The University of Washington research found that while gay, lesbian and bisexual participants are twice as likely as heterosexuals to have attempted suicide, those who still have issues with defining their sexuality are six times as likely.

eOf the 528 participants, 79 of these identified themselves as same sex attracted heterosexuals and it was the number of suicide plans and attempts of this group that caused University of Washington researcher Heather Murphy the most concern.

“I was shocked by the finding because the rate for these students was just off the charts.

“They are still trying to fit into the mainstream heterosexual society and are not willing to talk to friends or go to a queer centre to talk about what they are experiencing.

“The gay culture has a family feeling that is welcoming and shows pride. However, these students are not there yet so they may be feeling shame and homophobia.” Murphy told uwnews.org.

The survey also found a significantly higher number cases of verbal and physical abuse directed towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual and same-sex attracted heterosexuals.

Murphy believes that the number of attempted suicides and suicidal thoughts reported can be largely attributed to homophobic bullying.

“There is a lot of hype that gay kids are more suicidal.

“My study shows that this is not so. In my study, being victimized for being gay was the risk factor that increased suicidal-behaviour risk.”

The image taken by renowned American photographer Nan Goldin was due to go on display as part of her Thanksgiving series at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead when a concerned member of gallery staff contacted police yesterday.

The photograph Klara and Edda Belly Dancing features two semi naked young girls playing.

It has attracted controversy as one of the girls is sitting with her legs open.

The photograph was on loan from Elton John’s private collection. An official statement from his website read:

“The photograph exists as part of the installation as a whole and has been widely published and exhibited throughout the world.

“It can be found in the monograph of Ms Goldin’s works entitled The Devil’s Playground (Phaidon, 2003), has been offered for sale at Sotheby’s New York in 2002 and 2004, and has previously been exhibited in Houston, London, Madrid, New York, Portugal, Warsaw and Zurich without any objections of which we are aware.”

Elton John is one of the world’s foremost collectors of photographic art and has several thousand photographs in his collection, including works by Man Ray, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Diane Arbus and Ansel Adams.

Goldin’s fine art and documentary based work, which is often inspired by her own experiences has attracted controversy in the past.

Police received complaints about her photographs featuring naked children at an exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery in 2001.

Sheila Schroeder, 43 and Kate Burns, 44, staged the sit-in protest in the Wellington E.Webb Municipal Building, when they were refused an application for a marriage licence from the Denver Clerk and Recorder Office.

The couple, who have been together for five years, took Rev. Mike Morran, their local minister from Denver’s First Unitarian Church with them.

Rev. Morran said:

“I am proud to stand on the side of love in support of Kate and Sheila.

“From a church point of view, marriage is a sacrament and the state should stay out of it. This civil right – the freedom to marry – should apply to all citizens.”

The couple were arrested when the office closed for the day and issued with citations for trespassing. They were released without bail soon after.

In November 2006 Colorado voted to ban same sex marriages by adjusting the constitution so that marriage is only recognised if it is between a man and a woman.

The compromise between the liberal and conservative branches of the Episcopal Church, as the Anglican Church is known in the US, was agreed late last night as a vote was taken at crisis talks in New Orleans.

The church has agreed to “exercise restraint” when selecting bishops whose lifestyle poses challenges to the church, which has now been defined as a gay or lesbian lifestyle.

It is expected that unofficial blessings for same sex civil partnerships will continue in the dioceses of liberal bishops as a ban on this has not been established.

The Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori commented on the Church’s official statement.

“Not everyone was 100 per cent happy with every word in this document, as you might imagine. But together we believe that we have found a place that all of us can stand together.”

In the statement the church made it clear that they still strongly oppose anti-gay behaviour including, “actions or policies that does violence to them, encourages violence towards them or violates their dignity as children of God.”

The Episcopal Church’s conflicting views on homosexuality has received global attention and intervention from leading Anglican Church figures including Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

The American liberalised church has clashed with the other provinces of the Anglican Church on issues of homosexuality within the communion since the Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican Bishop, was ordained in 2003.

