Tony Grew edited PinkNews.co.uk between 2007 and 2009. He now edits ePolitix.com
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3 January 2007Switzerland’s first gay union celebrated + An 89-year-old man and his 60-year-old partner have taken part in Swizerland's first gay civil union, it has been revealed.The Alpine state passed legislation to recognise same-sex partnerships in 2004, and it came into effect on January 1st.In a ceremony in Lorcano on Tuesday the couple, who have been together 30 years, exchanged vows in a ceremony described by witness Donatella Zappa as, "very moving." -
3 January 2007Muslims urged to join protest against “deviants” 8 Evangelical Christians will be joined on their protest march on Parliament on January 9th by leading members of the Muslim community.Earlier this week, a group of Christian lawyers announced their intention to petition the Queen and protest at the Palace of Westminster to show their opposition to the proposed regulations to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services. -
3 January 2007Backlash against gay marriage in Massachusetts 57 Lawmakers in the American state of Massachusetts have approved a referendum on gay marriage. The ballot, which will take place in 2008, will ask voters to ban same-sex marriage.The New England state is currently the only one in the US that has legalised gay marriage.Republicans in the state legislature voted through the measure twice, despite opposition from the governor-elect, Democrat Deval Patrick. -
3 January 2007Former US Defence Secretary queries “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” 5 A Republican politician who was in charge of the US Armed Forces for four years has backed calls by a retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs to re-open the debate over the controversial "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.William Cohen served as Defence Secretary from 1997 - 2001 under Democrat President Bill Clinton.In an interview last night on CNN, Cohen described the current policy as discriminatory and not reflective of current American public opinion. -
3 January 2007Czechs flock to register partnerships 1 Gay rights activists in the Czech Republic have spoken of their delight at the number of gay and lesbian couples that have registered their partnerships.The central European state, which joined the EU three years ago, became the first former Soviet Bloc country to allow gay unions.Since the new laws were adopted in July last year, over 200 gay unions have been registered. -
3 January 2007Government “open to discussion” on homophobic incitement 1 PinkNews.co.uk Exclusive A Home Office minister has vowed to review homophobic incitement laws amid calls for anti-gay remarks to be made illegal.Speaking exclusively to PinkNews.co.uk, Police and Security Minister Tony McNulty said that the issue is under review and vowed that once religious and racial incitement laws are implemented it will then be easier to see how to follow up with a law against homophobic harassment. -
3 January 2007Who’s Who embraces gay partners + It is the reference guide to the great and the good of British society. Every year since 1849 it has listed those judged prominent enough in public life to be included.Now, for the first time, among the ossified entries listing the achievements and hobbies of retired civil servants, obscure peers and failed politicians, will be a shining example of 21st century modernity. -
3 January 2007Canadian boy has two mommies – and a dad + A ruling by a court in Ontario has for the first time given the full legal status of parent to three people. It is believed to be the first time that a Canadian child has legally got three parents.The case involved a lesbian couple, who used the sperm of a friend to have a baby. The biological father is actively involved in the raising of the child, and is legally the father of the boy, now five years old.The biological mother's lesbian partner chose not to adopt the boy as that would have negated the legal parental status of the biological father. -
3 January 2007US general says “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy should go 5 An Army general who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the US military has called for a change in attitude towards gay and lesbian soldiers.John Shalikashvili was chairman from 1993 - 1997, and it was during his tenure that the controversial policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was introduced.At the time he argued that had argued that openly gay and lesbian personnel would hurt troop morale and undermine the cohesion of combat units. -
2 January 2007A chance to catch up with This Life’s gay icon + Tonight, BBC2 will be showing a programme that many viewers have been waiting a decade for.Cult hit drama This Life featured what many consider to be the one of the most influential gay characters in the history of television.Writer Amy Jenkins has returned to the lives of Egg, Milly, Anna, Miles and most importantly Warren, ten years after the series began. -
