“Of course the use of “Poofter” against someone who has done you wrong is a slur to the gay community. Any time a word is used with negative connotations it impacts badly.” The writer illustrates his point from his experiences working with young people; “[one] once said how “Gay” something was that he didn’t like, he then turned to me to apologise and never used it again around me. His instant and forthright apology shows that HE knew it was wrong and may have caused offence.”

Other writers agreed; “No matter the context in which it is used, “poofter” is nothing more than derogatory and anti-gay. Are there words that gay people use to single out heterosexuals they don’t like, words that could be termed derogatory and a slur against their heterosexuality? I don’t think so” said Robert, writing from the USA.

Michael Regan looked at the issue from another angle, comparing homophobic swearing to racist swearing; “The short of it is, someone using a word like ‘Poofter’ but who isn’t gay is as offensive as a white man calling someone a ‘Nigger’ or a ‘Pakey’ or ‘Spastic’.

“If you’re going to write off using a word that’s commonly used by homophobes to attack gay people with, then you might as well write of all over racist and derogatory words too!

“Its known that the football association has used homophobic comments and remarks in the past, so its good that its beginning to come into the 21st century”.

“What I want to know is, would anyone have really noticed unless Tatchell had brought it up. Obviously homophobic abuse is wrong but how many people really watch ITV?” wondered Josh.

Adding to the debate this morning, peterrivendell suggested; “I`m not sure that we don’t need to get a grip and focus on things that are genuinely homophobic and offensive.

“I agree that we still need to complete that cultural shift that will make homophobic terms as socially unacceptable as racist ones but Paul Scholes getting booked and calling someone a ‘poofter’ just makes him sound like an 11 year old boy rather than a vicious homophobe.”

“It’s just swearing” Liz thought, “people never shout about women being called bitch. And how come Liam thinks it’s ok to call someone a bimbo”.

Thanks for your support, Liz.

The site enables gay Christians to upload a personal profile and search for other people in their area who might like to meet for Bible study, friendship or to form relationships.

“Most GLBTQ Christians are excluded from joining Christian personals sites, and gay and other personals sites aren’t structured to meet their specific needs”, said Mr Cannon.

“The growing gay Christian demographic deserves a welcoming safe place tailored just for us.”

“Gay Christians are people who are Christian, who commit their lives to following Christ, and who happen to be attracted to people of the same gender” explained Mr Cannon. “While there are people who will insist that a gay Christian is an oxymoron, there are thousands of gay Christians around the world who have come to recognise that there is a place for us at God’s table and in God’s church, and have been able to hold firmly to their faith while not denying who they are.”

Even though the website is being launched today, it has been attracting a lot of attention from would be members already. As the site was being created, over 1800 people signed up to the database. Although the majority are from America where the website is based, there are members from over 50 countries around the globe.

“I’m looking for my soul mate” writes one, “I personally believe that God has made someone for all of us and I’m looking for mine.”

“I needed a sympathetic Bible study partner” writes another.

“Gayharmony.net is awesome! I signed on and found a guy who lives right in my hometown.”

Mie Lewis, who wrote the report said; “New York wants to hide the fate of the girls it incarcerates. Abuses have continued because the public has been kept in the dark”.

The report looked at two correctional facilities for juveniles, Tryon and Lansing, which are part of New York State’s prison service. They are run by the New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and are the only higher security facilities in the state that are specifically for girls. Most inmates are 15 or 16, though some can be as young as 12.

Former inmates were interviewed along with current inmates to build a comprehensive picture of prison life. From this data, the writers were able to catalogue a series of abuses, which, they claim, involve girls being “frequently and unnecessarily subjected to strip searches, verbal abuse and threats”, as well as being handcuffed and shackled whenever they leave the building. This is in violation of the OCFS’s regulations in all but emergency situations.

The report expressed concern that “staff sometimes use [these measures] to punish girls for minor acts such as improperly making their beds or not raising their hands before speaking.” Typical injuries sustained from violent restraint include “rug burns – abrasions on their faces – as well as cuts, bruises, and in rare cases a concussion or a broken limb.”

