“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.

As we sit in Jamaican minister Edwards’ office, there is not a megaphone or leaflet in sight, I can forgive the operatic background music and his untucked shirt displays a calmness that made me believe I would not be accepting Jesus just yet.

The Evangelical Alliance represents 3000 churches and 30,000 individuals across a broad political, social and denominational, spectrum. The whole organisation would represent a constituency of 1 million.

The questions of gay marriage, civil partnerships and gay adoption have been done to death.

You would have to be living on a different planet to not know that, surprise surprise, there is a lot of Church opposition to same sex partnerships and adoption, but Edwards insists these views do not make the Evangelical Alliance homophobic.

“If it could be proven that sociologically and ontologically that there is no distinction between homosexuality and heterosexuality then lets go for it, but until then we say its not the same.

“All evidence seems to suggest marriage between man and woman is crucial for family life, and the best context for children.

“We are saying God has proscribed marriage for man and a woman for practical, sociological, cultural reasons, not because we are prudish about the gay community.

“We are willing to listen to evidence, we do not seek to stuff our convictions down people’s throats, but we do have certain convictions based on Biblical principles, also bolstered by pragmatic, sociological evidence.”

These biblical principles can be found in the Bible which is available in most churches, bookshops, libraries and hotel rooms, so not much point in going into too much depth, but Edwards clarifies the evangelical view.

“Homoerotic practices are inconsistent with the Bible, sex belongs in marriage.

“This is a position we are convinced about through scriptures which informs our response, not about sex, we have a much wider lens than that.”

His reference to sex seems interesting as much of the gay lobby would complain that Christian homophobia is based on just viewing the person through their sexual orientation, yet Edwards tells me that is exactly what churches in the Evangelical Alliance are trying not to do.

“As a Christian minister I believe that sex outside of marriage is wrong, and that is no different to saying gay relationships are wrong.

“I do not believe in the vilification of gay people anymore than I believe in the vilification of heterosexual people who have sex outside marriage.

“The church shouldn’t be defined by sexual preferences, it is about seeking to enter into a relationship with God.

“Anybody and everybody should be welcome into a congregation, if you are a gay person, straight, or in complicated relationships, I think that’s the nature of the church, but if you are saying can you sign up as member of the Evangelical Alliance and agree with these ideas then the onus is on the individual.

“We don’t go around with hard helmets on a Sunday checking every local church saying who is gay, who is straight.”

So who is more obsessed with not being defined by who they sleep with, the gay community or the Christian groups?

For Edwards, it is an issue for the gay community.

“Why is it that whenever I talk to friends, or individuals from the gay community you appear to be disinterested in other questions and elements of what we are doing.

“Why zoom in on sex and not the other things we are doing.”

I suggest that it may be that the gay community view religious thought as slightly outdated and bigoted, he replies:

“Why am I not allowed to have my view, the natural outcome is that therefore you are wrong and cannot be right in any circumstances.

“It’s like I’ve got to be wrong and there seems to be an incredible inability to hear an alternative world view about human sexuality without calling it homophobia, anything which is not from the gay position is by definition homophobic, whereas in a liberal democracy that is really freedom of speech.

“I believe homosexuality is sinful, but I believe heterosexual relationships outside marriage are sinful, the gay community must not misrepresent the proportionality of what we call sinful we are not raising the level of the sin and sometimes it sounds that way because people up the stakes on the gay debate.

“We see the issues around gay sex as no different to heterosexual sex, we don’t see God coming to clobber the gay community, it’s not like we see the gay community as superior sinners.”

And it is this viewpoint that has seen the Evangelical Alliance push for religious viewpoints to be represented in faith schools, in light of the Equality Bill which guarantees access to goods and services despite sexual orientation.

It seems a relevant point, is a gay view automatically more valuable than a religious one or vice versa?

Edwards says its about balance as he highlights areas such as HIV programmes where Christian organisations are working with gay people without discrimination.

“Sexuality is fundamental to who we are but its not all that we are, how do we live as people, not just sexual people, I am fascinated that I can never get into a conversation unless it’s about sexual orientation and justice proscribed by sexual orientation, but the world is bigger than that.

“If every time I met an evangelical they had one subject I’d tell them to get a life.

“I want to engage with the gay community on the wider thought on justice, we believe sexuality belongs in the heterosexual relationship, we recognise not everybody signs up to that but in a liberal democracy we have a responsibility to juggle and balance issues of justice, equality and diversity with our conventions and our challenge to the gay community is that you must also find a way to juggle with us.

