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London: Gay couple threatened with death in violent late night homophobic assault
141
UK: Card Factory accused of homophobia for selling offensive 'fag' birthday card
138
Government considers watered down same-sex marriage bill to minimise Tory rebellion
133
Tory MP Gerald Howarth: 'There are plenty in the aggressive homosexual community who want more than just same-sex marriage'
95
France: Far right activist commits suicide in Notre Dame following legalisation of equal marriage
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Norman Tebbit: David Cameron has 'f**** things up' with his equal marriage bill
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US church blames Woolwich suspected terror killing on UK acceptance of gay people
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Tory MP Sir Gerald Howarth defends 'aggressive homosexual community' equal marriage slur
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Sir Gerald Howarth: 'I should have used 'militant' rather than 'aggressive' to describe homosexuals
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David Cameron: Gay teenagers will stand that bit taller following equal marriage vote
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Robert in S. Kensington 733
Midnighter 412
GulliverUK 363
D.McCabe 360
Mark Y 331
Jock S. Trap 320
Iris 307
That There Other David 306
Sasha 293
Wingby 267
Thanks for your support, and good luck in beating Boris this May!
I’m not surprised Livingstone refused to do an interview. Considering how tolerant he is of genocidal homophobic extremists he clearly knows that he’d better not answer direct questions.
Well here is a direct question.
Does Ken Livingstone promise to NEVER again knowingly host genocidal homophobic extremists like his friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi?
Does he promise to never again earn money from sources who support homophobic genocide (like his chums in Iran).
Unless he answers those questions directly then no LGBT person in their right mind could consider voting for Ken Livingstone.
Here Here, dAVID!
Nice comment.
Now about your firend, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets………………
You need to speak publicly on the issue surrounding the White Swan.
I agree. Great comment.
However, Kens lack of willingness to engage on the Tower Hamlets issue or explain some of his recent comments which are understandably perceived as homophobic does not match the strong words in this comment ….
The Mayor of Tower Hamlet spoke warmly to the gay community at East London Gay Pride…. discuss…
I think this will answer your questions about the White Swan and its NOTHING to with Ken Livingstone….or whether its a gay bar.
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets (elected) spoke at East London Gay Pride warmly to those that attended.
Here is an article about the smear of Ken Livingstone – and info on the White Swan story:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/17/comment-east-london-gay-pub-isnt-at-risk-so-why-smear-ken-livingstone/
As it is Ken has a very long career consistently supporting LGBT equality. What has Boris ever done for the gay community? Except Boris compared gay marriage to bestiality!
Ken meanwhile worked with Stonewall to combat anti gay bullying.
Ken helped finance Soho Pride (which Boris cancelled so it never happened again).
Ken created civil partnerships at City Hall leading the way and without London taking the lead its unlikely that we would have national civil partnerships. Is Boris calling for marriage equality?
Twat
What do your muslim mates think about it?
i have muslim friends too but i don’t seek (or care for) their opinion on equal marriage or anything gay for that matter. if we have disagreement then i will argue my corner like ken or anyone else would. get over it
I’ve got muslim friends too and it makes me really pc and into diversity and all that. Get real ! you are a friend to somebody, and you have such lack of self worth , you do not care if they would support your human/civil rights regarding gay marraige. You clearly don’t understand the concept of friend or foe.
what a utter nonsense
You’re a twat James!
I remember going to his respect anti racism event in Finsbury Park and left when choice FM played a song about burning battymen. He didn’t give instructions that a reggae station shouldn’t play anti gay songs. And he got rid of the routemaster after saying he would keep it before the election.
Only some ghastly dehumanised moron would want to get rid of the Routemaster.
Said in 2001. Four years later the Routemaster bus was withdrawn from ordinary passenger service by Transport for London, a decision supported by Livingstone. Quoted in “Livingstone and the ‘morons’ have killed off the Routemaster” by Philip Johnston in Daily Telegraph (24 October 2005).
