Man Charged In Toilet Murder
A 29 year old man appeared in court today, charged with the murder of Jeff Akers, who was knifed to death in a cruising spot in Surrey on Tuesday.
Mark Malone, who is unemployed, turned himself in to a Newsbury police station in Berkshire a day after the attack.
In a brief meeting, Mr Malone spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth.
Irish Poet Under Fire For 'Sexual Grooming'
The famous Irish poet, Cathal O Searcaigh a staple of second level school syllabuses - has been accused of the "sexual exploitation and grooming" of 16 year old Nepalese boys who he befriended and assisted financially in their education.
Allegations about the poet's relationship with the young boys surfaced after the screening of Fairytale of Kathmandu, a documentary on Mr Searcaigh's charitable work in Nepal made by a former friend of his.
China Launches First HIV Prevention Programme for Gay Men
China's Ministry of Health is set to implement its first ever national programme to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS among gay men, its 2008 work agenda revealed yesterday.
The programme marks a subtle new phase in the one-party-state's attitudes towards homosexuality, which - while not overtly discriminatory - have followed the 'Three nos' criteria since sodomy was decriminalised in 1997: No approval, no disapproval and no promotion.
LGBT Community Sweep Up Theatre Awards
The LGBT community has swept up major prizes at the annual whatsonstage.com awards - the only theatre awards decided by the public.
Hairspray, which features male actor Michael Ball in the lead female role, won seven awards - including best new musical, best director and best actress in a musical. Michael Ball won the best actor in a musical award for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad.
Gay activist Sir Ian McKellen snatched the best actor award for his performance in King Lear.
Tatchell slams Gibraltar over gay rights
Outspoken human rights activist Peter Tatchell has slammed the Gibraltar government over its failure to ensure equal rights for the LGBT community on the Rock.
Speaking at the end of a local fact-finding mission yesterday, Mr Tatchell said: "The people of Gibraltar are wonderful, but the government appears tobe drifting towards autocracy.
"It is failing to respect the human rights of its own citizens, especially gay people, the disabled and immigrants," he said.
Cameron praises controversial minister but makes no mention of equality
David Cameron used his vital leadership speech at the Tory party conference to praise the work of Baroness Warsi, the controversial shadow community cohesion secretary who said BNP voters have some "very legitimate views."
The passage praising Baroness Warsi constituted the only part of the speech where he mentioned equality.
The Conservative leader said he was proud to have the first Muslim woman in a cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Putin's grab for power spells trouble for gay rights groups
Russian president Vladimir Putin's admission that he would stand for the post of prime minister is a worrying sign for gay rights groups in the country, human rights activists have warned.
Mr Putin is prevented from seeking a third term as president by the Russian constitution, but if he undertakes a four year period as prime minister he would again be eligible for the post in 2012.
The move, announced last Monday, is being condemned by human rights groups, who have been horrified by the attacks on free speech and gay rights in the country during Mr Putin's time in office.
White gays have more mental disorders than blacks
New research by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has shocked many observers by showing that black gays have far fewer problems with mental disorder than their white or Latino counterparts.
Psychologists and sociologists have long presumed that homosexual ethnic minorities would suffer from greater mental health problems because they were a member of two groups suffering discrimination.
"These findings suggest that black lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals have effective ways to cope with prejudice related to racism and homophobia."
Anti-gay reggae concerts cancelled
Concerts by Anti-gay reggae stars Sizzla and Elephant Man have been cancelled by Toronto's Kool Haus nightclub.
The cancellation follows fierce campaigning by Canadian Gay Rights Lobbyists, who have called on the government to prevent the stars' arrival in the capital, Ottowa
Canada's anti-prejudice laws outlaw the instigation of hate crimes, and campaigners are encouraging the government to act on them.
Scotland considers new law to protect gays
Scotland's lawmakers are set to consider new laws to protect gays after a private members bill was lodged in Holyrood yesterday calling for violence towards gay and disabled groups to be treated as seriously as violence against religious or ethnic groups.
The Sentencing of Offences Aggravated by Prejudice (Scotland) Bill, proposed by Patrick Harvie, a Scottish Green MSP, would bring Scotland into line with England and Wales, where courts have been able to impose tougher sentences for offences committed due to the victims disability or sexual orientation since April 2003.
Police adopt softly-softly approach on public orgies
American police adopted a distinctly relaxed approach to this year's Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco, taking little notice of the hundreds of men baring their genitals on every street corner.
Orgies of men fellating and fondling each other in the street provoked laughs and photographs from curious onlookers but no police action, according to reports.
Two reporters for Americans for Truth about Homosexuality documented prevalently older men walking down the street completely naked.
Gay activists hold back controversial bill
Gay American activists have succeeded in stalling the progress of an equality bill which excluded trans people.
The landmark civil rights bill, which would protect the American LGBT community from workplace discrimination, provoked outrage in the gay community when its leading proponents - Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank - opted to exclude transsexuals from its remit in a bid to ensure its success in the House.
Giuliani candidacy provokes Republican split
Rudy Giuliani's candidacy for Republican presidential nominee looks set to provoke a split in the Republican party, threatening its 150 year history.
Mr Giuliani's tolerant views on homosexuality and abortion are stoking dissent in the party's religious wing, who are less than impressed with the candidates on offer.
Last Saturday a secretive meeting of around 40 high powered Christian conservatives took place in Salt Lake City to discuss their options, including forming a break-away third party.
UK Peer challenges Russian Patriarch over gay rights
Lib Dem peer Lord Russell-Johnston fought back today when Russian Patriarch Alexy II called homosexuality an "illness" at an international human rights conference.
Addressing international MPs at well-respected human rights watchdog the Council of Europe, the Patriarch said: "This [homosexuality] is an illness, a change, a distortion of a human person."
Massive march for lesbian rights hits South Africa
A massive march calling for greater protection for South African gays has erupted on the streets of Soweto following the murder of two lesbians last July.
The women, 34 year old Sizakele Sigasa and 23 year old Salome Masooa were raped, tortured and killed in Meadowlands, Soweto.
Their hands were tied up using their underwear and their tied ankles using their shoelaces. Both had been shot several times.
From the Blog