Spanish PM slams Church over "family" rally comments
The Prime Minister of Spain has responded to Roman Catholic leaders after they criticised government policy supporting gay marriage and abortion.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero spoke out during a speech in the Huelva town of Almonte yesterday following comments made last Sunday in Madrid at a Catholic Church rally led by Cardinals and Bishops.
Clearly angry, Mr Zapatero defended his government's policies, saying they were supported by the "immense majority" of the Spanish population and that everyone had rights in Spain, whether they belonged to a religion or not.
Xena stars top lesbian lust list
Lucy Lawless, the actress who played Xena: Warrior Princess, has topped the LesbiaNation Top Ten Women We Love of 2007.
The popular lesbian website lists "beautiful and talented women of all persuasions, artists, musicians, athletes, filmmakers, movie stars and television celebrities," but all of the top ten as voted for by their readers are TV stars.
In second place was Renee O'Connor, last year's winner, who also starred in Xena as Gabrielle.
New 'divorce' rights for Australian gay couples
Gay and de facto couples in Australia who break up are set to win the same property rights as married couples.
Unmarried couples will be able to settle their differences in Family Court thanks to Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls, who won Commonwealth and state backing for the federal law to be changed.
Previously these couples were obliged to split their assets in state courts, which were more costly, more complicated and took longer than the Family Court.
Why women and gay men could drive you round the bend
Gay men and women are most likely to get lost driving on unknown roads, according to a new study.
Psychologists at Queen Mary, University of London, announced their findings after computer-based tests on 140 volunteers showed gay men and women performed worse than heterosexual men in tasks involving navigation and spatial awareness.
Dr Qazi Rahman, who led the team of researchers, believed it showed women relied on local landmarks to navigate, and are slower to take in spatial information.
Review: St Trinians impresses and amuses
With an all-star cast, the latest St Trinian's film brings the unruly schoolgirls kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.
Facing closure from the bank, and under pressure from the government for her unorthodox teaching methods, headmistress Camilla Fritton (played with great relish by Rupert Everett), rallies her girls round.
Pitting their wits against former-flame, Education Minister Geoffrey Thwaites (Colin Firth), she joins her pupils in a plot to steal famous painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Jersey consults on gay marriage
The States of Jersey has set-up an advisory board to receive comments on four government proposals for new legislation which could introduce gay marriage to the island by the end of next year.
The four options put forward for further discussion are the right for same-sex couples to marry, same-sex civil partnerships as in the UK, civil partnership for both heterosexual and same-sex couples, or no change to the current law.
The closing date for comments is 31st March 2008.
Spanish embassy unaware of civil partnerships agreement
The Spanish Embassy in London was unaware UK civil partners should now receive the same benefit as married couples in Spain, despite advice from the British government that Spanish authorities should be contacted for guidance on the matter.
When contacted by PinkNews.co.uk today Fernando Villalba, the Spanish Embassy press councillor, said: "This is the first time I have heard about that. I haven't seen it in the news."
He said he had no advice for same-sex civil partners wishing to claim marriage benefits.
Castro's girl seeks legal protection for Cuban LGBT
A Cuban sexologist has shocked her communist country by suggesting that gays, lesbians, transsexuals, transvestites and transgender people should be granted legal protection under forthcoming reforms.
Mariela Castro, director of the National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX), is calling for new measures including non-discrimination on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity.
She also advocates the introduction of same-sex unions and adoption rights, and major reforms relating to health care and treatment of trans people.
Help young homeless gays this Christmas
Iconic out gay actor Sir Ian McKellen has teamed up with the Albert Kennedy Trust to offer a very special gift this Christmas.
For its 'Safe and Sound' appeal, the Trust, who support homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, is offering supporters the opportunity to buy a gift voucher priced £18.
Just £18 provides a safe shelter for an LGBT young person for one night. The vouchers are presented inside Christmas cards specially designed by Sir Ian.
Jeremy Joseph tight-lipped about rumoured G-A-Y move
Speculation has been building about a forthcoming takeover of London nightclub, Heaven, by G-A-Y, the clubbing brand owned by promoter Jeremy Joseph.
The news follows reports that G-A-Y will be soon be forced from current home, London's Astoria on Charing Cross Road, so it can be demolished as part of plans for a new Crossrail station, which have recently been given the go-ahead.
Mr Joseph refused to comment directly for legal reasons but told PinkNews.co.uk: "I'm always looking for venues."
Sydney could drop Mardi Gras parade
Organisers of Sydney's Mardi Gras are considering changing their annual celebration, worth $46 million (£19.8m) to the Australian economy, because of lack of support from the government and community.
Marcus Bourget, chief organiser, revealed the possibility yesterday while speaking at the launch of Mardi Gras 2008. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event and is based on the theme, Brave New Worlds.
Interview: Irish gay rights group takes on partnerships
Ireland has come a long way since decriminalising homosexuality in 1993.
Last week the Republic of Ireland's Minister of State for Equality, Sean Power, reiterated that legislation allowing same-sex civil partnerships will be introduced next year.
While ruling out gay marriage as unconstitutional, he did confirm that gay and straight co-habiting couples would get many spousal rights through the Civil Partnership Registration Scheme.
Ireland to legislate for gay partnerships next year
Ireland's Minister of State for Equality, Sean Power, said this morning that legislation allowing same-sex civil partnerships could be introduced by early next summer.
He was speaking at the National Lesbian and Gay Federation's (NLGF) symposium on Full And Equal Rights: Lesbian And Gay Marriage And Partnership Rights In Ireland. The symposium is part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007
Mr Power added that the government was keen to pass the new laws as soon as possible.
US Queer as Folk tops list of gay TV characters
A poll by gay entertainment website, AfterElton.com has revealed the top 25 most popular gay and bisexual television characters.
In first place was Brian Kinney, controversial lead character in the America series of Queer as Folk.
A lovable rogue, Brian indulged in drug-taking and promiscuous sex yet still found time to father a child with a lesbian friend and bring down a homophobic politician.
Nicaragua to decriminalise gay sex
Consensual gay sex will no longer be a criminal offence in Nicaragua under a new penal code due to come into effect on March 2008.
The surprise news was announced earlier this week by the Nicaraguan National Assembly, reports La Prensa.
Under old legislation passed in 1992, "anyone who induces, promotes, propagandises or practices sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex commits the crime of sodomy and shall incur one to three years' imprisonment."
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