A 30 September deadline has been set by the Anglican church for the American Episcopal Church to agree to a full ban on any appointing new gay bishops or approving same sex civil partnerships within the clergy.

The conservatives and liberals within the American Episcopal Church will either divide, with whole dioceses, rather than simply parishes, relocating over the issues, or be reunited by a compromised pro-gay agenda, which is currently being discussed by a coalition that is working to keep the church together.

The American liberal wing of the church has clashed with the Church of England and provinces of the Anglican Church on the issue of ordaining openly gay bishops and recognising same sex civil partnerships for clergy members since Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican Bishop, was ordained Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

“I do not assume that homosexual inclination is a disease,” the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, told bishops earlier in the conference.

He warned that “violence against gay and lesbian people is inexcusable,” adding: “Gay and lesbian people have a place in the Church as do all the baptised.”

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, whose target was tripled at the last G8 in June, was set up in 2002 to finance operations to help combat the diseases around the world.

Speaking in his role as Chairman of the Elton John Aids Foundation, Elton explained that the fund was only half way to meeting its target and urgently needed the prime minister’s assistance in leading the world by example.

“I believe Gordon Brown’s leadership and vision on this issue is urgently needed, right now.

After all, he played a central role in bringing world leaders to commit to universal access, and he helped found the Global Fund, which has proven itself by saving an estimated 1.8 million lives.

If the UK were to provide £700m over three years, tripling its annual contribution by 2010, it would challenge the rest of the world to follow suit.”

Germany will host the Global Fund conference, which starts tomorrow and aims to address the 2010 target.

Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights takes place from 7-13 October and is the first event of its kind.

The event is hosted by gay-friendly members of each participating state. Jeaneane Hill is hosting Seattle’s vigil.

“As a straight parent with a gay son, I support equal rights for my lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender neighbours.

My husband, Bob, joined me in the struggle for equality until he passed away last year.

I feel honoured to lead the Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights vigil in Washington, and I’ll do so in memory of Bob, in honour of our son, Troy, and for all LGBT people who so desperately need straight Americans to speak out loudly for equality.”

The event aims to utilise the voices of the silent supporters of the LGBT community while visually demonstrating the size of America’s gay-friendly network.

Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights has been organised by Soulforce, a LGBT rights organisation which focuses on religious intolerance, and straight supporters for gay rights group Atticus Circle.

Cayne a well-known performer in New York City will play Carmelita, the transsexual lover of married Senator Patrick Darling, played by Billy Baldwin.

The series created by Craig Wright tells the story of a young lawyer who goes to work for the Darlings, a rich, powerful and corrupt New York family. Carmelita is a recurring character in the series, which debuts on American screens tomorrow night.

Cayne dreams of winning an Emmy and considers her move into the mainstream a step in the right direction.

“It’s kind of funny that I was here [Los Angeles] last weekend for the Emmys, because I remember last year sitting and watching the Emmy Awards and I was almost a little depressed.

Like, Wow, I’ve always wanted that since I was little, and I’ve always want to experience that. And so, maybe now that could happen one day.” Candis told Femail First.

Cayne was born Brendan McDaniel in Maui, Hawaii. Candis Cayne initially debuted as a drag act in New York’s Boy Bar. She began the gender reassignment process in 1996. Cayne has appeared in several television and film roles both as herself and as an actress. Credits include parts in To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Stonewall and Mob Queen.

The proposed amendment to Costa Rica’s Family Code, the law regarding marriage, divorce, paternity and adoption, was agreed by all 57 elected members of the Legislative Assembly.

The bill bans adoption by individuals or gay and lesbian couples. It will now be debated.

President of the Childhood and Adolescents Commission, Mario Núñez, who is a member of The Libertarian Movement Party, the only party in Costa Rica that has a gay rights agenda, said:

“The state should make sure that minors in this condition are given to families whose base is [that of] heterosexual, monogamous matrimony, as is established in our Constitution, Family Code, and Christian principles.”

President of the GLBT organisation Diversity Movement Abelardo Araya responded that the commission’s reasons for approving the bill were stereotypical.

