Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. Today we speak to Stephen Donnan. You can follow him on Twitter @Donnan_S.

 

1. Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

I’m an LGBT rights activist, a recent convert to vegetarianism and from East Belfast but living in West now with my fiancé, William. I previously worked as the Campaigns and Communications Officer for the Rainbow Project and the Love Equality campaign. I got involved with Northern Slant to give a different perspective on things as a Unionist with left wing tendencies and dual citizenship of Britain and Ireland. I feel I have a lot to say about the state of government here, Brexit and human rights.

 

2. Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words.

Vibrant. Stoic. Full of character.

 

3. What makes you proud to be from here?

We have endured so much and yet here we are. We fought the Nazis, we survived a Civil war and made strides to overcome our past and the differences we have. We are a fantastic country.

 

4. Are you hopeful for the future?

I am cautiously optimistic.

 

5. If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be?

The massive class divide.

 

6. Favourite NI celebrity?

Bronagh Waugh from The Fall.

 

7. Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland?

At the moment I have been reading a lot about Kamala Harris, the Democratic Senator from California. She’s everything America should be, personified. Dignified leadership with a wealth of experience, buckets of compassion and an enviable desire to make people’s lives better. Probably the next US President *fingers crossed*

 

8. Favourite place to bring a visitor?

The North Coast.

 

9. Potato bread or soda bread?

Potato bread!

 

10. Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Definitely Snow Patrol.

 

You can check out Jamie’s articles for Northern Slant here.

Also published on Medium.