Letters from Narvel Annable  

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph and Nottingham Evening Post on November 10^th 2011

Remember Rose, a great champion of young gays

As we approach November 11^th, spare a thought for Rose Robertson who died last August, age 94. She was a secret agent in Nazi-occupied France, a member of the Special Operations Executive suffering trauma and had great difficulty talking about her wartime experiences.

However, she did reveal an incident which occurred in 1941. Billeted with two young male French Resistance agents, Rose entered their room and discovered them in an embrace. She knew nothing of homosexuality, was curious and horrified to hear of family prejudice and rejection. Their story affected her deeply. She was shocked that ignorant parents could be so heartless to their gay children.

In the years after the war, Rose set out to learn more about people like me. She met distressed gay teens damaged by self-hate from religious groups chanting biblical passages with a homophobic interpretation. She met parents – like Mr and Mrs Annable – who were variously distraught, angry, guilty, ashamed and hostile towards their children’s ‘perversion’.

In 1965 she formed the Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays – FFLAG – which seeks to mediate between parents and kids in an effort to find understanding, acceptance and reconciliation.

Rose was an effective campaigner, an enlightened heterosexual with a conscience impressing people who had been wary of supporting teenagers of same-sex attraction. Gradually, police, local authorities, irate mums and dads began to trust this reassuring middle-aged figure with her family orientated approach.

It all comes too late for Narvel. My parents are dead. To the best of my knowledge, I have one sister living in the USA. We have not spoken since 1963. Could Rose have made a difference?

Narvel Annable

Printed with a photograph of Sepp Blatter in the Nottingham Evening Post, November 22^nd, 2011 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph, November 25^th, 2011

Handshake is never enough / Handshake does not deal with the causes of prejudice

The recent controversy over racism in football, hinged on the significance of a handshake. This put me in mind of a parallel incident when I was approached by two Mormons. They assured me that I was loved by God but my homosexuality was unnatural and unacceptable. I counted with the fact that my sexuality and the host body were one and the same. We came as a package. We could not be separated. Several minutes of heated negotiations ended, as always in these cases, in stalemate.

One of them suggested that we should agree to disagree and offered me his hand. I refused. I explained that accepting such a gesture would condone centuries of ignorance and bigotry. I argued against being a party to religious prejudice. A handshake would not deal with the root cause of the problem which is called homophobia. When the Mormons renounce and apologise for their medieval beliefs and cruel conduct, at that point, I will gladly shake a Mormon hand.

Homophobes and racists should look to the example of Sepp Blatter who gave a fulsome and gracious apology when made aware of his hurtful comments.

Narvel Annable

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post on October 21^st 2011 and in the Derby Telegraph on October 22^nd 2011.

Nick’s homophobic view shows he’s in a time warp

In 1998, I was delighted when Nick Seaton of the Campaign for Real Education included my book Heanor Schooldays in his list of ‘Recommended Publications’. Thirteen years on, I am now embarrassed by that praise.

On BBC 1’s Sunday Morning Live, 16.10.11, he held forth on ‘moral and family values’ criticising teachers who, in sex education lessons, inform their pupils about same-sex attraction in a ‘non-judgemental way’. He said teaching that homosexuality was OK will ‘destroy society’.

Had it not been for a speedy intervention from the author, historian and playwright Francis Beckett, this outburst of appalling ignorance and homophobia would have gone unchallenged.

It should be remembered that schools are now required by law to represent homosexuality in the same positive light as heterosexuality. In other words, being gay is quite normal for people born with same-sex attraction and homophobia is illegal and unacceptable in just the same way as racism.

Mr Seaton is living in a time warp when the schoolmaster condemned gay people as immoral, wicked and sinful at worse – sick, abnormal and disordered at best. As in my own schooldays in Heanor, LGBT children of the 1950s, afflicted with self hate, hid inside of themselves and drifted into a secret world of fear and insecurity.

Narvel Annable

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph and the Nottingham Evening Post on November 3^rd 2011

The ghost that walks

‘The Commonwealth is a comic-book phantom of international organisations. It is the ghost that walks.’

This savage criticism was written by Greg Sheridan, the Foreign Editor of The Western Australian to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on October 30^th 2011.

Such a ferocious attack on a loose association of 54 countries is hardly surprising. In the teeth of a clear commitment from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, to ‘tolerance, respect and understanding in matters of sexual orientation’: it is a disgrace that 36 member states continue to treat same-sex relations as a serious criminal offence. Every day gay people suffer vilification and punishment inflicted by cruel laws dating from colonial days.

On BBC TV, 30.10.11, Andrew Marr reminded the Prime Minister that people have looked to this conference to take a hard line with the homophobic nations in Africa. He gave the example of Uganda where homosexuals are routinely targeted with threats, violence and endure sentences of up to ten years in brutal prisons.

Thank you, Mr Marr. And I’m grateful to Mr Cameron for confirming that British foreign aid will be withheld from countries who continue to persecute their gay citizens.

Narvel Annable

 

Printed in the Harrogate Advertiser December 2^nd 2011

Always a good place for men to come out

Further to Vicky Carr’s review of my book Secret Summer, May 6^th 2011, here is a comment on your item of November 18^th 2011 – Sexism row erupts over Turkish Baths.

I take issue with the Borough Council spokesman who said that gentleman only sessions have a traditional low attendance. Wrong. During the 1960s and 1970s when I visited the Royal Baths on numerous occasions, it was full of men – gay men! In those secretive dark and dangerous homophobic days, the luxurious Turkish Baths were an ideal meeting place for those of us who share same sex attraction. It was a comfortable and safe venue for nondrinking homosexuals like me who hate pubs and noisy clubs. Completely relaxed, we could chat over a pot of tea and something nice to eat in a civilised atmosphere. Nostalgic memories recall a warm place to make friends under the splendour of medieval Moorish alcoves in what could have been a Cecil B DeMille set for the Palace of Saladin.

As with the Derby Turkish Baths which closed in the late 1980s, it is not an exaggeration to say that 90% of the men would be gay or bisexual. In general, we were invisible. Our conduct was very discreet and great care was taken not to offend any of the heterosexual 10%.

Here in the 21^st century, younger gay men are not prepared to be as quiescent or fearful as the past generation. They refuse to tiptoe around disapproving bigots and prefer to spend their pink pounds at new gay saunas which have opened up around the UK.

Narvel Annable

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post on January 25^th 2012

I have been criticised for comparing Gay Rights with the 1960s Civil Rights movement in the USA. Accordingly, in Nottinghamshire’s February / March 2012 edition of Queer Bulletin I was delighted to read the words of Coretta King –

‘Dr Martin Luther King would be a champion of gay rights if he were alive. Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Georgia and St. Augustine, Florida, and in many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own. I salute their contribution.

‘Homophobia is like racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanise a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimise the next minority group’

On this day [20.01.12] of all days when the news from Derby Crown Court sends a powerful message to all homophobes who threaten violence against the gay community, I am proud to have made a decision to major in African American History at Eastern Michigan University at a time when the Detroit race riots were tearing that city apart.

I thank Coretta King for her encouraging words and am grateful for the good work of Bayard Rustin, a gay African American who was the organisational ‘mastermind’ behind much of the Civil Rights movement’s work.

Narvel Annable 

Printed in The Independent on August 23^rd 2011

Printed in the Derby Telegraph and the Nottingham Evening Post on August 29^th 2011

 I thought that the Equality and Human Rights Commission protected gay people from bigotry, prejudice and discrimination?  If so, why is this tax payer-funded organization supporting four cases which are to appear before the European Court of Human Rights to allow anti-gay workers to avoid serving gay men and lesbians?  In other words, some bigoted people of faith are seeking permission to break the law of this land.

I’m appalled!  It gets worse!  Christian fundamentalists are lobbying Members of Parliament to back this blatant homophobia.  So far, thirteen members have already signed a motion.  Quite rightly, there would be outrage if a similar motion was proposed to victimise Jews or Muslims.

Christians of African ancestry who hold ‘deep and sincere views’ like Lillian Ladele, Eunice and Owen Johns would do well to remember two important facts.  Men like me were born with same-sex attraction.  As with race, it can never be changed – not even with electric aversion therapy which was offered to my partner Terry in 1976 to ‘cure’ him of his homosexuality.  Here in the 21^st century, we must be eternally vigilant and resist all attempts to return to a primitive, medieval mindset.

In work and public service, orthodox Christians, Catholics and others who think they occupy the moral high-ground are asking for the right to turn back the clock and discriminate against the LGBT community.  They should hang their heads in shame.

 Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post June 9^th 2011

Printed in the Derby Telegraph June 11^th 2011 

Courageous inmate sets an excellent example 

Richard was 15 when first ‘sent down’.   He was beaten to a pulp because he was gay.  Eleven years on, he has become hard and strong.  I’d like to pay tribute to this courageous inmate who, behind bars, has set up a support group for gay men.  That would be brave and difficult anywhere but, infinitely more so, serving time at Her Majesty’s Pleasure at HMP Armley in Leeds. 

Richard came to my attention in BENT Magazine when he made a plea for books and magazines to better inform the inmates in his group who have, on a daily basis, endured appalling suffering, a target for prison bullies.  Some are not strong.  Some do self harm, some do worse and some have joined his group seeking solidarity, education and self-respect no longer tolerating insults like puff, queer or batty man.

Richard does not ask for sympathy.  He asks for practical help for those who need to look out for each other and meet for discussion and mutual support.  As part of that process, here we have an excellent example of leadership and rehabilitation.  This prisoner knows his stuff!  His letters impress me with a finely honed critical intelligence, a grasp of material relating to LGBT issues, probing questions and capable responses.

He was quite right to remind me that the Editor of BENT and Armley’s Senior Diversity Officer should be apportioned due credit for the establishment and success of that group.  Such good work is a team effort and things can only improve when we all pull together.

Most of all, Richard’s world of the inside strikes a chord with my own life experience on the outside.  It was (and for many still is) a repressed world where gay men, effectively, existed as outlaws dodging disapproval, violent thugs and the dreaded plain clothes policeman.

Narvel Annable.

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post May 18^th 2011

Time for royals to approve

Forty years ago, I would have criticised the Republican backlash to the recent royal wedding.  Pining for the Derbyshire hills, I displayed a photograph of The Queen in my Detroit home and longed for all things British.  The mystique of Monarchy has become celebrity culture and soap opera.

Perhaps the better informed out-and-proud 65-year-old of 2011 has lost the innocence of the ignorant closeted 24-year-old, as I was, back in 1970.  Peter Tatchell said –

‘Never in Queen Elizabeth’s 58-year reign has she ever acknowledge the existence of the gay community.  Had she treated blacks or Asians in the same way, she’d be denounced as a racist.’

Her Majesty is the head of state for the homosexual minority just as much as for the heterosexual majority, yet she banned gay palace employees from bringing their partners to staff events until the human rights group OutRage! protested.  Responding to a complaint about ‘too many homosexuals in the palace’, the Queen Mother was heard to say – ‘Yes, but if we dismissed them all, who will look after us?’

As yet, I am not able to take that irrevocable step and join the call for a Republic.  I’m hopeful for improvements for those who share same-sex attraction from a future sovereign.  We have seen encouraging indications.  Recently, gay activists have been honoured with an MBE and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have gay friends - albeit never publicly acknowledged.

The US has its first black President.  I look forward to a UK where Royals do not have to hide behind sham marriages and where it is possible to be an openly gay king or an openly lesbian queen.

 Narvel Annable.

Printed in the May 2011 edition of Midlands Zone Magazine

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post on April 4^th 2011

Printed in the Derby Telegraph on April 15^th 2011

Homophobic interpretation of the Bible leads to gay pain and suffering

Responding to the national furore over Mr and Mrs Johns the homophobic Pentecostal foster parents, Alan Walker from Stanley Common in Derbyshire (the village of my birth) said that ‘unless you are gay, you do not command any respect’.  He is ‘sick and tired of the coverage they get on TV and in the papers’. 

I sincerely wish the LGBT community did, indeed, command more respect.  I wish it was not necessary to continually fight our corner in the media.  Mr Walker goes on to say that he has ‘nothing against gay people’.  However, his homophobic interpretation of the Bible gives licence to gay bashers who hang around gay venues looking to enjoy their Saturday night sport.  

Many youngsters, who share same-sex attraction, fearing abuse or violence, are afraid to go near these places and continue to be lonely.  Mr Walker has no such problem.  He will be able to enter and leave his church without any threat of humiliation.  Due to his intolerant religious doctrine, many older gay people are also lonely and reclusive, isolated by the ignorance and prejudice of homophobic relatives.

At long last, the Equality and Diversity efforts of Derby City Council are trying to undo centuries of emotional damage inflicted upon a vulnerable minority.  Before the election, Nick Clegg proposed that all schools should be required to teach that homosexuality is normal and OK.  Some are doing just that.

I agree with Mr Walker when he says ‘enough is enough’!  If all gay people ‘stood up to be counted’ they, like Christians, would ‘gain the respect they deserve’.

 Narvel Annable.

 

Printed in the Worksop Guardian May 5^th 2011

Let’s combat homophobia

I was delighted to read the feature [March 11^th] about ‘Worksop Out on Wednesday’ celebrating its first birthday party at the Abbey Community Centre on February 16^th.

I salute the management and volunteers of Centre Place.  They have been supporting young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people for more than a year.  This is evidence of good organisation, dedication and hard work from an excellent team who provide activities and counselling for young people who are coming to terms with their sexuality;

Having taught history for 17 years at the Valley Comprehensive School [1978-1995] - I am well acquainted with prejudice against homosexuality in Worksop and Bassetlaw.

This splendid event you described, full of fun and jubilation, came into sharp focus when a profound silence descended.  In that heartrending interval, we heard from brave and articulate youngsters who had suffered appalling problems.  We walked in their shoes, endured the harsh realities, the trials and tribulations of homosexual life and felt their pain.  We were reminded that human unhappiness has effects far beyond the individual.  It reaches out to touch the lives of everyone.

Centre Place is one of the most successful groups of its type.  These skilled specialists run an excellent service.  They rescue modern youngsters from the anxiety and shame inflicted by a cruel and ignorant heterosexual majority.

True - there has been progress.  However, even today, 41% of gay pupils get beaten up and are six times more likely to commit suicide.  The Samaritans have described this as a ‘national scandal’.  Accordingly, we should all pull together to combat homophobia.

Narvel Annable

Narvel Annable was invited to address Worksop Out on Wednesday on April 27^th 2011.  He entertained the group by reading extracts from Secret Summer appropriately edited for a young audience.  

Three readings gave the boys and girls ample opportunity to ask questions, exchange views and comment on a variety of LGBT issues.

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph April 21^st 2011

Neighbourhood will miss this much-loved feline

The purr of a cat is the most soothing sound you’ll ever hear.  Over the last 12 years, I have been calmed and comforted on a regular basis by the purr of Sooty - the delight of Dovedale Crescent, always greeting us with unconditional affection.

Up at the front window sill, she signals a demand for admission coupled with a welcome interruption to work.  A quick cuddle, my face buried in that thick, lush, ebony fur, is followed by a brief reconnaissance of each room including a visit to my partner Terry, enhancing the quality of both our days.

Never outstaying her welcome, this friendly feline returns to my window with a goodbye meow asking for exit.

I wouldn’t compose a letter about any cat.  Sooty is different.  Over the years she has ran up (yes, ran up) to greet local children – many of them now grown up.  Such a character, such a pleasant demeanour owes much to the kind nature of the good people who have cared for her over the last 12 years.

Recently, kindly; Sooty’s ‘mummy’ came to my door to share dreadful news.  Sadly, I will never hear that purr again.

The keyboard before me swims with tears.  I mourn the passing of an affectionate pussy cat, loved by neighbours, popular with passing children. 

Good night, Sooty; sleep well, fondly remembered friend.

 

Printed in the Harrogate Advertiser May 20^th 2011

 Cameo will honour Big Bill memory

Thank you for reviewing my autobiographic novel – Secret Summer in the Weekend Book Club 06.05.11. 

As Vicky Carr said, the last chapters are set in the Old Swan Hotel where I met an obese American gentleman who, in 1966, was in permanent residence.  Called Big Bill Bulman in the book; his real name was Bill Silvey - an anglophile with a love of Harrogate’s beauty and charm, often expressing his feelings in a roaring Deep South accent.  Some of your older readers will remember this colourful character.  He wrote me letters raving about the crocuses which were - ‘as big as tulips!’

