Politics
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14 December 2006Ireland court rejects gay marriage case 1 The High Court in Dublin has rejected a lesbian couple's case to recognise their Canadian marriage in Ireland.In a landmark case in October, the court heard arguments from Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan claiming discriminating against homosexuality can lead to clinical depression and that the current concept of marriage is outdated. -
14 December 2006Irish Labour proposes gay union law 1 Ireland's Labour Party has introduced a Civil Unions Bill into parliament, just hours after the High Court in Dublin declared that a lesbian couple's Canadian marriage could not be accepted in the country.Labour's Civil Unions Bill, would provide legal recognition and protection for couples of the same sex. -
14 December 2006Prodi demands “wise and serious” gay laws 1 Italy will push ahead with plans to give unmarried and gay couples rights, the country's Prime Minister has announced.Romano Prodi came to power in April promising civil partnership style laws for the gay community as well as heterosexual cohabiting couples.Equal Opportunities Minister Barbara Pollastrini said Mr Prodi wants to discuss a "wise and serious" law. -
14 December 2006Irish students oppose gay marriage ruling 1 The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has expressed disappointment at the High Court in Dublin's rejection of a bid by two women to have their marriage in Canada upheld under Irish law.Earlier today, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne dismissed the case of Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan claiming that marriage could only be defined between members of the opposite sex. -
14 December 2006High Court to rule on lesbian marriage + The High Court in Dublin will today rule on the validity of a lesbian couple's Canadian marriage in London.In a landmark case in October, the court heard arguments from Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan claiming discriminating against homosexuality can lead to clinical depression and that the current concept of marriage is outdated. -
14 December 2006Government opens door to gay parenting + The government has paved the way to free up discrimination in fertility and IVF treatment after removing reference to the "need for a father" in new proposals outlined today.The proposals follow an extensive public consultation exercise on the current law, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, and are contained in a new White Paper. -
14 December 2006Media watchdog opposes homophobic platform + A gay media watchdog is urging the community to protest against Time magazine allowing 'family values' fundamentalist James Dobson to contribute to the publication.The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was outraged this week after Mr Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, wrote an article criticising US Vice-President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter over her parenting plans. -
14 December 2006Gay men urged to stub it out 5 The NHS Smoking Helpline is calling on gay and bisexual men to stub out their cigarettes after a survey revealed that their habit is well above the national average.A study carried out amongst gay and bisexual men for the NHS Smoking Helpline has found that 41 per cent of gay and bisexual men are smokers, rising to 60 per cent for 25 to 34 year olds, well in excess of the national average of 25 per cent. -
14 December 2006Gay marriage opponents seek damages 1 An anti-same-sex marriage group in Massachusetts is suing the state in a federal court seeking as much as $5 million in damages from lawmakers for blocking a final vote on the proposed constitutional amendment last month.The lawsuit, filed in US District Court by VoteOnMarriage.org, argues the 109 lawmakers violated the supporters' rights to free speech, to petition the government and to due process under the law. -
13 December 2006European Court rejects sibling inheritance rights + The European Court of Human Rights has rejected the pleas of two elderly sisters asking for the same inheritance tax rights as married and gay couples.The siblings have been living together in Wiltshire since they were born, but Joyce, 88, and Sybil Burden, 80, fear that one of them will be left with a large inheritance tax bill when the other passes away. -
13 December 2006Gay groups welcome ‘historic UN decision’ + Three gay groups have been granted consultative status to the United Nations (UN).The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) this week granted consultative status to ILGA-Europe, the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, and to the Danish and German national lesbian and gay association, LBL and LSVD. -
13 December 2006Gay community called to choose favourite Germany image + For the past month, lesbians and gay men have been nominating their favourite images of gay travel and Germany in the MyGayGermany online promotion.The moment of truth has arrived in the campaign - as gay and lesbian travellers from across Ireland and the UK must now decide which of the nominated images are truly the most popular. -
13 December 2006Gay support urged for porn petitions 5 Different factions of the gay community are being urged to support one of two differing petitions on a new law regarding "violent pornography."The Criminal Justice Bill, unveiled in last month's Queen's Speech, would ban the possession of online and printed porn depicting "scenes of extreme sexual violence," a move opposed by some activists who claim the law is too vague and could lead to innocent people being prosecuted despite consenting to activities. -
12 December 2006Gay activists welcome HIV lifeline + Gay activists have welcomed the reauthorisation of the Ryan White Care Act by the US House of Representatives.The Act provides medical and psychosocial services to people living with HIV/AIDS, it is named after a boy who was expelled from school for having AIDS, and dedicated his life to helping sufferers and proving that it is not a 'gay disease.' -
12 December 2006Turkish gay magazine owner face prison + A criminal case has been filed in Ankara against the chief editor and owner of Turkey's only gay magazine, Kaos GL.Umut Guner, owner of the magazine and vice president of the Kaos GL Association, is being accused of publishing pornographic issues based on Turkish Penal Code, Article 226.If convicted, he will face up to three years of jail sentence. -
12 December 2006THT calls for gay support for sex education 1 HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust is asking LGBT communities to sign a petition on improving sex relationships education in schools.The charity is calling on lesbians, gay men and bisexuals to join in an online petition urging the Prime Minister to make Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE) compulsory in schools. -
12 December 2006Manchester’s Gay Village raises HIV funds + Manchester's Biggest Ever World AIDS Festival raised over 20,000 for HIV related charities.Events took place between 24th November and 7th December across Manchester city centre to raise funds for local HIV good causes.Under the banner Red Wild, volunteers worked tirelessly over the two-week period either side of World Aids Day to raise more than 20,000 for HIV/AIDS related charities and organisations across Manchester. -
12 December 2006Cheney puts lesbian daughter first + US Vice-President Dick Cheney has been applauded by gay campaigners for his attitude towards his lesbian daughter's pregnancy.Mr Cheney's office released a statement last week describing him and his wife as "looking forward with eager anticipation to the arrival of their sixth grandchild" amid reports that their daughter Mary is having a baby with her partner of 15 years Heather Poe. -
12 December 2006Nigeria debates gay ban law 1 Nigerian lawmakers are currently debating a bill that would ban same sex marriage as well as any gay organisations or meetings.The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill now in the National Assembly, was introduced by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.It would even ban sharing a meal with a gay person. -
12 December 2006Gay community fear ageing 1 LGBT baby boomers have more distinct concerns about ageing with regard to financial stability, personal support and end-of-life legal issues than those in the general population, according to a new survey."Out and ageing: The MetLife Study of Lesbian and Gay Baby Boomers," the first national survey of its kind, found both men and women fear outliving their income in retirement.
