I had the honour of attending the annual memorial for Michael Causer on Sunday 2nd August. If you do not know Michael’s story you can find his story here: https://michaelcauser.co.uk/
I had read about Michael and his tragic homophobic murder beforehand, but I had not met his family or friends. There were some 50-60 people gathered in the courtyard at Court Hey Park including Marie and Mike, Michael’s mum and dad. Talking to them was so moving, as was listening to the voices of people who knew Michael and those who have worked tirelessly to ensure that justice for Michael and his family is secured and that his life and death continues to inspire work and projects in his name that promote cohesion in our society.
Being with Michael’s family, civic dignitaries, members of the LGBTQI+ community, friends and allies and supporters was so very good. For a moment, it felt that a disparate group of people were on the same page, gathered for the same reason: remembrance and a commitment to stand against hate crime in all its forms. It also felt safe and secure to be who I am and for others to be who they are.
My words were simple: ‘Love is Love is Love’ and ‘Hate is Hate and must not be tolerated.’ I also said this:
“We live in a time in which prejudice is rapidly becoming policy and where diversity is seen as something that is dangerous rather than something that is a gift, a blessing and that through our diversity we build a better society and a better story than the story of hate.
I for my part, will continue to commit to learning from others, to standing up and using my voice in countering hate in the church and in the society that I am part of. I constantly remind myself of the words of Mother Theresa which rang true for me last night at the memorial: ‘We have no peace because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
