Asthmatic

As regular readers of this blog will know, I am a gay male who is an out & proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. What you will likely not know is that I am an asthmatic. I am writing this blog entry, to highlight something that really annoys me as an asthmatic - NHS prescription charges.

In England where I live, anyone who is over the age of 18, has to pay for their prescriptions, unless they are exempt, for example they are claiming benefits, they are over 65, they are on job seekers allowance etc. In England you pay for your prescriptions when you go an collect them from your nominated pharmacy. This costs £9.90 per medication and it can soon add up, especially if your an asthmatic who needs 2-3 inhalers per month, as this would end up costing you £200 plus a year. You can get an NHS pre-payment card for your prescriptions, but even though that will save you money, your still paying for your prescriptions

Whilst I don't have a problem paying for my prescriptions, I find it unfair that Asthmatics, who need inhalers to keep them healthy, have to pay for their prescriptions, yet people who have diabetes, get their prescriptions for diabetes medication that, like Asthmatics, they need to take every day completely free.  This I feel is very unfair for Asthmatics, as like diabetics we need to take inhales regularly to keep our lungs healthy, and where people have really bad Asthma, stay alive etc.

Asthmatics need to be given free prescriptions, for several reasons, including:

• Some can't afford the prescription charges
• Some  don't use their inhalers as prescribed to try and make them last longer
• It's unfair that people with other long term conditions get free prescriptions

 What do you think?

Chichester Pride

On the 24th May I went to my first pride event of the year, one I had not been to before,, Chichester Pride. This is a new pride event that has been going for the last four years, and I thought as it is more local to me than Reading or Pride in Surrey, it would be a good one to participate in.

It was really fantastic to be able to take part in the pride parade, as it marched through the city from Priory Park to Chichester College,  via North Street, The Market Cross and West Street, and brilliant to see members of the public show their support for the LGBTQ+ community while we were marching. Upon arrival at Chichester College, it was great to listen to speeches celebrating the community, in particular the trans community, which is under threat from the recent supreme court ruling.

Once the parade had finished it was time to enter the pride festival in the college grounds, and I have to say it was well worth the £12 admission fee. The entertainment was brilliant, including local drag queen acts, including Cherry Liquor, star of RuPaul's Drag Rae UK, Kitty Scott-Claus,  tribute acts including Lady Gaga & George Michael, plus local performers including Brighton Gay Men's Chorus.

I had such a good time, yesterday, that I am planning to go again in 2026. If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, I would recommend that  you go along to your local pride parade, and show the world that you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, or if your are an ally, especially with the ruling from the supreme court affecting the trans community, show the world that you support the LGBTQ+ community. 

Pride Parades & Events

 

It was great to go to the Pride in Surrey parade and event yesterday in Guildford. Apart from the wet weather during the parade, it was a great march and event.

I think it would be really good if, where possible, more people that attended the pride event, took part in the pride parade. I respect that for some people this may be difficult, due to perhaps a disability or not being comfortable marching in a pride parade. I believe the pride parade is the most important part of the day and joining in a pride parade, in my opinion, shows:

• Lets people know we exist
• Strength in numbers
• How large the LGBTQ+ community is
• Lets the people watching the march, know that your a visible member of the LGBTQ+ community, or an Ally
• Shows people you are not scared of showing people your true colours

It was really great to march through Guildford high street yesterday, in the pouring rain to Stoke Park, just as it was great to march through Reading, and let those watching the parades that the  LGBTQ+ community is here, and not disappearing. It's fantastic that in the UK we can hold pride events, without fear of being persecuted etc.

What I also think would encourage people to take part in the pride parade is priority entry to the pride event, after the march. This happened at Pride in Surrey, and I wish this happened at Reading Pride. 

For me, like a lot of people

• Pride is a protest, and always has been
  
• Showing the world that we exist, and are not prepared to hide in the closet
  
• We want the same rights as ordinary heterosexual people
• We want to be treated like normal human beings
• Showing the world we stand together as a community to protect the whole community, including our trans siblings 

If you are not a member of the LGTBQ+ community that does not stop you from going to a pride event, go along and be an Ally (supporter) to the community

Proud To Be Gay

Today I added another pin badge to my man bag,  as I have been wanting for a while to find a pin badge that expresses the fact I am proud to be gay. I feel it is important to let the world know, that not only am I gay, but proud of it as well. 

We Are Stonewall

Recently I added another new pin badge to my man bag, to show my support for the LGBTQ rights charity Stonewall, and that the Transgender community is as much a a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Queer community etc.
 

