Wednesday, 26 April .... Have just been interviewed by a student journalist for a radio show he's producing on how society's attitudes toward gay people have changed.
Indeed, perceptions and tolerance levels have changed - and the media has played a huge role in that. These days, it's not acceptable to 'out' someone through the tabloid press and civil partnership legislation was passed without serious condemnation from leader writers and the Op Ed brigade.
But in Scotland, the debate over the repeal of Clause 2A - the equivalent of Section 28 - created some dreadful copy in our print media. It was discriminatory in the extreme, even though, since its repeal, society hasn't disintegrated into a pit of gay iniquity.
Still, it wasn't too long ago that I was singled out by the NoTW for attending a show which looked at gay dating. It didn't matter that I was on the board of Glasgay! which was producing the performance - but shock, horror, to think that a single gay man who advises the Leader of Glasgow City Council and writes a TV soap opera, might have a gay dating advert .... well, I shudder to think of the repercussions.
Thankfully, the NoTW put me down as being 29-years-old, instead of my 31 years at the time and didn't print the oh, so saucy pics of me standing around in a pair of surf shorts (I know, such depravity).
But it did show, yet again, that someone can be targeted by the media just because of their sexuality.
So has reporting of the LGBT community really changed? Elton John's 'marriage' to long-term partner, David Furnish, made front page news - none more memorably than The Sun's "Elton Takes Furnish Up The Aisle" headline.
Now that there's legislation to protect against discrimination in the provision of goods and services - the next time there's homophobic reporting, we may well be able to take action ....
Thursday 26 April 2007
Tuesday 24 April 2007
An Oral History .... Oooerr!
Tuesday, April 24 ... Just received a letter from Hugo Butts, a mature journalism student who came out to interview me as part of the NUJ's centenary project recording an oral history of the union.
Hugo is an excellent character and I thoroughly enjoyed the interview .... but I'm not sure if I'm cut out to accept his invitation to join a "non-denominational church made up of people of our age" .... As a very lapsed Catholic, once described as a perversion by our former Cardinal, the Bold Tam Winning, I think I'll stick to a life of debauchery.
However, thanks for the invite Hugo .... and if you do want more info click on Glasgow Church
Hugo is an excellent character and I thoroughly enjoyed the interview .... but I'm not sure if I'm cut out to accept his invitation to join a "non-denominational church made up of people of our age" .... As a very lapsed Catholic, once described as a perversion by our former Cardinal, the Bold Tam Winning, I think I'll stick to a life of debauchery.
However, thanks for the invite Hugo .... and if you do want more info click on Glasgow Church
Monday 23 April 2007
Six weeks on, still no news
Monday, 23 April 2007 .... Strange day, all told. I spent the first four hours showing Andrew Neil around one of Glasgow's best performaing secondary schools for a piece he was doing for the Daily Politics.
St Andrew's Secondary - no, not a reference to the man who once described the NUJ as nothing more than a gnat on the bottom of a hippopotamous, before the same gnat won huge concessions from the management of The Scotsman - got glowing reports from school inspectors.
Despite the occasional fixture and readjustment of his hair, Andrew seemed suitably impressed by the semi-eponymous school .... In the heart of the East End of Glasgow, one of the most deprived parts of the UK, it's hard not to be impressed by a school which offers kids the opportunity to beat poverty. I grew up in the East End, during the worst excesses of Thatcher's '80s and I was fortunate to have a good education. Here's hoping Andrew doesn't play the achievements of a Glasgow school as a failure of the state system.
Back to the office and a quick stop for a sandwich before getting soaked on the way up to Queen Margaret's Drive and the BBC's, soon to be defunct, Scottish headquarters.
It was sobering to think that about 6 weeks before, almost to the minute, as we were going about our normal business, Alan Johnston, the BBC's Gaza Correspondent was going about his, anticipating coming home to Scotland after a three-year long posting, when he was taken.
Well, today we postponed going about our normal business to come together, pause for a moment and reflect on the fate of our colleague. Alan's sister, Katriona, showed as much dignity as her family has shown throughout, joining friends and colleagues at the vigil.
The NUJ is something of a dysfunctional family, but in times of crisis, it pulls together, providing support and offering a shoulder. With Alan, journalists are showing solidarity - whether union members or not - for one of their own .... and not only here, but across the UK, Ireland, Europe and, particularly, in Palestine where the support has been unprecedented.
It was a proud and humbling moment to share a platform with Katriona and look out on the faces of more than 150 journalists from across the BBC. It was extremely gratifying to see the strength that provided to Alan's sister and her family.
Let's do everything we can to ensure that we continue to put the pressure on to ensure Alan's safe and swift return home ... click here for more http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6584459.stm
St Andrew's Secondary - no, not a reference to the man who once described the NUJ as nothing more than a gnat on the bottom of a hippopotamous, before the same gnat won huge concessions from the management of The Scotsman - got glowing reports from school inspectors.