Though the report paints a shocking picture of prison life for these young and vulnerable people, it also suggests that conditions for lesbian teenagers are even worse.

One girl who was 15 when she was imprisoned in Lansing said; “If you’re gay they think you think you’re a man, so they restrain you harder. They have an attitude of ‘If you want to be a man, I’ll restrain you like a man.’ That place [Lansing] was unstable. I was restrained 10 or 12 times.”

Following an investigation, last year the ACLU sued the State of Hawaii over abuses of LGBT teenagers in correctional facilities. The State eventually agreed to pay over $600 000 to end the lawsuit after a judge found that conditions at the facility were “in a state of chaos”.

It is not yet known whether similar legal proceedings will take place in this instance.

Holding placards reading “A lesbian with HIV/Aids is still my sister” and “Raping me won’t make me straight” the group marched through the Johannesburg suburb, then listened to a series of speeches. Though a minority of residents objected to the event, it progressed without any serious hindrances.

Although South Africa was the first country in the world to recognise the rights of gay people in its constitution, and even though it is soon to recognise homosexual marriage – making it the first country in Africa to do so, in recent months there has been a slight increase in the rate and severity of homophobic attacks. Earlier this year a young woman was beaten with golf clubs and brick before being stabbed to death by boys in Kayelitsha, a suburb of Cape Town.

South Africa’s Constitution is the first in the world to recognise gay rights and it is poised to become the first African country to recognise homosexual marriage.

“The march is a way to say we’re here to stay. We’re not going to wake up tomorrow and not be gay anymore,” said Ayanda Magudulela from the Forum for the Empowerment of Women.

“Even five years ago this wouldn’t have happened and now here we stand today.”

Photographs of the event which took place on the 23rd of September appeared on the Forum’s website. They show the women laughing and clapping in the bright sunlight. Although the march had a serious and political theme, it was a fun event. One participant even wore a Zulu skirt made out of animal skin, usually worn by male hunters.

The march was part of a calendar of pre Johannesburg pride events which have been taking place throughout the summer. The Pride itself will be held on Saturday.

A lesbian couple are fighting for both of them to be recognised as the legal parents of their five-year-old son, along with his biological father. The couple first made an application to the family courts three years ago, but the court ruled that it did not have the authority to make that judgement. The case now rests with the Court of Appeal where Chief Justice Roy McMurty, Mr Justice Marc Rosenberg and Mr Justice Jean-Marc Labrosse are expected to make their decision within six months.

The lawyer for the father, Alfred Mamo, said that “the family has evolved over the years.” He explained that the child has “two mothers and a father with whom he thrives. They all want this for their son.”

The lawyer for the couple, Peter Jervis noted; “it’s discriminatory, because one of them gets legally recognized — the biological mother — but the non-biological mother, who is equally part of the process except for the biological bits, can’t be legally recognized even though they both decided to have a child, planned for the child, arranged for the procreation and the birth, and they both jointly parent the child.”

The couple, who have been together since 1992, make sure that their son sees his father twice a week. “The reality for him is that he has three parents. That’s an everyday experience for him and that’s our responsibility as parents to make that solid beyond his everyday experience, to make it solid in the social and legal world,” said the mother’s partner.

Competition in “Mr World” is hotting up as the USA competes to find the “boy next door” to challenge other “Mr Gay’s” from around the World. The preliminary rounds are over and soon we will know who will join the other contenders in what will surely be a gripping final.

Who ever he may be, Mr Gay USA will find the competition stiff.

Mr Gay Germany is hotly tipped, and Mr Gay Iran will be turning a few heads – and not only for being Mr Gay Iran. There’s even a Mr Gay Vatican City – pundits are wondering whether religious intervention might just swing the odds.

