Clare B Dimyon (left) with Natalija Puzanskaja at Baltic PRIDE – Vilnius 2010. Photo: Photo: Daiva Šarijiene www.foto-studija.lt.
Taking the equality challenge
Recently awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). She explains why she accepted it.
The decision to accept this honour was not easy and has involved considerable soul searching. As a Quaker, I am called upon to witness to our Testimony of Equality and this is what compelled me to go to Riga PRIDE 2007 and the subsequent PRIDE parades in Central & Eastern (C&E) Europe since. It is the same testimony that gives me profound discomfort over the gender differentials and class basis of this order. I cannot but feel deep concerns about the use of the word ‘empire’ as the descendant of a family closely associated with that empire, and one that may have benefited directly from the slave trade. As an educator, it seems reasonable that any society should recognise talent, excellence and promote ‘good causes’ but it does seem to me problematic that the packaging of this honour excludes those who deserve recognition but have genuine and conscientious concerns, concerns that I share.
As a young Quaker lesbian, I knew that there was that of God in every person and that no amount of Quaker discernment would reveal that there was anything wrong with being gay. I attempted to live my life as a lesbian as honestly as I could so that change could be effected and to serve both my community and my country.
I am what I am, a compound of seemingly contradictory identities. I am the product of the love and example of my grandparents, who inspire in me a love of country and the service of people and bequeathed to me an aptitude for languages. I am a Quaker, called to respond to the promptings of love and truth and to defend the most basic and most nourishing of human instincts, the love between two people. These identities combine with my lesbian identity to inspire the love and support of my fellow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. As I am prone to saying on my travels: ‘Love is the answer, so what was the question?’
In the twenty-five years since I came out, my country has come to understand these ‘homosexuals’, has learned to appreciate us and wants to include us in the historic fabric of our nation.
My profound reservations about the ‘packaging’ stand as does my earnest hope for an honours system that will not exclude people of good conscience nor differentiate between men and women. However, I believe that it has been sincerely given in recognition and honour for the LGBT people of C&E Europe, which they richly deserve. For them I am delighted and PROUD. On their behalf, I feel deeply privileged to accept.’