“Sexual orientation has nothing to do with whether or not one is fit to take care of a child,” he said.

The comedian, TV presenter, actor and novelist is joining the cast of the hit musical from 2 October.

He is returning to the West End after a successful run as Leigh Bowery in Boy George’s musical Taboo in 2002.

Directed by Rufus Norris, the production celebrates its first year on 10 October. Julian is one of several cast changes.

Amy Nuttall (Sally Bowles), Angela Richards (Fraulein Schneider) and Barry James (Herr Schultz) are also joining the Cabaret cast.

Julian started his stand-up career as The Joan Collins Fanclub in the 1980s.

Mainstream appearances on television programmes such as Friday Night Live secured his career as a popular TV comic and presenter.

His 2006 autobiographical work A Young Man’s Passage was well-received, and his first fiction novel, Murder Most Fab, was released in August.

It is the first time Latin American country has hosted the event.

British teams Stonewall FC and Village Manchester will play in the competitive league while the two London rivals, Leftfooters and London Titans, will compete in the recreational division.

Chris Basiurski, the Football Association Liaison and Campaigns Officer for the Gay Football Supporters Network and defender for Leftfooters, told PinkNews.co.uk:

“We are very excited about taking part in a tournament for the first time in Argentina.

“We are looking forward to meeting many new people from across the world and reacquainting ourselves with old friends from previous tournaments.

“We know that Argentina will be fantastic hosts. As the only South American country where civil partnerships are permitted, it is fitting that the tournament be held there this year.”

The tournament at Buenos Aires’ Sarmiento Park, hosted by the Argentina Soccer Association, kicks off with a ceremony at Amerika disco on Sunday 23 September.

The final takes place a week later on Saturday 29.

The annual tournament, which has been running for 16 years, will be coming to London next year, hosted by the Leftfooters FC.

The teams will play in Regents Park for the 2008 title.

The event will be supported by the FA, following the launch of the Football For All Campaign, which aims to stamp out homophobia in the sport.

Mr Basiurski commented:

“We are greatly looking forward to welcoming everyone to London next year, for what we believe will be the biggest gay sporting event ever held in the UK.

“It will be a chance to build on the strength of this year’s tournament to ensure that we continue to promote the participation of gay men and women in football within a safe and tolerant environment.”

Mr Paddick, who spoke a conference event in Brighton yesterday said:

“Yes, I’ve been an undercover Liberal Democrat.

“Under that blue uniform there was a gold one. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

The openly gay candidate criticised stop and search tactics on ethnic minorities, the government’s response to gun crime and claimed that police officers should be patrolling the inner city rather than community support officers.

He also said he would try to reach a no-strike agreement with the RMT tube union to avoid future disruption to commuters, should he become mayor.

Mr Paddick was the UK’s most senior out gay policeman until his retirement in May this year.

He came to public prominence as borough commander of Lambeth, when his policy of targeting resources at class A drug dealers and taking a more relaxed approach to cannabis use caused right-wing outrage.

The other two Liberal Democrat candidates for the party’s nomination for Mayor of London, Chamali Fernando, a barrister from Finchley and Fiyaz Mughal, a Haringey councillor also addressed the conference.

The stylish fundraiser, in association with glam brand Kiehl’s, takes place on Tuesday 6 November. 50 different dinner parties will be held simultaneously in fabulous locations around London.

The supper guests are then chauffeur driven to an exclusive Café de Paris after-dinner party for drinks, dancing and swing covers from the singing trio.

The event inspires many high profile celebrities and companies to get involved with the trust and restaurants and caterers already contributing their services for free include China Tang, Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant, Galvin at Windows, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nahm, Shoreditch House and Angela Hartnett.

Angela Hartnett, Michelin star chef and protégé of Gordon Ramsay, said:

“I’ve been supporting the Supper Club for several years now. It’s a great event and THT does fantastic work so I’m happy to get involved.

“It’s wonderful to see so many great London restaurants pulling together for a good cause.”

This is the seventh annual Supper Club for the Terrence Higgins Trust, which has celebrates its twenty fifth anniversary this year.