Despite the occasional fixture and readjustment of his hair, Andrew seemed suitably impressed by the semi-eponymous school .... In the heart of the East End of Glasgow, one of the most deprived parts of the UK, it's hard not to be impressed by a school which offers kids the opportunity to beat poverty. I grew up in the East End, during the worst excesses of Thatcher's '80s and I was fortunate to have a good education. Here's hoping Andrew doesn't play the achievements of a Glasgow school as a failure of the state system.
Back to the office and a quick stop for a sandwich before getting soaked on the way up to Queen Margaret's Drive and the BBC's, soon to be defunct, Scottish headquarters.
It was sobering to think that about 6 weeks before, almost to the minute, as we were going about our normal business, Alan Johnston, the BBC's Gaza Correspondent was going about his, anticipating coming home to Scotland after a three-year long posting, when he was taken.
Well, today we postponed going about our normal business to come together, pause for a moment and reflect on the fate of our colleague. Alan's sister, Katriona, showed as much dignity as her family has shown throughout, joining friends and colleagues at the vigil.
The NUJ is something of a dysfunctional family, but in times of crisis, it pulls together, providing support and offering a shoulder. With Alan, journalists are showing solidarity - whether union members or not - for one of their own .... and not only here, but across the UK, Ireland, Europe and, particularly, in Palestine where the support has been unprecedented.
It was a proud and humbling moment to share a platform with Katriona and look out on the faces of more than 150 journalists from across the BBC. It was extremely gratifying to see the strength that provided to Alan's sister and her family.
Let's do everything we can to ensure that we continue to put the pressure on to ensure Alan's safe and swift return home ... click here for more http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6584459.stm
Boycott? What boycott?
Thursday, 18 April 2007 .... There has been a massive response to one decision taken by ADM, whereby NUJ delegates voted to boycott Israeli goods.
The coverage has been extensive and at times, vitriolic in the extreme. I have reported for The Scotsman in the West Bank and Gaza - see http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=112442003 - and it was one of the most humbling experiences I've had as a journalist.
I was shot at on three occasions (forcing me back to the dreaded cigarettes, I had so valiantly attempted to give up), detained for hours at checkpoints before being allowed to proceed with the "have a nice day in Israel" refrain and amazed at the open air prison I encountered in Gaza.
However, I would never, ever call for or support a motion which called for the NUJ to endorse a boycott of Israeli goods. Our union is fiercely democratic and independent - and as part of those structures, delegates to our annual meeting can submit motions of concern and take an opinion on those.
In this case, the motion was carried by a small majority - it was not supported by the union's ruling executive, the NEC, of which I am a member. Also, the General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, has since subjected to intense and unwarranted criticism. For the record, Jeremy has no vote at neither the NEC nor conference.
This motion is not criticising our journalistic colleagues, either in Israel or Palestine - but expressing many people's concern over the lack of progress in resolving a key issue in moving forward peace in the Middle East.
For me, ADM was about moving forward our industrial agenda - fighting against low pay, redundancies, massive profiteering from fat cat employers, pensions, equality, leading the debate on digital convergence and battling to maintain quality journalism ....
The vast majority of motions were in relation to industrial issues faced by journalists - and most certainly not about where they should source their jaffa oranges ...
The coverage has been extensive and at times, vitriolic in the extreme. I have reported for The Scotsman in the West Bank and Gaza - see http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=112442003 - and it was one of the most humbling experiences I've had as a journalist.
I was shot at on three occasions (forcing me back to the dreaded cigarettes, I had so valiantly attempted to give up), detained for hours at checkpoints before being allowed to proceed with the "have a nice day in Israel" refrain and amazed at the open air prison I encountered in Gaza.
However, I would never, ever call for or support a motion which called for the NUJ to endorse a boycott of Israeli goods. Our union is fiercely democratic and independent - and as part of those structures, delegates to our annual meeting can submit motions of concern and take an opinion on those.
In this case, the motion was carried by a small majority - it was not supported by the union's ruling executive, the NEC, of which I am a member. Also, the General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, has since subjected to intense and unwarranted criticism. For the record, Jeremy has no vote at neither the NEC nor conference.
This motion is not criticising our journalistic colleagues, either in Israel or Palestine - but expressing many people's concern over the lack of progress in resolving a key issue in moving forward peace in the Middle East.
For me, ADM was about moving forward our industrial agenda - fighting against low pay, redundancies, massive profiteering from fat cat employers, pensions, equality, leading the debate on digital convergence and battling to maintain quality journalism ....
The vast majority of motions were in relation to industrial issues faced by journalists - and most certainly not about where they should source their jaffa oranges ...
Heading Home
Sunday, 15 April 2007 (about 8pm) ... We had an eventful journey back from ADM and one which was typically tired and fraught with conflicting emotion.