“We mustn’t be put in a position where we are homophobic because we believe certain things about sexuality and sometimes the Church does this imperfectly and sometimes has a lot to apologise for, but generally we are seeking to connect to people and have an opportunity to be fellow citizens who happen to have different views.”

So is it possible for homosexuality and Christianity to work together?

He expresses in interest in the work of gay campaigner Peter Tatchell.

“I have a lot of admiration for his passion for justice. The gay community may become partners with the church on a wider agenda away from gay-straight dialogue, because there is room to be committed to justice, but if the only take on justice is about sexuality I would question how committed are you?

“I do not want to defend fundamental behaviour but I don’t think gay people should defend pushing everyone who disagrees with them into a homophobic corner, that’s like me saying because I’m black anybody who disagrees with me must be racist.

“There are pockets of the Christian community that are aggressive and that’s wrong, our challenge is to learn how to speak about our convictions and do it gracefully and the gay lobby has an equal responsibility to allow us to do so without marking us down as homophobic.

“We may actually find our common humanity by tackling issues that our much bigger than human sexuality.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission announced yesterday that Mr Edwards has been appointed a commissioner. 

“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.

It states agencies that are part of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships should encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward to report homophobic hate crime; improve the response of the criminal justice system; increase confidence in the criminal justice system so that people feel they can report homophobic hate crime; improve data sharing; and tackle repeated victimisation.

The guidance features previously effective examples of tackling hate crime through raising awareness, encouraging victims to report crimes and tools, such as fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder, which police and other partners can use to tackle this form of hate crime.

It also highlights the importance of teaching against homophobic bullying in schools, a suggestion already described as too “politically correct” by Conservative MP Philip Davies.

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said: “Any form of crime motivated by prejudice or hate is unacceptable. People who commit homophobic crime need to know their prejudices and actions will be tackled. This guidance demonstrates our determination to deal with this vile crime that can spread fear among communities that can endure prejudice.

“We know that hate crime can get worse if it goes unchallenged. That is why gay people need to feel they can come forward to the police. Tackling hate crime can nip other forms of criminal behaviour in the bud.

“Overall crime, including violent crime, is stable while the risk of being a crime victim is at its lowest in 25 years. We have made great strides in improving community safety in recent years and want to build on that success.”

There were over 1,000 homophobic incidents in London alone in 2005, but police estimate that around 90 per cent of hate crime is not reported. Hate crime is defined as any criminal incident which is seen by the victim as being motivated by prejudice or hatred of a particular community. Targeted robbery and blackmail are included in this definition.

“Tackling Homophobic Hate Crime” features excellent examples of practice from around the country. For example Lancashire Police set a helpline, advertised in lesbian and gay venues and hotels, called the Blue Phone, which allowed victims and witnesses to report homophobic hate crime.

Alan Wardle, Director of Public Affairs at Stonewall, said: “Stonewall welcomes this guidance from the Home Office. It’s vital that police forces work with their local lesbian and gay communities to tackle homophobic crime and encourage more people to report them.”

Michael Cunningham, the LGBT lead at the Association of Chief Police Officers, and Assistant Chief Constable at Lancashire Police, said: “The police service welcomes this guidance which builds on existing good practice and which will help us to tackle homophobic hate crime. Criminals who are motivated by bigotry and prejudice have to be met head on and victims of prejudice and bigotry have to be supported. The implementation of this guidance will assist in bringing offenders to justice and making individuals and communities feel safer.”

Minister 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.

But already critics have described the report as “barmy politically correct nonsense.”

Conservative MP Philip Davies described recommendations such as clamping down on homophobic language in schools and running gay awareness campaigns as “barmy, politically correct nonsense.”

He told The Sun that it would, “brainwash kids.”

“Schools should concentrate on teaching children the 3Rs,” he said.

His opposition has been echoed in the Daily Mail which claims the recommendations will mean schools can be punished for not fighting homophobia.

Mr McNulty said the claims are pathetic.

He told PinkNews.co.uk: It’s pathetic, the sum total of the response from the Conservatives is Philip Davies saying this is all about political correctness, given there were a thousand homophobic crimes in London last year, he needs to imagine himself on the wrong end of a boot in his face and then tell me it’s about political correctness.