I don’t trust him
Good for you. The fear mongers have no grounds for their propaganda. Gay partners are more stable than others. So the true nature of their objection is as you say- anti gay anything.
But if Ken Livingstone keeps hosting events for genocidal homophobes like his friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi and refuses to condemn Qaradawi then the fear mongers are absolutely correct,
Livingstone was once gay friendly.
He p!ssed that away years ago and is now willing to throw us under the bus.
He is a slimy opportunist and should retire from poltics.
ken livingston his letter to Pink Paper in February 2005 said: “I should say I don’t agree with Dr Qaradawi, the Chief Rabbi, or, for example, the Roman Catholic Church on lesbian and gay rights. Yet I have a responsibility to meet leaders of all these faiths as London’s mayor.”
Neither the Chief Rabbi nor the Pope calls for the violent murder of gay people though.
Yusuf Al Qaradawi openly calls for the murder of gay people.
Does Ken Livingstone commit to NEVER again knowingly hosting genocidal extremists?
Exactly!!
The pope’s suppression of condoms has caused more deaths than Islamic executioners. Why do people keep harking on about Al Qaradawi? Ken has clearly said he disagrees with those views. This meeting was one thing that happened many years ago; judged against his overall record on gay equality it pales into insignificance.
Livingstone has never condemned Qaradawi.
Nor has he pledged to never again knowingly deal with genocidal homophobic extremists.
This is not an issue that will disappear.
His unconscionable betrayal of the LGBT communtiy through his links with the Qaradawi maniac cannot and should not be forgotten.
ken is definitely supporter of equality.
what boris stand for???
Including equality for genocidal homophobes.
Livingstone certainly believes that preachers who call for the brutal slaughter of gay people should be welcomes in City Hall.
Does Ken Livingstone promise to NEVER again knowingly host genocidal homophobic extremists like his friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi?
Unless he answers that question then no LGBT person in their right mind could consider voting for Ken Livingstone.
Wow – I wonder WHO could be opposed to Ken Livingstone making a pledge to never knowingly have dealings with genocidal homophobes like Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
This is non-negotiable.
UNless Ken makes that pledge no LGBT Londoner can vote for Ken Livingstone in good conscience,
Livingstone needs to start answering specific questions about why LGBT rights get ignored when he is hob nobbing with his murderously homophobic friends.
Exactly. It is one think meeting with leaders who disagree with who we are but totally immoral to meet people who openly call for the murder of us for who we are. He should have stood up and encouraged this Muslim bigots ban of the country not inviting him in with open arms.
Pink News – can you confirm whether or not Livingstone was approached for an interview, rather than be given a comment piece.
He has point blank refused to address the controversy surrounding the White Swan in Tower Hamlets.
He has point blank refused to distance himself from genocidal homophobe Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
He needs to be questioned directly about these issues.
If he refuses to address issues of concern to LGBT Londoners then he should not be given a platffiorm to air meaningless crap like this article.
This article basically says ‘I support marriage equality’.
Which is fine. But that’s not a reason to vote for Livingstone as he does not have the power to implement equality.
This article is a meaningless puff piece.
I (for once) agree with what you’re saying, but I have just one little query about it:
If you’re saying he’s point blank refused to do or comment on these things then you’re suggesting he already has been directly questioned, and so surely further direct questioning would result in the same. It’s more likely that if he was asked, the questions were not direct and he simply avoided them, rather than specifically stating that he doesn’t want to comment.
Very well put David…
As for Britain being a ‘beacon of LGBT equality’.
Sorry but that boat has sailed.
Britain will not even be among the 1st ten countries in which LGBT people are equal before the law.
Argentine
Belgium
Canada
Iceland
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Read it and weep.
How does Ken propose Britain gaining marriage equality this year?
