Doctor Who and Diversity

I so love Radio 4 and all that it teaches me – last week there was a disabled comedian on You and Yours (I think) talking about the new series of Doctor Who. I have to admit to never being that keen on Doctor Who – I like a bit of whimsical sci-fi but it always seems a bit low budget and infantile. Perhaps I have missed the trick.

The effect that Doctor Who has had on the comedian featured was profound, and it highlights the importance of role models and the impact they have on our perception of what we can achieve. He explained that Doctor Who was one of the first shows to feature disabled actors – and so he thought ‘hey, if he can do that, then maybe so can I?’. This principle translates all over the place, of course, and the more women we see as leaders in industry, the more out gay politicians, the more black American presidents, the more kids rising from poverty to be high achievers we see – the world will surely be a better place, where anyone can reach for the things they deserve to achieve.

True equality can only flourish where censure and judgement based on prejudice and ignorance is eliminated. Christopher Eccleston was determined that his Doctor value inclusion. “The Doctor is … completely non-judgmental. He accepts everything and everyone, whether they’re black or blue, gay or straight. If he meets an alien, his first reaction is not revulsion, but joy. He celebrates life in all its forms, shades, colours and creeds.”

The Radio 4 page on the original article is here

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A very (un)civil partnership…

Yesterday I attended the civil partnership of some lovely friends in Bristol. I’ve never been to such an event before (well, until a couple of years ago none of us could!) and it got me thinking…

I have a few friends who are gay women, most of whom are in loving, long term relationships. What gay women seem to enjoy is compassion and sensitivity – care, tenderness and thoughtfulness for one another that is less evident in straight relationships. Not that I am saying that straight, and gay male, relationships can’t be sensitive and tender, but it seems less likely to be the case. I was moved by the expressions of love, friendship and support, not only between the couple, but to all their friends who were present. And of course, a raucous good time was had by all, appropriately and joyfully lowering the tone of the classy venue!!!

Despite all of the emotion expressed, and the touching personal vows exchanged, the legal bits of the ceremony seemed to me to be, well, legal – and impersonal. Civil weddings often are, but not to be able to use the word ‘wedding’ and having to replace it with the words ‘register a civil partnership’ just seems a bit mean. That said, as one of the ‘brides’ pointed out, to massive applause from the ‘congregation’, the very fact that we were there celebrating is a triumph for equality and human rights. And my congratulations to the happy couple are huge and heartfelt!

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