“It’s about a section of our community being on the wrong end of crimes rooted in prejudice towards their lifestyle and sexuality

“The notion that we do need to get more education and awareness around these issues is vital, which is why schools are mentioned in the report.”

He said he would also expect faith schools to comply with recommendations regarding stopping homophobic abuse, “It should be part of their wider moral and ethical framework.

“This isn’t about section 28 or promoting homosexuality, it is about teaching people citizenship and their roles and responsibilities in society to each other.”

The guidance, titled “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.

It states agencies that are part of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships should encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward to report homophobic hate crime; improve the response of the criminal justice system; increase confidence in the criminal justice system so that people feel they can report homophobic hate crime; improve data sharing; and tackle repeated victimisation.

The guidance features previously effective examples of tackling hate crime through raising awareness, encouraging victims to report crimes and tools, such as fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder, which police and other partners can use to tackle this form of hate crime.

There were over 1,000 homophobic incidents in London alone in 2005, but police estimate that around 90 per cent of hate crime is not reported. Hate crime is defined as any criminal incident which is seen by the victim as being motivated by prejudice or hatred of a particular community. Targeted robbery and blackmail are included in this definition.

One way of using schools to fight homophobia is being pioneered by gay charity Stonewall. It is currently producing DVDs to be distributed to schools across the UK providing advice on how teachers can fight homophobic bullying.

Alan Wardle, Director of Public Affairs at Stonewall, said: “Stonewall welcomes this guidance from the Home Office. It’s vital that police forces work with their local lesbian and gay communities to tackle homophobic crime and encourage more people to report them.”

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.

It was the scene of one of the campest and most extravagant moments of the 1990s when Sir Elton turned up to his party dressed in the style of an 18th Century Versailles character in a costume so big that he had to be delivered in a van.

It has been a performing ground to many top artists such as the Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake and U2.

Prince William also once held a ‘yuppy’ party at the venue for his Eton pals.

Its owner, Parkway Properties, has planning permission to convert the property and is currently awaiting further consent from Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the Daily Mail reports.

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.’

Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon sent condolences to Betty Ford and their entire family, he said: “President Ford was a great man called to lead our country during one of its most difficult hours, he will be remembered for helping to heal a wounded nation and for acting as a force for tolerance and common sense American values.”

In 2001, President Ford joined the advisory board of the Republican Unity Coalition, a gay-straight alliance which was formed to advocate for gay and lesbian issues within the Republican Party. Ford’s decision to join that board marked the first time a past or current US president had joined an organisation advocating for gay equality.

Also in 2001, Ford told Detroit News columnist Deb Price, “I have always believed in an inclusive policy in welcoming gays and others into the [Republican] party.” He went on to say that same-sex couples should receive the same economic benefits as married couples, such as Social Security and tax deductions. “I don’t see why they shouldn’t. I think that’s a proper goal,” Ford said at the time.

“I think they ought to be treated equally. Period.”

He also expressed support for a federal law banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying “That is a step in the right direction. I have a longstanding record in favour of legislation to do away with discrimination.”

In a 1999 appearance on CNN’s Larry King Live, President Ford said, “The Republican Party ought to be the party of the middle, not the party of the extreme right wing.”

Mr Sammon added, “President Ford recognised that all Americans deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness, throughout his presidency, President Ford served with integrity as a leader for all Americans.”

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, described Ford as a ‘good, decent and principled leader.’

He said: “We mourn the death of former President Gerald R. Ford, a good, decent and principled leader. Because he espoused true conservative values, he consistently advocated for the rights of individuals and condemned those who sought to impose conformity of thought and behaviour. These beliefs led him to support women’s rights and to publicly support federal legislation to prohibit anti-gay discrimination in employment.

“In recent years, he decried the growing coarseness of American

politics and called for bipartisan solutions to our nation’s problems, something he always sought while in office.

“We express our condolences to Mrs Ford, his children and other members of his family and to all who knew and loved him.”

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.

Under his strict Catholic rule. gay people were seen as a threat to the Spanish “macho” image. They were banned from jobs and routinely jailed and discriminated against.

Antoni Ruiz was one gay man who suffered, he was sent to prison, raped and tortured, but now as president of the Association of Ex-Social Prisoners he looks likely to receive at least some compensation.

He told The Independent: “This is not just about economic compensation but remembering homosexuals who suffered under unjust and dictatorial laws,”

It wasn’t until 1979 that homosexuality was decriminalised in Span. The current Socialist government has since legalised gay weddings and adoption.

