Free speech amendment will stay in homophobia law
The government has admitted defeat over an amendment protecting free speech in homophobic hatred laws. The Ministry of Justice said it had to accept the House of Lords vote as the bill could no longer be delayed.
Peter Mandelson attacks Sun coverage of Gordon Brown's letter
Gay First Secretary of State Peter Mandelson today tried to deflect the criticism of Gordon Brown for a poorly-spelled letter he sent to the mother of a man killed in Afghanistan.
Lesbian Tory candidate to fight Glasgow by-election this week
Ruth Davidson, the lesbian candidate selected by the Conservative Party to fight the Glasgow North East by-election, will find out on Thursday how successful her campaign has been.
New York governor David Paterson asks legislature to vote this week on gay marriage
The New York legislature may vote this week on whether to allow same-sex marriage in the state. AFP reports that governor David Paterson called on the state's upper house yesterday to hold a special legislative session on the issue before Friday.
MPs vote against 'free speech' protection in gay hate law
The House of Commons voted last night to reject an amendment which would protect free speech in a bill designed to protect gays and lesbians from homophobic hatred.
Speaker John Bercow backs holding civil partnerships in parliament
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has said he feels "very strongly" about allowing civil partnerships for gay couples to take place in parliament.
Lesbian Annise Parker is frontrunner for Houston mayor
Annise Parker, a lesbian woman, has emerged as the frontrunner in Houston's mayoral race. Houston, in Texas, is the fourth largest city in America and would be the largest to have an openly gay or lesbian mayor if Parker is successful.
Gay MP Chris Bryant to have civil partnership in parliament
Gay Europe minister Chris Bryant has confirmed he is engaged to his partner and is hoping to hold his civil partnership ceremony in parliament.
Boris Johnson meets with police chief to discuss the rise in homophobic crime
London Mayor Boris Johnson has sought assurances from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that everything is being done to tackle the problem of homophobic attacks in the capital.
Glasgow council makes controversial appointment for LGBT centre
Gay rights groups in Glasgow have spoken out against the controversial decision to hand over the running of the Glasgow LGBT centre to one of its senior councillors.
Europe minister Chris Byrant mentions gay rights in death penalty speech
Chris Bryant, the openly gay minister for Europe, mentioned executions of gay people in Iran while arguing for the need to press other countries to abolish the death penalty.
Pennsylvania senator changes mind on gay marriage
Arlen Specter, the Democrat senator for Pennsylvania, has changed his mind on the issue of gay marriage. He had previously been in favour of the Defence of Marriage Act and a ban on the practice in his state.
Comment: Why I heckled Nick Griffin on Question Time
Last night, one of the most effective voices to come out of the audience on Question Time was that of Beth Mellington-Pritchard. A lesbian in a civil partnership, she told BNP leader Nick Griffin that his feeling of revulsion was "mutual".
Nick Griffin claims former National Front leader offered him gay sex
BNP chairman Nick Griffin has claimed that former National Front leader Martin Webster offered to have sex with him when he was 16. Webster has maintained for years that he and Griffin had a four-year affair, something Griffin has always denied.
Governor says gay marriage will be legal in New York
New York governor David Paterson has said gay marriage will soon be legal in his state. He was speaking last night at a Manhattan dinner hosted by gay rights group Empire State Pride Agenda.
From the Blog