On first sight this looks like a lovely commemorative coin – it’s even roughly similar to that of the UK 50 pence piece – but on closer inspection there are so may problems it is hardly believable. It’s supposed to … Continue reading Equal marriage celebrated across the UK, er GB, and Ireland…
The number of homophobic incidents recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland has jumped by 12% in the last year, according to figures released in August. Catríona Ruane MLA, of Sinn Féin, raised the issue of homophobic crime at … Continue reading Homophobic incidents in the North of Ireland up by 12%
Following this afternoon’s vote in the debate on the third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, Christopher Lovell has expressed his disappointment at Tim Farron’s “abstention” today. It seems that Mr Lovell who lives in Leeds, not in Tim’s constituency, feels that because there is no vote recorded by Tim Farron in today’s debate, Tim abstained. I counter that this is not true. Tim did in fact, quite clearly not vote. It has been suggested by Erskine May that there is a procedure in Parliament to register an abstention: voting in both lobbies (Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 23rd edition, 2004, p412).
A House of Commons Briefing Paper, Divisions in the House of Commons, SN/PC/06401 states
If fewer than 40 Members, including the Speaker and the tellers, participate in a division, it does not meet the quorum required. The House then moves on to the next business, and the subject of the division is postponed until the next sitting day. Members who wish to defeat a particular item of business may engineer a division and then stay out of the lobbies, as they can thus render the division inquorate. Continue reading “Disappointed with Tim Farron or Naomi Long? I’m not…”
Florida resident, Eric Ducharme is totally obsessed with mermaids to the point that he pulls on a tail and goes swimming in a natural spring an hour and a half’s drive from his home several times a week. It seems … Continue reading The real life Merman – meet Eric Ducharme
Michael gives the facts and figures from the debate on Human Sexuality at the Church of Ireland’s General Synod in Dublin. Continue reading They voted, but what is the point of it all? The figures from General Synod 2012 @churchofireland #gscoi
Michael wonders what the issue in Sandown Free Presbyterian church was that kept Mr McIlveen from the ‘Hymn or Us’ debate as part of Belfast Pride tonight. Continue reading And so he didn’t turn up…
Michael wonders why Mr David McIlveen of Sandown Free Presbyterian Congregation seems hell bent on protesting at Belfast Pride events when there are other Biblical offences going unchallenged. Continue reading Protest at one, but not at all? Doesn’t seem fair to me, Mr McIlveen
It’s Belfast Pride Festival this week – all over the comments pages to the various news articles that have been covering this event, or rather covering bad reaction to it, we have seen questions as to why we need Belfast Pride at all. Many of my readers will have seen Davey Wavey before. The video below sums up why we need Pride. Thanks Davey Wavey – now let’s hope that some people actually take notice! Related articles 21 facts about Belfast Pride Festival – (therainbowpost.com) Continue reading Why we need Belfast Pride – Davey Wavey tells us why.
With the DUP snubbing yesterday’s Belfast Pride event at Stormont, Michael wonders how long it will be before they come on board on the issue of LGBT rights. Continue reading Politician states Pride is ‘totally repugnant’ – when will the DUP learn?
Belfast Pride Festival 2011 is almost upon us and there is plenty to do in the first weekend. There’s even a short film season this week in the Odeon Cinema Belfast. Michael reminds us of all of this. Continue reading This weekend: come out for a film, a walk, two talk, a lark in the park, and much, much more
Gyronny Herald 