Surely he has a plan to speed up the introduction of legal equality (2015 is an utterly unacceptable delay). Otherwise why would he be talking about it seeing as marriage equality is out of his hands.
Could it be that the slimy opportunist is talking nonsense to appear gay friendly.
Not good enough Ken – I want to hear your thoughts on your genocidally homophobic friiends Yusuf Al Qaradawi and your pals on Iranian TV?
Agreed, how ignorant to suggest britain is a beacon of equality , when it already has been surpassed in that regard.
This is just a general observation. Leaders in all political or state positions are obliged, as part of their functions of office, to meet with a wide variety of personalities. The Queen meets often with dictators posing as presidents or prime ministers. I am certain she finds many of them personally abhorrent but part of her function is to do so. Elected leaders likewise have meetings and exchanges daily with persons with whom they disagree but it is a necessary part of “politics”. If every leader were to be cast aside and dismissed simply for whom they meet in the course of their duties of office, we would probably not have any left.
This does NOT apply to leaders who openly call for the murder of minority communities.
Yusuf Al Qaradawi is a completely unacceptable person for Livingstone to have hosted.
Why is Ken Livingstone refusing to commit to never knowingly deal with genocidal maniacs again?
I’ll tell you why – he is an opportunist who will gladly throw the LGBT community under the bus, now that he has decided that gaining the support of islamic extremists is more important than LGBT safety.
An LGBT person votes for Ken Livingstone at their peril.
isn’t keeping dialogue and communication open a good thing to bring about change. its going back a bit but many were opposed to opening talks with the IRA. it was only when communication was restarted that change came about. having discussion is not the same as supporting and what does refusing to speak to people gain? I personally appreciate ken livingston’s support on LGBT issues.
It would have been a good thing if Livingstone had succeeded in changing Al Qaradawi’s opinions on gay people
However Ken Livingstone’s friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi STILL supports genocide against the LGBT community.
We have been betrayed in a truly opportunistic and cynical way by Ken Livingstone.
And no LGBT person should vote for him.
david, ‘It would have been a good thing if Livingstone had succeeded in changing Al Qaradawi’s opinions on gay people’ it certainly would have been good but how would this have had a chance if they had never met or if anyone who supports lgbt rights never entered into discussion with him? which is what you are arguing for
You hit the nail on the head, James, the voice of reason. People forget that Tony Blair met with IRA terrorists and Margaret Thatcher gave shelter and support to that awful dictator and abuser of human rights in Chile before he died. How selective and forgetful people are.
I totally agree with you and James
What about livingstones grubby paid for work with iranian state tv and his anti semitic remarks to a jewish journalist. And he has refused to enter discussion with other radicalists , he clearly has a preference to which extremist group is more purposeful for him.
The problem with the church is its riddled with closeted queers and the moment these same-sex marriages start taking place will be the moment the church becomes a gay church. So in some respects Carey is right. It will chance, but it will change for the better. No longer will Vickers be forced to conceal their true calling. They will be free!
I’m hoping this issue will see a considerable number of Anglican clergy opposing Carey and the C of E on this one issue, hopefully departing and joining the Episcopalians. That would put the cat amongst the pigeons while we sit back and gloat as we watch it unfold. Carey had better be careful what he wishes for.
I don’t believe this article required any comments about the Church, but yes, there are a lot of gay Christians in the Church (relatively speaking), so while equal marriage rights would change marriage, it would definitely change it for the better.
Could Boris be asked for an article now on his approach to gay marriage and other LGBT issues?
Marriage equality is not something the Mayor of London has control over however so I am certain the all the candidates will support equality when talking to the LGBT community. This is a no-brainer for them.
I am more interested in hearing whether Boris JOhnson pledges to never knowingly deal with or welcome or host genocidal homophobes.
Ken Livingstone refuses to make that pledge and for that reason should not be supported by the LGBT community in the mayoral election.
I cannot and will not vote for Ken due to his past experience as Mayor. Horrible man.