Luckily there are mere moments to wait until the grand final itself, which will be held on October 27 -28th at the Convention Centre in Palm Springs California. Hollywood Squares star Bruce Vilance is hosting, and since he’s written shows such as the Oscars, Tonys and Emmys he should know what he’s doing. One of the judges wrote The Hollywood diet, one presents Good Morning America and one is a gossip columnist, so again, that all seems to be as it should be. Rumours that a special pervy-man-with-long-hair-and-a-beard judge will be appointed due to the demands of tradition, are rife.

Here’s what producer Don Spradlin had to say:

“The International Competition for Mr. Gay has a mission of bringing together non-stereotypical gay from around our world to confront an often-times stereotypical bias in the mainstream press.”

And just like Miss World, being buff won’t be enough – beauty on the inside’s what’s really important. “The competitive elements designed into the finals will allow judges to observe the character values and leadership talents of our contestants,” Mr Spradlin reminds us.

Though anyone expecting mere “I’m a life saving children’s doctor and in my spare time I enjoy working with three legged orphaned kittens” innocence should heed the words of the delightfully named director of last year’s event, Dirk Shafer; “Believe me, this is not going to be your sister’s beauty pageant.”

Competition in “Mr World” is hotting up as the USA competes to find the “boy next door” to challenge other “Mr Gay’s” from around the World. The preliminary rounds are over and soon we will know who will join the other contenders in what will surely be a gripping final.

Who ever he may be, Mr Gay USA will find the competition stiff.

Mr Gay Germany is hotly tipped, and Mr Gay Iran will be turning a few heads – and not only for being Mr Gay Iran. There’s even a Mr Gay Vatican City – pundits are wondering whether religious intervention might just swing the odds.

Luckily there are mere moments to wait until the grand final itself, which will be held on October 27 -28th at the Convention Centre in Palm Springs California. Hollywood Squares star Bruce Vilance is hosting, and since he’s written shows such as the Oscars, Tonys and Emmys he should know what he’s doing. One of the judges wrote The Hollywood diet, one presents Good Morning America and one is a gossip columnist, so again, that all seems to be as it should be. Rumours that a special pervy-man-with-long-hair-and-a-beard judge will be appointed due to the demands of tradition, are rife.

Here’s what producer Don Spradlin had to say:

“The International Competition for Mr. Gay has a mission of bringing together non-stereotypical gay from around our world to confront an often-times stereotypical bias in the mainstream press.”

And just like Miss World, being buff won’t be enough – beauty on the inside’s what’s really important. “The competitive elements designed into the finals will allow judges to observe the character values and leadership talents of our contestants,” Mr Spradlin reminds us.

Though anyone expecting mere “I’m a life saving children’s doctor and in my spare time I enjoy working with three legged orphaned kittens” innocence should heed the words of the delightfully named director of last year’s event, Dirk Shafer; “Believe me, this is not going to be your sister’s beauty pageant.”

A keen eyed Peter Tatchell (from gay human rights group Outrage!) noticed the insult and issued a press release quite rightly saying; “no player, referee or fan should have to endure abuse about their race or sexuality … There should be big fines and match suspensions for players, managers and supporters who wilfully use anti-gay insults.”

But in the context of being carded and angry, is the insult “poofter” really wilfully anti gay, or just a throw away swear word? Is there a difference, and should this difference be important to us? PinkNews.co.uk took to the streets of Kings Cross to find out.

“Poofter? Do people still say that?” wondered Sue. “It’s not that bad.”

22 year old gay graduate student James said; “I don’t think a lot of these insults mean very much. My friend’s younger brother is 13 and he calls everything that annoys him “gay”. The other day he didn’t like his dinner and he said, “this is so gay!”. If these insults are overused they don’t have any meaning.”

“Of course it is wrong to insult people by swearing at them” said Dr Jonathan Roberts.

“But that’s the whole point of swearing isn’t it? Life isn’t all Famous Five where people say “oh no” or “dash it all” when something makes them cross.”