Pedro Zerolo, president of Spain’s Federation of Gays and Lesbians told the paper, “What we want is a declaration of moral rehabilitation for those people who had part of their lives stolen by the state.”

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.

LGBT History Month is an annual event in February in the UK which celebrates achievements within the community. Co-chair, Sue Saunders, also says teaching about LGBT history in schools can help stop homophobic bullying.

Ms Burt backed her claims, “This event provides the perfect opportunity to teach pupils about the real and positive impact that LGBT people have on our society.

“It provides young people with positive role models and eases the anxiety many young people feel when coming to terms with their sexuality.

“The creation of anti-homophobic bullying guidelines is long overdue, and should be provided as a matter of course, not in place of a celebration of LGBT lives. This should not be a matter or ‘either or’.

“By endorsing funding cuts to LGBT projects, the DfES are merely seeking to reinforce the belief that LGBT rights are secondary to our society.”

The DfES has promised to invest the money cut from LGBT History Month in creating anti-homophobic bullying guidelines for schools.

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.”

Welsh Assembly Member Peter May explained that it was all because the site had not yet been paid for.

He told the South Wales Evening Post: “We are in the process of changing our website and we haven’t renewed the subscription for the site address.

“So the owners have put a search engine on there instead and obviously people can look up what they want on a search engine.

“We are redesigning our site and there will be a couple of weeks when we do not have any web address available.

“We will renew the subscription for this site and will be directing visitors to the new site through it.”

This year Lib Dem MP Mark Oaten was forced to withdraw from the party’s leadership race after it was revealed that he had an affair with a gay rent boy. He eventually blamed this on baldness and is now back with his wife.

Lib Dem party president Simon Hughes was forced to come out as bisexual after tabloid newspapers accused him of lying about his sexuality.

Most recently, eccentric politician Lembit Opik was revealed to be going out with Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia after things were cooled off with weather girl Sian Lloyd.

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.

The complainants objected to what they took to be the derogatory use of a term for homosexual people.

Last week, in a landmark ruling for a broadcaster, the BBC’s Editorial Complaints Unit agreed that the remarks “risk offending some of our audience.”

Writing in The Sun, Mr Clarkson, insisted he was not referring to homosexuals.

“Apparently, four people -from a worldwide viewing figure of around 350million – complained that in the last run of Top Gear, an exchange between me and a member of the audience could cause offence.

“This is what happened: I asked a chap in the audience if he would buy a small convertible car called the Daihatsu Copen. ‘No’, he replied. ‘It’s a bit gay.’

“Naturally, I took this to mean it was happy and carefree. A car which is too light and frothy perhaps for a real man.

“I therefore said, ‘Yes, it’s a bit ginger beer.’ By which, of course, I meant it was fizzy and a bit like beer. But not like the proper stuff which makes you happy and drunk.”

The ruling stated, “As Jeremy Clarkson supplemented the term “gay” with a phrase which is rhyming slang for “queer”, there was no doubt that it was being used in the sense of “homosexual”, and was capable of giving offence.”

The judgement called for the show to be reminded of “the importance of avoiding derogatory references to sexual orientation.”

Mr Clarkson added, “Sadly, it seems the Beeb exec thought we were referring in some way to homosexuals. If only he’d called me during the course of his investigation, we could have cleared it all up.”

Democratic Representative put forward the proposal Cynthia McKinney’s, echoing calls from the Green Party in 2003.

Ms McKinney listed deceptions that the Bush Administration used to justify launching an invasion of Iraq in 2003, including claims that Iraq possessed WMDs and represented a threat to America and its own neighbours, and noted that Mr Bush authorised unlawful spying on American citizens, including gay groups, circumvented the courts, violated the separation of powers provided by the Constitution, and attempting to cover up by making false statements to the public.

Last April, the US Department of Defence (DoD) released documentation confirming government surveillance of groups opposed to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law banning openly lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGBT) service members.

The Bush administration has previously claimed spying on American citizens is both legal and necessary for the security of the nation.

“No President is above the law, and we thank Rep McKinney for standing up for justice while the rest of her party retreats from holding President Bush accountable for a litany of high crimes and misdemeanours,” said Nan Garrett, co-chair of the Georgia Green Party and one of McKinney’s constituents from the state’s 4th Congressional District.

