Marc Shoffman was chief correspondent of PinkNews.co.uk between 2005 and 2006. He was online editor between 2006 and 2007.
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6 November 2007Interview: New equality commissioner on gays as sinners 39 This interview was first published in June 2006"Why is anything which is not from the gay position defined as homophobic," asks Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, a Christian charity and lobby group in its 160th year of using a commitment to Christ and the Bible to engage with society.My view of evangelicalism has often been megaphone-wielding preachers in Oxford Street telling shoppers to accept Jesus, or having leaflets shoved into your hand telling you homosexuality is a one way route to hell. -
29 December 2006Home Office targets homophobic crime 3 New ways to tackle homophobic hate crime and help make gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people (LGBT) feel safer has been published by the Home Office today."Tackling Homophobic Hate Crime" highlights good practice from around England and Wales, and stresses the best way for crime reduction agencies, including the police, to do more to crackdown on crime motivated by prejudice or hate. -
29 December 2006Home Office defends anti-homophobia campaign 3 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveMinister for Police and Security Tony McNulty has hit out at critics of new guidance on tackling homophobic hate crime.The Home Office today launched a campaign promoting effective ways of reporting and stopping homophobic crime which includes using schools to teach against homophobia. -
29 December 2006Elton John’s birthday venue closing + A venue which has played host to gay stars such as Elton John is facing closure, according to reports.The Hammersmith Palais is to be demolished after 90 years and turned into offices and a restaurant, a far cry from the days where it would hold wartime tea parties or Sir Elton's 50th birthday bash. -
28 December 2006Gay community mourns Ford death 1 Gay activists have joined tributes to the late Gerald Ford who died aged 93 this week,Lobby group the Log Cabin Republicans, praised Ford's recognition of gay rights while the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force described the former President as an 'advocate for individual rights.' -
28 December 2006Spanish gays may receive damages from Franco regime + Spanish gays who were discriminated against under the Franco dictatorship may receive compensation, according to reports.The Spanish government is considering offering damages to members of the gay community who were sent to mental hospitals, tortured or imprisoned under the regime of General Francisco Franco between the 1930s and 1970s. -
27 December 2006Lib Dems back gay teaching + The Liberal Democrat spokesperson on equality has backed gay activist's criticism of the government for cutting funds for teaching about LGBT history.Lorely Burt accused the Department for Education and Skills of promoting LGBT rights as "secondary" after it was revealed that the government department had cut tens of thousands of pounds of funding for LGBT History Month. -
27 December 2006Lib Dem site offers gay dating + Welsh Liberal Democrats have narrowly avoided yet another political sex scandal after the Swansea party's website began linking to gay dating sites and porn.Visitors to the website were expecting information about councillors and events but immediately complained to the Ombudsman after instead being offered "casual dating and sex." -
27 December 2006Clarkson denies gay car comment was homophobic 28 Jeremy Clarkson has hit out at the BBC after he was reprimanded for describing a car as gay.The Top Gear presenter picked up a remark from an audience that a certain car was "gay", the presenter then backed it up by saying, "a bit gay, yes very ginger beer" which is cockney rhyming slang for queer. -
27 December 2006Bush opponents call for impeachment over Iraq + The American Green Party has expressed support for a motion to impeach US President George W Bush, citing illegal spying on groups and lies over the Iraq war.Democratic Representative put forward the proposal Cynthia McKinney's, echoing calls from the Green Party in 2003. -
27 December 2006Gay community faces ‘police liaison lottery’ 2 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveLocating an LGBT Liaison Officer if you're a victim of a gay hate crime can be a "lottery," the Gay Police Association (GPA) has warned.The statement comes as police take further steps to encourage the community to report homophobic crimes.The current situation has prompted calls for major improvements to facilities. -
23 December 2006Couple awarded for homophobia 5 A retired couple have won out of court damages after being questioned by police regarding their views on homosexuality.Devout Christians, Joe Roberts 73, and his wife Helen, 68, of Fleetwood, Lancashire, wrote to Wyre Borough Council accusing them of "pandering" to minority groups by distributing leaflets about homosexuality in their buildings. -
22 December 2006BBC to show Diana tribute concert 1 The BBC has been chosen to be the UK broadcast partner for next summer's Concert For Diana which Princes William and Harry are organising for 1 July 2007.Princes William and Harry recently unveiled plans for a Concert for Diana, to celebrate their mother's life, as well as a memorial service on August 31 2007. -
22 December 2006Trevor Phillips ‘failing’ gays and other minorities + London mayor Ken Livingstone has renewed his feud with the incoming head of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) Trevor Phillips, accusing him of failing minorities.Mr Livingstone said plans to put minority groups such as black, people, the gay community and women under one organisation are "rubbish." -
22 December 2006Christmas comes early for gay equality 3 Gay campaigners have received an "early Christmas present" after a High Court judge in Belfast rejected pleas from Christian groups to postpone the introduction of the Sexual Orientation Regulations next month.The law, which protects LGBT people from discrimination in goods and services, will now be introduced in Northern Ireland in January 2007, followed by the rest of the UK in April.
