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.

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.