“There’s a difference between a swear word and being deliberately homophobic, I think,” said Caroline, a website manager. “Are they going to fine people who use the word bitch for being insulting to women? Get over it.”

“Football is pretty homophobic, so maybe it would help with the attitude” Peter, visiting London to play college football said. “But everyone swears on the pitch. It’s not like you mean it. I don’t mean someone’s mum wasn’t married to their dad if I call them a bastard! That’s just -”

James, our PinkNews.co.uk intern considered the question for some time before deciding; “it depends on the context. If it’s used in a hurtful way of course it’s hurtful, and I also think that it’s a shame that the word “gay” can be used in a negative way. It’s a word I use to describe myself, and I don’t want to hear it as a term of abuse.”

But what about the word poofter? Fellow journalist Marc wanted to know whether we should even put the word in quotation marks. “What’s so bad about that?” he said.

“Poofter?” James half chuckled, “well, I wouldn’t call myself that, it’s almost funny! It’s offensive, but differently offensive. The whole thing seems a bit childish to me, a bit ridiculous.”

What do you think?

Leave a comment on our message boards and let us know.

The British Library has been exposed as an ideal cottaging ground, according to a popular website dedicated to the hobby.

A The Pink News investigation revealed that the library, which holds around 25 million books and thousand-year-old historical items has been included in a list of top gay cruising and cottaging venues on squirt.org.

The website, which came to media attention after recommending the site of a notorious child murder in Australia as a cottaging venue, runs lists of the best places in the world to have anonymous sex.

Next to a description of each venue there is a message board where members post comments about their experiences.

The British Library was recently described as “good today, lots of action.”

A spokeswoman for the British Library was shocked by the revelation, she told The Pink News: “We do check the toilets regularly and no-one is aware of it.

“I hope that people will use the library for learning and reading and to see our exhibitions. We hope they have a good time, but not that!”

Gay right’s campaigner Peter Tatchell told The Pink News: “It makes people easy targets, which is very concerning.

“It also brings the places to the attention of people who would be prepared to close them down.

“Nobody should have sex in a public place where any member of the public is likely to see and be offended.”

The pursuit received publicity recently when the News of the World published pictures claiming to show singer George Michael cruising on Hampstead Heath, he angrily told photographers to leave him alone claiming “anonymous no-strings sex” was t part of the gay lifestyle.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 doesn’t legislate specifically against sex in public. “This means, it isn’t specifically illegal” said a Home Office spokeswoman. Instead, cruising and cottaging are covered by Public Order laws. They are considered an “offence” if they cause “outrage”, or if they are beyond the realms of “taste and decency.”

Usually this would require people to witness the act, who felt that they had been caused “harm and distress” or harassment.

Other venues on the site included Selfridges car park, House of Fraser in Bristol as well as Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores across the country.

This article first appeared in the September issue of The Pink News which is out now

The leaflet, which is signed by a collective calling themselves the “Red Arm of Salvation” has understandably caused consternation amongst the gay community, though it was later revealed to be a prank.

The news website Ynet quoted the director of Jerusalem’s Open House, responding to the threat; “we reiterate our call to stop the inciting and criminal acts against the homo-lesbian community.”

Over 2000 leaflets were distributed overnight, reading; “During this parade, 300,000 corrupt animals are anticipated to march through the holy city of Jerusalem, waiting avidly for the chance to put themselves on display before our children and our sacred Torah. They will try as hard as they can to defile as many of our innocent children as they can.”

Haredi sources said that the Red Arm for Salvation’s leaflet was nothing to do with them, and that the people on the list were nothing to do with the Haredi community. The leaflet was apparently a “teenage prank”.

WorldPride’s organizers are currently riding the wave of suspicion that the event might be forced to move to Tel Aviv, as reported in the Israeli online news website, Ynet.

It quotes a police officer as saying that “Tel Aviv is more used to such events, and therefore it should take place there also this time”.