-
Boris get my vote come May 3rd!
Boris and Ken are not the only options.
Both are awful (although Boris is marginally worse).
Boris is the best candidate in My opinion that is why I am voting for him. He stand for London, works for Londoners and isn’t devisive unlike Ken. Boris has treated Londoner like the democracy is should be not the dictator stance of Comrade Livingstone.
Have you forgotten what Boris said about same sex marriage?
I’ll vote for Brian
Yes Dromio, he said he supported it.
His support went along the lines of :
“If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men; or indeed three men and a dog.”
With friends like Boris, who needs any enemies?
What is Boris doing about marriage equality I wonder? Rather silent don’t you think?
What is Ken Livingstone doing about marriage equality?
As little as Boris that’s what.
Ken Livingstone (or Boris Johnson) cannot introduce marriage equality. The Mayor of London does not have that power.
Ken Livingstone’s support for marriage equality is meaningless PR.
So Ken – why are you still part of the Labour Party who do not have marriage equality as official Labour policy.
What is Ken Livingstone doing to introduce marriage equallity aside from giving meaningless statements saying he supports it?
Not silent at all…
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/03/exclusive-boris-johnson-fully-supports-gay-marriage-and-plans-to-run-again-for-mayor/
Also, it’s a Tory government that’s actually introducing gay marriage.
Just as an aside, has anybody seen this?
http://c4m.org.uk
Somewhat disturbing.
I think it’s funny that they are asking for marriage to not be redefined, but what a marriage is depends entirely on what interpretation you use to define it.
If you were to say that a marriage is “a commitment made between two people under the eyes of the law and/or a divine deity” (which would really seem to sum up what a marriage actually is in a much more universal sense) then gay marriages are perfectly within the bounds of what marriage is.
Ahhh, site regd to The Christian Institute, Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8DG… somewhat desperate methinks!
The truth about the coalition for marriage:
http://mediafrenzyuk.blogspot.com/2012/02/truth-about-coalition-for-marriage.html
Well done, Ken Livingstone, and thank you? Whomever he hosts, no matter how offencive, I’d rather have him on our side than against us on this one issue.
Singling out Ken is hypocritical and I’ll tell you why. For those who are anti muslim/islam, I suggest you stop driving your cars because the petrol you put in your tank comes from homophobic middle-eastern countries. Every penny you spend on petrol helps those countries’ economies and props up their human rights violations against gays and women. Remember, many of them in that part of the world see nothing wrong executing gay people while we continue to trade with them. The bulk of electronic devices made today are made in an equally anti-gay country called China which has one of the worst records on human rights violations anywhere in the world.
Lastly, look at the list of signatories on the Coalition for Marriage, almost all Tories.
well said
I am not anti-muslim.
I am however anti homophobic genocide.
But Ken Livingstone point blank refuses to pledge to never again knowingly host genocidal homophobes at city hall.
And he still defends his genocidally homophobiic friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
False signatory’s!
I have found inconsistencies with the ‘Coalition for Marriage’ petition! I have been monitoring the numbers of people signing the petition every 15 min’s and the same number people are signing every 15 min’s. It’s to perfect! So I looked online to see if it could be falsified in some way and found this news story:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/bogus_names_discovered_on_petition_that_attacked_gay_marriage_1_2012068
Look how similar the Petition looks to the English one: http://scotlandformarriage.org/
Craig, of course, signatures can be falsified. It happens in American politics all the time. They falsify them to make up the number that fall short in getting a equired number to quality for referenda against gay people in state elections. Corrupt throughout and so is this one headed by Carey. A way should be found to verify those signatures, names and addresses and subject to intense scrutiny. If irregularities are found, Carey should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and the petition voided.
Will Livingstone be lobbying the Iranian government on gay marriage. I only ask as he is an ex presenter on Press TV (Iranian STATE media).
Thanks Ken!
And now what about some support from the other london mayor hopefuls!!!!