 In an effort to reduce his great weight, Bill was also resident on a daily basis in the Harrogate Royal Baths where he would return a standard riposte to any comment about his size with – ‘I’m a landmark in these parts!’

Some time towards the late 1980s, I was surprised to hear that he still lived in Harrogate at 34 Swinton Court.  The sad news of his death came shortly afterwards and I wanted to honour his memory with a cameo in Secret Summer.

As with so many gay men who were born in the early years of the 20^th century, rabid homophobia caused Bill to suffer a repressed and secretive life telling very little about himself.  Accordingly, if any of your readers have any information about this kind and gentle man, I should be grateful to hear from them.

 Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Ripley & Heanor News April 28^th 2011

Tugging at the Memories

 Regarding your Memory Lane Tug-of-War feature 17.03.11 at Howitt Secondary Modern School in Heanor: it was an emotional surge to recognise myself as one of the ‘heave ho’ team members.

 One of the best summers any of us could remember: 1959 was the happiest year of my life.  As described in Lost Lad, after four miserable years suffering the Dickensian cruelty of Mundy Street Boys School, Narvel had been reinvented, rechristened as ‘Dobba’ and welcomed into a culture of kindness by the good people you picture such as Peter Lambert and Valerie Billet, the Captains of Dale House.

Fifth in that line, I was probably the weakest puller, yet Dale House won!  Just months before, my self esteem was zero.  Look closely at that photograph.  With good reason, you’ll see me smiling and tugging for joy. 

For the first time in my life, here was an experience of true camaraderie: the joy of being respected and valued, pulling along with such leading lights, powerful hunks as [right to left] Peter Lambert, David (Rocky) Martin, Geoffrey Wilton and (Ricca) Ratcliffe.  The boy behind me, face obscured, is John Lavender.  More than half a century on, I send them greetings and sincere gratitude.

 Narvel Annable (Dobba)

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph, February 23^rd 2011

Gay marriage row has echoes of segregation

On the Andrew Marr programme – BBC1, 13.02.11 – the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu was asked about new proposals for gay marriage. Dr Sentamu said he had no problem with religions allowing the marriage of LGBT people. However, with regard to ceremonies under the auspices of the Church of England, he made his disapproval quite clear.

He said churches should have the right to marry couples of the same sex, but those rights should not be imposed upon Anglicans and Catholics who choose not to marry homosexuals.

Back in the 1950s when segregation was commonplace, this same view was taken by owners and managers of ‘white only’ American lunch counters.

“Negroes have their own ‘all black’ lunch counters. Why should they make such a nuisance of themselves by invading our eating places? Why should their rights infringe our rights?

I recall these voice-overs on American TV. We were horrified by the sight of ignorant racists squirting ketchup over the heads of brave African Americans suffering appalling humiliation.

Before advocating discrimination against the LGBT community, John Sentamu would do well to reflect on the bravery of those protesters who, indirectly, made it possible for an African to become the Archbishop of York.

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Derby Telegraph February 4^th 2011 in the Soapbox column

HOMOPHOBIC MOTHERS

Written by Christopher Street who works for an advertising agency in London.

“You’re just weak”.

“It’s drugs isn’t it, he’s got you into drugs”.

“You can’t be gay. All gay people have got that seedy look about their face”.

“But you’re good looking, and sporty and you’ve always had girlfriends, how on earth can you be attracted to someone old and wrinkly like that”.

“But it’s so unnatural. I mean, look at AIDS for example”.

This smattering of quotes from my Mother, whom I will always love and respect for everything she has done for me, is not what compelled me to write. Whilst such demonstrations of ignorance and bigotry incited anger and frustration, my first thought was not, “I must write about this”. What compelled me to write was a letter that I received from her, in which she recalled a local event that she attended:

“Last Monday we went to Matlock to a talk by local author Narvel Annable.”

“How nice”, I thought.

“He was so boring and turned out to be a gay rights activist so his books and talk were all about homosexual activities. Many people including myself walked out. 99% complained to hotel management – a very sad and bitter person. Saturday was much better – Barbara Dickson at Gawsworth – brilliant voice, excellent variety of old and new.”

I was glad she enjoyed Barbara. I was not so comfortable with her attack on Narvel, who as far as I could see was a force for good who had clearly suffered enough at the hands of such views. It was this personal attack that compelled me to write. I wanted Narvel to know what had been said about him. I’ve always found it frustrating that we never know what people say about us when we are not present. I wanted him to know. I wanted to tell him my story.

For as long as I have been sexually aware, I have experienced an attraction to older men. With age came a growing sense of comfort and acceptance of this within myself. Then I fell in love with someone. It was at this point that I knew I had to declare it. I was not going to put myself through the turmoil of denial or deceit. It was July 2010 when I told my Mother. I was 25.

I wanted this to be a liberating experience, a chance to involve her in my personal life, to bring us closer together. What I was met with from her shocked me, but is sadly something that still pervades our society. I’ll use the words again: ignorance and bigotry. Her exclamations demonstrated denial too, which I half expected. What I was surprised at was the level of her misunderstanding. To suggest that AIDS is a consequence of homosexuality best captures her misunderstanding. To suggest that it was drugs that had got me involved in it shows how people still couple homosexuality with all that is antisocial and immoral. That my partner does not drink, never has done, and certainly does not take drugs could not change her mind. Her views are set. It is 6 months since I told her and there is still no sign of any willingness to accept that perhaps her views are misplaced.

The most infuriating thing about homophobia is not the views themselves, but the lack of willingness to question them when confronted with someone such as myself, or Narvel Annable.

Christopher Street

Printed in the Derby Telegraph, February 18^th 2011

I don’t recall complaints after my talk at hotel

Regarding the February 4^th Soapbox, I thank Christopher Street for taking the time and trouble to compose such a well written, articulate and interesting item. I’m sorry his mother took a negative view of my talk on August 2^nd 2010 at the New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath.

Out of an audience of about 60 people, my partner Terry recalls two people leaving the room in the early part of my reading from Secret Summer. At the time, he didn’t connect it with any disapproval. This extract took up most of the hour. It was carefully edited, chosen for that particular gathering.

LGBT issues are woven into the storyline, but there was no sexual content. Essentially it was a celebration of Matlock Bath’s beauty inspired by my love of the area. Body language from some people suggested interest and, indeed, enthusiasm. The event ended in applause with several people staying behind to ask questions about my work. I was paid and thanked by the hotel. To the best of my knowledge, there were no complaints. It was my second guest appearance at the New Bath Hotel.

This is a familiar story. Untold numbers of gay people have had their lives blighted by a homophobic reaction from an ignorant mother. The man whose signature follows is a good example.

Narvel Annable

Printed in the Derby Telegraph - December 11^th 2010

Weather gave respite from hurtful bullying

The snow has brought cold, chaos, danger; to a few, even death. Others have gained stolen time - time to enjoy lots of fun.

More than half a century back, sudden snow gave one miserable boy a respite from a daily routine of humiliation and despair.

In bed - even before I opened my eyes – something was different. Softness had descended upon a world which - mysteriously – magically - had become still and completely quiet. On this special day, there would be no school, no torment. The world was on hold.

I looked out onto an alien landscape with sculptured curves of sparkling brilliance. It used to be our garden; now it was fairy land. Peace and tranquillity presided over a new enchantment of beauty where everything had been purified, even the very air itself.

Like the boy in The Snowman, I scrambled for wellingtons, warm clothes and dashed out to enjoy freedom in an environment where shrubs and dustbins has been adorned by a thick cover of gleaming ermine. Crunching through deserted streets transformed into pretty Christmas cards, I rejoiced at the fall of yet more snow! Huge flakes gently descended, alighting and tickling my smiling face: smiling because several days of freedom from hurtful behaviour was now more likely.

That was 1957. How much has changed? Homophobic bullying in our schools has reached epidemic proportions. This recent enforced natural festival of white and light has closed hundreds of schools. Snow will have gladdened the hearts of thousands of pupils who are perceived to be ‘different’.

Narvel Annable

Printed in the Derby Telegraph, March 16^th 2011

Vital to protect children of all sexual orientation

On BBCs Question Time from Derby - 03.03.11 - Liam Halligan demonstrated appalling ignorance when he supported the homophobic Pentecostal foster parents, Eunice and Owen Johns, in their dispute with Derby City Council.

Mr Halligan stated that a child of nine would have no sexual feelings and could not possibly experience same sex desire. Wrong! At the age of nine I was attracted to my teacher Mr Crofts at Mundy Street Boys School. I knew I was ‘different’. That fact, subtly communicated to other boys, nearly ended in a suicide attempt. Even today, LGBT children are six times more likely to kill themselves than heterosexual pupils.

Other members of that panel pointed out that Mr and Mrs Johns had a record of being caring foster parents. Mr and Mrs Annable were also caring parents, but their entrenched gay hate demanded that Narvel Annable should come into their family without his homosexuality. Accordingly, that particular sexuality was deeply repressed into self-hate, a damaging shameful secret. I could not change my sexuality anymore that Mr and Mrs Johns could change their skin colour. I ask them to think on that.

In taking this matter as far as the Royal Courts of Justice, Derby City Council were protecting the rights of gay children. They were considering all LGBT children who might be severely harmed by the ignorance and bigotry of Pentecostal Christians who are well known for a strong homophobic prejudice which has no place on the 21^st century.

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the March edition of Midlands Zone magazine with a large photograph of the Rainbow Flag

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post, February 12^th 2011 – with a photograph of the Rainbow Flag

Having taught history for 17 years at the Valley Comprehensive School [1978-1995] - I am well acquainted with endemic homophobia in Worksop and Bassetlaw.

Against that background, I was horrified to hear that Bassetlaw District Council has rejected Councillor Ian Campbell’s request to fly the Rainbow Flag above Worksop and Retford Town Hall’s for LGBT History Month, February 2011.

If my former pupils and the people of Bassetlaw are prevented from learning about the problems, the harsh realities, the trials and tribulations of homosexual life – how can they ever be educated? How can they recognise and combat homophobia? How can they possibly know what it is like to be me? How can they feel my pain: such as the time when a group of ignorant pupils once shouted out at me, as loud as they could, in Worksop’s Tesco – ‘ANNABLE’S A GAY BASTARD’?

During those 17 years, this was one of several similar attacks. An unmarried teacher who keeps his private life very private, a strict traditional schoolmaster who was not afraid to make his students work in silence – that schoolmaster is a tempting target to a disruptive minority.

The suggested compromise of an ‘internal’ display for history month is welcome but hardly adequate. It will not reach the homophobes in North Nottinghamshire. During this month many councils, police stations, schools, hospitals and any number of public buildings will be flying the Rainbow Flag. For my sake - and for the sake of many more people like me who have yet to be born – fly that flag.

Narvel Annable

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post, January 11^th 2011

Printed in the Derby Telegraph, January 12^th 2011

We are proud of TONI MONTINARO

For most of my life, the words ‘lesbian’ and ‘gay’ were never uttered in polite company. ‘Homosexual’ was a dirty word. According to my mother, they were - ‘No good to any woman. If I thought you were like that, I’d strangle you.’

For decades, such language describing this persecuted minority was taboo. It was not mentioned in our house, or, indeed, any decent household – until now. Very soon those ‘dirty’ words will be read out by the Lord Chamberlain in the highest household of the land - Bucking Palace. Isn’t that the same Lord Chamberlain’s office which censored ‘homosexual’ plays in the 1960’s?

In the teeth of hostility, ignorance, discrimination and bigotry, the manager of Derbyshire Friend, Tony Montinaro, has been included in the New Year’s Honour List for helping to improve the quality of life for LGBT people in Derbyshire over the last four years.

My mother would have been 100 years old on 10.01.11. I wish she had lived to hear about Toni Montinaro being presented with an MBE for –

‘Services promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.’

Well done, Toni. We are all proud of you.

Narvel Annable.

 

 

 

Printed in the December 2010 / January 2011 edition of QB Magazine

Nottinghamshire's Rainbow Heritage www.nottsrainbowheritage.org.uk  

 

Looking back 51 years: what happened to Jack? 

After several years of enquiry trying to breach a wall of silence, I have finally solved part of the mystery of the Stanley Common postmaster, Jack Carrier, who disappeared suddenly in 1959.  

It happened when I was a frustrated, deeply repressed 14-year-old.  The shy and gentle man behind the counter of that Derbyshire post office shop was there one day - and gone the next

‘What’s happened to him?’  I asked mother.

          ‘That one!  Huh!  Good riddance,’ she snapped.  One of them funny sorts.  No good to any woman,’ she growled.

          ‘Well, ‘e were always nicely spoken and polite,’ sniffed Aunty Brenda, taking another swig of tea. 

The effect on me?  It was the same as the effect on hundreds of thousands like me.  I hid inside of myself.  I became withdrawn and tried to pretend to desire girls.  I drifted into a secret world of fear and insecurity. 

Clearly Jack had been discovered in some way, denounced and driven out by ignorant homophobic outrage.  In those dark days of rabid gay hate, it was considered quite natural for a heterosexual to ‘chat up’ a woman.  However, if a homosexual engaged another man in conversation, that was seen as ‘soliciting for an immoral purpose’.  Many victims were entrapped by the CID and humiliated in the local press.  Did this happen to Jack? 

I don’t know, but I know this; the Carriers had been postmasters in Stanley Common since 1924 and John H Carrier, born in 1920, died in the early 1960s - a broken man.  Bravely, he had served his King and Country and suffered appalling cruelty in a Japanese POW camp.  My informants speak of scars on his wrists.  This inoffensive and mild mannered gentleman returned home damaged and morose.  He was a model citizen harming nobody until bigots in that close-knit colliery village unearthed his homosexuality and hounded him out of their sight.  In effect, it was a gay hating lynch mob. 

Narvel Annable. 

 ____________

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post [with a photograph] Monday, September 20^th  

Politicians need more openness

____________

 

Printed in the October edition of Midlands Zone magazine 

Making it worse 

On BBC Radio 4 [02.09.10] Max Clifford said –

          “Why would a multi-millionaire need to share a hotel room with a man nearly half his age?” 

He reminded us that Christopher Myers was poorly qualified for his job as Special Advisor to the Foreign Secretary.  By issuing denials of homosexuality, William Hague has turned a small problem into a massive problem.  A few days ago, the vast majority of the population would never have questioned the heterosexual credentials of Mr Hague.  His denunciation of the rumour mongers has changed all that. 

Why do I get a feeling of déjà view?  Former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Laws precipitated a personal and political tragedy in late May when he continued to be defensive and closeted about his secret lover James Lundie.  Such conduct gives succour to homophobes who press the case that open homosexuality is still damaging to people in the public eye. 

I wish Mr Hague well.  I don’t know if he is a homosexual or not. [He has said he is not]   

As a gay man myself, I had hoped that the David Laws debacle had sent a strong message to all politicians who share same-sex attraction.  I say to them all - you have a duty to help yourselves.  You have a duty to help all LGBT people and all the LGBT people to come.  You have a special responsibility to challenge bigotry and fight for gay equality starting by being honest about your own sexuality.  Do us all a favour - ‘out’ yourself before being ‘outed’ by others.

 

Narvel Annable.

___________

Printed in the Sheffield Star September 3^rd 2010 

Teach Common Sense and Love

____________

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post November 3^rd 2010 

Shame on you, Archbishop 

Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola declared that homosexuality ‘is clearly unbiblical, unnatural and definitely un-African’.  This so called ‘man of God’ needs to recruit people into his flock.  The gay community have no need to enlist new members.  They are born into the human population.  I was born homosexual just as Akinola was born black.  Neither of us can change our nature. 

The Bishop’s homophobic rhetoric has given the thumbs-up to thugs who attacked the father of Leo Igew.  He was brutally beaten - subsequently his right eye had to be removed.  Leo, the Nigerian Humanist and gay rights activist, has several times suffered violence following fearless campaigns in support of LGBT rights. 

In 2006 he made an impassioned appeal to the members of the Nigerian National Assembly not to pass a Bill that would not only criminalise gay marriage, but also impose a five-year jail sentence on anyone who has a gay relationship or anyone who aids or supports a gay marriage or relationship. 

The Nigerian Anglican Church should remember that Christianity is supposed to teach common sense, thoughtfulness, knowledge, love, tolerance, solidarity and empathy.  Instead, to its ever lasting shame, it encourages hate and homophobia.

 

Narvel Annable.

____________

 

Emailed to the Nottingham Evening Post on July 19^th 2010   

Nottingham City Council would do well to remember that human unhappiness has effects far beyond the individual.  It reaches out to touch the lives of everyone.  And, in the process, can become very expensive!  Accordingly, they should reconsider an ill judged cut which will certainly end up as an appalling false economy. 