The Trade and Labour Minister Eli Yishai said that there was “an issue of freedom of expression, but on the other hand there is also the public’s benefit.” He said that he supported the idea of moving it to another city because ?leaders of the three religions are against it.”

Israel’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar wrote to Pope Benedict XVI asking for his condemnation, he said: “We ask your Excellency to issue an emotional, strong, and unequivocal call against this horrible phenomenon, in the hope that the amalgamation of protests being voiced by religious leaders… will prevent the wilful wrongdoers to damage and corrupt the ways of humanity.”

An Arab member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Ibrahim Sarsur, said: ? If gays will dare approach the Temple Mount during the parade, they will do so over our dead bodies.?

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch of the ultra-orthodox Beth Din (religious court) said: ?this parade poses a real threat to the citizens of Israel.?

Daniela Meilmann, UK Coordinator of World Pride, said; “World Pride 2006 is a call for freedom, freedom of expression, freedom to be different, and tolerance. It seeks to embrace diversity, and is adamant that it will address and raise awareness of all forms of discrimination and injustice.

“We hope others will see their own specific struggles reflected in the struggle of LGBT people around the world and come and participate in this rallying cry for peace.”

Spokesperson Cathy Renna told PinkNews, “there is no change in any of our plans. We have applied for a license to hold the march as planned on August 10. It would be an astonishing setback for freedom of speech if the police opts to surrender in advance in the face of violent threats. I have faith in Israeli democracy, and if it comes to it we will appeal to the Supreme Court. In any case, there is no decision yet by the police, so hopefully, withstanding the many rumours, there will be no reason to appeal.

“This is our legal right, we are sure it will be respected. If it isn’t respected we will turn to the legal system.”

Gustavo William-Coleman was last seen 12.30 on Monday 10 July 2006 in Chalkhill Road, Wembley, when he left his home. He has not been seen since.

Gustavo is 44-years-old but appears much younger. He is of medium-large build, wearing a white T-shirt with a circular blue wavy pattern on the chest, brown cord trousers and silver/blue Puma trainers. He has several teeth missing but wears dentures. Has no cash with him.

He is described as having a mental age of 11 and suffers from asthma.

Gustavo has links with the Gay community and is known to frequent the West End, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Park.

Police are concerned for his health as he may be sleeping rough and should be taking medication for a medical condition.

Anyone with information should contact the CID Missing Persons Unit at Brent Police on 0208 733 3159.

The news was welcomed by the New Zealand AIDS foundation, who have long suspected a link between driving the gay community underground and increased levels of HIV infection.

Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said; “The spread of HIV is facilitated by the prejudice, discrimination and marginalisation of minority communities.”

In a press release, she said, “making gay men into criminals only serves to drive sexual activity underground, making it almost impossible to reach with safe sex information and life-saving condoms.”

“This is a great step forward for the human rights of gay citizens and tourists as well as HIV prevention efforts. in combination with existing human rights protections for gays and lesbians in Fiji’s Constitution, Fiji is now following the path to equality that New Zealand has helped to pave.”

New Zealand celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act this month. The law reform decriminalized sex between two men.

The news from Fiji follows celebrations in New Zealand this month for the 20th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act, which decriminalised sex between men in 1986.

Housemate Jayne suggested that maybe Michael might not be gay after all, because she was convinced he fancied her. The two shared a bubble bath last night, though, no doubt to the chagrin of the producers, nothing remotely exciting happened.

Jayne confided in Mikey that she suspected Michael of wanting to kiss her. Mikey, however, though this was extremely unlikely, saying “gay people like men!”

Jayne’s not the only housemate musing over Michael. Nikki admitted to Imogen that though Michael was “hard going” she was becoming increasingly fond of him. “he’s a bit of a slob in the kitchen … but that’s the only bad thing I have on him,” she said.

Nikki is another housemate for whom the boundaries between gay and straight seem a little blurred at times. In a game of spin the bottle she enjoyed a “lesbian-lite” snog with fellow housemate Aisleyne.