No excuse saying nothing, all your parties support SS marriage!!!
Marriage equality is not an issue for the London Mayoral elections.
The Mayor of London cannot introduce marriage equality – that is the government’s job?
Which begs the question. Why is Ken Livingstone releasing statements to gay media outlets saying he supports marriage equality (which is outside his remit), while at the same time REFUSING to pledge to never knowingly deal with genocidal homophobes like his friend Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
Could Ken Livingstone be behaving like the slimy opportunist that he actually is?
Exactly, dAVID!!
There are epetitions and other types of petitions out there supporting SS marriage. Isn’t it about time we all pulled our finger out and started signing them and asking others to.
Where is the LGBT campaign to encourge everyone to write to mps and the HoL etc?
Just remember the faces of your brothers who were hanged in Iran when you go to vote for Ken. That pig tried to legitimise that countrys behaviour by working there.
They kill gay people there is no argument
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL_zP2pHp3w&feature=fvwrel
Spot on…..and shame on the Labour party for not sacking him when he openly campaigned for Lutfur Rahman. That should have been Miliband’s cue to get rid.
I’m sure some treacherous worms will find kens associations excusable somehow.
Indeed James! some people do have very short memories!
People have short memories.
This article is part and parcel of Ken’s decades old support for LGBT people, which recently led official in the Labour Party to describe him as “probably the most pro-gay politician in the world”. In the Mayoral election, Ken is offering policies that are popular with ordinary Londoners: increasing police numbers, cutting fares and dealing with rip-off rents and agency fees for Londoners in the private-rented sector. And, unable to compete on these Boris is resorting to smear-and-lie tactics.
Attempts to paint Ken as anti-gay are ridiculous, peddled in the main by right wing media and do not hold up under scrutiny: on the White Swan see
http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islamophobia-watch/2012/2/19/evening-standard-witch-hunt-of-lutfur-rahman-is-directed-aga.html (” A spokesman for Ken Livingstone said: “This is a long-standing and popular club and I hope it will be granted an exemption to remain open.”)
and on Dr Qaradawi Ken clearly said (February 2005) “I should say I don’t agree with Dr Qaradawi, the Chief Rabbi, or, for example, the Roman Catholic Church on lesbian and gay rights. Yet I have a responsibility to meet leaders of all these faiths as London’s mayor.” Basically without dialogue there cannot be change.
And as for Boris he has little or no record to speak of on LGBT rights (pointing at gay men in his Mayoral team means little if his administration delivers nothing, or worse, for LGBT people). Boris supported anti-gay legislation, including Section 28, compared gay marriage to bestiality and as Mayor he has cut funding and services for the LGBT community, whether it be the annual Pride reception at City Hall, Soho Pride or removing the GLA from the scrutiny of Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index (in which the GLA under Ken used to top the public sector list and came second overall).
Ken’s record speaks for itself. He was the first UK politician to stand up for lesbian and gay people and has championed LGBT rights throughout his whole career. Ken attended one of the first gay pride marches in the 1970s and gave out the first ever grants to lesbian and gay organisations such as the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard when he led the GLC in the 1980s.
Once the Mayor of London (2000-08) Ken sparked the introduction of civil partnerships with the London partnerships register, threatened legal action against Bromley Council for their opposition to civil partnerships, successfully tackled Westminster Council when they banned rainbow flags in Soho, banned Sandals homophobic adverts from London trains, buses and taxis, developed and led a free Pride event in central London, showed solidarity with LGBT movements across Eastern Europe when their Pride marches were banned or attacked and funded preventative work to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and anti-LGBT hate crime
Ken’s past does NOT justify his appalling betrayal of the LGBT community when he welcomedf Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
His attempt to liken the genocidal maniac Yusuf Al Qaradawi (a man who openly calls for the brutal slaughter of the gay community) to bigots like the chief rabbi or the pope are LAUGHABLE.