Providing activities, support and counselling for young people who are coming to terms with their sexuality; OUTBURST is one of the most successful groups of its type in the UK.  These skilled specialists run an excellent service.  They rescue modern youngsters from the anxiety and shame inflicted on me by a homophobic society a half century back.

True - there has been progress.  However, even today 41% of gay pupils get beaten up and are six times more likely to commit suicide.  The Samaritans have described this as a ‘national scandal’. 

Nottingham City Council would argue that LGBT children with problems will be subsumed by the general youth services.  Unfortunately they are staffed by workers who are well meaning, but ill informed.  Some are indifferent and a few are hostile to those who share same-sex attraction. 

Heterosexual youngsters can usually turn to their parents for advice and guidance.  Alas the 1957 attitude of my parents is still far too common today.  They took the view that Narvel had to face the rigours of real life and get ‘the softness knocked out of him’.  I was the family shame.  The Annables had been lumbered with a lad who was ‘not a proper lad’.  A son who could not defend himself with bare knuckles in the playground brought dishonour upon a macho working class father.  It left a long shadow which darkened both of our lives.    

I beseech the City Council to THINK AGAIN.

 

Narvel Annable

____________

 

Emailed to the Derby Telegraph August 11^th 2010   

Belper’s Salvation Army Corp in the Market Place has closed after 78 years due to a dwindling congregation.  Many will be sorry.  My partner and I would also have been saddened – but not now. 

Just before Christmas 2008, a vulnerable man attended a Salvation Army bible reading group in north Derbyshire.  By inclination he is suggestible, easily manoeuvred, easily influenced, often bullied and appears to have been influenced by a nest of homophobes who are bigoted, prejudiced and ignorant.  This gay man lost his sense of humour and suffered a change of personality.  He said 'the Bible is anti-gay'.  He trotted out several well known homophobic passages frequently aimed at the homosexual community. 

We were appalled that a group under the auspices of the Salvation Army - the Salvation Army we have always respected - should harbour such intolerance.  These ‘teachers’ exploited self doubt and induced self hate. 

I wrote to Major Jonathan Roberts at Chilwell about my concerns.  His reply was shocking!

“With regard to homosexuality, the Salvation Army takes the view that people can’t help what they are – but they are responsible for what they do.” 

Effectively, he was saying that gay life is wrong and that the bible group is right!  Terry and I have been together for 34 years.  Roberts was given a chance to amend / clarify his views, but held firm to his main point.  He was telling us that we must be celibate if we are to receive full respect and dignity in the eyes of the Salvation Army.  This out of date attitude is unacceptable and insulting to all who identify with the LGBT community. 

Narvel Annable.

____________ 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post – August 6^th 2010  

Debt owed to gay campaigner

In 1983, I was a teacher at the Valley Comprehensive School in Worksop, quietly doing my job, keeping my head down, keeping my private life very private and contributing nothing to the gay cause.  Like many other homosexual teachers, I was isolated.  I was terrified of being exposed as ‘a queer’.  I was frightened of being humiliated by ignorant pupils and colleagues in a deeply conservative homophobic colliery community.

In 1983 Richard McCance had just been elected to Nottingham City Council as an out and proud gay man giving an enormous boost to the fledgling Campaign for Homosexual Equality.  He went on to publish a gay and lesbian free sheet called Gay Nottingham, then Metrogay and finally Outright which eventually expanded to 16 pages with a circulation of 5000 which must have given succour and hope to untold numbers in the LGBT community.  Well done!  He did all this.  I did nothing.

I would like to thank Richard for organising that excellent and informative Public Meeting at Nottingham Pride on Saturday, July 31^st.  It was an emotional and significant day.  I’m also grateful to him for introducing me to the principal speaker, my hero Peter Tatchell who has generously allowed his good name to appear on the cover of my latest effort Secret Summer.

 Narvel Annable.

____________

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post - July 13^th 2010

This letter received 33 responses on the Nottingham Evening Post website www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

Gay acceptance is just a dream

In the run up to Peter Tatchell’s speech at Nottingham Pride on July 31^st, I found his recent assessment of the last 40 years of gay history, optimistic, informative, eloquently moving yet - at times - deeply disturbing.  Suffering in silence, many were ashamed, hiding in a disapproving society where LGBT people were condemned as immoral, wicked and sinful.  Peter painted a grim picture of self-hate - homosexuals struggling with ‘internalised homophobia’.  He highlighted the medical profession which classified us as sick, abnormal and disordered.  I should know.

In 1961, self-hate drove me to an incompetent Derby psychiatrist.  He advised me to discover a heterosexual urge by dating pretty girls and drinking beer!  He insisted on this ‘cure’ despite my life-long aversion to alcohol and being revolted by the sexual touch of a female.  That advice could have been given by almost any bloke in the Stanley Common Miners Welfare.  They took the view – ‘There’s something wrong with a lad who can’t knock back a pint or fancy a lass.’

It could have been worse.  In 1976, electric shock aversion therapy was a suggested as a ‘cure’ for the homosexuality of my partner Terry.

Peter Tatchell looks forward to a society where no one cares who is homo and who is hetro – a happy state of affairs which would make the gay rights movement redundant.  It’s a nice dream.  However, I suspect it’s more likely to happen in London than here in Derbyshire.  Up here in ‘the sticks’ gay people are still blighted by a stubborn minority of the smug and the respectable - the po-faced homophobes who still live in a 1950s time warp.

Narvel Annable 

____________

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post – August 11^th 2010 

 Voice against homophobia 

Regarding the conduct of Kay Cutts at the Young People of the Year Award last December, I assert my total confidence in the veracity and integrity of Ian Campbell, Mayor of Retford and youngest mayor in Britain.  I nominated Ian for the YOPEY Award, sat at his table and rejoiced in his success at County Hall last December 11^th 2009. 

Having suffered appalling hardship and homophobia in his teenage years, Ian has risen to be a powerful, articulate and effective voice in the cry for justice for all gay people – young and old.  He is an excellent role model for the youthful LGBT community.

Councillor Cutts, the Conservative Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council is no stranger to controversy.  John Hess, the Political Editor of BBC’s East Midlands Today, summed up this abrasive woman in his item about her homophobia [06.08.10] when he said –

          ‘She has a combative style.  Her attack on Tony Gearing, [the organiser of YOPEY] was the equivalent of a political Exocet.’

The appearance of young Ian Campbell on BBC television - convincing in argument, resplendent in his mayoral chains and finery, being admired by school children – will also be the equivalent of an Exocet exploding ignorance, discrimination, bigotry and prejudice against homosexuals.

Narvel Annable.

____________

Printed in The Observer June 6^th 2010

Printed in The Independent June 1^st 2010   

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post June 3^rd 2010

Printed in the Derby Telegraph June 8^th 2010 

Reading about David Laws and his secret lover James Lundie put me in mind of Alan Bates and his secret lover Peter Wyngarde who complained -

          “I’m told to walk two paces behind Alan.  If we go to a party, we can never arrive together.  I have to arrive earlier – or later.” 

Fast forward 24 years.  To ecstatic cheering, the Labour MP Chris Smith bravely announced ‘I am gay’ to a rally in Rugby.   Eventually he became a Cabinet minister reflecting honour and pride on the LGBT community. 

Continuing to be defensive and closeted about his sexuality, the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury allowed homophobic elements in the heterosexual majority to portray being gay as a personality flaw – or worse.  Mr Laws asserts that it was his right to keep his relationship with Mr Lundie private – unknown even to family and friends.  No doubt he would tell me it is none of my business to criticise.  Wrong!  It is my business.  Over the last ten years, his conduct has contributed to undermine and undervalue the lives of millions of gay people like me, making it more difficult to fight bigotry, discrimination and ignorance.    

The personal and political tragedy unfolding on May 29^th 2010 was not only a great blow to the new Coalition; it was also a reminder to all lesbians and gay men that the battle for gay rights and gay equality, even in the 21^st century - is far from won. 

Narvel Annable. 

____________

 

Printed in Nottinghamshire’s Queer Bulletin June / July 2010                                                                                 

Bob Faulkner - “Bigots because we don’t agree? No!” [Letters Derby Telegraph March 27^th] – is wrong.  He said – “Just because someone thinks that something is wrong does not make that person prejudiced.”  He also said - “It is inappropriate to teach children that homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships are of equal standing.”  

These words remind me of racist language I often heard in 1960s Detroit when African-Americans were asserting their civil rights.  During the bitter debates over the issue of ‘bussing’ to integrate black and white children, respectable Christians like Rob Faulkner took the view that it was perfectly acceptable to ‘disagree’ with black leaders who continued to repeat the mantra – “We Negroes are as Good As You!”  The Detroit News was full of letters arguing that it was inappropriate to teach children that people of African ancestry and people of European ancestry were of equal standing.  Four decades on - as with black folks - lesbians and gay men say to the world - We are as Good As You – GAY. 

Does that sound familiar Mr Faulkner?  You claim not to be prejudiced against homosexuals, yet clearly you have pre-judged me and all who share same-sex attraction.  You say that I’m confused.  Wrong.  In the autumn of my years, I have never seen people like you as clearly as I see them now.  Like the Detroit dogmatists, you defend your right to free speech in a ‘free country’.  However, in a modern civilised society, you have no moral or legal right to deny equality to the gay community. 

You speak of ‘millions of people in this country’ sharing your opinions.  Correct.  For generations, respectable up-right Christians like you have robbed homosexuals of there confidence and self-esteem.  On the other hand, the good people of Derbyshire Friend and the Award-Winning Derby Pride Committee are working hard to improve the image and restore self respect to those who have been forced to hide their true sexuality. 

You deny having a grudge against homosexuals and would not wish to see them persecuted.  For the most part, that is probably correct. Notwithstanding, religious disapproval from the top gives the nod to those below you who lurk outside gay venues waiting for their chance to enjoy sadistic Saturday night sport.  You have invited me to enter your own venue - your church - where I will be received with ‘love and respect’.  But how can that be if I have no equal standing?  How can love and respect be reconciled with second class citizenship? 

Narvel Annable.

____________ 

Last Saturday, March 27^th 2010, at Birmingham Pride Ball, the Derby Pride Committee received the Midlands Zone Readers Award for Outstanding Contribution to the LGBT Community. 

Midlands Zone is the United Kingdom’s biggest regional gay magazine. 

____________

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph May 14^th 2010  

Self-respect tonic from a great night 

Members of the Derby Gay Pride Committee should be congratulated on the successful ‘Glitz & Glamour Ball’ which played to a full house at the Stuart Hotel on Saturday, May 8^th.  That triumph will be adequate reward for all the weeks of planning and hard work invested. 

I take pleasure in being nominated for the Jeffery Tillett Award and will always treasure the handsome certificate in which my name - one of several - is now associated with that venerable former Mayor of Derby.   

It is safe to say that we all concur with the eventual winner who has done so much to improve the quality of life for local gay people.  His insistence that the Jeffery Tillett Award be presented to the whole Derbyshire Friend team of conscientious workers / volunteers - will add even more respect and prestige to the good name of Toni Montinaro. 

As Councillor Robin Wood quite rightly said in his speech, we should not ignore the big picture with regard to recent progress in gay rights.  A Pride Ball - a large celebratory gathering of homosexuals apportioning merit to leading lights who have promoted homosexuality as an acceptable life style in the 21^st century – would have been unthinkable just a few decades before.  Robin reminded us that the hotel would have been raided by the police, the Derby Pride Committee arrested, convicted and imprisoned! 

Instead, we are all grateful to the award-winning organisers, for giving the LGBT community an enjoyable night out, and - most important – self respect. 

Narvel Annable. 

 

Printed in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus on May 4^th 2010  

Real Sense of Pride 

I was dismayed to read the sneering, sarcastic comments posted on your website following the item of April 20^th - “Event to Celebrate City’s Gay Community.” 

Ignorant people like ‘Stan the Fan’ have driven untold numbers of gay men and women to don the cloak of invisibility and take shelter inside the closet of an unhappy marriage.  Others, like me, became withdrawn, pretended to like girls and drifted into a secret world of fear and insecurity.  

Before the advent of gay prides, now celebrated in Centenary Square, many Bradford lives would have been blighted by discrimination, prejudice, ignorance and bigotry.  For too long, we homosexuals have been on the margins of society.  Until recent years, we were the voiceless, powerless victims of those who could inflict their humiliations with impunity.  We could not fight back because we were afraid to declare ourselves, afraid to lift that cloak of invisibility.  As Peter Tatchell said –

          “A mere four decades ago, ‘queers’ were almost universally seen as mad, bad and sad.  Same sex relations were deemed a sin, a crime and a sickness.” 

Against that background, it is disappointing to hear people disparaging the good work of Bradford’s Equity Partnership.  Over the last few years, Rachel Nauwelaerts and her conscientious team of volunteers have organised, managed, promoted and hosted numerous interesting events which not only improve the lives of the LGBT community – but also educate and entertain the majority heterosexual community.  All are invited on Saturday, May 22^nd – even Stan the Fan. 

Narvel Annable. 

 

Printed in the Derby Telegraph on May 11^th 2010 

Well done for your sensitive reporting 

The Derby Telegraph is to be congratulated for the sensitive, sympathetic and compassionate way it reported ‘Thugs jailed for “vicious” attack on gay couple’ – May 1^st 2010. 

Quite rightly you identified the criminal trio and not their victims.  In past years, if a homosexual was ‘knuckle dusted black and blue’, the article often contained an implicit suggestion of - ‘He had it coming.  What do they expect, indulging in that kind of an immoral life?’   

You gave these unfortunate men and their trauma prominent coverage on the front page supported by a generous, detailed feature on page 2.  Some decades back, the sufferings of ‘queers’ would hardly be reported at all.   

I read the grim details with a sinking heart and hope they have both made a complete physical recovery.  In these situations, it is common knowledge that the emotional damage will endure longer.  We can never know the full horror of that terrifying and violent experience.  Our hearts go out to these inoffensive, gentle men who were kind enough to introduce themselves at one of my talks in Derby last year. 

It is some small comfort to hear that their evil assailants were apprehended, found guilty and put away for several years. 

Narvel Annable. 

 

March 22^nd 2010 

Derby Telegraph 

We need heroes.  Jeffery Tillett [1928-2008] was the Mayor of Derby in 1977 when The Queen visited that town and made it a city.  He is an excellent role model for any youngster who shares same-sex attraction.  Accordingly, it is entirely appropriate that Shaun Peaty and the Derby Pride Committee have recently honoured that quietly spoken, yet brave gentleman, by launching the Jeffery Tillett Award.  www.derbypride.org.uk  It will be presented by Councillor Robin Wood to the successful nominee acknowledging his or her achievement, work and dedication to the LGBT Community of Derbyshire.  This event, the Derby Pride Ball, will take place at the Stuart Hotel, London Road at 7.30pm on May 8^th 2010.  

After 13 years in Detroit - 1963-1976 - I recall being so proud seeing Jeffery, resplendent in mayoral finery, walking with The Monarch in the astounding knowledge –

‘He’s like me!  He is a homosexual!  Perhaps he’ll look after us?  Make things better.  Wow!’ 

And he did just that.  Within two years, Jeffery, with sterling support from his partner Robin Wood, rescued gay people from the sneering snobs of the Friary Hotel and the undignified crush of the seedy Corporation Hotel passageway in the Cattle Market.  Against homophobic opposition, they welcomed us into the Green Lane Gallery, a licensed venue as comfortable as a private home.  Because of their efforts, today, lesbians and gay men are pushing on an open door.  

Matthew Parris described their courage in The Times 2008 –

‘Quietly at first, and, as the years went by, they became increasingly openly gay.  Everybody knew, but nothing was said.  For an anxiously gay generation, Jeffery edged forward an initially hesitant campaign.  He knew how far he could go.  He cut it very fine.’ 

Had it not been for the valour of these political pioneers in a hostile landscape, I would never have written this letter – let alone three gay novels! 

Narvel Annable. 

 

Ms Pauline Latham MP

Member for Mid Derbyshire

House of Commons

London 

Congratulations on your recent success. 

So early into the job, I’m sorry to trouble you so soon.  However, you may be aware of the homophobic outrage regarding -   

Mr Steven Monjeza and Mr Tiwonge Chimbalanga

Prisoners

Chichiri Prison

PO Box 30117

Blantyre 3

Malawi 

My partner Terry and I were dismayed to read about the four month incarceration in prison for the ‘crime’ of loving each other!  In this day and age it is hardly believable.  Now they have been sentenced to a 14 year jail term. 

