CJ Banned?

[Nick Thomas]

Does any agree with Lara that CJ was trying to promote, I think she mis- understood his motifs for wearing the T- Shirt.

Clearly the pappers will be abrupt and over- exaggerate the events. I hope in time that it will calm down; that would be off interest for the game of chess.

Nick I think you'll find she did, because he made the decision he wanted to give out all the prizes and she suggested he gave them out to adults only , I assume she's homophobic after all she is the only one to have a inferior complex about this.

Matt.

I don't understand the last sentence at all.

[matt_ward]

I think the article in the Guardian is mis- leading just because she deemed it inappropriate to give the prizes it does not state he got barred or thrown out over it!

Almost looks like she was expressing her opinion even though it was incorrect when she said "CJ was trying to promote gay rights" I don't think he was trying to do that at all.

However it seems he could of done the prize giving as long as he didn't have the shirt on.

[cjdemooi]

I would like to make a few points please.

I am a public supporter of Barnardo's (running the Cardiff half marathon) the Albert Kennedy Trust (and am speaking at their youth conference next month as well as running the London Marathon) and until it was forced to close in December, I was the Ambassador for the National Bullying Helpline. I work with children constantly both in the theatre and chess so am always fully CRB checked. I believe this gives some indication as to my views on 'think of the children'

I hope everyone has enjoyed this year's tournament which I, and others, have been working to support financially for a long time (both the Staunton Dinner and Nigel tour made significant contributions to both the Championships and charity) and this matter has not sullied the issue.

I am a passionate person and I know that's one of the main reasons people are able to support me. However, although I don't apologise for who I am, what I choose to promote or how I go about doing that, I may have over reacted on this occasion (despite my 'irritation') and it's unfortunate that something such as this threatens to overshadow a magnificent event that so many people worked for, most far more than me.

With this is mind, I have offered my resignation to the board should they choose to accept for the benefit of the ECF and the future reputation of chess.

CJ

[IM Jack Rudd]

In overall charge at Sheffield were Alex Macfarlane and David Welch, the Congress Managers. The Congress Managers of the British are not necessarily on the board of the ECF, although they may be. (David is currently the Alternate Director of Junior Chess.)

[Nick Thomas]

Is there some reason why Lara has been named but the other 2 men involved have not?

[Simon Ansell]

I wonder if we (the chess community) are somewhat over-sensitive in 'protecting the children'. For example, I've suggested informally in the past to ECF board members that it might be worth pursuing poker websites for sponsorship (i have contacts), as they have huge advertising budgets and so many chess players play poker. I was told there's no point, because we shouldn't be associated with 'gambling' when there are kids around. Although no-one raised an eyebrow when a couple of Indian juniors played at the Big Slick International...

I know nothing about this subject and am happy to be educated about it. Are there laws I should know about? What exactly are we protecting them from? I appreciate the default position should probably to be overly-defensive.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Incidentally, Lara has just posted her side of the story on Facebook. I will leave it to her to post on here if she wants to, but I'm happy to accept that she wasn't being homophobic and that she was trying to act in the best interests of the tournament.

[Alex Holowczak]

Is there some reason why Lara has been named but the other 2 men involved have not?

CJ's original statement made reference to the arbiter he spoke to, which used the word "she".

[Carl Hibbard]

Incidentally, Lara has just posted her side of the story on Facebook. I will leave it to her to post on here if she wants to, but I'm happy to accept that she wasn't being homophobic and that she was trying to act in the best interests of the tournament.

We are not able to see that?

This one is clearly getting a little out of control

[IM Jack Rudd]

Is there some reason why Lara has been named but the other 2 men involved have not?

CJ's original statement made reference to the arbiter he spoke to, which used the word "she".

And to expand on this point: Lara was the only female arbiter at this year's British, so it was inevitable that people would work out her identity. Oh, for a language with gender-neutral pronouns.

[matt_ward]

I regret to see CJ's resignation and send him my condolences and it is upsetting that this position ECF President seems to be a poisonous chalice.

So Jack the position for Junior Chess may well become vacant sooner than we believe. If they accept CJ's resignation who on earth will take his place.

Matt.

[Nick Thomas]

Is there some reason why Lara has been named but the other 2 men involved have not?

CJ's original statement made reference to the arbiter he spoke to, which used the word "she".

Yes I know.

[Rob Thompson]

With this is mind, I have offered my resignation to the board should they choose to accept for the benefit of the ECF and the future reputation of chess.

CJ

I for one hope they don't accept.

[PaulTalbot]

Just because you can speak Dutch it does not mean you are theologically sound. I will happily have this discussion with you but I might suggest that a chess forum is not the place so please email me [email protected]

Anyway, regarding David and Jonathan, just to start:
I Sam 20 41 (NIV) Then they kissed each other and wept together...
II Sam 1, 26 (NIV) ... you were very dear to me, Your love was more wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

If I can be bothered (I understand you don't want to understand and so I probably couldn't be bothered, your loss), I might dig out the bits about them getting naked together or various other bits. I understand all too well the self styled "theologically sound" and loathe them and their casting of stones and am happy to see them marginalised in our society. I have no desire to discuss any of this offline with you, whatsoever.

I Sam 20 41 (NIV) Then they kissed each other and wept together... they were 2 very close friends who were parting perhaps to never see each other again. Kissing as a greeting and when parting was all part of the custom. If a Frenchman greeted you by kissing you would you class him as gay?

II Sam 1, 26 (NIV) ... you were very dear to me, Your love was more wonderful, more wonderful than that of women... David has just been told of his friends death and he is expressing how much Jonathan meant to him. There is nothing sexual in this.

I might dig out the bits about them getting naked together....I challenge you to do this because it never happened. Homosexuality was contrary to Jewish law.... Leviticus 18v22, and was to be punished by death Leviticus 20v13 It is also condemned in the New Testament (Romans 1 v 26-32)

I am personally NOT judging anyone for what is right or wrong, there are lots of other things that are equally as bad that can not be observed (selfishness, pride, etc) as well as things that can be observed and we will all be judged by God so I'm judging no-one and condemning no-one.

I would have much preferred to have had this discussion in private but I am forced to defend King David in public because he was NOT bi-sexual.

I wish you well, and I don't think there is anything further to be said on this matter.

I would also like to wish CJ well.

Lets get back to chess.

[Paul McKeown]

CJ,

Don't resign. Sleep on it.

When I first heard that you were to be ECF President, I thought, cynically, "media muppet". I was wrong, you have made a great difference to the ECF. Your passion for chess is obvious, putting up £16,000 of your own is more than most would have done, but it is nothing compared to the work that you have put in.

Don't resign. Sleep on it.

Talk it through tomorrow with your ECF colleagues.

I am sure I speak on behalf of many chess players in England.