No LGB Without T

 

 

I have recently added a new pin badge to my man bag, because I believe strongly in the fact that the LGBT+ Community is not complete with out the T. I also want to visibly show members of the LGBTQ+ community this as well so that they know that I am not one of those who does not accept the T as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Joe Mcelderry - L.O.V.E

  

I've been listening to this great new uplifting track from Joe McElderry called L.O.V.E. and the message of the video, "be who you wanna be" really speaks to me as a member of the LGBTQ+ community because it reminds me that I can be who I want to be, and that there is nothing wrong with being a gay male. What I also like is that the video and song can be enjoyed by everyone, not just members of the LGBTQ+ community

I really hope that this track gets plenty of airtime, and becomes an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, as I think it is a great track that deserves to become one of the classic gay anthems.

Homophobia

Recently my boyfriend and I where traveling on a train, and when we got on the train we were subject to some unacceptable verbal homophobic abuse from some younger people already sitting on the train.

In this day and age I believe that homophobia, along with bi-phobia and transphobia is completely unacceptable in this country and I think the time has come that the government needs to take a stand and make it clear that this is unacceptable behaviour. In my opinion it is time that:

1. Every pupil in secondary school is taught about the LGBTQ+ community, and that homo / bi / transphobia is not acceptable in modern society, thus paving the way for them to understand some people are different, and there is nothing wrong with that.
   
2. Every person living in the UK understands that there are members of the LGBTQ+ community living all over the country and that, regardless of what they think of gay people etc. they should show tolerance, as members of the LGBTQ+ community show tolerance to those that hate them etc.
3. Homo / bi / transphobia needs to be eradicated, and if a homo / bi / transphobia crime has been committed, a proper punishment needs to be dealt out by the relevant authorities, rather than it being brushed under the carpet as an unimportant crime.
   

In modern society I believe that we ALL need to get along with each other and show tolerance towards everyone, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation etc. Everyone living in the UK should have the right to live in the way they want to, as long as it's not breaking any laws etc.

It is time that the government:

1. Enacted a law banning LGBTQ+ conversion practices etc. This needs to be done without delay and include all parts of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgendered people.
   
2. Ensured all publicly funded secondary schools are teaching about LGBTQ+ rights etc as requited by the national curriculum. No publicly funded school should refuse to teach LGBTQ+ rights just because it's against their religion, or parents don't want it taught etc.
   
3. Made sure that LGBTQ+ hate crimes were properly investigated and if the person committing the crime gets punished, is given a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the crime and makes it clear that LGBTQ+ hate crime is unaccepatble
   

I long for the day when members of the LGBTQ+ community can go about their daily business without living in fear of being attacked, hold hands with their loved one in public and live in a world where they are accepted for who they are etc.

Hand in Hand

Had a fantastic day in Brighton on Sunday with my boyfriend. It was great being able to walk around the city holding hands together without anyone batting an eyelid, It's great that the city of Brighton is so welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

I long for the day when no matter where we are in the UK me & my boyfriend can walk around holding hands together, without fear of homophobia! The time has come for this country to accept that some people in this country are part of the LGBTQ+ community, & to treat them just a they would like to be treated themselves.

I Am a Gay Christian

 

 

As some of you will know I am a christian, and I have recently added the pin badge, shown above,, to my man bag, to let people know that I am an an a christian who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This badge replaces another christian cross pin badge, that unfortunately became detached from my man bag. I thought I would use this blog post to let you know where my current christian journey is.

I consider myself to be a Church of England Anglican christian, and am really pleased that as a result Living in Love and Faith process. the General Synod voted to allow the blessing of same sex couples within the Church of England. I am however concerned that groups within the Church of England such as the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) are against the idea of same sex blessing, and do not want to have anything to do with it.  As far as I am concerned Jesus welcomed all to sit and eat at his table, and to me that includes all LGBTQ+ identifying Christians. I think that if you do not agree with same sex blessings all you need to say as a Church of England vicar Is tat I don't offer them in my church, but speak to Reverend X at Y church as they do same sex blessings in their church.

Currently I no longer attend church, as I have been taking a break for the last few years from one I had attended for over 16 years, partly due  I'm beginning to wonder about going back to church, but feeling that if I do, I need to find one that accepts that I am a gay christian, and I am not sure in the church I was in for 16+ years, would do so. 

For the future I hope that LGBTQ+ christians the world over will be accepted as valued members of all denominations of the church, be allowed to be themselves, and be able to get married in church.

You Are Safe With Me

 

Yesterday I purchased a new pin badge for my ManBag, from the Pride Hub run by Pride in Surrey I bought this because I felt that, with the rise in Transphobia, Bi-Phobia & Homophobia, I needed to show other members of the LGBTQ Community that I am a member of the community, who accepts all members, and no matter whether you are Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender or Queer you are safe around me, and that I'm not intent on causing you harm.