These are very brave young men to speak out, defy the authorities and suffer for those who, thanks to their splendid example, will enjoy more freedom in Africa in years to come.  Ignorant people of Malawi will have driven untold numbers of gay men and women to don the cloak of invisibility and take shelter inside the closet of an unhappy marriage.  Others will become withdrawn, pretend to be heterosexual and drift into a secret world of fear and insecurity. 

Before the advent of gay prides in this country, many lives were blighted by discrimination, prejudice, ignorance and bigotry.  For too long, we homosexuals have been on the margins of society.  Until recent years, we were the voiceless, powerless victims of those who could inflict their humiliations with impunity.  We could not fight back because we were afraid to declare ourselves, afraid to lift that cloak of invisibility.  As Peter Tatchell said –

          “A mere four decades ago, ‘queers’ were almost universally seen as mad, bad and sad.  Same sex relations were deemed a sin, a crime and a sickness.” 

We have sent money to OutRage! with a request that it be used for Steven and Tiwonge to buy extra food and, if possible, ease the unacceptable conditions under which they are being held.  Like many thousands here in the United Kingdom, we were horrified to hear about their deteriorating health and worrying descriptions of Steven being too thin and weak. 

We sincerely hope that pressure from communications such as this together with support from Amnesty International and OutRage! will persuade the Malawian Government to review their outdated homophobic attitudes and release them. 

Please protest to the Malawian President and to the Malawian High Commission in London.  Also – please sign Early Day Motion 564.  

In line with your ‘passion for education’, I enclose a few sheets which draw attention to my own efforts to eradicate homophobia in our own local schools. 

Narvel Annable. 

 

Printed in the Sheffield Star February 24^th 2010

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post February 24^th 2010

 A Turning Point in Gay History / Soft Target for Jan – received 17 comments on the Nottingham Evening Post website, nine were critical of the following letter, but eight were supportive.

There were 25,000 complaints against Jan Moir’s sneers and false allegations regarding the death of gay pop star Stephen Gately.  And yet, the Press Complaints Commission has ruled in her favour!  At the very least, she should have been reprimanded for her cruel comments coming on the heels of an outpouring of national grief from a younger generation who, thank God, have become much less homophobic than that gay hating columnist. 

Had she made similar comments about a black or Jewish person, Moir and the Daily Mail would run the risk of being charged with inciting racial hatred.  Like the thugs who hang around the entrance to a gay venue looking for sport - she played safe.  Her outburst was aimed at a soft target – a dead homosexual.  Nice one Jan. 

After long deliberation, it would seem that the Public Complaints Commission was prepared to overlook her insensitive untruths about ‘an unnatural lonely death’ and a ‘happy-ever-after’ gay partnership being a ‘myth’. 

I predict that the sad death of Stephen Gately, and the national outrage which followed, will be seen by future generations as a major turning point in the annals of lesbian and gay history. 

Narvel Annable. 

                                                                            

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph on March 8^th 2010

Thanks must go to Festival Organiser  

February used to be a drab month.  The winter festivities were over and people longed for a sign of spring.  Thanks to Sonya Robotham of Derbys Rainbow Fringe Festival - www.derbysrainbowfringefestival.org.uk – spring has come early.  The sixth Gay History Month has been like a long Christmas for me and about 10% of the population like me.  Sonya has organised, managed, promoted and hosted 21 interesting events which have met the needs of lesbians and gay men in Derbyshire. 

On February 5^th we had a film followed by a panel discussing the fears and isolation of those who are old and homosexual.  We were further enlightened by another panel of leading lights using the format of Question Time on the 11^th.  Most important of all, the Saturday afternoon of the 13^th celebrated young people who share same-sex attraction.  What a surprise!  My former pupils were never so confident or articulate.  The debate about the pros and cons of Derby Pride Day highlighted intelligent boys and girls who made all us oldies very proud indeed.  The animated discussion following my address to Derby University Students Union LGBT Society on the 25^th, confirmed my optimism for a bright gay future.  Unlike the sad chickens who inhabited my scruffy repressed world back in the dark ages of the 1960s, the kids of 2010 Derby made it clear that they will not stand for homophobia.  Good on them! 

The month was crowned [in LGBT terms] by a VIP of royal stature who turned up at my speaking event at Chesterfield Library on the 27^th.  Tony Fenwick - no less - a leading activist and instigator of Gay History Month www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk and Co Chair of Schools OUT - had made a round trip of 160 miles to honour us with his presence.  What a privilege!   Thank you, Tony. 

In the final analysis, the honour should go to Sonya, the woman who made it all possible.  Thank you, Sonya. 

Narvel Annable.

                                                                            

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post, January 27^th 2010 and in the Derby Evening Telegraph January 29^th 2010. 

Gays Victimised / Uganda must be urged to rethink   

February 2010 will be the 6^th Gay History Month.  People ask – ‘Why keep ramming it down our throats?  Why make such a fuss?’ 

Yes, we have made progress, but there is a long way to go – especially in Africa where a draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill is currently before the Ugandan Parliament.  This unspeakable legislation proposes the death penalty for some same-sex acts and life imprisonment for others.  The Bill also proposes up to seven years jail for anybody [like me] who advocates gay equality and three years jail for parents who fail to report their gay sons and daughters to the police. 

Here in the 21^st century, in the civilised community of nations, such judicial brutality is unthinkable.  On January 13^th the Lib-Dem Leader, Nick Clegg called for the expulsion of Uganda from the Commonwealth if that nation descends into a miasma of medieval barbarity.  To which I say hear! hear! 

Narvel Annable. 

                                                                            

Printed in the Sheffield Star March 9^th 2010

Gay Gareth is a Top Role Model  

This Labour Government has achieved many advances for equality.  Lesbians and gay men must not be too disheartened by the recent concession to allow faith schools to tailor their sex education lessons to their own beliefs. 

Ed Balls tells us that religious schools will not be allowed to teach homophobia.  Who is he kidding?  We are not stupid!  After giving way to canting Bishops, Archbishops and Catholics, it will be ‘business as usual’ for some reactionary bigots.  Education is supposed to benefit the child, but some medieval minds will exploit this loophole in the Children, Schools and Families Bill. They will continue to teach that homosexuality is a sin, continue to distress gay pupils, thus making sure that their education supports the church rather than the child.  In doing so, homophobes continue to peddle their poison, giving a green light to gay bashers, murder music rappers and any number of evil elements who have oppressed 10% of the population for centuries. 

That said – take heart!  We are on the march!  In just a few years, many high profile lesbian, gay and bisexual figures have come out to prove that sexuality does not have to be a barrier to success.  Gareth Thomas did it.  He plays rugby in a man’s world – a macho world.  He is proud to be out.  He is glad to be gay.  He is now a positive role model for children and adults like me.  Millions will follow his excellent example. 

The House of Homophobia, like a house of cards, is fast falling.  We are winning. 

Narvel Annable.

                                                                            

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph, January 7^th 2010  

Why Pratt didn’t Merit Admiration 

The recent TV drama An Englishman in New York [ITV 9.00pm 28.12.09] invites us to admire Denis Pratt as a hero and pioneer.  It shouldn’t – he wasn’t.  Denis Pratt was the real name of the shocking and outlandish Quentin Crisp [1908-1999] who drove untold numbers of gay men to don the cloak of invisibility and take shelter inside the closet of an unhappy marriage.  Others, like me, became withdrawn, pretended to like girls and drifted into a secret world of fear and insecurity. 

However, decades back as a teenager in the shadow of the slag tips of darkest Derbyshire, in the half light of a hidden world; I found gay men wearing hobnail boots.  They were common, roughly spoken and masculine.  Unlike the mincing Crisp, at least they dusted the furniture from time to time.  They were real men, butch men who looked and behaved like men. 

I do not condemn Crisp for his lack of hobnail pit boots, his flamboyance and effeminacy.  I criticise him for his homophobia.  Yes!  Quentin Crisp was a homophobe!  He was a traitor to our gay cause.  In 1997 he told The Times –

“Homosexuality is a terrible disease.  The world would be better without homosexuals who are incapable of love and caring about other people.  If a foetus could be shown to be genetically predetermined to be gay, I would advise parents to abort it.”   

As usual, John Hurt was good.  But next time, I hope he will portray a true icon and genuine pioneer from the homosexual community.  I would suggest Allan Horsfall, Antony Grey or Peter Tatchell.  They are better role models, gay heroes who deserve more public recognition. 

Narvel Annable. 

                                                                            

Printed in the Sheffield Star, February 9^th 2010

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post February 19^th 2010

 

Paying for Pope Visit no one Wants / Pope Meddling 

If the Pope asserted a faith-based right to exclude all black people from senior positions in the Roman Catholic Church, quite rightly, such an outburst would be received with howls of protest.  Yet this homophobe criticises the Equality Bill, currently before parliament which seeks to protect homosexuals from religious discrimination.  The Pope thinks his criticism is morally justified.  Meddling in our affairs, he said UK equality legislation “violates the natural law”.  

Should we be so surprised?  In December 2008, in a gay hating speech, Pope Benedict gave the global gay community a Christmas present which amounted to a kick in the teeth.  Pope Benedict XVI [aka Joseph Ratzinger] wrote in 1986 that homosexual orientation is an “objective disorder” towards an “intrinsic moral evil”. 

To add insult to injury, in September, taxpaying lesbians and gay men will be dipping into their pockets to find the £20 million to fund a State Visit from an offensive old bigot most of us – gay and straight - don’t want. 

Narvel Annable.

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post March 8^th 2010

Praising the Rainbow Heritage received three critical / abusive comments on the Nottingham Evening Post website.   

February used to be a drab month.  The winter festivities were over and people longed for a sign of spring.  Thanks to Nottinghamshire's Rainbow Heritage - www.nottsrainbowheritage.org.uk – spring has come early.  The sixth Gay History Month has been like a long Christmas for me and about 10% of the population like me.  This conscientious LGBT team have organised, managed, promoted and hosted interesting events which have met the needs of lesbians and gay men in Nottingham and the county. 

The opening event was a grand occasion in all senses of that word.  Under the iconic dome which surmounts Nottingham City Hall [Council House], on February 16^th, for the first time, I passed through huge classical pillars to be confronted with a breathtaking, sweeping marble staircase which led to an elegant ballroom which might have been the Palace of Versailles.  And here, in Neo Baroque splendour was a large gathering of people who share same-sex attraction.  They had come to celebrate and affirm the homosexual culture of Nottingham – past and present.  At long last, I think we have become respectable! 

The Sheriff of Nottingham – no less – presented awards to groups and organisations which have made significant contributions to our LGBT community.  This glittering occasion confirmed my optimism for a bright gay future.  Unlike the sad chickens who inhabited my scruffy repressed world back in the dark ages of the 1960s, these good people of 2010 Nottingham were making a statement - they will not stand for homophobia. 

Two days later, I was privileged to give readings from my new book Secret Summer at the Voluntary Action Centre.  In spite of appalling cold and snow, I’m grateful to all who turned out to make it a full house. 

On February 23^rd we were treated to the opening of the United Kingdom’s largest gay History Exhibition at Broadway Cinema which lasted six days. In LGBT terms, it was crowned by a VIP who turned up on the Friday.  Tony Fenwick is a leading activist and instigator of Gay History Month www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk and Co Chair of Schools OUT.  He had made a round trip of 160 miles to honour us with his presence.  Thank you, Tony. 

In the final analysis, the honour and award should go to Nottinghamshire's Rainbow Heritage - the team who made it all possible. 

Narvel Annable. 

                                                                            

Printed in the Independent 17.12.09  

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph 30.12.09    

All Proud of Peter Tatchell / Praising Efforts of Heroic Peter 

I read about Peter Tatchell’s brain injuries with mixed emotions - concern, sadness and yet – profound pride in the wonderful man he is.  

At risk of sounding like a starry-eyed adolescent – Peter is my hero.   He sustained brain damage from Mugabe and Moscow bashings in the pursuit of gay rights.  Peter suffered for me and millions like me.    

At risk of entering into what is going to sound like hyperbole, I’m certain that history will judge him generously, accurately putting Tatchell at the very top of gay icons from a list which goes back more than a hundred years. 

At risk of sounding like a eulogy, I think he’ll be best remembered for bravery, determination and quiet dignity such as often demonstrated in debate with homophobes on radio and TV.  In provocative situations, I would descend into rant - not Peter.  In self-assured rational argument, he will quietly demolish his opponent. 

Like millions of other members of the LGBT community who wish him well, I hope he will heed medical advice and turn that ‘glimmer of hope’ into a shaft of dazzling light.  Please slow down, Peter and recover.  Do it for us.  We need you. 

Narvel Annable.

                                                                           

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph February 18^th 2010

Printed in the Belper News February 17^th 2010

 

MP Nick Clegg is a Beacon of Hope / Bad Memories of School Days 

I wish my MP was the Member for Sheffield Hallam.  As a former teacher and gay man, I have full confidence in Nick Clegg who said the Liberal Democrats will require that all schools must teach that homosexuality is ‘normal and harmless’.  This law would include faith schools who often teach the exact opposite - as I know to my cost.  

Rewind to 1957 and see a miserable boy suffering a routine of daily torture at the Church of England Mundy Street Boys School in Heanor.  My parents didn’t care.  They took the commonly held view that bullying was a part of growing up.  The sadistic schoolmaster didn’t care.  On the contrary; he engineered humiliating situations and quite enjoyed himself. 

More than half a century later, Mr Clegg is horrified to discover that 41% of gay pupils get beaten up and are six times more likely to commit suicide.  On Friday, December 6^th 1957 [the day the Americans made their first failed attempt to launch a satellite] with a broken spirit, I was leaning out of our second floor bedroom window over Red Lion Square, trying to find the courage to jump. 

I’m so glad that I didn’t.  Fifty three years later, I get to hear the encouraging words of Nick Clegg who is committed to help people like me.  He will make sure gay pupils of 2010 will not suffer excruciating homophobic Monday mornings such as the onetime Dickensian hellhole of Mundy Street in Heanor. 

Narvel Annable. 

 

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph on June 4^th 2009 and in the Nottingham Evening Post on June 22^nd 2009 

The Equality Bill

In the wake of the expenses furore, it is to be hoped that Parliament is not too paralysed to pass the new Equality Bill which should receive royal assent in the spring of 2010. 

Rewind back to the spring of 1995 and see a beleaguered and exhausted schoolmaster struggling against a tide of hurtful homophobia which was drowning and terminating a teaching career of more than 20 years.  That was me.  In spite of efforts from a gay friendly head teacher, my position at the Valley Comprehensive School in Worksop, north Nottinghamshire, had become untenable.

 In that macho coalmining environment, an entrenched culture of cruelty encouraged demeaning comments from some ignorant pupils and a steady stream of disrespectful abuse was tacitly tolerated by some colleagues who had little sympathy with my deteriorating situation.

 In contrast to dealing with the sorry results of discrimination after it occurs, the Equality Bill will require all head teachers to actively promote equality in the classroom for staff and students.  The key word here is proactive – preventing homophobic bullying before it starts – a strategy designed to explicitly protect homosexual pupils and teachers from the horrors which have so damaged my life.

With heartfelt gratitude to Stonewall who have worked so hard for this new dawn - I never thought I would ever see such a wonderful day! 

Narvel Annable. 

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph August 3^rd 2009

Yet again the Fundamentalist Christian churches are rearing their ugly bigoted heads in trying to harm members of the homosexual community.  I was horrified to hear that church pastor Rev Ogbe-Ogbeide has been performing exorcisms on lesbian and gay people to purge them of their same-sex attraction.  He admits that the ritual at the United Pentecostal Ministry in Harrow involves ‘casting out demons and witches that possess a gay person’s soul’.

I know three gay people who have been turned into a heterosexual form of zombie by similar brainwashing techniques used by Jehovah's Witnesses – one of them in Derbyshire.

Victims of such religious homophobes are vulnerable.  If they are under 18 it could constitute a form of child abuse and the police should intervene to stop these dastardly medieval practices which have no place in a modern civilised society.  Many gay adults have been pressured into traumatic sessions of anti-gay indoctrination by family members, church elders and appalling ongoing pressure from their faith community.  In the name of God – it must stop.

Evil spirits do not look like me - or other LGBT people – they look like church pastor Rev Ogbe-Ogbeide.

