When I was 5-years old and at primary school, my mum bought me my first bike… it was covered in police stickers along with the necessary ‘CHiPs’ highway patrol motorcycle helmet. When I was 15-years old, I wrote in my secondary school Record of Achievement what I wanted to be when I was older… a…
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage – Confucius.
At the end of 2011 having experienced racism and homophobia at work which had made me unwell, I challenged my employer with discrimination at an Employment Tribunal as I felt it was the right thing to do. However, this decision by me to stand up for what I believe in ultimately led to the end…
Two days ago, I watched and listened to the father of Azaria Chamberlain speak about her death and the importance of getting to the truth of things. It really, struck a chord with me. After 32-years of fighting for justice, an Australian Court has now ruled that the baby girl ‘was’ killed by a dingo…
Tomorrow, the government’s consultation about gay marriage ends. It’s been a huge opportunity to make sure that gay and lesbian people, ‘just like me’ are allowed to marry the person they love. They shouldn’t have to do what Alex and I had to, and travel across the Atlantic to Canada to marry. It’s of no…
Today, my good friends at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation whom I have a lot in common with in respect of our goals for true equality (sexuality, race, gender, mental health & marriage) contacted me to say that the media in Manchester wanted to speak to me with regards to Marriage inEquality. The UK Coalition…
It’s hard to believe that, 8-years have passed today since the death of My Mum… Annie Maxwell. I don’t write this post with the intention of being sad, but to celebrate the wonderful life of a beautiful person… a true lady, who lives on within me and her family. She was the greatest, matriarch. It’s…
An American friend of mine, recently sent Alex an article from The New York Times Magazine by Roger Bennett about how the British Press is viewed across the pond. In the issue dedicated to all things in London 2012, it gave its readers advice about how to make a ‘snap judgment’ about those who live…
It came to me before that, all the elected representatives whom I have received support from in My Fight for Justice belong to one party, Labour. I hadn’t thought about it before consciously, but it has shaped my future politics. I then realised that the three politicians who represent my constituency (Council, Assembly and Parliament)…
As I lay me down Heaven hear me now I’m lost without a cause After giving it my all Winter storms have come And darkened my sun After all that I’ve been through Who on earth can I turn to? I look to you, I look to you After all my strength is gone In…
A few weeks ago, I came across an advertisement for an event at UCL (University College London) about Tackling Depression: the number one global health problem. Today, was that event. Having been diagnosed with the reactive illness myself in 2009 as a result of racism and homophobia in the workplace, over time I have become…
I have just finished watching the BBC Panorama documentary, about racism surrounding the forthcoming Euro 2012 games in Poland and the Ukraine. Incidents of racism in the UK at football matches disgusts me, but Polish and Ukrainian hooligans take racism to a whole new level in such a public way. I watched whilst black, Asian…
There’s something in the UK air, about the Eurovision Song Contest being held tonight in Azerbaijan. Despite the controversial Human Rights issues surrounding this year’s host nation, Britain seems determined in having one big party throughout 2012… with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee soon upon us, followed by the London Olympics. Tonight, seems no exception with…
Today, I was informed that the judgment in my recent Employment Tribunal has been appealed and is now to go before an Employment Appeals Tribunal. Before I received the ruling of the lower employment court in February 2012 after a 6-week hearing, I had written a blog about Justice and asked ‘Is there such a…
In London today like the rest of England, Scotland and Wales there are local elections. I was reading recently that it was Mayor Ken Livingstone, who got rid of the old Routemaster buses and brought in the bendy ones. When he got elected, Mayor Boris Johnson got rid of the bendy-buses and has started to…
This week, I found out that I am to receive a medal for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 1952 – 2012. Life is funny, I’ve had my difficulties as a public servant due to my race and sexuality but I am actually quite proud of receiving this as it is for my dedication to public service…