It is a shame that there are some groups out there that claim to be a part of the LGBTQ community yet, are intent on erasing the T (Transgender) & other parts of the LGBTQ community as they feel there is no such thing as a transgendered person, or someone who was born male or female and who does not identify as such. As far as I am concerned there is no LGB without the T, and other parts of the community such as Intersex, Non Binary and Asexual etc. I think it's important the world knows this. 

My hope for the future is that no matter what part of the LGBTQ+ Community you are from, you will be able to feel safe, respected and a part of modern society, regardless of what others think of you. I also hope that members of the community who feel that other parts of the community, should be erased, begin to realise that they they are making a mistake, and start to accept everyone in the community.

Apple Pride iPhone Cases

I'm an owner of an Apple Watch, and I think it is great that each year Apple make Pride watch straps for it, along with Pride watch faces. I think this years strap incorporating all the colours of the Progress Pride Flag is brilliant, as is the face. It's great that Apple are supporting Pride and making a donation to LGBTQ+ charities.

What I would love to see from Apple is Pride iPhone cases, along with a matching Pride wallpaper, as I think it would be a great way for those who don't own an Apple Watch to show their pride, and for those that do, to have a matching phone case. 

So Apple if your reading this, I think making iPhone cases and matching Pride wallpaper would be a great idea, and show the world that even if you don't have an Apple Watch, you can show your pride with an iPhone case.

My Pronouns

 

F

 

 

Pronouns are used a lot in the LGBTQ+ world  as a way of telling people how you would like to be addressed, they are used are part of someones identity and for some people are an important part of their identity,  so for those of you who don't already know my pronouns are He / Him. If you prefer, you can call me by name as well.

Pride Month 2022

 June is LGBTQ Pride Month, and I would like to wish you all a  Happy Pride Month! Be proud of who you are & remember everyone is awesome and Love is Love

 I Take Pride by:

• Being a proud member of the LGBTQ community
• Wearing my Pride & LGBT pin badges along with my Rainbow Laces 
• Being a Gay Christian
• Being who I am.
  

New Pin Badges

I've just added 2 more pin badges to my "man bag". First up we have the Progress Pride flag

 

This flag has been designed to incorporate the existing pride flag, and include brown & black stripes to represent people of colour, and white, pink & baby blue to include transgendered people who are represented by the trans flag. I proudly display this badge to show I am a member of the LGBT+ community, and that LGB includes the T.

Secondly we have the Gay Male or MLM Pride Flag

 

 

 

This flag was designed to represent the Gay Male /  MLM (Men Loving Men) segment of the LGBT+ community. This flag is not very well known, but since discovering it, and learning about it,  I use it to show the world that I am a gay male within the LGBT+ community.

 

LGBT Rights

Having recently seen all the press around the banning of conversion therapy for all LGBT+ individuals, I thought I would share how I am now, 19 months from my last blog post,  showing my support for LGBT+ rights.

I use a "man bag" and on the strap that is visible on the front I have 3 pin badges Each one has a meaning and I'll explain each one below.

Pride Roundel 

I use this to show the world that I am gay and take pride in who I am.

Come out for LGBT.

This is to show my continuing support for LGBT rights and Acceptance, and Stonewalls Come Out For LGBT. campaign.

Rainbow Laces

I wear Rainbow Laces and badge to show that I want to make sport everybody's game, rather than just a game for normal people.

Conversion Therapy Ban

I also believe there is no LGB without the T and fully support Stonewall's campaign calling for Conversion Therapy to be banned. In our modern society it should be made illegal, and when the government introduce a ban it should include Transgendered people as well as Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals.

Support for Stonewall & LGBT Rights

‪Recently I have made a couple of purchases from Stonewall in order to show my support for 2 of their campaigns.

So pleased that by wearing Rainbow Laces from Stonewall I’m supporting their Come Out Active for LGBT equality in sport campaign

Also by adding a Stonewall Come Out For LGBT pin badge to the others on my “man bag”  I’m showing my support for LGBT rights & acceptance.

I think it is very important now more than ever in light of recent events involving the LGBT community of which I’m a part off to show that I proudly support LGBT rights and acceptance along with equality in sport. It should not matter whether you are gay or straight, you should be accepted for who you are.

You may have also noticed a non gay pin badge at the bottom of those on my "man bag". This is a Clan Macintosh pin badge, to show that as a Ritchie I'm a part of  the Scottish Macintosh clan, an important part of my heritage.

If you would like to know what the other badges on my "man bag" mean to me have a look at this post.