As there was some debate about when ADM might finish, our flight back was the last of the day (8.35pm) - and at a cost of less than £50 we shouldn't really complain that it was delayed. But tired and drawn, the last thing you want is a jokey pilot .... Apparently, the flight was almost scrapped due to a dodgy light bulb .... The helpful and oh, ever so hilarious pilot, told us that because it was hanging 30ft in the air, he couldn't "change it himself" ...
But none of us were laughing as we heard various reports that our colleagues Alan Johnston, the BBC Correspondent abducted in Gaza, may have been murdered by an extremist Palastinian group.
After very emotional calls for his immediate release at ADM it came as something of a blow to recieve distressing text messages. We all checked e-mails and news for updates, but as has been much the case since Alan's abduction, verifying facts is next to impossible.
With no confirmation, the only thing to do was wait and hope ...
As there was some debate about when ADM might finish, our flight back was the last of the day (8.35pm) - and at a cost of less than £50 we shouldn't really complain that it was delayed. But tired and drawn, the last thing you want is a jokey pilot .... Apparently, the flight was almost scrapped due to a dodgy light bulb .... The helpful and oh, ever so hilarious pilot, told us that because it was hanging 30ft in the air, he couldn't "change it himself" ...
But none of us were laughing as we heard various reports that our colleagues Alan Johnston, the BBC Correspondent abducted in Gaza, may have been murdered by an extremist Palastinian group.
After very emotional calls for his immediate release at ADM it came as something of a blow to recieve distressing text messages. We all checked e-mails and news for updates, but as has been much the case since Alan's abduction, verifying facts is next to impossible.
With no confirmation, the only thing to do was wait and hope ...
ADM best foot forward
Sunday, 15 April 2007 - lunchtime has been and gone and we've survived yet another year .... My first priority is to provide every support I can for the union's new President, Michelle Stanistreet.
In accepting the position, Michelle addressed conference and spoke of the pressures faced by many working journalists today - namely finding a balance between work and home life. The NUJ is a union which is led by its members. The outgoing President, Chris Morley, did an outstanding job across the union, while retaining his job as Industrial Correspondent on the Birmingham Post.
But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'd weighed up the potential pressures of getting even more involved with the union and the time commitments that will bring. Don't get me wrong, I'm deeply honoured to have been elected VP .... and hope to be an advocate for journalists and journalism across the union and wider society.
At the age of 32, with a huge mortgage and a day job that I thoroughly enjoy, I'd love to think that I could enjoy a sabbatical - but I don't think that even my employers (as excellent as they are) would be very agreeable.
So with that, I know that I'll have to manage my time as best I can - save holiday and time in lieu for what I absolutely believe will be one of the most fulfilling 12 months of my life.
My mother didn't quite take it that way. She was proud, but when I told her that it was unlikely that I could take her on holiday this year (as I have always done) because of my new commitments, she deftly replied: "Aye, well they can f*cking unelect you then, can't they?"
It seems I have my dependents as well ....
In accepting the position, Michelle addressed conference and spoke of the pressures faced by many working journalists today - namely finding a balance between work and home life. The NUJ is a union which is led by its members. The outgoing President, Chris Morley, did an outstanding job across the union, while retaining his job as Industrial Correspondent on the Birmingham Post.
But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'd weighed up the potential pressures of getting even more involved with the union and the time commitments that will bring. Don't get me wrong, I'm deeply honoured to have been elected VP .... and hope to be an advocate for journalists and journalism across the union and wider society.
At the age of 32, with a huge mortgage and a day job that I thoroughly enjoy, I'd love to think that I could enjoy a sabbatical - but I don't think that even my employers (as excellent as they are) would be very agreeable.
So with that, I know that I'll have to manage my time as best I can - save holiday and time in lieu for what I absolutely believe will be one of the most fulfilling 12 months of my life.
My mother didn't quite take it that way. She was proud, but when I told her that it was unlikely that I could take her on holiday this year (as I have always done) because of my new commitments, she deftly replied: "Aye, well they can f*cking unelect you then, can't they?"
It seems I have my dependents as well ....
Surviving the NUJ's ADM
Sunday morning, 15 April 2007 - After getting to bed at oh, something ridiculous o'clock, it was time to drag myself out of bed and prepare for the last day of the National Union of Journalist's Annual Delegate Meeting.
It was a big day for me after a lengthy week (well, almost) at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham. I was due to be confirmed elected at the NUJ's Vice President.
First decision was to start this blog, so that anyone can see what I've been up to and comment as they wish (all helpful additions appreciated, others taken on advisement!!!) .... As you can see, I haven't had a blog before, so bear with me please ...
It was a big day for me after a lengthy week (well, almost) at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham. I was due to be confirmed elected at the NUJ's Vice President.
First decision was to start this blog, so that anyone can see what I've been up to and comment as they wish (all helpful additions appreciated, others taken on advisement!!!) .... As you can see, I haven't had a blog before, so bear with me please ...
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