Court demands end to Nepal's gay discrimination
Gay rights campaigners in the Himalayan nation of Nepal have spoken of their delight at a ruling by the Supreme Court legitimising gay rights.
The court, hearing a petition from four activists, has ordered that the government not just overturn discriminatory laws but pass new ones protecting the rights of gay people.
The harassment that lesbian, gay and trans people face in the country often comes at the hands of Maoist rebels.
New EU nation not taking to gay acceptance
One of the more recent EU member states has very high levels of hostility towards gay people, a survey has revealed.
Bulgaria, one of the poorest countries on the continent, joined the European Union in January, but social attitudes do not appear to be developing as quickly as the economy.
According to the Novinite news agency, research conducted by Skala agency in September found that only 17 percent of Bulgarians "can freely communicate with gay people."
17% of Florida LGB couples are raising children
Opponents of same-sex marriage in one of America's most populous states are confident they have gathered the more than 600,000 signatures needed to get a question on the November 2008 ballot calling for a ban on same-sex marriage.
Florida4Marriage.org, a coalition of groups, has been trying to get the question on the ballot for three years.
The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has released a new research study providing demographic and economic information for the almost 55,000 same-sex couples in Florida.
Holiday homecoming for gay US soldier
The Christmas holidays will be a whole lot brighter for the Manzella family, who are looking forward to welcoming a very special guest home.
Sergeant Darren Manzella featured on last Sunday's US current affairs show 60 Minutes about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
He arrived back in the United States yesterday with his unit, returning from a long tour in Kuwait. He got back to his base in the States yesterday.
Gay volunteer recognised with local hero award
A Stonewall volunteer has been honoured for his charity work.
As well as his prestigious Bank of America Local Hero Award,
John Leander was given £3,000 for his nominated charity, which he donated to Stonewall.
Mr Leander has volunteered full-time at Stonewall for 4 years, making a key contribution to their work promoting equality and justice for gay people.
Organisers appeal to gay community's Olympic spirit
Next year the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games begin in earnest. August 2008 marks the start of London's Olympiad.
To kick-start the activities, London 2012 and the London Development Agency are launching the Get Set London roadshow on Wednesday 9th January in Trafalgar Square.
This is a great opportunity for Londoners to find out how the 2012 Olympic Games Paralympic Games will benefit jobs and skills, culture, sports, business and regeneration in the capital.
Interview: Exorcising the spirit of Section 28
"I'd put entertainer," Rikki Beadle-Blair says with a grin, when I ask him what he puts down as his occupation when he fills in official forms.
The reason for my question is that Rikki seems to be good at everything. He wrote his first play at the age of seven and started directing at eleven.
He has enjoyed success as an actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, singer and songwriter; and in his spare time, if he gets any, he teaches aerobics and dance.
Gay marriage opponent is new ANC leader
Jacob Zuma, the new leader of the African National Congress, has previously spoken out against gay marriage.
Mr Zuma, 65, won a considerable victory over incumbent South African President Thabo Mbeki and is the clear favourite to become the country's next leader, despite concerns he could face corruption charges.
In 2006 he had apologise for offending the gay community and claimed that his comments describing same sex marriage as "a disgrace" were misinterpreted.
Men plead not guilty to Royal blackmail charges
Two men charged with attempting to blackmail a minor member of the Royal Family pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey today.
Ian Strachan, 30, and Sean McGuigan, 40, were arrested in October after police mounted a sting operation.
They are alleged to have demanded £50,000 not to release a video showing an aide to a member of the Royal Family discussing engaging in oral sex with his employer.
Stephen Williams promoted in Lib Dem reshuffle
Bristol West MP Stephen Williams has been appointed Liberal Democrat frontbench spokesman for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
He becomes the only gay man in the party's 'Shadow Cabinet.' In his previous roles as an education spokesman he gained prominence for his fight against homophobic bullying in schools.
Mr Williams, 40, was elected to Parliament in 2005. Last year he was nominated for Politician of the Year at the Stonewall Awards.
Frontline role for Charlie in new Lib Dem team
Nick Clegg has announced the first appointments to his frontbench team since becoming Liberal Democrat leader on Tuesday.
Former leader Charles Kennedy returns to frontline politics, and in an unusual arrangement he will speak from the frontbench on Europe but not be the party's official Europe spokesman.
London MP Lynne Featherstone has been appointed as the party's youth and equality spokesperson, shadowing the equality team led by Harriet Harman.
Gay sex scandal Senator invited to the White House
Beleaguered Republican politician Larry Craig was an official guest at the White House yesterday.
The Senator from Idaho, who denies he is gay despite a conviction for cruising for sex in an airport toilet, was invited to watch President Bush sign a new energy bill into law.
Several other members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were also at the White House for the ceremony.
Pop star reveals he is HIV positive
Andreas Lundstedt, best known as a member of pop group Alcazar, has confirmed in an interview that he his HIV+.
He told Swedish magazine QX that he tested positive for the virus several years ago.
Lundstedt, 35, has been the subject of rumours and gossip about his HIV status for some years. He told the magazine that he has a less agressive strain of the virus and "I don't need to swallow masses of tablets."
EHRC offers funding to grassroots organisations
A grants programme worth up to £10 million aimed at funding grass roots organisations across all areas of equality was launched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission yesterday.
The funding scheme has developed three areas for priority funding.
Applicants from organisations working to promote good relations, highlight equality and human rights and case work will be encouraged. Examples include reducing the impact of hate crime.
Arts Council cuts threaten Manchester cultural festival
A leading LGBT arts organisation is facing a bleak future after its funding for next year has been cut.
queerupnorth was the first queer festival and was the first of its kind in the UK and Europe and describes itself as "the most adventurous and creative queer arts cultural producer in the UK."
Arts Council England has announced plans to end £98,000 of funding of queerupnorth in March 2008.
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