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph, April 30^th 2009 and in the Belper News on April 22^nd 2009 

A Derbyshire Legend

I mourn the passing of Percy Wilson.  He was the curious but friendly character who lived in a picturesque crumbling old cottage by Cromford Canal towpath, at Ambergate, for about as long as anyone can remember.   

A fairytale individual with bags of charm; this craggy caricature appeared to be a natural work of art, rough-hewn out of the very elements of Derbyshire folklore with more skill and imagination than any human artist could achieve.  With brilliant white shoulder-length hair and a massive mane of long grey whiskers obliterating most of his ancient gnarled face, Percy was an intriguing combination of Old Father Time, Ben Gunn and Stig of the Dump situated in that magical glade of bluebells under canal-side woodlands.  His roughly-spoken thick Derbyshire accent was akin to the ‘pit talk’ commonly heard more than half a century back.  I’ll never forget the pride and excitement after his little white dog had achieved fame –

          “Owe’s [she’s] bin on t’ telly, owe as!” 

Yet Mr Wilson was a genuine gentleman in the true sense of that word.  With consent, this warm-hearted rustic made a brief appearance in Lost Lad - as himself.  He was cast as an apparent yokel who is revealed to be a well informed local historian, dispensing interesting information about the Cromford Canal to curious teenage boys.  They resist their first impulse to ‘take the mickey’ and end up being quite respectful.   

Long after he has gone, Percy’s face will still be seen in the knotted, writhing, twisting trunks of ancient trees.  At any moment, his head might poke out of a hollow old oak, a suitable home for such a Derbyshire legend.  We will never see his like again.

Narvel Annable.

                                                                

Printed in the October 2009 Edition of Gay Times  

Changing Tides

As a first time older GT reader, I was impressed by the attitudes of – of all things – gay footballers - stars shining brightly out of a dark homophobic night.  Their splendid example illustrates just how far we have travelled in terms of the fight against homophobia. 

For example - a famous actor called Wilfrid Brambell was entrapped by the CID and arrested in the November of 1962 on a charge of intending to commit a lewd act of gross indecency.  It was splashed over the front pages of the popular Press reinforcing the generally held prejudice that a 'homosexual' looked and acted just like the shambling, dirty, decrepit, toothless, unshaven old man, who was better known to the nation as - Albert Steptoe. 

Shortly after the arrest, watching the rag and bone man on the telly, ‘uncle ‘arry’ came in and said –

          “Turn that dirty bugger off!” 

In those days, it was inconceivable that desirable young men like your footballers could be queer.  There was simply no precedent for such a thing.  Images of the butch, the attractive, the well-known icons of male beauty such as Marty Wilde, Adam Faith, Billy Fury and the ultra masculine Rock Hudson - all these were very firmly heterosexual. 

Wilfrid Brambell might well be queer – but - never, ever in a thousand years could Rock Hudson be a homosexual! 

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph September 10^th 2009 and in the Nottingham Evening Post September 21^st 2009. 

Grateful for stand against gay hate / Tory had courage

As a former teacher, I have good reason to congratulate and be grateful to Conservative MEP Edward McMillan-Scott who was expelled from the Conservative Party.  He had the courage to stand up to, and against right winger Michael Kaminski, a Polish member of the European Parliament.  Kaminski’s Law and Justice Party have a history of extreme homophobia.  They are critical of civil partnerships, gay marriage and take the view that homosexuals should not be teachers.

As the next election approaches, we should remember that David Cameron abandoned the moderates and joined this particular coalition of East European political parties to please the right wing of his own Conservative Party here in Britain.  Mr Kaminski said that the affirmation of homosexuality will lead to the downfall of civilization!  Does Mr Cameron agree with him?

Narvel Annable.

Nottingham Evening Post  

Dear Editor,

I was horrified to read a rabidly homophobic feature printed in the Worksop Guardian 09.10.09.  The intemperate tone incites gay hate and may well fall foul of the criminal law.

This irresponsible, ignorant and bigoted rant concerns a picnic site called Fanny’s Grove on the Budby to Cuckney A616 near Worksop in north Nottinghamshire.

An anonymous woman claimed she was shocked to see ‘over a car bonnet, perverts dressed in women’s clothing committing buggery in the glare of her headlights’.  Absolute and complete nonsense!  As a gay man, I can assure her that gay men are not titillated by other men dressed in women’s clothing.  A homosexual is interested in a man who looks like a man.  If she saw anything at all, she saw heterosexual copulation bringing disgrace and shame on the heterosexual community.  Indeed, the majority of transvestites are heterosexual. 

This item alleges the picnic site ‘has been a mecca for such unholy activities since the 1970s’.  For support, a photograph of a tree is shown. GAY has been sprayed on the trunk by a vandal who will certainly not be homosexual.  This type of graffiti is commonplace.

Living in the nearby village of Clowne in the 1990s, I cycled to Fanny’s Grove a few times after hearing it was a meeting place for gay men.  It was never busy, but, occasionally, I did meet a kindred spirit.  We enjoyed conversation – not sex.  There was no activity of that kind.  The anonymous witness should remember, in those days, the days before gay prides and LGBT support services; gay men and women had precious little opportunity to contact their own kind.  Countryside venues were seen as safe places to socialise.  A woodland setting was much nicer than a smoky, seedy pub or a loud deafening club.

This disgraceful article is deeply offensive to all who identify with the LGBT community.  The editor should be ashamed of himself.

Narvel Annable                                                                           

26.11.2009   The Guardian 

Dear Editor

The notorious Islamist preacher, Abu Usamah, has been invited to speak to the Student’s Union of University College London next Monday, November 30^th.  I am outraged!  This is the same hate preacher who appeared on the Channel 4 documentary Undercover Mosque saying –

          “Homosexuals are perverted, dirty filthy dogs that should be murdered.”

Peter Tatchell was quite right to point out –

          “The university would never allow a lecture by a white supremacist who used racist abuse and advocated the murder of black people.  Why the double standards?”

Hosting such an extremist is irresponsible, inflammatory and will fuel more homophobic attacks on the LGBT community at a time when hate crime is already on the increase.

Narvel Annable.

 

10.12.2009   The Daily Telegraph

Dear Editor, 

I was shocked to learn that, last night [09.12.09] in Barnet, Boris Johnson attended a carol service led by the well known homophobe - Pastor Agu Irukwu!  The LGBT community here in Derbyshire tend to see the Mayor of London and our Capital City as being many years ahead in terms of gay progress.  What on earth was he thinking of?  Didn’t Mr Johnson see the pastor’s infamous letter to the Daily Telegraph on July 13^th last?  He denounced the recent laws which protect lesbians and gay men against discrimination.  His faith opposes civil partnerships and the fostering of children by same sex couples.

Would Mr Johnson attend a church where the pastor preaches against black or Jewish people?  Would he associate himself with a cleric who is against rights for women?  If the answer is no – then why support this ignorant bigot?  We expect better from the Mayor of London.

For too long, we homosexuals have been on the margins of society.  Until recent years, we were the voiceless, powerless victims of those who could inflict their humiliations with impunity.  We could not fight back because we were afraid to declare ourselves, afraid to lift the cloak of invisibility. 

As Peter Tatchell said –

          “A mere four decades ago, ‘queers’ were almost universally seen as mad, bad and sad.  Same sex relations were deemed a sin, a crime and a sickness.”

Against that background, it is disappointing that faith schools have been allowed to teach sex and relationship education in accordance with their own religious values – values which often include the idea that gay people are sinful, unnatural, immoral and inferior human beings. 

Giving a green light to homophobes is not the best way to end the first decade of such a hopeful new century.

Narvel Annable,

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph August 26^th 2009

Conventional?  No, just wrong

Conservative Euro MP Roger Helmer is wrong.  He claims that he is tolerant on the question of homosexuality, yet attacks the word ‘homophobia’ as a ‘propaganda device to stigmatise those who hold conventional opinions.’

Just a few years back, the gay community did not have recourse to the term ‘homophobia’ in the same way that people of African ancestry had to wait for the word ‘racism’ as an effective weapon to defend themselves from that same bigotry and discrimination which is still suffered by homosexuals today.

By invoking the term ‘conventional opinion’, Helmer is himself exploiting semantics.  He is asking for a licence to incite gay hatred.  He is trying to rally reactionary forces of middle England to rise up against all the recent progress made by homosexuals, like me, who can now face the world and say – ‘Yes, I’m a gay man!  What of it?’

In 2005, ‘conventional opinion’ allowed the Belper WI to scrap one of my talks because they discovered that I was a homosexual.  Even today, ‘conventional opinion’ makes it necessary for 22 year old law student Ian Campbell to give up his spare time and work long hours.  He is forming support groups for unhappy young homosexuals who are trying to escape the fear and shame inflicted upon them by ignorant people in Retford and neighbouring villages.  Just one year ago, ‘conventional opinion’ made it possible for 17 year old Shaun Dykes to despair and throw himself from the top of a Derby building to the delight of blood thirsty cheering yobs.  Both Shaun and Ian were kicked out of house and home after their homosexuality was revealed to homophobic parents who held ‘conventional opinion’.

So, Roger Helmer – ‘conventional opinion’?  Think again.

Narvel Annable

 

Printed in the Pink Paper – May 28^th 2009 and in the Derby Evening Telegraph - May 21^st 2009 and in the Nottingham Evening Post June 10^th 2009

Gay History Lessons

Full marks to Waltham Forest Council!  They have had the bravery and foresight to recognise the importance of teaching Gay History in their schools.  Even better, they are threatening 30 Christian and Muslim parents with court action because they have withdrawn their children from those much needed and enlightening lessons at George Tomlinson School.

At a time when two thirds of all homosexual students / pupils are bullied, 41% have been attacked and 17% have received death threats – it is more important than ever to educate young people who casually use the word ‘gay’ to insult and demean those of us who are different.  They need to learn about grim, gas lit Dickensian schooldays 50 years ago in a deeply homophobic colliery community when my typical day started with hymns and prayers and ended with a desire to be dead.  That, coupled with gay hating parents, caused me to seek sanctuary, not in a church, but in a twilight world of fear and constant insecurity.  

Those ignorant and bigoted 30 parents should know more about me – and people like me.  We are the lives whose achievements have been too long hidden, too often unrecognised in the teeth of decades of prejudice and discrimination. 

And Waltham Forest Council is trying to end all that.  And I say thank God for it!

Narvel Annable

 

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post - July 31^st 2009

Best Ever Nottingham Pride

Congratulations to the Nottingham Pride Committee!  For Terry and self, last Saturday was the most enjoyable Nottingham Pride yet!  The annual call to the Old Gods was heeded and we had perfect weather – cheerful sunshine without miserable debilitating summer heat.  Some gay prides have been ruined by constant rain which is heartbreaking considering all the hard work put into these events – efforts which make the homosexual community stronger and further our cause. 

The position of Nottinghamshire's Rainbow Heritage stall was – perfect!  It had a perfect position situated at a busy junction which everybody had to pass.  For me personally, its perfection was connected with my job description.  I was expected to be proactive, to be friendly, to interest the browsing public in the work and displays.  That would have been impossible if I had to compete with [and suffer] loud thumping music which, alas, blights some prides.  I heard every word the visitors said to me and they heard every word I said to them – perfection – success!

On the same subject, I do hope that Nottingham Pride will stay in the beautiful Nottingham Arboretum with shady mature trees set in that tranquil, leafy, undulating landscape.

Saturday was special, not least, for the happy festive atmosphere and all the lovely people we met – not least the gorgeous, butch heterosexual chicken who insisted in giving me a cuddly, hug!  Equally cuddly were scrumptious partners one from Bakewell and one from Brighton who bridged all those miles when they met each other via the reading of Lost Lad.  There was more excitement when two lovely girls wandered over.  One was a producer / director who asked to interview me for a gay documentary film due out next year.

Narvel Annable.

Under the heading of – It’s not too late for more education on gay issues - this was printed with a photograph in the Derby Evening Telegraph 22.04.09 in their regular SOAPBOX column to highlight the gay friendly credentials of Age Concern.

Thank God for Age Concern!  At long last, time and trouble is being invested in an attempt to put homosexual issues high up on the Age Concern agenda.

In a recent questionnaire they asked - What are the positive things about being gay?

Not a lot.  But at my time of life – being 63 – the fire in my belly is certainly a positive force.  It burns bright and hot.  It is fuelled by a lifetime which has been blighted by the ignorance and injustice of homophobia.  After an escape from teaching in 1995 – the discovery of writing and fighting for the gay cause has given my new life a new shape and real purpose.

They asked - What are the negative things about being gay?

Simple.  Homophobia.  As above, having to live inside of yourself, hiding from a hostile majority [often religious groups] who think they occupy the moral high-ground.  Alas, constant anger can also be negative as well as positive.  It spurs me on to write new books which, hopefully, will make a small contribution to the cause.  But constant outrage can also be debilitating – self defeating.

They asked about my concerns about growing old.

I’m concerned that I shall become an angry old man – if I’m not that already!  Two tragic friends sum up my worse fears of growing old. 

Alex in Detroit [a friend since 1964] had a stroke just before Christmas 2005.  He lost his power of speech and has limited mobility.  Ill educated, narrow minded homophobic relatives are now able to censor his mail.  For several years my letters were destroyed.  I thought Alex was dead until a competent computer friend located his local Catholic church.  Armed with a postal address, I wrote to a church ‘visitor’ who grudgingly responded in a letter giving brief details of Alex’s condition and consequent lack of independence.

Bert in Barnsley [now in his late 70s] has been caring for his elderly parents for many years.  His secretive life centred upon the local gay steam baths.  For three days each week, this was a respite from his hard work and a venue of great pleasure.  It was his club, the centre of his world, his mainstay of social support until his health collapsed.  To the best of my knowledge, his parents [if still alive] are now in a home.  Like Alex, Bert now depends on relatives who have refused to receive any of his gay friends.  Effectively, he is without any friends at all - but for the few who telephone during the brief periods when his carers are out of the house.  It seems to me that the only fortunate gay men are the ones who suddenly drop dead.

Age Concern ask – How can we help older gays?

If people like Alex and Bert could be persuaded to put their names on some sort of a gay register – that would be a start and could provide a safety net for these likely eventualities.  Education of homophobic carers is also necessary. 

There is a complicating factor in the case of the above examples.  Both men [born in the 1930s] are already deeply closeted / horribly repressed in terms of their own dread of discovery and self hate.  They have never discussed their homosexuality with anyone outside of the gay community. Consequently, effectively they have colluded with these bigoted and hostile carers.

LGBT people who need care, need to be resident in a gay care home in a gay friendly environment where visitors are welcome.  I’d expect to enter such a home at a time when I could no longer care for myself.  Hopefully, I’ll be one of the lucky ones and just fall over dead!

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph April 25^th 2009                                                                         

Dear Editor                                                                        

A big cheer for young Sarah Fenell.  On BBC1, The Big Questions [April 19^th 2009] in no uncertain terms she said to the nation -

‘I am gay and I am not a wicked person.’

It was heart-warming!  The gay community needs more brave people like Sarah.  Set against more experienced professional advocates, she was calm, composed, eloquent and concise in her effective condemnation of the institutionalised homophobia in this country.

In seconds we learned that two thirds of all gay students / pupils are bullied, 41% have been attacked and 17% have received death threats because some people in power / public office such as Pope Benedict XVI continue to give gay bashers the licence they need to harm homosexuals.

Well done, Sarah.  Keep up your good work.

Narvel Annable.

 

Printed in the Belper News on April 22^nd 2009 under the headline - ‘Outrage at comments’

Dear Editor,

It was a good day for the gay community when Conservative County Councillor whip Robin Baldry suspended Patrick Clark the Conservative County Councillor for Duffield following his recent homophobic remarks in the magazine Duffield Scene.  This represents a big shift in attitude from 1986 when Staffordshire Tory Councillor Bill Brownhill called for all homosexuals to be gassed – and kept his job. 

Having lived a nice life in his cosy heterosexual comfort zone, Patrick Clark cannot begin to know what it is like to be me – what it is like to struggle through a life blighted by injustice and discrimination.  In that deeply offensive article, smugly, he refers to his wife Joan without any fear of condemnation or disapproval.  Only since the publication of my first gay novel in 2003 have I been able to speak openly / publicly about Terry my partner of 33 years.

We are all moving on.  Even the Conservative Party is finally emerging into the 21^st Century.  I was pleased to learn that two members of the Shadow Cabinet are openly gay.