Aisleyne told spurned housemate Spiral, “I didn’t laugh at you babes. I don’t know you, I’ve just met you. I don’t kiss people I don’t know,” as she rejected his advances twice during the game.

“I kissed Pete because I always kiss Pete, and Nikki… well, don’t ask me why, but I just did,” she disclosed.

The Czechoslovakian player, who was born in 1956, had never been on a grass court before arriving at the pre-Wimbledon tournament at queens. She spoke at the time of her amazement that the grass was so short – she had expected it to be long like a football pitch! Despite this, she soon discovered that this was a surface ideally suited to her aggressive style and incredible level of fitness.

She won the singles title 9 times, and was the runner up 3 times. Over the course of her career at Wimbledon, she has played 279 matches, and established herself as a great favourite with the crowd in SW19.

In no small part this was due to the rivalry that existed between her and Chris Evert. The two players inspired each other to greater levels of fitness and expertise, which moved women’s tennis to a new speed and state of play. By the end of her singles career, another dramatic rivalry excited and entertained tennis fans – between Ms Navratilova and Steffi Graf.

Although she retired from the singles game in 1994, endearingly stooping to take a blade of grass from Centre Court with her as she left, she came back to the competition to play doubles, in a very successful career move that saw her win the championships on many other occasions, bringing her total Wimbledon wins up to 20!

“Wimbledon is like a drug,” the tennis star said. “Once you win it for the first time you feel you’ve just got to do it again and again”.

Fitting then that the tennis legend should end her career on the famous grass courts last week, when she and her partner Liezel Huber were defeated by the Chinese pair Zi Yan and Jie Zheng during the quarterfinals of the Ladies’ Doubles.

Ms Navratilova came out publicly in The Advocate in 1991, causing her to loose sponsorship deals. Lesbian news website afterEllen.com goes as far as to suggest that “her lesbianism was considered antithetical to the wholesome image women’s tennis was trying to portray.”

“Despite her clear mastery of the game, Martina was routinely snubbed by sponsors in favour of more feminine, graceful athletes”, the website claims.

Nevertheless, with over $20,344,061 in prize money alone, the possible reduction in her advertising cache certainly won’t have caused Ms Navratilova any financial hardship.

Tennis fans will be saddened that one of the women’s game’s greatest characters will no longer be trampling the grass at Wimbledon, but forever grateful for the entertainment provided by one of the competitions most memorable players.

Writing to the paper’s agony aunt, Dr Catherine Hood, the reader reveals, “he’s been having an affair. I’m a keen photographer and have several photos of him wearing my underwear. I’m thinking of sending them to a gay sex magazine. Do you think I’d be justified in doing this?”

It’s certainly a dilemma.

Luckily Dr Catherine is on hand with some timely advice; “while it would be fun to see your boyfriend embarrassed, the enjoyment would be only temporary.”

She goes on to advise that the reader to channel her energy into something more productive, “spending time concocting ways to get your own back may stop you moving forward with your life. Think about whether you’d be better off putting the whole situation behind you and moving on to find someone better.”

But what of the photos, I hear you cry.

Well fear not, Dr Catherine has an ingenious Blue Peter-esque solution for them too; “I’d rip them up or use them as a temporary dartboard in the privacy of your own room.”

Wise words indeed.

“When you assert that individuals are born gay and cannot change, people naturally jump to the conclusion that same-sex marriage is the only rational choice for same-sex attracted individuals,” the paper admits.

Since the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), which is the largest religious organisation in Salt Lake City, does not approve of gay marriages, it is lucky that the paper is able to come up with some “proof” to the contrary.

“The innate-immutable theory of homosexuality has no basis in science,” it heralds, continuing with the astonishing news that “the simplistic biological theory has been dismissed by all of the researchers whose studies have been cited to support the notion that homosexuality is so deeply compelled by biology that it cannot change.”

The scientist Simon LeVay weighs in to the debate. Apparently his work has often been mis interpreted as suggesting people can be born gay. The scientist is at pains to correct this interpretation; “It is important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality was genetic, or find a cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men were born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work.”

