Chinese police shut down gay arts festival
Chinese police officials shut down the opening of a gay and lesbian cultural arts festival on Friday, an action participants are saying highlights deep-rooted intolerance toward homosexuality in the conservative country.
The festival was to be a weekend of films, plays, exhibitions and seminars on the issue of homosexuality, but police raided the opening reception on Friday night and participants said they were still negotiating on whether any of the events could go ahead.
Police Investigating Disappearance of Gay Man
(London, UK) - Detectives from London's Specialist Crime Directorate are investigating the disappearance of 61-year-old Alexandre Madeira Marques, known as Alex.Alexandre, originally from Portugal, was last seen at 11:00am on Sunday, October 16 when a neighbor saw him at his home in Notting Hill. He apparently arranged with a friend to meet for a drink at the Notting Hill Gate Cafe, but then did not show up or call.Alexandre works in London as a waiter and at the ARTS club in Mayfair and failed to show up the following day for work. Coworkers said he was known for being very reliable and punctual.
UK travel industry unprepared for gay honeymooners
The United Kingdom's travel industry is expected to struggle to meet the sudden demand for gay honeymoons when same-sex weddings become legal next month.
Beginning the fifth of December, gay and lesbian couples will be able to formalize their relationships with local authorities under the Civil Partnership Bill. Already, the UK based Out Now Consulting has predicted nearly 275,000 gay couples will take advantage of the new law.
Michigan halts equal treatment of gay partners
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a temporary halt this week to a ruling that allowed governments and public universities to provide health insurance to the partners of gay employees.
The dispute goes back to Michigan voters' approval almost a year ago of a constitutional amendment that made the union between a man and a woman the only agreement recognized as a marriage "or similar union for any purpose."
USA gay rights group criticise Bush over Supreme Court nominee
Gay rights groups in the USA were quick to criticise President Bush as pandering to the far right by choosing jurist Samuel Alito to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
They expressed particular doubt as to Alito's willingness to protect the rights of LGBT and HIV-affected people.
Alito's nomination comes on the heels of hopeful Harriet Miers bowing out of her nomination last week after scathing attacks from the extreme right.
Scotland Will Perform First Gay Marriage
While Brighton in England may have bid for the first civil partnerships in the UK by opening its town hall doors just after midnight on December 21st, a more low-key celebration is set to ring the new Civil Partnerships laws in.
Football Fan Arrested for Anti-Gay Abuse
A British football fan was arrested over the weekend for harassing players and shouting homophobic chants during a game between Hull City and Brighton.
Transgendered Hurricane Survivor Released After Six Days in Jail
A transgendered Hurricane Katrina evacuee jailed for six days for showering in the women's bathroom at relief shelter was released Friday after the Human Rights Campaign, among other national rights organizations, persuaded the county attorney not to press charges.
Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts Questioned on Gay Rights Case
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter asked Supreme Court chief justice nominee John Roberts this week about his pro bono work on a landmark case that overturned an anti-gay Colorado law in 1996.
Fraud Suspect Wanted For Targeting Gay Men in Ohio
Columbus Police are warning members of Ohio's gay community to beware of a fugitive on the run who is believed to be targeting gay men.
Teacher "Tried To Out 11 Year Olds as Gay"
A Florida elementary school teacher has resigned amid allegations he attempted to force two male sixth grade students (equivalent to the UK's Year 7) to hold hands in front of classmates and announce to the room they were gay.
Gay and Lesbian Home Buying Hits All Time High
According to a new study by European based legal insurer Zurich Professional, gays and lesbians are buying more homes in recent years ever before. Lesbian and gay couples are increasingly buying properties together, according to to the survey.
Sinead O'Connor slams church for gay priest witch hunt
Irish singer Sinead O'Connor (pictured) has slammed what she calls the Catholic Church's "witch hunt" against gay priests, warning church leaders that they are "blasphemous" for criticizing gay people.
The controversial singer said she believes senior figures in the Catholic Church are now "preaching against love" in the campaign against lesbian and gay people.
South African hospital denies surrogacy to gay couple on religious grounds
A gay couple looking forward to having their own baby after 16 years together have had their dreams dashed after the Catholic Church refused to approve test tube babies for gay couples.
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