Clark has been a bad councillor.   He has not represented gay people.  The voters of Duffield consist of a large homosexual minority, buttressed by an increasing number of gay friendly heterosexuals who - more and more - are appalled by the gay hate which is stubbornly endemic in rural areas.

Finally, I would remind this disgraced former councillor [who claims to be religious] that Leviticus 18.22 was written many centuries back by scribes who were as ignorant and as prejudiced as Patrick Clark – the quintessential bigot who might well sign himself as ‘Disgusted of Duffield’.  Good riddance!

 Narvel Annable.

 

Sent to several newspapers on April 12^th 2009

Dear Editor,

I’m trying to find Jack Carrier.  To echo a popular mantra from the early 1960s – ‘Are you all right, Jack?’

It happened in our colliery village of Stanley Common in 1959 when I was a frustrated, deeply repressed 14 year old scruffy chicken.  We had a shy and gentle postmaster called Jack Carrier.  One day he was there - the next day he was gone!

‘What’s happened to him?’  I asked mother.

          ‘That one!  Huh!  Good riddance,’ she snapped.  ‘E were one of them funny sorts.  No good to any woman,’ she growled.

          ‘Well, ‘e were allus nicely spoken and polite ta me,’ sniffed Aunty B, taking another swig of tea.

The effect on me?  Well, it was the same as the effect on hundreds of thousands like me.  I hid inside of myself.  I became withdrawn and tried to pretend to desire girls.  I drifted into a secret world of fear and insecurity.

Clearly Jack had been discovered in some way, denounced and driven out of Stanley Common by ignorant homophobic outrage.  In those dark days of rabid gay hate, it was considered quite natural for a heterosexual to ‘chat up’ a woman.  However, if a homosexual engaged another man in conversation, that was seen as ‘soliciting for an immoral purpose’.  Many victims were entrapped by the CID in plainclothes and humiliated in the local press.  Did this happen to Jack?

Archivist Tony Scupham-Bilton discovered that the Carriers had been postmasters in Stanley Common since 1924 and John H Carrier was born in 1920.  He could still be alive!

I’ve asked relatives, only to be met with a wall of silence.  Somebody in Stanley Common must know what happened to the inoffensive, mild mannered Jack Carrier who suddenly disappeared 50 years ago.  If any of your readers have any information, please contact me.

Narvel Annable

 

Letter to Ross Smith regarding his address to the Breakout Group at the Health Shop, Broad Street in Nottingham 07.04.09

Dear Ross,

 Thank you for that very professional and entertaining talk you gave to a packed house at Breakout last night.  In so many ways it was one of the best presentations I have ever seen at any gay venue. 

Your personal example as a leading light in the Nottingham gay community was an inspiration leaving Terry, Ian and myself uplifted and hopeful for the LGBT future.

It was especially enlightening because [in my experience] the people who owned or managed homosexual commercial concerns tended to stay in the shadows.  Special thanks to the ever reliable Breakout for shining a light and rightly honouring this dynamo who has achieved so much for the prestige of Gay Nottingham. 

Ray Wilson and his conscientious team continue to impress, continue to make Breakout one of the best gay support groups around.  They never fail!  It’s like visiting friends.  There is always an enthusiastic welcome together with a much needed cup of hot tea to sooth the nerves after the long, angst-ridden journey from Belper.  Long may you continue to do your good work. 

The following observations are made from the viewpoint of a regular summer visitor to Nottingham.  From 1963 to 1976 I lived in Detroit where ‘the scene’ mainly consisted of secretive seedy bars with a few disreputable, shabby steam baths which, notwithstanding, always delivered lashings of ecstasy! 

1960s Nottingham: these were the years of smart suits – artificial gay men – old snooty snobs, standing around in the Flying Horse Hotel quietly chatting in affected, effeminate accents.  In that palace of soft silence, I always seemed to be the uneducated chicken with the scruffy accent having to stand still and tolerate leering sneers from ‘my betters’.   

It all changed in 1972 with orgasmic joy!  To the strains of Motown, it was now possible to sway, hop, jiggle and whirl around under flashing lights with a more natural, younger crowd at a totally new exciting experience they called a ‘discothèque’ located on Stamford Street.  Mario’s had arrived!  Throughout the 1970s, Mario’s morphed to Shades and Shades morphed to Whispers but the format was much the same.  It shouted out loud – ‘We are not Pansy’s Parlour!’

Your talk focused my attention on Mario’s bold and brave rival which, one year later in 1973 arrived on Canal Street with the [as you pointed out] somewhat difficult name - La Chic – pronounced as Laarrr Chick by the ‘Belper Goblin’ who was far too busy massaging to ever go anywhere near Nottingham.  He was the hideous old crone [based on a real old queen] who features in Scruffy Chicken.

In terms of a ‘gay scene’, 1970s Detroit [with not a single discotheque] had nothing on Nottingham which by that time had two big clubs and attracted LGBT visitors from others cities.  We all thought La Chic was really good.  It was a privilege to meet the man who raised it from the dead and made it better – much better. 

Thank you, Ross.  Thank you for Part II.  Thank you for all your hard work which made us all so proud of the Nottingham gay scene from 1981 to 1985.  Thank you for taking a risk.  Thank you for your admirable enterprise.  Thank you for your vision – imagination – tenacity – energy and managerial skills which lifted us to a higher level and contributed to the gay cause.

With gratitude,

Narvel.

 

03.04.2009

Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Thank you for your letter of March 25^th 2009.  I was pleased to learn that two members of the Shadow Cabinet are openly gay. 

However, having studied the website ‘They Work for You’, I am not impressed by your protestations to be gay friendly!  According to this negative voting record, you are certainly not working for me or correctly representing members of the LGBT community in West Derbyshire. 

Up to my letter to you about Clause 58, I had no idea that you had attempted to obstruct so much pro-gay legislation.  It follows that there will be many other members of the homosexual community in this area who are also in the dark regarding your appalling indifference to gay issues. 

The voters of West Derbyshire consist of not only a large homosexual minority, but are also buttressed by an increasing number of gay friendly heterosexuals who - more and more - are appalled by the homophobia which is stubbornly endemic in rural areas.  

Having lived your life in a cosy heterosexual comfort zone, you cannot begin to know what it is like to be me – what it is like to struggle through a life blighted by disapproval.  In the run up to the next election, I ask you to examine your conscience.  I urge you to do the right thing - to make a start to represent me - and people like me.

Narvel Annable.

 

Printed in the Pink Paper January 22^nd 2009 and Out Northwest February 2009

 Fallible

So!  A bigoted old man in Rome [who is supposed to be infallible] gives the global gay community a Christmas present which amounts to a kick in the teeth!  His prejudice and ill-informed words reveal the institutional homophobia which is currently eating away at the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church.  His cruel condemnation of homosexuality is nothing short of an incitement to hatred giving gay bashers licence to inflict violent acts upon gay people.  And this from a cleric who claims to speak for the Prince of Peace – a cleric who is beginning to sound more like the appalling Ayatollah Khomeini.   

This vindictive pronouncement [oh yes, it is definitely vindictive] tells us more about an old man’s ignorance than it does about the rain forest or human morality. 

I will be a prophet today.  I predict the Catholic Church will soon collapse under the weight of its own homophobic cant and unsustainable irrelevance as did the collapse of communism in the late 1980s.

Narvel Annable.

Printed in the Nottingham Evening Post 27.12.08 and in the Derby Evening Telegraph 30.12.08. 

Dear Editor,

Here are a few observations on His Honour Keith Matthewman QC a former teacher at William Howitt School in Heanor who died on 23.12.08 at the QMC.

When Jane Matthewman died this summer, a big part of Keith died with her.  Since that tragic event, Keith has been just a shadow of his former considerable self – that same powerful, impressive self I so admired and described in my book - A Judge Too Far.

My partner Terry and I will always remember the magical chemistry which existed between Jane and Keith.  They were just so right for each other, so complementary and so supportive.  They were a superb role model for any stable, lasting relationship and the good they have done will last long beyond my time on this earth.

The exquisite courtesy of that wonderful couple will also endure.  After an enjoyable visit to their beautiful home, we recall their reluctance to agree to our departure.  It was late.  It was always late and I would say ‘We really must rise now’.  Keith would reply – ‘I’m supposed to say that!’  We were escorted to the door and [despite our protestations] Keith and Jane would insist on standing in that doorway, even in the cold of winter, to wave us off.  That touching scene lasted until we were completely out of sight.  I will always cherish that special image of two kind-hearted people waving at the doorway.

They leave behind a splendid son in whom they were so proud.  Adrian Matthewman has inherited all their qualities, especially the quality of kindness.  This morning he said to me –

“Of course they waved you off!  They loved you and Terry to bits!  They thought the world of you guys.”  

It takes a lot to reduce me to tears – but that did it!

This Christmas, our thoughts are with Adrian and Jackie Matthewman who have suffered a great loss this year.  And our thoughts are with the many victims of crime in Nottingham who have also sustained an appalling loss.  The man with the heart of gold, the man resplendent with wig and gown behind the majesty of the law is now sitting in a higher court.

Sleep well, dear friend.

Narvel Annable.

On Monday, December 29^th 2008 - six days after the death of His Honour Keith Matthewman QC - Amazon Books www.amazon.co.uk -had sold all of their copies but one of A Judge Too Far.  On that day, that last book was priced at £156.  It was sold the next day. 

 

This letter was printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph November 10^th 2008

Dear Editor

Here is the good news for all who suffer from homophobic insults.  Thanks to a blitz in the media, the Ross / Brand furore has gathered enough strength to throw a spotlight on to loutish, ladish low-life which, for the last few decades, has inflicted pain and damage to its innocent better behaved victims with impunity.   

It seems beyond belief that a so called civilised society has rewarded these so called comedians with popularity and obscene amounts of money.  In the case of the BBC – our money! 

That same macho uncouth conduct, which is endemic in top celebrity culture, eventually percolates down to infect the young.  It incites disobedience and disrespect in comprehensive schools. 

I should know.  I was a victim.  As a teacher in a ‘bog standard’ comp, I suffered several homophobic attacks which, effectively, wound up a teaching career of 21 years.  There are clear parallels between the weak, incompetent management of the BBC and the equally weak, incompetent management of my former school.  After several excruciating, devastating, humiliating incidents went unpunished, my position as a schoolmaster became untenable.  Alas, there was no public wave of outrage to support my case.  Like tens of thousands of gay teachers in the prevailing homophobic environment of secondary education, I had to bite my lip, sustain the emotional wounds, creep away and keep quiet. 

I’m out.  Notwithstanding, I urge all teachers who are still in there, still in the fray - all teachers of all sexualities to take heart from the current wave of public indignation.  Ride that wave!  Complain!  Make a fuss!  Don’t stand for it!  Be vociferous with the union rep and your local gay support service.  Always remember – homophobia is now illegal and should not be tolerated anywhere.

Narvel Annable.

This letter was printed in the Independent, the Daily Mail and the Derby Evening Telegraph – 15.07.08.  It was also printed in the Pink Paper 24.07.08 - and in the August edition of Nottingham’s QB. 

Dear Editor,

Lillian Ladele may be interested to know that two evangelising Christians came to my door [uninvited] to convert me to their way of thinking.  Like Ms Ladele, they also held ‘deep and sincere orthodox Christian views’.  It transpired that these views were racist, espousing negative judgements against people of African descent.  When I asked them to explain how they justified their claim that black people were ‘naturally inferior’, they said –

          “As a punishment, God turned Negroes black to remind us all of their sins.”

This appalling statement was uttered in Detroit in 1964.  Although their perverted religious logic was at least challenged – alas - back in those dark homophobic days, I was not brave enough to argue comparisons between their bigotry and my own homosexuality.   

Ms Ladele may claim to hold her ‘deep and sincere Christian views’, but, in reality, she is just as much a bigot as the two religious racists who (if the law permitted) would relegate Ms Ladele [who is clearly of African descent] to the status as a charwoman.  They would never allow her to rise to anything as grand as a £31,000-a-year registrar.  Helen Mendez-Child of Islington Council was quite right to point out that the registrar’s stance was blatant discrimination - akin to refusing to marry a black person.  As Ben Summerskill of Stonewall said – ‘A public servant cannot pick and choose who they deliver those services to.’ 

Yours sincerely,  

Narvel Annable.  

This letter was printed in the Pink Paper 07.08.08 and in the Derby Evening Telegraph 29.07.08                                                                 

Dear Editor, 

Just hours before John Barrowman [The Making of Me, BBC 1 24.07.08] had consulted psychologists and geneticists to prove that nature, not nurture had determined his homosexuality - I was approached by two neat, squeaky clean, smiling young men who clearly desired a conference.  It was, in fact, a rude interruption to a peaceful sunny morning in the Valley Gardens, Harrogate.  My partner and I [of 32 years] were admiring a splendid display of radiant begonias.  

Pleasantries were exchanged before we were lectured on the subject of sin.  Typically, these Mormons trotted out their tired old mantra of ‘love the sinner but hate the sin’.  No problem with that - until we revealed our sexuality.   Like Barrowman, we argued that we were born homosexuals.  We argued that our particular ‘sin’ and our homosexuality were one and the same - they could not be separated – being gay is not a lifestyle choice.   

They parried by asserting that our conduct was ‘unnatural’.  In short, we could be acceptable to orthodox Christianity if we remained celibate – and should do just that!  At some point in this fruitless discussion with these nice people – that was the problem, they were so nice - they expressed sadness that our minds would not be changed.  One offered me his hand as a gesture of friendship and courteous conclusion to this brief meeting which I found very disturbing.  Refusing to accept his hand, without calling him a homophobic bigot, I tried to explain how his ridged philosophy was medieval, ignorant and cruel.  It was insulting to expect a victim to dignify centuries of oppressive discrimination with a hand shake. 

We got nowhere.  It spoiled my day.  It was so very sad, because … well … they were so very nice. 

Narvel Annable          

 

Printed in the October 16^th edition of the Pink Paper  

Dear Editor, 

It was a heartbreaking irony!  At the same moment when hundreds of people were happily celebrating the culture of gay life, last Saturday on the Bass Recreation Ground in Derby, one vulnerable openly gay teenager, not far away, was suicidal.  Far above a jeering crowd, baying for blood, he was standing on the roof of Westfield Centre car park, threatening to kill himself.  Seventeen year old Shaun Dykes, did just that; he plunged to his death at 5.30pm.  Two well trained police officers had tried to help Shaun, but they were outnumbered by despicable, taunting ghouls who had flocked to see death, after the style of a public execution. 

Shaun and I have much in common.  We are both gay, have both attended school in Heanor, have both been very unhappy to the brink of jumping from a high place.  Tragically, Shaun jumped.  I did not.  I went on to write three autobiographic books which explain the problems of being homosexual in a society which is often very homophobic. 

I did not know Shaun.  I am not familiar with the circumstances which drove him to commit suicide.  I hope the students at Heanor Gate treated him more kindly than some of the more savage pupils of Mundy Street Boys School who subjected me to a routine of physical and psychological torture.  In 1957, my typical day started with prayers and hymns and ended with a desire to be dead.  In the autumn of that year, with the assistance of a sadistic schoolmaster, head bowed and eyes downcast, I had reached an advanced stage of humility and obedience to the bullies who had broken me.  It was the end.  On one particular day, 51 years ago – I had become Shaun Dykes. 

Like Shaun, I was looking down to a pavement below.  Not Derby, this was a Heanor pavement, at Red Lion Square, beneath our top bedroom window.  Unlike Shaun, nobody was there to help, neither was there anybody to taunt or humiliate.  That was an everyday occurrence at my Church of England school.   However, on this day, my pain felt like the wording of a medieval ordeal – ‘As much as you can bear, and greater’. 

Sleep well, Shaun.  You died on the day of the best ever Derby Pride.  You can be sure that people like me will keep using their skills to attack homophobia.  You can be sure that the Derbyshire Friend charity, indeed, all other homosexual organisations will continue to keep working, to support young gay people like you. 

Narvel Annable.         

 Printed in the September 18^th edition of the Pink Paper

 Dear Editor,

This is to address the Jehovah's Witnesses who came to my door this morning.  Two inoffensive, elderly ladies who, alas, were received with hostility and about as much aggression as I could muster.  You probably think this is an apology.  Wrong.  However, these gentle souls are entitled to an explanation for my [uncharacteristic] incandescent rage in the doorway complete with face half shaved / half covered in foam. 

