I love my river walks to work. Each building tells a fascinating story, some tell multiple stories over centuries. Today the castle caught my attention with a pretty bold statement, one that may not have been possible when it was constructed… The same decade the Normans invaded Dublin and the earliest record of the making of Cheddar Cheese.
Thanks Wikipedia.
The castle is currently flying a rainbow flag. This no doubt is in support of the Northern Pride, the largest LGBT festival in the North East of England.
I kept walking but my mind was trying to go back to the 1170’s, the time of construction. If there was a flag to represent the acceptance or pride in the LGBT community, how long before it would be taken down? In the early 1100’s, the Council of London reformed the clergy and prohibited homosexuality.
Thanks Wikipedia.
Newcastle may have been a completely different world to London back then, however with the rainbow flag causing such offence in many 21st Century cultures, I cannot see the two cities having differing tolerances. The castle wasn’t built to defend against homosexuality, but it still fascinates me to look up and see the flag flying. Times change and with that, opinions, awareness and tolerance. Like an abandoned concentration camp being used as a hospital, a previous place of war promoting peace and healing. That kind of transformation can only be a good thing.
I never understood forcing gay people into heterosexual relationships. As I have said before, the last thing I want as a heterosexual male is the little chance I have lowered by increased and unnecessary competition.
Who is great at talking to women? Gay guys. Who is terrible at it?
This guy.
Good write up, as usual. Love the pics, & the flag!
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One day I may have a decent camera to take better pics! How is the situation where you are, any updates?
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Things are looking slightly better, & plans are starting to be put in place for opening the hospital emergency rooms, checking electric power, gas, re-stocking grocery stores, & inspecting all the properties in town. Then we will be told when we can begin going home. It certainly can’t be all at once with 46000 of us evacuated province wide. 10000 alone from our city are here in my son’s city so could you imagine the traffic all trying to go home on 1 highway at the same time? It all has to be organized & we can only go when its safe. We don’t drive, so will go back on the school buses, as we came here. Smoke is still an issue, & 2 fires are still of concern close to our town.
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Yeah I can imagine that many people being a problem on the roads… Well at least when I see you comment I know you’re safe! 🙂
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Yes, we’re fine at our son’s place, & the Red Cross has been fantastic with $225 grocery chits every 5 days, & our son gets $45 per week to house us.
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Awesome! 🙂
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Yes, & we can’t thank everyone enough. I messaged a thanks on Twitter, but I am going to write proper letters when we finally get home, methinks.
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Have you posted about it on WP? I think a story like that should be heard! 🙂
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No I haven’t, although its been on my mind dozens of times to try to put something together.
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You should and let me know if you do, I would love to read it
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It has been quite the experience……
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Ok, I did it! Thanks for the little push.
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