For tickets and further information please contact Becky Harris at Terrence Higgins Trust by email, becky.harris@tht.org.uk or call 020 7812 1663.

During an interview in which the pop star was asked about his personal experiences relating to HIV, George commented that he does not do tests and hasn’t had one since 2004 because he fears the results.

Host Stephen Fry then disagrees with him and takes a HIV test, which is negative, there and then to make his point.

At George’s request the BBC has now removed his contribution to the documentary.

In 1995 Anselmo Feleppa a former boyfriend of the star died of an AIDS related illness, and this has been given as the reason for the withdrawal from the programme.

A spokesperson for George told the BBC:

“On reflection, he felt it was too close and too personal a journey.

“It was too personal for Anselmo’s family to revisit.”

In the documentary Stephen Fry talks to people from all walks of life, including a 16-year old girl who has been HIV positive since birth and a grandmother with HIV.

The first part of Stephen Fry: HIV and Me will be broadcast on BBC2 on Tuesday 2nd October.

The two-party documentary has been made to mark the 25th anniversary of the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Andy Bell of Erasure and Scissor Sister Ana Matronic are also participating in the documentary.

Jerry Sanders’ last minute decision, which conflicts with his former campaign promises, reflects his “significant” change of opinion on the subject. Mr Sanders said:

“I have close family members and friends who are members of the gay and lesbian community. These folks include my daughter Lisa and her partner, as well as members of my personal staff.

“In the end, I could not look any of them in the face and tell them that their relationships, their very lives, were any less meaningful than the marriage that I share with my wife Rana.”

Democrat Toni Atkins, a fellow San Diego Council member, who was formerly the first openly lesbian mayor of the city, said:

“Today Mayor Sanders acted with courage, fairness, and integrity in supporting the Council’s action to put California’s second largest city on record in support of equality for same sex couples.

“I am personally deeply grateful to the Mayor for his leadership.”

Mr Sanders decision has delighted campaigners.

LGBT organisation Equality California’s executive director Geoff Kors said:

“We applaud the true leadership Mayor Sanders has shown today by supporting marriage for all loving and committed couples in California.

“Today, Mayor Sanders and the City of San Diego have demonstrated that support for equality crosses party lines.”

On Monday Governor Schwarzenegger announced that he would continue to block same-sex marriage legislation unless a state-wide vote overturned Proposition 22, which sought to ban same-sex marriage in California. It passed in 2000 with 61% support.

A court subsequently ruled that Proposition 22 only bars recognition of same-sex marriages performed outside California, but the Governor insists that the people voted to ban gay marriage within the state.

“It would be wrong for the people to vote for something and for me to then overturn it,” Schwarzenegger said.

15 gay and lesbian couples are challenging the law before California’s Supreme Court. Their case is expected to be heard early next year.

Robin Tyler, one of the plaintiffs in the case and a gay rights activist, yesterday called for the resignation of the Governor’s openly lesbian chief of staff Susan Kennedy.

Signed by 44 Blue Productions, Tennessee’s newly famous 20-year old is set to appear in his own reality TV show.

The award-winning production company based in California company told Variety.com:

“It’s going to pretty much be the ‘Chris Crocker experience’.

“We consider him a rebel character that people will find interesting. He’s going to be a TV star.”

Crocker, who lives with his deeply religious grandparents in the bible belt, has been posting his own videos regularly on the user-generated site, varying from his own musings to experimental amateur dramatics.

But it was his video diary plea from underneath a curtain to leave Britney alone that caught the mainstream’s attention.

Frustrated by the complete lack of gay scene in his small southern home town, Crocker turned to the internet, finding a tolerant community and online audience, which has led to his new found fame.

Crocker is actually a pseudonym to protect video producer’s identity as he fears homophobic repercussions.

According to Wikipedia, Crocker was home-schooled due to homophobic harassment from a gym coach.

Scroll down to watch the “Leave Britney alone” YouTube phenomenon – it contains bad language and scenes of hysteria.

The defendant Anthony Fortunato, 21, was outed by his lawyer Gerald J. Di Chiara in court on Monday.

