Hidden lives: self-harm and the LGBT community
It is interesting what sort of psychological problems our society chooses to accept as tangible and important.
Our "Prozac Nation" understands and sympathises with depression in its various forms. We understand stress and anxiety, and few weeks pass without the mention of eating disorders.
Even suicide is discussed intelligently and empathetically and recognised as something that desperately needs to be dealt with. However, if you mention 'self-harm', many people will shake their heads or shrug it off.
Petition calls for repeal of repressive gay sex law
A human rights movement has called on the Moroccan government to repeal a law that demands prison terms for consensual homosexual acts.
The petition, launched by Human Rights Watch and the Moroccan Human Rights Association, also asks for the release of six men currently imprisoned under this article of the penal code, and demands that the government protect the rights to privacy and a fair trial.
Police arrested the six men in November 2007, after a video was circulated on the internet.
Mayoral candidates to speak at anti-homophobia day launch
Mayoral candidates, government ministers, students and academics and national and international LGBT campaigners are all gearing up for the launch of International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO-UK 2008), which take place at the London College of Fashion on March 13th.
A message of support for the IDAHO campaign will be read on behalf of incumbent Mayor Ken Livingstone. Mayor of London. Richard Barnes the Conservative Leader on the London Assembly, Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor, and Sian Berry, the Green candidate will also be speaking.
Man stabbed to death in gay village
Police are investigating the murder of a 25-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Manchester's gay village.
At about 7.30pm on Monday 25 February 2008 the victim was on Canal Street when he was approached by two other men.
One of these men approached the victim and stabbed him in the neck. He suffered a serious stab wound in the incident and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Gay rights group makes progress with government
A gay rights group in Malta on Monday presented a petition to the country's ruling party asking for formal recognition of the rights of same sex couples.
The petition presented to Malta's 'Partit Nazzjonalista' (Nationalist Party) by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) was backed by 1,084 signatures.
It also requested the inclusion of an article in the Criminal Code regarding homophobic and transphobic violence, and a clear strategy addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.
Anti-gay harassment project attacked by pro-family group
A pamphlet has been sent out to 16,000 schools across the United States in an effort to protect the well-being of students "at higher risk" because of their sexual orientation.
The 24-page pamphlet has been sent to all public school superintendents in a coalition led by the National Education Association (NEA) and American Psychological Association (APA).
The initiative has drawn criticism from national pro-family group the Family Research Council, who have said it is a "promotion of homosexuality" in schools.
Will Grace creators to produce new gay-themed comedy
American TV network ABC has ordered a pilot of a gay-themed comedy from the creators of Will Grace.
It is one of the first major TV deals to take place since the Hollywood writer's strike came to an end last Tuesday.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the untitled project revolves around two men, one straight, one gay, who are lifelong best friends and business partners.
Gay Iranian teen faces deportation
A gay teenager from Iran who fled the UK for the Netherlands last year after his appeal for asylum was refused by the Home Office has been arrested by Dutch authorities.
He is reported to be due to be returned to the UK next week, where he may face deportation back to Iran.
19-year-old Mehdi Kazemi is currently being held by police in Rotterdam pending his return to the UK.
Victim of homophobic thug still haunted by attack
A gay man whose home was torched by a prolific young thug as he and his partner slept inside has said he is still haunted by the attack.
Nick Hughes battled the fire which started when Sonny Lockwood poured petrol through the letter box his home in New Addington, Croydon before igniting it with a parachute flare.
While he fought the flames naked, he ordered his partner Peter Cameron to remain in their bedroom with the door closed, thinking he would have a better chance of survival.
Charity welcomes landmark cyberbullying conviction
An anti-bullying charity has welcomed a landmark ruling on cyberbullying handed down by a court in Brighton.
A 17-year-old was convicted of harassment after creating a fake profile on the social networking site Bebo and driving his former friend to attempt suicide by luring him into an online relationship and then telling friends and teachers intimate details of their online conversations.
The 16-year-old victim, from Brighton, East Sussex, swallowed 60 painkillers. Brighton Youth Court was told the victim's life was saved by his mother, who took him to hospital.
Russia to hold anti-homophobia week
Major cities across Russia are to hold events in support of Russian Week against Homophobia next month, as a reaction to the homophobic attitudes which still prevail within the country.
It has been 15 years since criminal prosecution of male homosexuality was repealed in Russia.
Russian Week against Homophobia is an attempt to attract public attention to the problem of homophobia in Russian society.
Tribunal told about homophobia at BMW showroom
A gay salesman was forced to leave his job at a luxury car dealership after colleagues repeatedly made homophobic comments towards him, a tribunal heard yesterday.
Ben Hamilton, 26, claims his workmates at a BMW showroom branded him "the nice poof", "faggot" and "bender Ben."
He told the hearing he was also banned from wearing pink clothing to work.
Farrell to be best man on gay brother's big day
Actor Colin Farrell is to be best man at his brother's civil partnership ceremony.
Eamon Farrell, 35, is planning to marry his 23-year-old boyfriend Steven Mannion after a proposing to him in New York last year.
According to the Mirror: "Eamon proposed before Christmas. The pair share a love of art and this is what brought them together.
"Eamon is a respected dance teacher who set up the National Performing Arts School in Dublin more than 10 years ago."
Politician's son creates controversial prison-themed game
The son of Kathleen Sebelius, the Governor of Kansas, is currently selling a board game called Don't Drop the Soap, a prison-themed game he created as part of a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design.
John Sebelius, 23, has the backing of his mother and father, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius.
Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran told AP both parents '"are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent."
UK prepares to celebrate LGBT History Month
Hundreds of individual events are scheduled to take place throughout the UK to celebrate the fourth annual LGBT History Month, which begins on Friday and continues throughout February.
LGBT History Month was started by LGBT campaigning organisation Schools Out.
Founded and run by volunteers, it first took place in February 2005, in the wake of the abolition of Section 28 and has grown each year.
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