Jehovah's Witnesses are poison to gay men.  Since 1879, untold numbers of homosexuals have had their lives warped, effectively destroyed by the active evangelism and rabid homophobia of this evil sect.  I can cite three examples known to me personally.  In 1964 I met Walter in Detroit. We enjoyed friendship, fun and were good for each other.  However, he was uncomfortable with his sexuality and his bigoted Jehovah's Witness family had already described both of us as ‘degenerate’.  After ten years of unceasing brainwashing he became celibate and cut himself off from most of his gay friends.  Last year he became dangerously ill.  His family, primitive, prejudiced and cruel to the last, refused all access to his few remaining homosexual contacts.  Walter died in August, a lonely, sad, sick, broken man – an unnatural, wasted, mangled life. 

Nearer to home in a remote, medieval North East Derbyshire mining village, we have Trevor and Stephen – both gay, both Bible bashed, both poisoned and both victims of the insidious indoctrination of Jehovah's Witnesses. 

So, gentle ladies at my door; before you judge me as a rude nasty type, consider what you represent to a gay man when you announced yourselves to be Jehovah's Witnesses.  Consider my own suffering and the suffering of numerous blighted lives of people like me.  

This is the 21^st century.  This is the age of the Rainbow Flag and Gay Pride.  We will no longer tolerate Jehovah's Witnesses at our door.  Go away and don’t come back. 

Yours truly, 

Narvel Annable   

This letter was printed in the Nottingham Evening Post and in the Derby Evening Telegraph on May 27^th 2008.  

Dear Editor,

After a lifetime of suffering snide innuendoes and sarcastic slurs on my masculinity due to indifference on the subject of football, the recent Nottingham Forest Players anti-homophobia / anti-bullying poster was an absolute joy to behold.  It made my day - perhaps my decade!  Coming from one of the last bastions of gay hate, the cultural significance of such a powerful message is immense and its potential good among our young people - immeasurable. 

It is a fitting memorial to former Forest player Justin Fashanu.  To the best of my knowledge, he is the only leading footballer who has publicly admitted his homosexuality - and paid the terrible price for that splendid act of bravery. 

I take all this very personally.  The unwelcome appearance of a homosexual into my macho, working class family was suspected when Dad proudly presented me with my first pair of football boots to be used for my very first match at Mundy Street Boys School in the hill-top colliery town of Heanor.  For father and son this event was a painful disaster.  It left a long shadow which darkened both of our lives: a damaging, humiliating experience affording no mercy.  A sadistic schoolmaster encouraged aggressive taunts, brutal insults, screaming jeers reducing a miserable boy to a very low level of self esteem.  Those boots used that one time in 1956, [never again] became symbols of a life long hatred of all macho sports. 

All is forgiven.  A big ‘thank you’ to the good players of Nottingham Forest who have put their names and faces to a public condemnation of homophobia. 

Narvel Annable.  

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph 03.10.08 

Dear Editor, 

Only a few years ago it would have been impossible to write this letter; inconceivable that I should sign it with my name and address!  It would have been unthinkable for me to admit that I actually attended a large gathering of homosexuals.  This was Derby Pride – the biggest and best to date – guys and gals celebrating gay life on the Bass Recreational Ground last Saturday [28.09.08] afternoon under a perfect, autumnal blue sky. 

We are the lives whose achievements have been too long hidden, too often unrecognised in the teeth of decades of negative discrimination – hence our Derby Pride - a local, annual orgy of arts, skills, enterprise and sheer ingenuity on show, unashamed, for the world to see.

There were many interesting stalls, but special mention should be given to the conscientious team at Derbyshire Friend.  This excellent voluntary agency, a charity located on Friary Street is giving sterling service, improving the lives of gay people all year round, as indeed they have been doing for a quarter of a century.  I go back further - half a century!  I date back to the dark homophobic days when we were barely tolerated in the passageway of the Corporation Hotel in the old Cattle Market.  I can remember being frozen out by my own kind, the sneering, snobbish homosexuals who, in a climate of fear, once ruled supreme in the Friary Hotel.  Derbyshire Friend has rescued me from all that.  It has delivered untold numbers of LGBT people from all such abuses.    

The heterosexual majority should remember that human unhappiness has effects far beyond the individual; it reaches out to touch the lives of everybody.  Accordingly, I urge everybody to wish Derbyshire Friend a very happy 25^th birthday and many happy returns of the day. 

Narvel Annable  

This letter was hand delivered to Father Michael Kirkham at Belper RC Parish, Gibfield Lane, Belper on 06.01.2009.           

 Dear Father Michael,

Regarding the Pope’s inflammatory pre-Christmas address, I took the view that every gay person should complain and remonstrate with their nearest priest at the local Roman Catholic Church.  In my case, that was you, Father Michael.  Thank you for such a gracious and compassionate response after an initial approach which could hardly be described as a bouquet of flowers! 

Here is the completed research you advised, mainly taken from the sources you suggested.  They are all enclosed in the A4 envelope delivered to the Church House at the above address.  If it works, I will also email this document.   

I hope the following effort does not sound too high handed or pompous.  It is a personal analysis, not necessarily the voice of the gay community.

I’m touched by your kind concern regarding my emotional health and will endeavour to follow the advice of Mark Vernon of the Guardian 23.12.08.

“Don’t let the Pope’s silliness get under your skin.  If you take it too much to heart, it can ruin your day.  And if it ruins too many days, then it ruins your life.” 

On Monday, December 22^nd 2008, Pope Benedict XVI made an end-of-year speech to senior Vatican staff [the Curia] which, unfortunately, did ruin my Christmas.  According to Philippe Naughton of The Times, the Pope said

“Humanity needed to listen to the ‘language of creation’ to understand the intended roles of man and woman.  Behaviour beyond traditional heterosexual relations was a ‘destruction of God’s work’.  He added –

‘The tropical forests do deserve our protection.  But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less.’”

 Sorry, Father Michael, but that sounds very much like homophobia to me!

The BBC News Channel said [and interpreted] much the same thing as did Christine Odone in the Observer.  There is also strong support from Mark Vernon of the Guardian for a homophobic interpretation.  The Pink Paper, due out later this month has yet to speak.  It is extremely unlikely that the editor Tris Reid-Smith or any of his team are likely to invest much time or effort trawling

through the Holy Father’s complex words in a struggle to find a gay-friendly translation.  I suspect their views will not be too dissimilar to my own.  Those views were expressed in my letter, hand delivered to you just after Christmas.

“So!  A bigoted old man in Rome [who is supposed to be infallible] gives the global gay community a Christmas present which amounts to a kick in the teeth!  His prejudice and ill-informed words reveal the institutional homophobia which is currently eating away at the credibility of the Roman Catholic Church.  His cruel condemnation of homosexuality is nothing short of an incitement to hatred giving gay bashers licence to inflict violent acts upon gay people.  And this from a cleric who claims to speak for the Prince of Peace – a cleric who is beginning to sound more like the appalling Ayatollah Khomeini

This vindictive pronouncement [oh yes, it is definitely vindictive] tells us more about an old man’s ignorance than it does about the rain forest or human morality. 

I will be a prophet today.  I predict the Catholic Church will soon collapse under the weight of its own homophobic cant and unsustainable irrelevance as did the collapse of communism in the late 1980s.”

Having completed the research, I have to tell you that I stand by this original letter which has now been sent to several newspapers - albeit somewhat intemperate in tone.  As you rightly implied in your surprisingly sympathetic letter of December 30^th, I was hurt and angry.  That said, I sincerely regret any offense or pain my letter may have inflicted on you, Father Michael, or on any of your colleagues.

Note the following quote from Rev Sharon Ferguson of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement who supports my reference to ‘gay bashing’.

“The Pope’s comments were irresponsible and unacceptable.  When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way.”

In a recent email sent to you, Peter Tatchell, speaking to the gay rights group OUTRAGE, made a stronger observation about the pre-Christmas Papal outburst –

“The suggestion that gay people are a threat to human survival is absurd and dangerous.  It is poisonous propaganda that will give comfort and succour to queer bashers everywhere.” 

Perhaps we should examine the real value of this exercise – an endeavour which began with my conviction that every gay man should make a token protest to their local Catholic priest.  I expected to meet with either a wall of silence or, at best, a cool acknowledgement of my communication to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at Gibfield Lane.  Instead, your welcome response has been friendly, helpful and constructive.  In short, it was an auspicious ending to what I have dubbed my ‘Religious Year of 2008’.

 Let me explain.  My sleep problem did not start with a Papal insult.  See my Sheet 86 [letter to the Pink Paper September 18^th 08] - Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door twice within one week!  This was a slap in the face, because, one of their victims, a dear friend of mine for many years died in the August of 2007.  Jehovah's Witnesses turn gay men into zombies.  I’ve known four such men.  My confrontation with this evil sect was extremely distressing because I cope badly with resulting unpleasantness.

 Note the enclosed Sheet 85 and see me challenging the ignorance of Mormons in the Derby Evening Telegraph letter of July 30^th 08.  Like the Jehovah's Witnesses – Mormons came to me – I did not go to them!  Their approach to me devastated the tranquillity of my holiday in Harrogate.  Note the enclosed source B which confirms exactly what I feared – the Roman Catholic Church takes the same line as the Mormons – ‘hate the sin, but love the sinner’.  It will not do.  For members of the LGBT community, the sin and sinner are one and the same.  They cannot be separated unless Jehovah's Witnesses style brainwashing is applied which destroys the original human being.  And in any case, it is nonsense to speak about homosexual activity as ‘sin’.  See source D, Mark Vernon of the Guardian said –

“To write off all gay love makes about as much sense as writing off all heterosexual love.”  Thank you for that, Mark.   

Also in this year, I wrote a letter to the press regarding a hostile response from of the Salvation Army.  All these letters are posted on my website – www.narvelannable.co.uk - A bible reading class in Clowne [a mining village in North East Derbyshire] had been indoctrinating a vulnerable young gay man which resulted in a change of his personality.  Jehovah's Witnesses techniques were employed.  Holding a good opinion of the Salvation Army, I genuinely believed that Major Jonathan Roberts at Chilwell would be appalled to hear my news.  Naively, I was confident that he would instruct his homophobic ‘teachers’ to refer our friend to the professional, gay-friendly councillors who work at the Derbyshire Sexual Health Promotion Service in Chesterfield.  I also pointed out that help and guidance from the Nottingham Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement would be more appropriate for a disturbed and susceptible

young homosexual.  Instead of disciplining his bigoted and ignorant staff, Roberts said this in his letter of reply –

“The Salvation Army takes the view that people can’t help what they are – but they are responsible for what they do.” 

That shocking statement from Roberts was unacceptable and insulting.  It cost me many sleepless nights and it cost the Salvation Army many Christmas donations.  This includes the money Terry and I will not be giving in the future and it includes all the future donations I can persuade as many people as possible not to donate to the homophobic Salvation Army.

The words spoken by Benedict XVI on December 22nd must be seen in context with his consistent track record of enmity to the gay community.  See source E from the Pink Paper 18.12.08 in which he opposes a United Nations statement on decriminalising homosexuality in the 86 countries which still ban sex between men.  The international community is trying to make it lawful to be gay in every country in the world, but the Pope will not budge on this issue.  In your letter of December 30^th, you described your boss as ‘having a pastoral heart - his writings displaying urbanity’.  Clearly you hold this man in some esteem. 

Let me tell you who I esteem.  Peter Tatchell is my hero.   I predict that in a thousand years time his name will be better remembered and better revered than the name of Benedict XVI.  Peter Tatchell said –

“The opposition of the Pope to human rights violations based on sexual orientation is truly sickening, depraved and shameless.”

Also sickening, depraved and shameless is the Vatican’s decision to remove Cardinal Newman’s body from its resting place.  See source F.  Peter described the separation of Newman’s bones from the bones of his long term male lover as ‘an act of desecration and vandalism’.  The Cardinal’s body was buried in 1890 in the same grave as his partner Ambrose St John.  Speaking on Radio 4, Cardinal Cormac-Murphy O’Connor was trying to rewrite history and stand truth on its head.  During a tough interview, in a failed attempt to defend the Pontiff’s homophobic embarrassment, the Cardinal admitted that the two men really loved each another.  He went on to say that such love was not necessarily homosexual!

Christine Odone of the Observer appears to support my doomsday prediction with regard to the Roman Catholic Church –

“Without gay men, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church would collapse, a fact Benedict XVI wilfully ignores.  Gay men and women have for millenniums filled the ranks of the church’s holy orders, schools and administration; they celebrated the Catholic vision in music, paintings and writing.  Catholic teachings might condemn sodomy as the sin that cries to the heavens for vengeance, yet Catholic parishes, universities and seminaries would grind to a halt if gays were banned.  Church rules might forbid same-sex unions, yet Christ’s first and foremost commandment was to love one another.”

It has always been a mystery to me how educated, intelligent people like yourself can reconcile the manifest reality of an institution dominated by homosexuals with the screaming homophobia of its top management!  Perhaps, Father Michael, you could explain that to me?

The Odone comments accord with some of the text in my novel Scruffy Chicken. There are references to the sneering snobs who infested Derby Cathedral in the mid 1960’s – and are probably prominent to this day.  Here is an example from page 104.

 David led Simeon to the end of the bar in order to buy him a drink.

"Better this way," he whispered.  "It's seen as 'bad form' to have a private conversation when Hawley has the floor.  Anyway, I'm getting bored with his tirades against the new progressive Canon at Derby Cathedral."

"They go to church?"

"My dear boy!  You have so much to learn.  They practically own Derby Cathedral!  I kid you not.  Smells and bells; they invented it.  I'm surprised the whole congregation don't rise when Hoadley and Hawley make the grand entrance.  It's the same each Sunday, the great and good of Derby sit near the front, always in the same order.  First Miss Bulstrode, the headmistress of the prestigious Derby High School for Girls.  She chats with Hoadley in Latin and Greek.  Then we have the unctuous Hawley, who sits next to the tweedy Miss Penelope DeHaviland, the Editor of Derbyshire Life and Countryside Magazine.  They exchange bits of gossip about the Lord High Sheriff and the Lord Lieutenant.  Last, but not least, is the bolt-upright form of Hoadley himself, the First Homosexual of Derbyshire keeping trunk and legs at a precise 90 degrees.  Woe to the cleric who dares to depart from traditional form.  After the service, he must face the wrath of Miss Hoadley!"

"Miss Hoadley!"

"Sorry about that.  The title of 'Miss' is fairly common in our catty world.  You'll learn.  I grant you that those two are not as ladylike as some ... but Hawley in particular, well he's so bloody slimy!  And then, don't you think there's something of an 'old maid' about them?"

In conclusion – Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Salvation Army and, at the very end of 2008 – the Roman Catholic Church all attacking homosexuals – all attacking me – with the possible exception of you, Father Michael.  The blessing you gave me over the phone was a stark contrast to the papal ‘kick in the teeth’.

Christmas was not an entire write-off.  As usual, Terry put a huge effort into turning our living room into a wondrous grotto which would have gladdened the heart of any child – and we are big children.  We had friends to dinner: they all shook their heads, told me to forget the pope and, for goodness sake, get a good night’s sleep!

In one way our Christmas was a truly religious event thanks to the theologian Robert Beckford who fascinated us for hours [over several days] with his interesting television research into the dynasty of Jesus and investigation of the Nativity.  It was instructive, nostalgic and relaxing.

I’ll finish with a final ‘thank you’ for a commendable, gentle Christian response to an angry letter.

Narvel Annable.

Sent to the Derby Evening Telegraph 13.10.08 

Dear Editor, 

Church of England priest Peter Mullen describes the gay community as ‘militant’.  You bet we are militant!  When a man of the cloth incites rabid hatred against homosexuals we need to protest and protest loudly as we should have been doing for the last 100 years.  When called to account, Mullen claimed he has some ‘dear gay friends’.  Would any of his ‘dear gay friends’ care to come forward and defend the disgusting homophobic suggestions the rector now describes as ‘light hearted jokes’?  If Mullen is in the mood for jokes, I could think of a few choice comments to tattoo across his bottom.  

There is little good news in this appalling story.  However, at least we can take comfort in the fact that, thanks to the alert, vigorous and vociferous LGBT movement, such despicable bigots as The Reverend Mullen are now quickly exposed to face the judgement of a more enlightened global population. 

Narvel Annable.       

 

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph 22.08.08 

On BBC Breakfast [18.08.08] as usual, the presenters reviewed the daily papers.  To my horror they selected a tabloid feature about a matador tormenting an innocent bull.  Did they say that bull fighting was unacceptable in the 21^st century?  No.  Did at least one of them utter a comment to the effect that a long drawn out public exhibition of inflicted humiliation and torture on a dumb animal was cruel and wrong?  No.  There was no reference to suffering and death for the entertainment of unspeakable, blood-thirsty, cheering crowds. 