The rabbi and the pope may be bigots but they do NOT encourage their followers to violently murder our community – Qaradawi does.
When will Ken Livingstone be making a pledge to NEVER again to knowingly have dealings with murderous extremists. And to which LGBT charities did he donate his Iranian Press TV fees (you know the station owned by the Iranian government – the government that murders our community).
Ken’s refusal to do this shows the contempt he has for our community.
Until he makes that pledge then no LGBT person (or their family or friends) should vote for him.
So why was he working for the Iranian state which hangs gay people if he care for us so much? Or does he only care about UK gays?
It’s just like Elton John playing sun city
I shall be voting Ken for Mayor simply because the alternative would be not to vote at all.
I personally have no wish to get married, but I will defend the right for those who do. I feel a Voltaire quote coming on.
As for Iran hanging young Gay men, I was shocked of such Homophobia. Ken has defended Gay Rights which has given young LGBT people in London something other than suicide, which is a serious problem with Young people who are subjected to bullying.
Someone mentioned the White Swan. That has a terrible reputation locally for being the most unfriendly bar on the planet. I would not be seen dead in the place. Dirty, no facilities and Landlords that could do with a course in customer service training and finally staff that are paid well below the minimum wage.
Perhaps a little bit of Ken would change the place.
He still took money from the Iranian govt. Ken works on the premis that my enemys enemy is my friend. He does not like us we are useful idiots.
Vote Brian
“I shall be voting Ken for Mayor simply because the alternative would be not to vote at all.”
Well don’t vote then.
No LGBT person should vote for Ken Livingstone.
his whole campaign to attract LGBT voters seems to be ‘I was once nice to you when it was not popular to be so please ignore the fact that I am wining and dining people who want you dead, meanwhile I will gladly accept money from government’s who want you dead.’
While Boris’ whole campaign to attract LGBT voters is based on him crossing his fingers and hoping no-one mentions his vicious opposition to civil partnership, his vocal support of Section 28 and the fact that is compared gay marriage to bestiality.
Oops.
Wrong on so many levels.
Boris has said he is in favour of same sex marriage. He did not vote to keep Section 28, it is a lie and a myth peddled by people like you and he voted in favour of civil partnerships when he was in Parliament.
You’re – 4 because no-one knows what you’re talking about…..and your point is ?????
Predictable as ever Terry!
I can’t say for certain because I haven’t seen the list, but I’d be very suprised if Carey’s coalition doesn’t include Muslim organisations and individuals.
If so, will Ken denounce them too?
For all o’s commenters who think ken is a homophobe.
Pop quiz: which Mayoral candidate said the following:
”Gay marriage can only ever be a ludicrous parody of the real thing” – Daily Telegraph, 2005
”If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men; or indeed three men and a dog” – from “Friends, Voters, Countrymen” 2001
”We don’t want our children being taught some rubbish about homosexual marriage being the same as normal marriage, and that is why I am more than happy to support Section 28” – Daily Telegraph, 2000
”The clerics gave us [journalists] a wigging for being so mean to the Church of England … Why did we draw attention to tricky subjects like homosexuality, a.k.a. ‘the Pulpit Poofs issue’?” – The Spectator, 2000
Hint: It wasn’t Ken.
For those who are fans of Boris can they explain the Tory hypocracy of this:
The Conservatives suspended a Wycombe councillor for making the following remark about gay marriage:
“There is no doubt the PM is wrong on this issue. We may as well legalise marriage with animals, crude I concede but no apology.”
So why wasn’t Boris Johnson disciplined by CCHQ for the same jibe?
“If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men; or indeed three men and a dog.”
Clearly, it’s okay to be homophobic if you have fluffy blond hair.
Boris said some stupid things but he now supports same sex marriage and has said so before. He also voted in favour of civil partnerships when he was an MP.
http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/girl-14-gets-death-threats-for-defending-marriage/