To feel sympathy to the National Trust volunteers at Felbrigg Hall?

I'm getting pretty hacked off with the implication from a small minority of posters that a) the rest of us aren't LGBT and therefore don't understand the issues (how dare you assume anything about anonymous posters' sexuality) and b) that if we think the NT were naive in their handling of this then we are bigots.

Yeah some gay activist who is pushing their own evil agenda of a private man's sex life, in everyone's face.

Or maybe, just maybe, the NT are actually trying to meet their charitable obligations.

No, Angelofthesouth, I very much doubt that is the case at all.

Probably some gay activist in the NT has initiated this propaganda campaign for their own ends totally disregarding everybody else.

We will, thanks. Because we are not and you are making things up out of thin air in the vain hope of some sort of bunfight. Which is odd.

Okay all carry on with your, I am not prejudiced but.....

Brasty, you demanded to know what another poster would think if a man kissed his male partner at her house. That is what's stupid.

That is your opinion, brasty, which you are entitled to, although maybe read a bit more closely what I have actually written.

Yes, the NT has quite a way to go wrt to diversity and reaching out to sections of the community who don't think it's for them. Not that long ago they weren't particularly friendly to children, but that has slowly changed.

Seatoskimaybe in that case it is highly appropriate that anybody refusing to wear a badge indicating that the wearer this is that gay visitors should feel welcome at National Trust properties should be moved to a non customer facing role.

Saucery don't be stupid. Someone kissing someone they love should be totally normal.

Except anyone that thinks equality does not matter, is not a decent person.

I think it's demeaning to expect the elderly members of the NT to wear those silly lanyards, especially when some of them have earned and worn real medals.
Lets face it, there is something a bit childish looking about a rainbow at the best of times. It's childish looking.
LGB community need to get a different symbol. Something that doesn't look so silly, and carries a bit of gravitas and doesn't stir up images of bungel, George and Zippy.

I have seen a man kiss a man at an NT property. Do I win some sort of prize from the likes of brasty?

Looks like the NT has backed down.

I don't think there is yet a badge available which says I'm a decent person and will treat you as you treat me. I'd buy one! What colour should it be?

Saucery Know I now nothing about your life. But you are showing zero understanding of the issues here.

Haven't read it all. But volunteers shouldn't be forced to wear badges stating anything IMHO. And if the original owner was a private person who is to say he'd approve of this anyway. It's a daft scheme thought up by some thoughtless person. How could anyone feel sorry for the NT. It's a money making racket. I should know. I'm a member

Mollyboom So if you had visitors to your house, you would have no problem with a man giving his boyfriend a quick kiss in front of everyone? Just as I do with my partner when I say goodbye or hello.

You can guess all you like, brasty, but as you know fuck all about me or my life, family, friends or life experiences all that does is make you look a bit of a dick.

Seatoski Presumably all the volunteer guides can talk about the NT spiel of this man's life. Why would you expect anything more than this?

He actually sounds pretty out given that it was illegal.

You do know Oscar Wilde pretended to be straight to people he did not know well?

If I went to a public site and there was a staff memeber wearing a badge of some sort, I might assume it was because they were there to assist specifically with that issue or had special knowledge about it that they could discuss with visitors, like a first aid badge, or how in some art museums curators have a badge with a specific artwork on it as they have extra knowledge of that painting and are happy to talk about it etc. I would be concerned that having staff wear badges denoting issues they are not comfortable talking about (for whatever reason) is not only counter productive but potentially could lead to a disapointing experience for a visitor.

I don't think there is yet a badge available which says I'm a decent person and will treat you as you treat me.

Mollyboom You have come up with lots and lots of excuses as to why they should not be asked to wear a badge. I frankly don't believe you when you say you support equal rights for gay people.
Although you may be one of those people who say - well what they do in the privacy of their own home is fine, but....

NT visitors are anything but diverse.NT is a charity and has a legal obligation to appeal to as wide a range of people as possible.

I'm also not sure that this man is such a great icon for gay rights, considering how private he was about his relationships, that he needs to be promoted in this way.
How many times does it need to be pointed out that people could NOT be out about their homosexuality?! It wasn't a case of not feeling like telling everyone, it was an issue with it being illegal.

Saucery My guess is that you are not LGBT, so frankly you have no idea how LGBT constantly have to deal with low level homophobia.