If there is no genetic cause of homosexuality, the paper suggests that psychological factors must be crucial.

It details an experiment that another scientist, Mr Robert Spitzer has done, which involves using “re-orientation therapy” to turn gay people straight.

Apparently his study managed to persuade 44% of the gay women and 66% of the gay men involved in the experiment to have “good heterosexual functioning”.

89 percent of the men and 95 percent of the women studied reported that they were bothered “slightly or not at all by unwanted homosexual feelings.”

The writer, David Clarke Pruden concluded, “This is not to say that anyone chooses homosexual attractions nor do most of us choose many of the other challenges we face in life, but we do choose how we respond.”

He is the executive director of Evergreen International, a non profit Latter Day Saint organisation that provides resources and educational services for members of the church who are attracted to partners of the same sex.

The recruitment firm The Blomfield Group conducted the survey, which suggests that although the City of London had improved, it was still a challenging place for gay people to work in, especially gay women.

Many banks are trying to promote diversity in their recruitment programmes, three of Stonewall’s top ten organisations on it’s Corporate Equality Index are investment banks, and industry-wide support networks such as Out in the City, the city Women’s Club and City Pink have certainly helped to make the city more gay-friendly.

However, despite individual bank’s support schemes, largely set up in response to a series of high profile discrimination lawsuits, it seems that women are not comfortable about being frank about their sexuality in the workplace.

Speaking to Reuters, Keith Robinson, the managing director of Origin Pr (part of the Blomfield Group) said; the reluctance of women to come out as lesbians possibly reflects the fact that women already feel they have to fight hard to maintain equality with men,”

Although the Blomfield survey showed that 6.3% of candidates for city roles identified themselves as gay, up from 5.0% the previous year, this percentage represents about 55,000 out of 900,000 people who work in the city.

The survey said that it expected a further 35,000 people working in the city would be gay or lesbian, if the City’s make up was a reflection of the general population of London.

“The City has some way to go,” the survey said, “the extent to which people are ‘out’ in their firms is far smaller than the number who privately acknowledge they are homosexual.”

“I suppose it is a bit surprising” said accountant Peter Stevens. “When I think about it I don’t know anyone at work who is gay, but I have four or five gay friends in my group outside work, from University. So, yeah, it is a bit strange”.

“I think work shouldn’t have anything to do with your sex life,” said Angela Barnes, a corporate lawyer. “Although I guess it always does. It’s impossible to compartmentalise your life like that. It must be hard not being able to talk about your girlfriend and what you did at the weekend on a Monday morning.”

“You and I both know, I’m out outside work” said an actuary who requested that we did not use her name. “It’s different at work. People couldn’t help judging me, and it would be too complicated. Better just not to say anything. It’s like the US army, isn’t it. Don’t ask, don’t tell”.

Based on successful events run in Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the organisers hope to send a positive message to gay teens struggling to come to terms with their sexuality that it’s perfectly normal to be gay.

Unlike the American proms, however, the event will not be taking place in a gymnasium or school hall, but in London’s glitzy Astor Bar and Grill, more used to hosting A list celebrity parties than teenage get-togethers.

The prom is being organised by a committee of 5 teenagers, under the mentorship of gay business guru Ivan Massow and lesbian icon Amy Lamé who is also hosting the event. Although it’s taking place in London, teenagers from all over the country will be taking part. The chairman of the prom committee, Arfur Davison-Sharp who comes from Lydney in Gloucestershire, said “We hope to have an attendance of 350. There is a lot of interest in this event from all over the country.”

Although alcohol will be served at the event, there will be a strict ID policy.

“You have to give the 18 and 19 year olds what they want,” Mr Davison-Sharp said, “but personally, I am against a bar.”

“Gay Proms are becoming very popular in the United States and are seen as an important step for teenagers to learn about relationships and courtship,” said Massow.

