Adam Lake was acting news editor and political reporter between 2007 and 2010.
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18 March 2008Another outing for R.E.M. singer 1 Michael Stipe has announced that he is gay. The 48 year old R.E.M. star, who is known for deflecting questions about his sexuality, told US music magazine Spin "I was totally open with the band and my family and my friends and certainly the people I was sleeping with. I thought it was pretty obvious."I'd just never felt strongly enough about a particular relationship to say, 'Yeah, he's my boyfriend, that is what it is.'" -
18 March 2008Gay adoption ruling may set precedent in Israel 1 An Israeli court has ruled that a gay couple can both register to be their adopted son's father.The landmark decision, made by the Ramat Gan Family Court in Tel Aviv, may well set a precedent for other gay couples.Giora Shavit and his long-time partner Avi Shadiv have now registered to jointly adopt their five-year-old son. The four year old boy, who comes from Georgia, has no registered biological parents. -
18 March 2008Football fans banned for homophobic and racist abuse + Nine Blackpool FC fans have been banned from their home ground for shouting homophobic and racist abuse during Saturday's match against Preston.Supporters of both teams complained about offensive chanting and police were asked to investigate.Following an ongoing investigation, the nine Blackpool fans have been banned and police are scrutinising CCTV footage with the intention of issuing more banning orders. -
12 March 2008Gay hate crime bill moves forward in Lords 100 An amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill that would make it an offence to link homosexuality to paedophilia was discussed in the House of Lords last week.The bill seeks to create a new offence of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.Liberal Democrat peer Lord Thomas of Gresford told the House: "We are concerned about the suggestion very frequently made by the British National Party and others that homosexuality and paedophilia are directly connected and that a person who is homosexual has a propensity to be a paedophile." -
11 March 2008Tribunal hearing over civil partnerships on forms 11 An employment tribunal has ruled that a Catholic couple from Scotland can pursue their claim of sexual and religious discrimination against Strathclyde Police over its definition of the term 'marital status.'Devout Catholics Lucille and Frank McQuade claim that Scotland's largest police force is guilty of religious discrimination after altering its civilian employee records to change their status from "married" to "married/civil partnership."Mr McQuade, 49, a communications officer with the force, said that no slur was intended on the gay community. -
11 March 2008Baywatch star praised for coming out 2 Jaason Simmons, known to millions across the world as hunky lifeguard Logan Fowler in beach soap opera Baywatch, has come out to an Australian magazine.The 37-year-old actor plans to marry his partner, Irish actor John O'Callaghan.The couple, who have been together for eight months, have also adopted a six-year-old Ugandan boy. The decision to go public about their relationship has been praised by gay rights advocates. -
11 March 2008New London route for 10K Crusaid walk + Crusaid's Walk for Life has announced a new and improved route for this years event.The sponsored walk, which last year raised £375,000, supports poor and marginalised people affected by HIV and AIDS in the UK and Africa.Europe's largest fundraising walk for HIV kicks off at the Event Village, based at Potters Fields Park, on the 1st June. The new 10 kilometre route will snake through London. -
4 March 2008Gay porn house ruling upheld + A Court of Appeal in Florida has upheld a ruling in favour of a homeowners' association that claimed a group of men leasing a house in its neighbourhood were violating its restrictions on running a business out of a home.The homeowner, Judith Crago, leased the home to Charles Foulk, the owner of the 'College Boys Live' pornography site.24 live feed cameras where installed so that customers could pay to watch live sex acts.
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4 March 2008Mayor backs Christian challenge over fostering + The Mayor of Derby is backing a Christian couple who are appealing against a decision that they were not suitable foster parents.Eunice and Owen Johns approached the council about providing weekend respite care for children under 10.They were rejected by an adoption panel after it emerged that Mrs Johns, a Sunday school teacher, wanted any children in their care to go to church on Sundays.The Johns also refused to teach children that gay and lesbian relationships are normal, as required by gay equality laws. -
4 March 2008Sydney celebrates biggest-ever Mardi Gras + More than 300,000 people lined the streets of the Australian city of Sydney to watch a mile long Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night.The colourful annual event is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.10,000 marchers in a variety of dazzling costumes, and more than 150 floats including a gay 'pope-mobile,' took part. The parade was led by the '78er's', who staged a 1,500 strong protest march for gay rights in 1978.