“Unless Democrats revive the bill in January, it will expire along with the 109th Congress, and the Bush Administration’s criminality and abuses of power will go unpunished.”

The Green Party has offered similar lists of reasons to impeach President Bush since 2003

“Ms McKinney was labelled a 9/11 conspiracy theorist in the media a few years ago, but the same media refused to recognise that the 9/11 Commission confirmed her allegations that the Bush Administration knew a lot more about the impending attacks than it admitted,” said Katey Culver, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

“The media and the two established parties are similarly dismissing Ms. McKinney’s bill for impeachment.”

She highlighted the fact that former US President Bill Clinton was reprimanded for lying about sexual relations, and said national security should be another reason for impeachment.

Locating 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.

Bernard McEldowney, a GPA spokesman told The Pink News the main reason for the difficulties is due to each force employing a different system. He said: “It’s a lottery to be put through to a LGBT officer.”

Mr McEldowney also suggested there can be problems contacting liaison officers due to different definitions of the role.

An investigation by The Pink News discovered that access to a dedicated LGBT liaison officer is often impeded by a lack of awareness on the switchboard or by officers being unavailable at the desired time.

The Metropolitan Police switchboard did not know what a gay liaison officer was, eventually rejecting the call by saying each borough is individually responsible.

DCI Gerry Campbell of the Met’s Community Safety Unit leads the Violent Crime Directorate. He is responsible for London’s gay liaison officers – of which there are six full time and 167 part-time.

He said the scheme is being built up through marketing and further engagement with the gay community.

Liaison officers for the gay community were first pioneered to restore faith in the police. Some areas, such as Brighton and Hove and parts of London, have succeeded in regaining trust and opening lines of communication.

But elsewhere, finding and successfully reaching an LGBT liaison officer is a minefield.

The Cumbria Constabulary lists three mobile numbers to speak directly to a liaison officer. Two attempts at calling during the day were unsuccessful.

The central headquarters for Cumbria were unaware what an LGBT liaison officer was.

It was a similar situation in Croydon and in Manchester, where no-one was instantly available to speak to.

In Hampshire, the switchboard said no liaison officers were available. Melanie Morgan, the coordinator for Southampton’s officers was surprised and said the switchboard should know the appropriate people. She said it would be looked into.

At Merseyside Police, the number listed on the website went through to the front desk. LGBT Officer Vivienne Woods called back and supported the need for improvements.

There was a similar result in Bedfordshire where it took three numbers to reach LGBT officer Wayne Martin. He also backed an improved system for locating officers.

Other forces said contacts and information can be found on cruising websites, but Mr McEldowney says this can make it confusing, “It can be a but of a mish-mash, it is down to local autonomous forces.”

One recognised effective way of reporting is police Gaydar profile pages. Brighton and Hove Police were the first to have an online profile.

LGBT Police Community Support Officer for Brighton Sarah Stanbridge told The Pink News that she has often had to help victims from other areas.

However, The Met’s DCI Campbell is not convinced that improvements will instantly help or be straightforward.

He warned: “It’s important to offer choice to people. Not everyone readily identifies as LGBT.”

He was backed by Mike Cunningham, the Association of Chief Police Officer’s lead on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues. “It could be argued that there is more to be done to make it easier for people to report in a safe way,” he said.

“But all forces have their own arrangements.”

Tell us about your experiences with liaison officers by leaving your comments on our messageboard.

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

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.

They said they felt discriminated against.

The retired couple faced a police investigation for “potentially homophobic” comments in December after objecting to Wyre Borough Council’s stance on gay issues.

Wyre Borough Council felt some of the wording in the letter of complaint was inappropriate and decided to consult with the police. They were questioned but officers decided no crime had been committed. The policemen who interviewed the couple told them their request had been close to a ‘hate crime.’

Backed by The Christian Institute, the Roberts sought apologies from the Police and the Council.

They sued the Police and the Council for, amongst other things, interfering with their rights to free speech and religious liberty. A trial date had been set for 17 January 2007 in the High Court, but now the Police and the Council have settled the matter out of court. The Police and the Council will pay legal costs and will also pay compensation to Joe and Helen Roberts. The Roberts will give all compensation money to a Christian charity.

Joe and Helen Roberts said: “We are delighted at the result. It has been a long year battling this case and we are so pleased that common sense has prevailed.”