“Unlike their straight contemporaries there isn’t the learning experience of the school disco era. The idea of a gay prom is to provide an opportunity for gay teenagers learn about relationships in a safe environment.”

Gay Prom UK 2006 is on Sunday July 16 at the Astor Bar and Grill, Glasshouse Street, London, from 7pm to midnight. Advance tickets are £7 (£10 on the door). Note: this event is strictly for the 16-19 age group. It is a ‘straight friendly’ event so friends are very welcome.

For information on tickets, call 0208 741 7198, or visit the Gay Prom 2006 website

Currently an online petition opposing the event is hovering around the 100,000 signature mark. It’s organisers are confident that this target will soon be reached.

In a rare moment of accord between the major world religions, the event has been universally condemned. The pope added his voice to those of Israel’s chief rabbis, and Islamic leaders.

Israel’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar wrote to Pope Benedict XVI asking for his condemnation, he said: “We ask your Excellency to issue an emotional, strong, and unequivocal call against this horrible phenomenon, in the hope that the amalgamation of protests being voiced by religious leaders… will prevent the wilful wrongdoers to damage and corrupt the ways of humanity.”

An Arab member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Ibrahim Sarsur, said: “If gays will dare approach the Temple Mount during the parade, they will do so over our dead bodies.”

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch of the ultra-orthodox Beth Din (religious court) said: “this parade poses a real threat to the citizens of Israel.”

It was reported last week by the Israeli online news website, YNet, that police concerns may force the event to be moved to Tel Aviv.

The Trade and Labour Minister Eli Yishai said that there was “an issue of freedom of expression, but on the other hand there is also the public’s benefit.” He said that he supported the idea of moving it to another city because “leaders of the three religions are against it.”

The event has provoked heated debate and heart-felt opinions from both sides. As the anti-petition’s numbers swell each hour, voices supporting the event speak up on websites and message boards. Avi from Jerusalem, for example, writes; “I think the point is that there are a lot of homosexuals out there who are being terrorised by their communities. The Gay pride shows them that there are others too who are of the same inclination and it is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Daniela Meilmann, UK Coordinator of World Pride, told PinkNews.co.uk in reaction to calls for the abandonment of the event, ?World Pride 2006 is a call for freedom, freedom of expression, freedom to be different, and tolerance. It seeks to embrace diversity, and is adamant that it will address and raise awareness of all forms of discrimination and injustice.

“We hope others will see their own specific struggles reflected in the struggle of LGBT people around the world and come and participate in this rallying cry for peace.”

Cocktails will be served in a specially built VIP terrace bar, to the accompaniment of jazz classics and the growls, squeaks, hisses and chirrups of the six hundred and fifty animal, reptile and bird species who make the zoo their home.

High-profile gay celebrities have also been invited, including Sir Elton John, Dale Winton, and Graham Norton.

The event is being organised by the London Zoological Society (LZS), who selected the zoo because it is becoming a top gay date venue.

The organiser Joanna Green said in an interview with the Sunday Mirror; “a walk through our tropical butterfly tunnel will add a romantic touch to the day. But people can also come face-to-face with African hunting dogs or a giraffe. This day is all about celebrating gay culture and encouraging conservation. There will be a discussion from gay organisations and wildlife experts, debating homosexuality within the animal kingdom.

“It will be fun, educational and, of course, very, very camp.”

Since comedian Scott Capurro’s documentary / comedy show about gay animals, where he travelled the world in search of same sex animal couples, debate about the “naturalness” of being gay has been raging. The famous New York Penguin couple, Silo and Roy had been seen as a clear cut example of homosexuality in the animal kingdom, having been together faithfully for six years, until Silo left Roy for a female last year.

But there is hope for fidelity on the gay animal scene; flamingos Carlos and Fernando from Slimbridge wildfowl reserve have been together for five years and are currently raising a chick that they adopted when it was an egg.

The event will take place on September 17th, and tickets can be bought on the gate for £14.50 on the gate.