California assembly passes gay marriage bill
The first legislative chamber in California voted to allow same-sex marriage today, in a public snub to conservative Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Gov Schwarzenegger has previously said that if the bill was passed by both legislative chambers, he would use his powers as Governor to veto it, as he believes that the measure should be passed either by the courts or by a referendum.
Lottery win for older gay people
Older citizens in the Preston area have been awarded a £131,000 lottery bonanza - but this time, the much-needed cash is going straight to the LGBT community.
The Preston and South Ribble branch of Age Concern have been awarded the money by the Big Lottery Fund.
They will use it to help reduce the social isolation felt by people over the age of 55.
Blears: Tories riddled with homophobia
Hazel Blears has accused the Conservative Party of being "riddled with homophobia."
The candidate for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party slammed Tory homophobes after a survey revealed that one third of Conservative Party activists would not attend a Civil Partnership ceremony - even if invited by a friend.
Ms Blears said: "This is astonishing. One third of Conservatives would snub a friend's invitation to a Civil Partnership, and the only possible explanation is homophobia."
Church adopts pro-gay guidelines
Northern Ireland's largest Protestant church yesterday adopted guidelines to help clergy deal sensitively with gay church members.
The Presbyterian General Assembly in Belfast adopted the pastoral guidelines by 159 votes to 120.
The guidelines call on the church to repent for times when gay people have been treated in ways that lack "grace."
British man arrested over gay murder
A British man has been arrested over the murder of a gay German man in Gran Canaria.
Police are treating the murder as a "crime of passion," as no money was taken from the victim.
Karl Heinz Thonningen, 44, was stabbed to death at 0500 when returning home from gay clubs in the popular Playa Del Ingles holiday resort.
Conductor jailed for abusing boys can still teach
A leading orchestra conductor has been jailed for sexually abusing talented young musicians, but will still be able to work with children.
Robert King, 46, was convicted of 14 counts of indecent assault over an 11-year period yesterday at London's Isleworth Crown Court.
He molested five boys, one of whom was just 12 years old.
Gay victims of domestic violence urged to seek help
Victims of domestic abuse in same-sex relationships are being urged to seek help from the police and victim support organisations.
Research suggests that domestic abuse is as common, and as severe, in same-sex couples as among heterosexual couples.
Two women a week and 30 men a year die in England and Wales as a result of domestic abuse.
British authors won't create gay villains
Authors cannot create a modern villain because of political correctness, according to a best-selling British spy author.
Anthony Horowitz has complained that writers who attempt to create a truly evil character such as Captain Hook or Long John Silver are having to self-censor.
Horowitz, 52, is the successful author of the Alex Rider spy books, the seventh volume of which is due to be published in November.
John Edwards says no to gay marriage
Democrat Presidential hopeful John Edwards announced yesterday that he will not support same-sex marriage, but neither will he support a constitutional amendment to ban it.
Senator Edwards, who ran for vice-president with John Kerry in 2004, is one of the fore-runners in the Democrat race to win back the White House.
Berlin memorial to persecuted gays
A memorial to gay people persecuted and murdered by the Nazis will be complete later this year, the German government announced today.
The tribute to forgotten victims will be situated on the edge of Tiergarten park, near to a memorial for the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust.
The memorial will take the form of a gray concrete slab, with a window to allow visitors to view a video.
Gay pride in Riga goes ahead peacefully
Gay men and women held the first gay pride with no sign of violence in Riga yesterday.
Five hundred people gathered in the Latvian capital, in a fenced park with tight security provided by the police.
Small groups of anti-gay protestors hurled insults, but no violence took place, and two people were arrested for the verbal abuse.
Angels in America AIDS gala
Alan Cumming is to host a charity gala performance of Angels in America at the Lyric Hammersmith in aid of the National AIDS Trust.
The performance, which is to be held on 4th July, will raise money and awareness for the cause of HIV/AIDS prevention.
Tony award-winning actor Alan Cumming said: "Unfortunately HIV-related stigma and discrimination is still with us today, fifteen years after this play was written."
Paris Hilton in jail
Heiress, socialite and gay icon Paris Hilton began her jail sentence for violating probation in Los Angeles yesterday.
Hilton's jail term has already been cut from 45 days to 23 days under state sentencing guidelines, but she did not have to hand herself in until Tuesday.
Richard A. Hutton, her attorney, said: "Paris Hilton has turned herself in to begin serving her sentence for violating probation at a Los Angeles County Jail."
Christian groups fight gay equality laws
Churches go to the High Court in Belfast today to argue that the Sexual Orientation Regulations restrict their human rights.
If they are successful, the regulations that protect gay rights could be declared unlawful.
The case, which has been brought by The Christian Institute along with other Christian groups, is scheduled to last three days.
London will stage gay World Cup
London is to be home to the footballing gay world cup in 2008, it has emerged.
The International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (IGLFA) is to hold their world championship at Leftfooters FC in London next August.
Leftfooters FC, a gay football club based in Regent's Park, have been working with the Football Association for the past two years.
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