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said, “This is a tremendous victory for free speech and religious liberty. It will help protect Christians everywhere and preserve our liberty to publicly express our beliefs. We are particularly thankful for the very positive attitude of Lancashire Police in bringing this case to a successful conclusion. The Police have made it clear that the door is open for further discussion about how they can improve their policy in this area. I hope that this will go a long way to restoring the confidence of Christians in Lancashire as to how similar incidents will be dealt with in the future.

“There are lessons to be learnt for police forces everywhere and I particularly hope that they will take note of the Roberts case. We will continue to be very vigilant.”

The case is likely to bring more tensions between Christian groups and the gay community over equality laws. Opposition to the Sexual Orientation Regulations in Northern Ireland was quashed this week in the High Court.

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.

Director of BBC Vision Jana Bennett and Director of BBC Audio Music Jenny Abramsky said: “We’re thrilled that Princes William and Harry have decided to work with us – the event will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2 – as well as online – and will be a real highlight for the whole of the UK this summer.”

Peter Fincham, Controller, BBC One, added: “This is a key event for the British public this summer, and I am delighted that BBC One has been asked to broadcast it into the nation’s living rooms.”

Lesley Douglas, Controller, Radio 2, said: “This promises to be not only a brilliant concert but also a really important one. I am delighted that Radio 2 has been given the opportunity to reflect the event across its output.”

Confirmed performers so far include Sir Elton John, Duran Duran and Joss Stone. The Spice Girls are also rumoured to be considering an appearance.

Mr Livingstone said plans to put minority groups such as black, people, the gay community and women under one organisation are “rubbish.”

He described Mr Phillips as a failure in his current role as chief of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), which will be wound down next year to make way for the CEHR.

The Mayor, who has previously accused Mr Phillips of being too right wing and publicity hungry, told LBC Radio: “If Trevor Phillips wasn’t black, he couldn’t have done what he’s done.

“If a white man had been put into the CRE with the job of winding it down, there would have been uproar and they wouldn’t have got away with it.

“I was opposed to winding it up. This idea that we’re going to have disabled people, lesbians and gays, women and blacks all in one human rights commission, I think, is rubbish.”

A CRE spokesman described the comments as “unfortunate.”

The CEHR will come into effect next October.

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.

However the judge did say he would consider the case in March 2007.

The Christian Institute has led calls to delay the Sexual Orientation Regulations, claiming they were rushed through and constitute an attack on freedom of conscience.

Mr Justice Deeny’s ruling means the law will now be introduced and will be safe at least until March when he has promised to hear the opposition views.

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay charity Stonewall, told PinkNews.co.uk: “It really is an early Christmas, and late Chanukah present, for equality campaigners.”

The pontiff, speaking to delegates in Rome, described legal recognition for unmarried couples and gay partners as “dismal.”

Referring to gay marriage, Pope Benedict said: “This tacitly accredits those dismal theories that strip all relevance from the masculinity and femininity of the human being as though it were a purely biological issue.”

He warned that gay unions will destroy the identity of mankind, Reuters reports.

It comes as Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi aims to fulfil an election promise of providing civil partnership style laws for the gay community as well as heterosexual cohabiting couples.

Earlier this month, Padua city council outraged the Vatican by allowing gay and lesbian couples to register their ‘family.’ The law also applies to unmarried heterosexual couples.

Jamie Hakim, co owner of PinkNews.co.uk’s media partner 3SIXTY magazine took the plunge with Graeme Youngs at Brighton Town Hall.

Jamie, 36, and his partner Graeme, 41, who runs gardening business Gorgeous Gardens, were greeted by City Mayor David Smith after arriving at the Town Hall in a ‘stretch Mini Cooper

The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, senior Councillors and faces from the world of gay business also turned up.

Jamie’s boxer dog, Humphrey, performed the role of page boy.

A bleary eyed David Harvey, Jamie’s business partner on 3SIXTY magazine, told PinkNews.co.uk: “It was a super day, yet another gay relationship recotnised in law.”

Brighton and Hove’s Gay Mens’ Chorus serenaded the couple as they left the Town Hall.

for a reception at Brighton’s Metropole Hotel attended by over 100 of the couple’s family and friends.

Jamie said: “I have obviously followed the progress of the civil partnership legislation through my magazine, and to be taking part personally is such an honour.

“It’s great that Brighton Hove is leading the way in civil partnerships and we are so proud to call this city our home.”

Brighton Hove made history on 21st December last year by hosting three civil partnership registrations simultaneously, which were among the first in the country.

