I am not at my best in large crowds, which is probably why I have always supported etc etc, but today I was, in general, happy to be part of a large crowd. It was Bristol’s annual PRIDE celebration.
I grew up at a time when no one was gay. Everyone was straight until the bloody liberal society turned half the country gay. Or possibly not. The reality is that being gay is not a new thing, it’s just that those of us who aren’t gay – well, most of us, anyway – aren’t bothered about it. But hang on: that’s not true either. I am bothered about it. I want everyone, regardless of colour, sex, sexuality and all the other stuff to be treated and regarded as equal. Which is why I got a bit involved in a police arrest today.
This may still be sub judice so I have to be careful what I say but suffice to say that a serious homophobic incident took place on Bristol City Centre and I stayed with the arresting (off duty) police officer and alleged miscreants until uniformed officers turned up. I know that I am not the world’s strongest man, and I am certainly not brave, but I didn’t have any fear as things kicked off. If he wanted to attack me, then he could have done. Christ – he was probably young enough to be my grandson. But you have to do what’s right, don’t you, otherwise, what’s the point in having principles in the first place?
The police were magnificent, as to my mind they usually are. They dealt with an unpleasant incident swiftly, compassionately and above all professionally.
I shouldn’t have mentioned this one minor incident really because I saw little else that offended me. A couple of idiots behaving like, well, idiots, compared with thousands of people celebrating being themselves, including me. And I am SO straight, oh yes. Don’t worry about that.
At least I am consistent. Yesterday, I was in the same area with my son and launched into a volley of abuse towards a newspaper seller from the rape-apologists of the SWP. Again, they were young, oh-so-middle class and could have punched my lights out in an instant but again I wasn’t scared of them, even though perhaps I should have been. I suspect I am getting more intolerant to intolerance as I get older.
Above all, I hate extremists. Far left, far right, homophobic, racist – I can’t stand any of you. Donald Trump, Jeremy Corbyn, Nigel Farage, Ken Loach, Paul Golding and Mark Serwotka – two sides of the same coin.
I’m proud tonight because I stood up for what I believe to be right. I don’t deserve extra respect and I am not angling for compliments because I didn’t do anything that required pre-thought. For all I know, you might hate me for opposing homophobia or revolutionary socialism. You’re probably younger, fitter and stronger than I am and I’d surely lose in a fist fight. But I’ll keep arguing, retaining that few principles I have left and that’s not enough, then do your worst. I’m not compromising.
