Manchester Miracles

Last Updated on Friday, 19 February 2010 10:25

A response to the debate on the Equality Bill

We struggle after equality, after a better society. We try to legislate for it. But we’ll never get there on our own. We need God’s help. We need miracles. I believe they happen.

I work in Sedgley Park, at the Police Training School. It’s surrounded by Manchester’s orthodox Jewish community. Large hats and black coats, skull caps and beards are all around me every day. Sometimes it can feel a bit unsettling as I walk to

work, even a wee bit threatening.

But now it’s Friday evening. I’m walking home. People are on the streets, and in large numbers. The Sabbath has begun. En route to the Synagogue, or heading home, groups gather on street corners They chat away. Nobody is driving, no- one’s in a hurry.

Peace has descended. It‘s a holy night; I’m treading on holy ground. A sense of Prayer, a sense of God’s presence, they enter into me. I’ve moved beyond the surfaces (the hats and beards). A warmth wells up inside me towards His people.

We need miracles like that. We need God’s help to take us beyond just tolerating differences (and enshrining that tolerance in legislation). We need miracles to help us positively enjoy those differences, to help us celebrate each other’s lives and cultures. 

For me, another miracle that takes place each year within the City centre. I’ve found moments of unimaginable happiness and delight as I’ve been swept up in the party. I’ve stepped out, I’ve danced, I’ve waved, I’ve sung, I’ve blown my whistle for

all I’m worth. Yes, I’ve walked for five years now in the Police contingent at Manchester Pride.

There’s colour, there’s music all around. There are outlandish outfits, skimpy outfits, pink fire engines, rainbow flags a plenty - and so much sheer joy. The crowds greet us with huge enthusiasm – they’re straight, they’re gay, they’re old, young, thin, fat, fit, disabled, families, couples, singles, white, black, Asian, Chinese, .... they’re (nearly) all there offering their support.

Hoorah! Today, we as a gay community are giving something back to our society – giving something of our quirky culture, with all its colour and exuberance. And in that giving and receiving, there’s a glimpse of what our society could be ... where differences are celebrated, not viewed as a threat, where we sense deep-down that there’s much more that unites us in our common humanity than divides us. Do come

along and cheer this summer!