Opinion
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20 December 2007Comment: The maverick Presidential hopefuls 2 For one bright, shining moment last summer, LGBT political activists had a direct impact on the 2008 presidential race in a positive way.Former Alaskan Senator Mike Gravel was not deemed to be a viable Democratic Presidential candidate and therefore was not invited to participate in the historic Visible Vote '08 Presidential Forum in Los Angeles hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and broadcast on Logo.That made many LGBT activists and bloggers angry. -
15 December 2007Interview: Peter Tatchell’s 40 years of campaigning 4 Peter Tatchell celebrated his fortieth year of campaigning on 10th December, Human Rights Day.The Australian-born activist began campaigning for human rights, democracy and global justice in 1967, aged 15.Now, at 55, his eyes still have the vividness and energy of a teenager, and he has no intention to retire, because, he says, there is still much work to do. -
14 December 2007Comment: Gay Hollywood. Two steps forward, two steps back + It was the headline that spread like a California wildfire. -
11 December 2007Interview: A rising star in the Tory firmament 11 The 2005 intake of MPs contained the usual mix of the good, the bad and the barmy. -
5 December 2007Analysis: New law will protect parents and sperm donors 1 The story of a 37-year-old man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple and is now being asked to pay child support highlights the complicated legal situation around children conceived by artificial methods.New legislation before Parliament aims to make it easier for lesbian couples to access NHS fertilisation services and ensure that a lesbian or gay couple can become the legal parents of their children.At present the law requires that NHS fertility clinics take account of the "need for a father" when assessing women for treatment. -
5 December 2007Comment: A bad election year for Howard and the Belgians + As 2007 has only weeks left, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on what has been a truly outstanding year for those of us who follow general elections around the world.And as we gear up for an equally busy 2008 with high-profile elections in Iran, Pakistan (increasingly unlikely), Russia (unless Putin changes the constitution) and New Zealand, there is the added bonus that the biggest prize of all is now less than a year away: the race for the White House. -
4 December 2007Interview: 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. -
29 November 2007Comment: Gay voters could hold the keys to the White House 2 If you haven't checked your calendar lately, there are exactly 418 days left in the Bush Presidency, and one of the most interesting and perhaps ground breaking elections is right around the corner.While many American voters are split on perennial election issues such as the war in Iraq, abortion, education and immigration, next year's election could offer up a whole new issue that ultimately decides who the next president of the United States will be.With so many gay issues circulating Washington lately, it could just be that the gay vote is what sways the way the administration will be run. -
26 November 2007Interview: Maria Eagle defends homophobic incitement law + The government's proposal to create a new offence of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation has not been met with approval by some leading gay commentators.Well-respected opinion-formers such as Times columnist Matthew Parris and Independent journalist Johann Hari have questioned the need for new laws.Parris said that the gay community does not need protection from ridicule. -
15 November 2007Interview: Clegg sets out his leadership credentials + Since winning Sheffield Hallam in the 2005 general election, Nick Clegg has made a major impression on Liberal Democrats in Parliament and across the country.Tipped as a future leader before he even entered Westminster, in the wake of Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation he finds himself standing sooner than was imagined.Age did it for Ming, and 40-year-old Clegg is the frontrunner in the contest to replace him. -
15 November 2007Comment: Evangelical has no place on equality commission 41 Simon Barrow of Ekklesia has a silver tongue when it comes to making excuses for the disgraceful behaviour of some of his co-religionists.Now he comes out in defence of the Evangelical Alliance and its leader Joel Edwards, who has been appointed as a commissioner to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.Give him time, says Simon, let's see how he behaves. -
14 November 2007Comment: Keep the EHRC door open to promote change 39 Reactions to the news that the Rev Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, had been appointed to serve as one of the commissioners on the new Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), were swift and predictable.There was acknowledgement but little immediate comment in the religious press (many there are nervous about the news, for the opposite reason to PinkNews.co.uk readers) and annoyance and incomprehension in LGBT communities and among civil rights and secular activists. -
12 November 2007Review: Casanova the Carol Ann Duffy way + Casanova, the famous author and bon vivant, claimed to have bedded a woman in every European city.So it is no surprise that in this modern age of sex and sleaze, he is experiencing something of a revival.First, the BBC adaptation of his life starring a geeky David Tennant; now, the play written by controversial poet Carol Ann Duffy -
8 November 2007Interview: The Lib Dem fighting youth with experience 2 Much has been made in these first few weeks of the race to become leader of the Liberal Democrats about the similarities between the candidates.Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne are both Westminster School-educated former MEPs with near-identical views nearly all the key issues.Both became MPs as part of the Lib Dems strong showing in the 2005 elections. -
31 October 2007Comment: It’s STILL Elementary + Academy award-winning director Debra Chasnoff on teaching American schoolchildren about LGBT people. -
30 October 2007Interview: Pam Ann, A-List air hostess to the stars 1 "Come Fly With Me is my first ever DVD. -
30 October 2007Comment: American TV is obsessed with gays 1 I have a confession to make - I am seriously addicted to American daytime TV.Having just spent a few of weeks in rainy Costa Rica, where each day comprised of business meetings and dodging the never-ending bursts of torrential downpour, sitting in front of the box in my hotel room always seemed like the most sensible option.I certainly felt guilty wasting valuable times indoors when I could be out and about exploring the tropical rainforests or trying to find an iguana amid the lush jungles. -
29 October 2007Interview: Lesbian filmmaker tackles gender stereotypes + A self-identified butch and a celluloid triple threat, Butch Jamie writer, director and star Michelle Ehlen plays with and challenges gender stereotypes.It's small wonder that a woman who named her production company Ballet Diesel Films would play with butch identity but Ehlen's wryly funny work intellectually stimulates while inducing raucous laughter.At its premiere earlier this summer Ehlen and her filmic alter ego Butch Jamie had Los Angeles' Outfest audiences rollicking, earning Ehlen the Outfest Jury Award for Outstanding Actress. -
26 October 2007Comment: Obama can’t have it both ways 15 If you are a gay or lesbian American, you no longer need to wait for the first Democratic primary to test Barack Obama's mettle as a Presidential candidate, because his campaign is presently faced with a definitive test that should determine his commitment to the LGBT community and the LGBT community's support of him.At issue is the question of whether or not Mr. -
25 October 2007Comment: Russell T and the fortysomethings + "You said I must eat so many lemons, 'cause I am so bitter."This lyric by singer Kate Nash certainly applies to the way some gay men react when discovering their friend, shag-buddy or drinking companion is dating.The gay community is often referred as fickle, sexually motivated and afraid of commitment.Yet civil partnerships are easing the problems faced by gay couples to be accepted in society at large.