Council Leader Simon Burgess said: “We are immensely proud and privileged to have carried out 680 ceremonies in our first year and that we continue to lead the way with the highest number of services in the country.

“This is a huge achievement and we are thrilled that so many couples are choosing Brighton Hove as the place they want to tie the knot.

“We feel honoured to be able to play a part in a couple’s special day, many who have waited a lifetime for legal recognition of their relationship.”

The Radical Party’s Bruno Mellano and Donatella Porretti admitted the stunt and said it was to show support for gay union laws being proposed in the country.

Their prank has been condemned by right wing figures as well as the Vatican, the Associated Press reports.

The right wing Forza Party described it as “vulgar and unacceptable” in a statement.

Vatican politician Rosy Bindi called in “a useless provocation against the nativity of the Chamber of Deputies that hurts us as Christians and as citizens of this country.”

The dolls were removed immediately, the ANSA news agency reports.

Romano Prodi came to power in April promising civil partnership style laws for the gay community as well as heterosexual cohabiting couples.

Earlier this month, Padua city council outraged the Vatican by allowing gay and lesbian couples to register their ‘family.’ The law also applies to unmarried heterosexual couples.

It comes after conservative students at the University of Texas created a novel Nativity scene, with a gay couple called Gary and Joseph standing in for the Holy Family.

The Young Conservatives group at the university’s Austin campus said the alternative scene is a protest at what they perceive to be anti-Christian bias.

The civil partnership laws were implemented in the UK exactly a year ago today, meaning anyone wanting a ‘divorce’ can apply from now, however Darryl Bullock has deliberately avoided using today’s date to avoid unwanted publicity.

Mr Bullock and his partner Mark Godfrey will now wait until the new year.

The couple had been together for three years prior to their partnership. Mr Bullock told The Guardian: “I don’t want to be the face in the Guinness Book of Records.

“I don’t want to be the poster boy for the divorce generation. I am trying to end an unpleasant period in my life and move forward, and obviously that means I have had to instruct a solicitor to deal with my dissolution, but I am not trying to break any records.”

Last week, PinkNews.co.uk criticised the mainstream media’s obsession of finding a gay couple who were breaking up to coincide with the civil partnership anniversary.

Writing on the PinkNews.co.uk message boards, Mr Bullock, a freelance writer, said: “I did not announce my impending break for the sake of the press, nor for any reward. Nor was I hounded into making the announcement by the media.”

The story of his break-up had originally appeared in the Daily Telegraph

To end a civil partnership the couple must file a petition for a dissolution. It must include the reasons for their split.

Gay lawyers at QueerPod say there has been very little demand for legal advice to dissolve a civil partnership, and claimed most divorces were coming from heterosexual couples where one partner was planning a civil partnership.

The court announced yesterday that it will review an October decision by a lower court in the state which stated that banning gay marriage was not discriminatory.

Plaintiffs in the case, including Equality California (EQCA), and Lambda Legal appealed the court’s decision in November.

EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors: said: “This is an important day for same-sex couples who are excluded from marriage under existing California law.

“Same-sex couples deserve the recognition and protection that comes only with marriage. With California’s commitment to treating all people equally regardless of their sexual orientation, we are hopeful the California Supreme Court will rule that discriminatory marriage laws are unconstitutional. The time has come to end the barrier to marriage for same-sex couples.”

Jon Davidson is Legal Director at Lambda Legal and one of the attorneys on the case. He said: “So far in California, two judges have held that California’s Constitution protects same-sex couples and requires that they be free to marry and two have ruled that it doesn’t.

“The Supreme Court unanimously has agreed to hear our arguments, and we’re hopeful they’ll decide that same-sex couples have the same rights – including the right to marry – that different-sex couples enjoy.

“The people who represent Californians in the state Legislature have already passed a bill that would remove all doubt that same-sex couples are free to marry in the Golden State, but Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed it. So long as California’s statues deny same-sex couples and their children equality, it’s up to the California Supreme Court to decide the issue once and for all.”

In a 2-to-1 decision last October, a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeals overturned a 2005 ruling by a lower court judge in San Francisco that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional.

This summer, courts in New York and Washington state also refused to strike down laws prohibiting same-sex marriage.

In October, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that same-sex couples have the right to all the legal rights and obligations that different-sex couples enjoy through marriage. The New Jersey Legislature passed a civil union bill last week.