Politics
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6 February 2007Now GP wants adoption opt-out 4 A doctor employed by the National Health Service is to lobby the government for an opt-out from assessing gay couples as adoptive parents.Bedfordshire GP Dr John Lockley argues that his "Christian conscience" would stop him from giving a positive recommendation for gay patients to an adoption agency.Dr Lockley says that he faces being struck off if he refuses go give references under the terms of the new Sexual Orientation Regulations, due to become law in April. -
5 February 2007American public want gays in the military + A new poll of Americans has revealed that nearly half do not support the current US military policy of barring openly gay people from serving.The Harris Interactive survey, conducted last month, found that 55% of the 2,337 people questioned felt openly gay, bisexual or lesbian personnel should be allowed to serve, reports the Wall Street Journal. -
2 February 2007Labour MP “uncomfortable” with gay adoption 8 Labour MP Tony Cunningham has told his local newspaper that gay couples should not be able adopt children because he is "uncomfortable with the idea."Mr Cunningham, who is Catholic, has voted against gay rights before, in 2002, he voted against gays and lesbians being given equal rights for adoption.The MP told The Workington Times Star: "I was just uncomfortable with the idea." -
1 February 2007Mary Cheney stands up for her bump 1 The daughter of US Vice President Dick Cheney has spoken publicly about her pregnancy, calling her child a blessing from God.While the imminent birth of a grandchild for Mr Cheney would not at first seem a matter of public controversy, Mary Cheney is gay.Conservative and Christian groups have questioned whether Ms Cheney and her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe, will make suitable parents. -
1 February 2007Putin: gays responsible for low birth rate 3 The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, avoided a question about the comments by Moscow's mayor that gay people are Satanic.Instead Mr Putin joked that Russia's low birth rate may be due to homosexual people.At a news conference in the Kremlin, the President gave his backing to mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who has spoken of his hatred for gay and lesbian people on many occasions. -
1 February 2007Blair questioned again by police over honours + Last Friday the Prime Minister was questioned for a second time by Scotland Yard detectives investigating the alleged sale of peerages to Labour party donors.A No 10 spokesman confirmed this morning that Mr Blair was questioned at Downing St by Metropolitan Police detectives.The interview lasted for less than an hour. -
1 February 2007Gay charity furious at local MPs over adoption 10 The Intercom Trust has criticised MPs from the south west of England for signing an Early Day Motion calling for a exemption from anti-discrimination legislation for Roman Catholic adoption agencies.As reported on PinkNews.co.uk last week, Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross tabled the motion in the House of Commons. -
1 February 2007African activists attack OutRage! tactics 1 A group of 20 gay and lesbian activists from ten African countries have attacked the tactics of direct action campaigning group OutRage!In a strongly-worded statement they accuse the group, whose most public spokesman is Peter Tatchell, of having, "disrespected the lives, damaged the struggle, and endangered the safety of African human rights defenders." -
1 February 200712-year-old trans child – a clarification 1 Transsexual activist Persia West has asked PinkNews.co.uk to publish the following clarification of her comments on the reported case of a 12-year-old child in Austria who underwent gender reassignment treatment:"It is entirely normal for a transsexual person to know that they are trans at an early age, even before the age of 12, as is the case of the young person in Vienna which has been given publicity recently. -
31 January 2007London unites with Riga Pride + The gay and lesbian communities of London and Riga are to come together in a unique twinning partnership to support equality and tolerance in the two capital cities.Pride London and the Mayor of London will sign a statement of unity with Riga Pride at a ceremony in the Latvian capital next month.Last July the gay and lesbian community in Riga were banned from celebrating Pride and suffered violent oppression from homophobic mobs. -
31 January 2007Two Jags says he is demob-happy + John Prescott has told MPs that he is enjoying the "happy demob stage" of his career, as he faced more questions in the House of Commons about what his current role in government consists of.Mr Prescott, who revealed earlier this month that as a young man he was wary of homosexuals, has been an MP for 36 years.It is widely anticipated that he will stand down from the deputy role when Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves office later this year. -
31 January 2007Canada lifts same-sex immigration ban 1 Canadians who married their gay or lesbian partners abroad will now be able to sponsor their immigration to Canada.The government has rescinded a policy that banned same-sex married couples from being treated equally to heterosexual spouses.Opposition MP Bill Siksay announced on Tuesday that the government had decided to remove the discriminatory immigration directive and treat gay and straight couples equally in this regard. -
31 January 2007Ruth Kelly to seek re-election in marginal seat 4 The Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has confirmed that she will be contesting the constituency she currently represents at the next general election.There had been rumours that Ms Kelly would abandon Bolton West for the safer Bolton South East constituency, whose sitting MP is retiring at the next election.She is the cabinet minister with the most marginal seat. -
30 January 2007Tony Blair’s fundraiser arrested again + One of the Prime Minister's closest allies has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.Lord Levy, who is Mr Blair's special envoy to the Middle East, was first arrested last July and released on bail in connection with an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into the alleged selling of peerages. -
30 January 2007Gay activists welcome first EU equality summit + European and UK gay rights organisations have welcomed the first EU summit on equality, which began in Brussels today.450 delegates from across Europe launched the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All at the summit, which is a joint initiative by the European Commission and the German Presidency of the EU.Representatives from the European branch of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) are attending. -
30 January 2007Gay MP questions adoption compromise 10 PinkNews.co.uk exclusive Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams has expressed scepticism about the long period of exemption from the new Sexual Orientation Regulations that the government has granted to Roman Catholic adoption agencies."I think the Prime Minister's decision is welcome."There should be no exemptions," he told PinkNews.co.uk -
30 January 2007Italian coalition parties clash over gay families 4 The delicate balance of power in the Italian government could be upset by a new law that will grant gay and lesbian couples a form of civil partnership.The nature of the Italian political system means that since 1945 the country has mostly been ruled by fragile coalitions, and the group of parties that finally removed Silvio Berlusconi from office last April are no different. -
29 January 2007PM defends Ruth Kelly’s position + A spokesman for the Prime Minister has said Mr Blair wants to pay tribute to Ruth Kelly.The Communities Secretary, who is responsible for equality matters, has been heavily criticised by gay campaigners and some MPs for her strong religious views.Ms Kelly, a devout Catholic, has been accused of bowing to pressure from the hierarchy of the church. -
29 January 2007LibDem spokeswoman welcomes PM’s adoption stance 10 Politicians have spoken to PinkNews.co.uk of their delight at Tony Blair's decision to not grant an exemption from anti-discrimination laws to Catholic adoption agencies.Lorely Burt MP, the LibDem spokeswoman on equality, told PinkNews.co.uk:"Tony Blair's statement is welcome news. -
29 January 2007Tories make no comment on adoption, LibDem furious + A spokeswoman for Conservative Central Office has said the party has no statement to make about Tony Blair's announcement that Roman Catholic adoption agencies will not be exempted from anti-discrimination legislation.Meanwhile a LibDem MP who tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government to exempt the Catholic Church has branded Tony Blair a coward.
