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 February 2006Cameron makes gay MPs a priority 2 Tory leader, David Cameron has put gay politicians on a list of priority targets whom the Conservative leadership want to see in Parliament.According to the Independent, the Conservative Party wrote to a number of openly gay figures last week, asking them to apply to join an elite list of "priority" candidates who would have "a much higher change of being selected for a winnable seat, and therefore, of becoming an MP after the next election". -
6 February 2006Gay people told: Come to Britain + Gay people worldwide are being urged to go to Britain, in an attempt to cash in on "the pink pound" of tourism.The national tourist agency VisitBritain is urging gay people, "Isn't it time you came out ... to Britain."Reuters' report that Gay tourism is now worth up to three billion pounds a year to the economy with London positioned to rival New York, Sydney and Amsterdam as a hot spot for gay visitors. -
6 February 2006Gay witch-hunt hits Cameroon + An anti-gay crusade has begun in Cameroon after newspapers accused more than 50 prominent figures of homosexuality.Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon as in many African countries, with jail sentences of up to five years, and editors say they are on a campaign against "deviant behaviour".The Guardian revealed that lists have included names of government ministers, news readers, singers and sports stars. -
6 February 2006Gay fans gather for Super Bowl + The lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender community were warmly welcomed to the Superbowl last weekend.People from all backgrounds were welcomed to a four day festival leading up to the game, in nine inches of snow. A centre was set up to greet hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered visitors. -
6 February 2006Mixed feelings over gay star’s return 2 The comeback of gay TV entertainer, Michael Barrymore, has been met with mixed reactions in the press and media world, this weekend.PR guru Max Clifford, a former friend of Mr Barrymore and his ex-wife Cheryl, who died last year of cancer, told the Independent, "I know Michael and he is both manipulative and a very convincing actor. This is just a desperate attempt to get back into British television." -
6 February 2006Students protest gay donor ban 5 British students have launched a protest against The National Blood Service's ban on homosexual donors.Student Unions have started campaigns at Leeds Metropolitan University, while universities including Nottingham, Aberystwyth, Lancaster, Salford and Bangor have mounted "gay blood is good" demonstrations. -
5 February 2006Lib Dem voters back Simon Hughes 19 Newspaper reports have suggested that Liberal Democrat leadership candidate Simon Hughes is now favourite amongst voters to lead the party.A survey put him on 34 per cent, ahead of Sir Menzies Campbell and Chris Huhne. Bookies put Hughes in third. He was initially seen as an outsider after being accused of lying about his sexuality. -
3 February 2006Pink plaques for gay Brighton + A Brighton Hove Councillor has suggested erecting pink plaques to celebrate the gay contribution to the city.Green Party cllr Bill Randall welcomed blue plaques to commemorate significant people or buildings, and feels that the 'gay capital' of England should also recognise the significance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population. -
3 February 2006War game makes peace over gay protests + Online computer game, World of Warcraft has changed its policy on gay teams following player's protests.Game makers, Blizzard Entertainment, was accused of being heavy-handed by threatening to expel a player for trying to set up a gay-friendly team or guild. The company officially apologised to the guild recruiter, saying the warning should never have been issued. -
2 February 2006Making homophobia history + A survey of top lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender historical figures will be compiled over the next few weeks as part of this year's LGBT History Month.The month of events in February, backed by Schools Out, who aim to provide a support network for all lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transpersons in education, will provide a comprehensive history of homosexuality in the UK. -
2 February 2006First gay marriage in British Army + A lesbian couple have become the first gay army recruits to have a civil partnership.The Sun revealed that Privates Sonya Gould, 19, and Vanessa Haydock, 18, got married under new civil laws.Vanessa, based at Hullavington, Wilts, told the Sun said: "It was wonderful to get married and being the first was the icing on the cake. We want to be together forever." -
2 February 2006Oaten wants to remain an MP 19 Former Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten spoke to the public for the first time since tabloid allegations of a gay sex scandal to reveal his desire to stay in Parliament.Mr Oaten, who has kept a low profile over the last couple of weeks, told his local paper, the Hampshire Chronicle, he wanted to remain an MP but insisted that his priority was to salvage his marriage following reports that he paid a rent boy for sex. -
2 February 2006Lesbians aim to beat Portugeuse law + Two Portuguese women are trying to take advantage of a legal discrepancy in Portugal in an attempt to get married and highlight homosexual rights in the country.The couple became the first homosexuals to try to register their marriage yesterday, and are expecting to be turned down, but said they had already presented an appeal in the courts. -
2 February 2006Jersey review age of consent + An official review into the age of consent for gay men in Jersey is taking place over the next two months.The Parliament of the Channel Island's Bailiwick of Jersey has asked the Corporate Affairs Scrutiny Panel to review proposals to lower the age of consent from 18 to 16.Last week, Jersey's Community Relations Trust said it would take away the criminalisation of what it says is a natural act. -
2 February 2006Christians protest at gay casting + A Christian made movie about the real-life story of a son who makes peace with an Amazon tribe that killed his missionary father, has sparked controversy in the evangelical world after the casting of a gay actor for the lead role.The film, End of the Spear, stars Chad Allen as slain missionary Nate Saint. Mr Allen is openly gay and is a proud advocate of gay rights.Newsweek revealed criticisms made by Chrisitian ministers aimed at Every Tribe Entertainement, an evangelical film company. -
2 February 2006Bishop: Church must overcome homophobia 3 The Worldwide Anglican Church is hoping to shift public attention away from internal rifts over gay priests and onto pressing global issues of poverty and disease, bishops revealed today.South Africa's Archbishop, Njongonkulu Ndungane, told Reuters: "The Anglican church has always been at the heart of social justice issues ... but like any family sometimes there is a row, and a row tends to make loud noises." -
1 February 2006Czech President rejects gay marriage + Czech President Vaclav Klaus has vetoed a law allowing same-sex partnerships, saying it increased the state's power to interfere with individual lives.The bill now returns to the lower house of parliament, where the veto can be overturned if 101 of the 200 deputies vote for the measure. -
1 February 2006Catherine Zeta Jones in transgender role 5 Catherine Zeta Jones is rumoured to be the next high profile star to become trans gendered following the critically acclaimed film, Transamerica.Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman, who won a Golden Globe for Transamerica, has shown that being a woman playing a man who self defines as a woman can get you noticed.According to the New York Post, Catherine Zeta Jones is being lined up to play a 1960s sex-change cabaret artist in an upcoming movie. -
1 February 2006Cameron’s Conservatives may form homophobic alliance 2 The Conservative Party may join forces with one of Europe's most homophobic political parties.David Cameron, Conservative Party leader, has sanctioned talks with Poland's governing party, whose policies include banning gay pride marches.The negotiations with the Law and Justice party, which were criticised last night by gay rights campaigners, highlight the challenge facing Mr Cameron as he seeks to break away from Europe's main centre-right grouping.
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1 February 2006BBC may silence GayTalk + The BBC's continuous cost cutting has hit the airwaves of gay radio show, Gay Talk, after almost ten years of transmitting to Manchester's gay communities.Gay Talk, transmitted as part of BBC GMR, will end in April despite its unrivalled record of covering major gay events on the BBC network.The BBC's decision has prompted a campaign to save the show headed by the team behind it.