Mr Di Chiara claims that Fortunato has been meeting men for sex on the internet since he was seventeen and said that his turmoil over coming out had in fact added to the defendant’s unstable state of mind and a previous suicide attempt.

Fortunato is accused of luring Micheal J. Sandy, 29, from Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a deserted beach on 8 October 2006 with the intention of robbing him.

He then allegedly took part in an attack that led to Mr Sandy’s death as he fled and was hit by a car on the Belt Parkway.

Mr Sandy was contacted via the online chat room Brooklyn Man 4 Man by Fortunato.

The prosecution lawyer Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi claims that Fortunato targeted Mr Sandy because of his sexual orientation and had boasted to his friends about ripping off another gay man.

Judge Konviser-Levine has said that she does not see the relevance of the defendant’s sexuality.

However, if the defence is able to prove that the crimes were not in fact driven by hatred this could mean a reduction in Fortunato’s sentence.

Two other young men, John Fox and Ilye Shurov, will be also tried in relation to the case and a third, Gary Timmins, is helping police with enquiries.

The couple requested a single baby during treatment in November 2003, but the mother was implanted with two embryos rather than one.

The couple discovered the second embryo had been implanted in the hospital but were warned that an operation to remove it would put the other embryo at risk.

The couple also considered adoption but decided against it, for the sake of the twins’ relationship.

Doctor Robert Armelin is being sued by the unnamed couple for A$ 400,000 (£167,000) to cover the cost of raising one of the twins to the age of 21, according to the The Times.

The twins are now three years old.

The partner of the birth mother has spoken out in court, blaming the incident and subsequent stress of caring for twins for relationship difficulties, believing her partner doesn’t have “the same ability to love that she used to.”

Justice Annabelle Bennett has advised that the case be settled out of court.

Three young people, aged between 18 and 20, were found guilty of attacking Nina Meffen, 36 and Carol Cashmore, 42, in their driveway on the evening of 31st July last year.

Hyde Housing Association, which owns Emer Close, the location of the attack and home to both the victims and the ringleader of the group, says it will be “pursuing further action against those Hyde residents found guilty of the crime and ultimately this could lead to eviction.”

The brutal assualt, which left Ms Meffen with bruising and a broken nose and Ms Cashmore with concussion, took place on the couple’s driveway and was witnessed by Miss Meffen’s 10-year old daughter.

Both victims have been taking anti-depressants since the incident.

According to the Southern Daily Echo, the attack followed a series of incidents of harassment, which had led to the couple installing the CCTV at outside their home that captured the attack.

Scissor Sister Ana Matronic, who has been a friend of Miss Cashmore’s since they met at Glastonbury Festival in 2004, spoke out against the attack and light sentencing.

Two 18-year old girls pleaded guilty to affray.

One received 250 hours of community service, a three month curfew and a fine of £100, the other was given 150 hours.

Thomas Young, 20, of Hammonds Lane, Southampton received 12 months community service, a three month curfew and a £100 fine after pleading guilty to a public order offence, reported Metro newspaper.

The majority Muslim country currently does not allow such groups to exist, despite a growing number of openly gay and transgender Kuwaitis.

According to online news service, Al Arabiya, the gay rights request follows the recent Upholding Ethics report from the Kuwaiti National Council.

The report reveals $2m (£1m) has been allocated to combat the rise of homosexuality and a proposal to criminalise “cross-dressing.”

Homosexuality and transvestism are currently prohibited in Kuwait, but this is considered a crime of morality and is rarely enforced by law.

The proposed amendment to the penal code would make transvestism punishable by a 1000 dinars (£1,780) fine or a jail sentence.

The oil-rich country of three million people was invaded by Saddam Hussein in 1991, sparking the first Gulf War.

It is relatively liberal and democratic compared to its Muslim neighbours. It has an elected national council and women gained the right to vote in 2006.

However, homosexuality between men is punishable with imprisonment for up to ten years.

People entering Kuwait must prove they are not HIV positive and the “publication and distribution of any writing or images that are immoral” is against the law.