Hate

I have only ever called the police on the telephone once. I was working in Manchester and was in the staff room overlooking St Ann's Square when I heard a commotion outside. I peered down into the square to see a small group of Christians preaching to passers by. 

Now normally this would have just annoyed me because of the noise but on this occasion I happened to hear them informing everyone - very loudly - that all gay people would go to hell. I don't believe in hell but all the same this perpetuation of hatred angered me enough to call the police. When the lady answered I was asked which service I wanted and then when I stated, Police please, I was asked what they could do for me. I told her that there was a disturbance in St Ann's Square. This seemed to prick her interest and she said that she would put me through to the emergency team. As this clearly wasn't an emergency I panicked and hung up. A couple of police officers did speak to the Christians soon afterwards but I don't know if this was my doing or the hand of God.

I once had the opportunity to give blood but was told that as a gay I wasn't allowed to. Apparently I am 'high risk.' I assume that they consider me high risk in the same way that some mortgage lenders have a box to tick on their application forms if you are Gay, a prostitute or an intravenous drug user. One question - one box.

I don't tend to think of myself as a victim of prejudice but sometimes I suspect that I, as most people are sometimes.