Instead, they mentioned the two main points highlighted in the tabloid text.  The matador was doing well to be still employed in his work at the age of 66 and, also, that he was the only British matador.  Should we be proud? 

This is the BBC!  As a licence payer, I expect a higher standard of morality. 

Narvel Annable. 

Sent to The Observer 18.10.08 

Dear Editor, 

We are approaching the season when the Salvation Army will be coming to our neighbourhood collecting money.  For the past 30 years, my partner, and I [believing that they do good work] have been pleased to make cash donations with a smile.  However, they are entitled to know why their collector will receive a frosty reception at our door this Christmas. 

In a Derbyshire colliery village, we know a vulnerable man.  He is a former friend of many years who has been attending a Salvation Army bible reading group.  By inclination he is suggestible, easily manoeuvred, easily influenced, often bullied and appears to have been influenced by a nest of evil homophobes who are bigoted, prejudiced, ignorant and plain poisonous.   

This gay man has lost much of his sense of humour and seems to have suffered a change of personality.  It is horrific - reminiscent of the old 1950's science fiction films where aliens subsume human bodies!  He tells me that 'the Bible is anti-gay' and trots out several well known homophobic passages which are frequently aimed at the homosexual community.  

I am shocked that a bible group under the auspices of the Salvation Army, the Salvation Army I have always respected, the Salvation Army of the 21st century, should (as it appears) harbour such homophobic intolerance!  On the face of it, this is brain-washing of the type we more commonly associate with Jehovah's Witnesses.  If this group have exploited self doubt, have induced self hate, they have committed an act of wickedness. 

I wrote to Major Jonathan Roberts at Chilwell about my concerns.  His reply was shocking!

          “With regard to homosexuality, the Salvation Army takes the view that people can’t help what they are – but they are responsible for what they do.” 

Effectively, he is saying that gay life is wrong and that the bible group is right!  Terry and I have been together for 32 years.  Roberts had a chance to amend / clarify his views, but held firm to his main point.  He is telling us that we must be celibate if we are to receive full respect and dignity in the eyes of the Salvation Army.   

This out of date homophobic attitude is unacceptable and insulting to all who identify with the LGBT community. 

So, Salvation Army; do not come to this address this Christmas. 

Narvel Annable.

This letter of February 16^th 2008 was sent to the Nottingham Evening Post

Dear Editor, 

What happened to the Nottingham Evening Post last Tuesday evening?  A reporter and photographer should have been at Waterstone’s on February 12^th when they kindly hosted a mammoth display of gay books, photographs, posters, charts, newspaper and magazine features which illustrated a history of the Nottingham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community.  This was the UK’s biggest LGBT Exhibition.  

Together with a generous spread of free food and drink, this was a parade of the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY.  The GOOD included hundreds of successful positive role models, past and present, gay personalities from Florence Nightingale to John Barrowman.  The BAD made for harrowing reading: appalling examples of homophobic cruelty – abuse, bigotry, prejudice and discrimination over many years.  The UGLY was unbearable.  We saw images of a public execution on the back of a lorry in Iran.  Two teenage boys were being hanged for the ‘crime’ of loving each other.  And, right here in this country, I will always be haunted by those faces; faces of young men kicked to death because they were trying find other young men of similar inclination.

 Leaders of the Nottingham LGBT fellowship invested many long hours of hard, unpaid work to organize this excellent exhibit.  It aimed to break down barriers, inform and educate the heterosexual majority.  In this effort to promote understanding, a better image for homosexuals, these good people deserved more support from the local press. 

Yours very disappointed, 

Narvel Annable. 

A few days later, Senior Features Editor, Jeremy Lewis [who reviewed Scruffy Chicken] sent me a gracious ‘unconditional’ apology and offered to publicize a feature on my forthcoming talk at Heanor Library on 27.02.08. 

Letter sent to Rebecca Sherdley of the Nottingham Evening Post regarding her feature about the death of Sir Brian Smedley printed on April 16^th 2007. 

Dear Ms Sherdley, 

Thank you for mentioning my book A Judge Too Far (Keith Matthewman) in your interesting feature about Sir Brian Smedley.  You may find the following Publicity Sheet Number 74 of some interest. 

Regards, 

Narvel Annable. 

Martin Harcourt QC 

With regard to my novel Scruffy Chicken, readers sometimes ask –

"Was Brian Smedley the inspiration for your character Martin Harcourt QC?"   

Often in the way of these things, the answer is not simple.  Harcourt was a composite of three men including Brian Smedley.  In the 1965 gay community, it was common knowledge that Brian was a Barrister.  I met him frequently in several venues and drooled over his beautiful white Jaguar.  He was a regular at our 'gentleman's club', the Derby Turkish Baths (cautiously signing in as 'Brian Jones') and was a prestigious dinner guest in the homes of senior members of both the Derby and Nottingham Camp.   

Despite being a member of both elite groups, Brian was no snob.  He had little patience with the snooty affectation of Claud Hoadley and his fawning 'nodding heads'.  On one occasion, at the home of David Bond, Brian was especially kind to me.  With regard to an infatuation which was causing great anxiety, he counselled good advice - advice I should have taken - as you will learn in my next title Secret Summer.  

Brian Smedley and Martin Harcourt certainly shared the life-long concern, the chronic horror of public disapproval should their homosexuality ever come to light.  In a world where gay sex was illegal, considered immoral - in the Derby / Nottingham professional classes - a pervasive terror of being outed as 'a queer' was all around – the air was thick with the threat of disgrace and ruination.  It could be cut with a knife.  Observe Brian's photograph in Rebecca Sherdley's tribute in the Nottingham Evening Post, April 16th 2007.  This is the public face of a High Court Judge who sat in the Old Bailey, the respectable image of Sir Brian Smedley, resplendent in his formal robes and full wig.  But this one-time scruffy chicken who knew Brian nearly half a century back; he sees behind the majesty of the law, he sees the sad eyes of a haunted man.

No such sadness in the twinkling eyes of Martin Harcourt.  I gave him a youthful charm, wit, good fun and a roguish sense of mischief which did not belong to Brian Smedley who I found to be rather guarded and reserved.  No.  These endearing qualities can be attributed to another lawyer, a popular Nottingham solicitor and leading light in the Nottingham Camp who eventually became a life-long friend.           

To make the character fit in with the plot-line, to bring him to life, I inflicted upon Martin Harcourt QC many of my own weaknesses.  Martin suffers from an inability to forgive deep hurts.  He has a tendency to nurse a long held grudge and harbours an ongoing hatred for the pretentious Hoadley types [including Hilary Raymond Hawley and Clarence Soames] in the Derby / Nottingham homosexual world.  Martin regrets his gay cowardice and bitterly regrets that, over the many years, he has tolerated so much homophobia and has done so little for the gay community.  See pages 214 to 220 in Scruffy Chicken. 

It was a coincidence to discover that my former acquaintance Brian Smedley and my former teacher Keith Matthewman shared a close friendship which went right back to the early 1960s, to their early barrister days in Chambers at The Ropewalk in Nottingham.  In the late 1990s, researching A Judge Too Far - A Biography of His Honour Judge Keith Matthewman QC of the Nottingham Crown Court, it was necessary to write my very first letter to Brian Smedley.  Back in the homophobic dark ages, scruffy chickens of my ilk were severely cautioned - nay threatened - never ever attempt a written communication which might eventually become useful to the police.  In this innocent missive, a blast from the past, I politely asked Sir Brian if he would care to share any interesting / entertaining anecdotes regarding his friendship with Judge Matthewman.  It seemed foolish to pretend that we were strangers, so, in the last paragraph, I touched on the fact that we had met and mentioned a few names including his old friend David Bond and the dinner parties. 

Sadly, I found his reply hurtful.  It included a few useful references to his teaching days in Long Eaton and memories of his friendship with Keith and Jane Matthewman.  But, at the end, his tone was stern and rather grand.  Sir Brian Smedley, the High Court Judge of the Old Bailey informed me that I must be mistaken.  He had no memory of a teenager called Narvel Annable or of any of the other people mentioned.

 

This letter – a tribute to Paul Sharpley was posted to the Editor of the Goole Times [120 Boothferry Road, Goole DN14 6AE] one day after Paul’s death, on January 2^nd 2006.   

As is the case with so many gay men who have been forced to live a secretive, repressed life in a hostile homophobic environment; after his death, some former colleagues and heterosexual friends of Paul Sharpley conspired to sponge away all homosexual aspects and references to his true life.  At his funeral, parochial and narrow-minded, they closed ranks to do a whitewash.  Notwithstanding, the true essence of the man, the real Paul Sharpley lives on as the character Mr Toad in Death on the Derwent, Scruffy Chicken and Secret Summer.    

In view of the success of my book, this eulogy was re-submitted November 18^th 2008 with the hope that the editor would print the following and do honour to one of his own who, at the time of his death, was dishonoured by homophobia. 

Dear Editor, 

The New Year was still very dark, barely two hours old when Paul Sharpley died at Scunthorpe Hospital.  Mr Sharpley was better known to readers of Death on the Derwent and Scruffy Chicken as ‘Mr Toad’ / Aubrey Pod.  Paul, a well-read, intelligent, skilled musician and long-time Goole organist had no objection to being the inspiration for that quirky and amusing character.         

“It’s the way you see me.  I’ve been immortalised in a book.” 

For three years he had been looking forward to reading about his alter-ego.  However, tragically Paul died on the very day Scruffy Chicken was published – January 1^st 2006.   

Paul Sharpley was born in Goole in 1930.  For many years he lived with his strict and formidable mother Lucy Sharpley at 1 Salisbury Avenue, Goole, overlooking the park and river.  He obtained his music degree at Durham University in 1950 and taught at several local schools including Selby Girls Grammar School.  From 1964 to his retirement in 1984, he taught A Level music at Clarendon College in Nottingham.  His final address was 16 Wentworth Drive, Hook Road, Goole DN14 5XS.  

Paul’s funeral will take place at Christ Church, Hook Road, Goole, on Friday, January 13^th 2006 at 1.00pm.  Cremation will be at Woodlands Cemetery, Scunthorpe at 2.30pm. 

Many good friends of Paul Sharpley will wish to join me in expressing appreciation and gratitude to his ever faithful housekeeper ‘Feli’ - Mrs Felicidad Carroll.  Her unfailing hard work and conscientious service has greatly enhanced the quality of Paul’s life over the last ten years. 

My affection for this funny little man – ‘a character in caricature’ is best expressed on page 78 in the enclosed copy of Scruffy Chicken.  

In the next few weeks Simeon Hogg found Mr Toad / Aubrey Pod to be, quintessentially, the very essence of old-fashioned Englishness in its purest form.  Aubrey was as salty and as vulgar as a seaside postcard.  He sparkled with wonderful energy - a life-force which was irrepressible; undefeatable.  The best times in Simeon's life would not be sitting in the gloom of the S & C Coffee Bar in Uptown Detroit in the company of intolerant chickens.  No.  The best times would be spent in brilliant sunshine with his dear old friend Aubrey Pod, being tossed and blown about on the North Sea on board the Yorkshire Belle.   

Aubrey was quaint.  Aubrey was funny.  Aubrey was a bundle of fun.  Aubrey was a barrel of laughs.  He represented an amusing character in caricature - perhaps one of the last of the type.  He did not know it at the time, but for Simeon, these precious, hilarious moments were the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Mr Toad, nay, a love affair; a love affair which would last for the whole of the remaining 20th century and into part of the 21st century.  

My fourth title, A Judge Too Far was dedicated to Paul Sharpley –         

“For enthusiastic encouragement together with inspiration and the laughs, especially the laughs, down the long journey of our friendship – albeit a bumpy ride.” 

Laughter and tears seem so close together.  Good night, dear friend.  You leave us all a little poorer, and …a part of Narvel died with you on New Year’s Day.  He will miss you. 

Sincerely, 

Narvel Annable. 

Printed in the Derby Evening Telegraph on 19.11.08 and sent to the Radio Times on 17.11.08.

 

Dear Editor,

 

After the Ross – Brand debacle, I thought the BBC had learned a painful lesson!  Fast forward to last Saturday, November 15^th – Radio 4 News Quiz – at 12.30pm and hear a panellist sing out a sick and insensitive ditty –

          “Postman Pat ran over his cat … ”

 

Enthusiastically, she pressed on with gory lyrics which included visceral descriptions of squashed entrails and gooey guts spilt out all across the road.

 

In the few moments following, I waited in vain for a stunned silence.  I expected a fellow panellist or the chairperson to, at the very least, utter, perhaps, even the smallest of protest or rebuke. 

 

Alas there was no silence or any kind of remonstration from anybody.  But there was laughter – laughter which must have shocked tens of thousands.

 

On BBC Breakfast, [18.08.08] when a smiling Suzanna Reid made a light hearted reference to bull fighting – which is in fact bull torturing - the BBC did not even acknowledge my letter of outrage. 

 

So what is the point of complaining to the BBC?

 

Narvel Annable. 

 

This letter dated March 1^st 2006 was composed to thank Amy Burns for her abortive efforts and to put on record the homophobia of George Robinson the Editor of the Worksop Guardian.       

Ms Amy Burns

Worksop Guardian

21-27 Ryton Street

Worksop

Nottinghamshire

S20 2AY 

Dear Ms Burns, 

I had considered writing this to your editor, George Robinson.  Would it do any good?  Perhaps you could intercede?  Let him see this letter.  Is there any chance that Mr Robinson might re-consider his decision?  I’m a little man, easy to knock down, but, I get up and continue the fight against bigotry, prejudice, discrimination and homophobia wherever they are to be found. 

I’m sorry that your editor has wasted your time.  He has wasted my time and my money.  After you received your copy of Scruffy Chicken on February 10^th you responded with enthusiasm.

          “Interesting.  We’ll do a feature.  I’ve obtained your photographs from the Belper News.  Will you please come here for an interview and can we have five books for a competition?” 

Having taught history at the Valley Comprehensive School for 17 years, you took the view that many of my former colleagues, former pupils and their parents would be interested in an autobiographical novel written by a long serving member of staff.  There followed a couple of chats on the phone, two letters and a visit to Worksop [a 70 mile round trip] to speak to you in person.  I was there on Tuesday, February 21^st. 

The feature was due for publication on Friday, February 24^th.  On the strength of this good news, a delighted Sandra Brewster [the manager of WH Smith in Worksop] ordered 20 copies of Scruffy Chicken.

          “We’ll need them.  Books fly off the shelf when they receive the benefit a big feature in the Worksop Guardian.  I’ll make a good display in front of the Guardian page.” 

Come Friday, February 24^th – no feature.  Nothing.  Come Monday, February 27^th, I spoke to your deputy editor.

          “We are a family newspaper.  Mr Robinson has decided that your work is inappropriate for our readers.  He has cancelled the feature.  We’ll return your five books by post.” 

Family newspaper?  I am part of a family.  Terry Durand and I will celebrate our 30 years together this coming September 3^rd.  He and our close friends are ‘family’. 

This is censorship plain and simple.  If my former pupils and the people of Worksop are prevented from learning about the problems, the harsh realities, the trials and tribulations of homosexual life – how can they ever be educated?  How can they recognise and combat homophobia?  How can they possibly know what it’s like to be me?  How can they feel my pain: such as the time when a group of ignorant pupils once shouted out at me, as loud as they could, in Worksop’s Tesco – ‘ANNABLE’S A GAY BASTARD’? 

During those 17 years, this was one of several similar attacks.  An unmarried teacher who keeps his private life very private, a strict traditional schoolmaster who is not afraid to punish, not afraid to make his students work in silence – that schoolmaster is a tempting target to a disruptive minority.  

If George Robinson would do me the courtesy of reading Scruffy Chicken – all of it – he will find that it is not sordid, never gratuitous or prurient in its intent.  It is intended to be realistic, to educate and to break down barriers in, hopefully, and entertaining way. 

Sandra Brewster is bravely supporting me.  She is trying to sell 20 books without local publicity.  It won’t be easy. 

Your time has not been completely wasted.  I enjoyed meeting you.  It is a pity that many people have been denied the chance to read your work; notwithstanding, thank you very much for your interest in my work. 

Sincerely, 

Narvel Annable. 

There was no response to this letter.  The five books arrived in the post inadequately packed but undamaged.