2 January 2007Steps star comes out before entering Celeb Big Brother 2 Ian Watkins, a former member of Steps, has revealed that he is gay. The 30-year-old Welshman, better known as H, is taking part in this year's Celebrity Big Brother, which begins tonight on Channel 4.Watkins, a former Butlins redcoat, also revealed that he had a ten-year relationship with the band's manager, Tim Byrne, which ended recently.In an allusion to the Little Britain character of Daffyd, he told The Sun, "I come from a small valley in Wales and it just wasn't the thing to do to be gay. It's a bit of a cliche — but I was the only gay in the village." -
2 January 2007Bright new dawn for Romanian and Bulgarian gays + Yesterday two more former Eastern Bloc countries joined the European Union. Eighteen years after the fall of Communism, the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria celebrated becoming members of the exclusive Euro club.For the LGBT communities in the two countries, it was also a day of celebration, though not in the way readers might think. Gay rights in the two countries have progressed rapidly in recent years, although acceptance is still confined to major cities. -
2 January 2007Gay activists fear for Sexual Orientation Regulations 3 A leading gay rights group has expressed concern at the tactics being used by Christian groups opposing the introduction of new rules to protect LGBT people from discrimination.The Sexual Orientation Regulations, which outlaw discrmination in the provision of goods and services on the grounds of sexuality, are due to be implemented across England and Wales in April. Their introduction was controversially delayed by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly. -
2 January 2007Gay sheep experiments outrage campaigners 2 Scientists and gay rights activists have criticised experiments being conducted in the US that aim to turn gay sheep straight.Oregon State University is conducting research into the hormonal balance in the brains of rams who are attracted to other rams.The scientists claim their research is aimed only at reducing or eliminating gay sheep. -
2 January 2007Belgian “Bad Girls” tie the knot + Two female prisoners in Flanders have made history by becoming the first lesbian couple to get married while imprisoned.Linda Couvreur, 44, a mother of three, who was convicted of murdering her husband in 2003, and Theresa 'Terry' Van Heyst, 43, a convicted arsonist, were married on the 29th of December in Bruges prison.The newly weds met last April in prison and fell in love. Terry even refused the early release for which she was eligible to stay with her lover. -
2 January 2007At least 50 gay and lesbian priests are in civil partnerships 57 2007 looks set to be another turbulent year in the Anglican church, with reports that more than 50 gay and lesbian priests have entered into civil partnerships since December 2005 likely to re-ignite debate over homosexuality.The General Synod of the Church of England will hold the first of its twice-yearly meetings in February. Evangelicals will press for an open debate on the issue of homosexual clergy, Christian Today reports.
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2 January 2007Christians ask the Queen to block gay protection 6 A group of Christian lawyers is to petition the Queen over new regulations that will outlaw discrimination against gay and lesbian people.The Christian Concern for Our Nation is affiliated with The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, who claim to have over 2,000 members.The Queen is Supreme Governor of the Church of England as well as Head of State. -
2 January 2007Anti-discrimination rules come into force in N Ireland 1 New regulations that outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the grounds of sexual orientation came into force in Northern Ireland yesterday.The province is the first part of the UK to introduce new protections for the LGBT community.The measures were controversial, with churches on both sides of the religious divide arguing that the regulations will discriminate against people with religious views. -
2 January 2007George Michael charged by police 2 Troubled pop icon George Michael has been formally charged following an incident last year when he was found by police in his car in Cricklewood, north London, allegedly passed out.Members of the public had called the police in the early hours of October 1st to deal with a Mercedes Benz S-Class car which was obstructing traffic lights.Michael was found at the wheel semi-conscious, taken to hospital and then arrested for suspected possession of drugs. -
29 December 2006“Home” HIV testing kits less reliable + A UK company has launched a new HIV testing service, but AIDS charities have warned customers that they are not as reliable as going to a clinic.For £25, DrThom will analyse a sample of saliva for HIV antibodies. Customers take the sample themselves and sent it through the post to the company's laboratory.If antibodies, which indicate the presence of the HIV virus, are present the customer is contacted by phone.
