Politics
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29 November 2006Irish gays await civil partnerships 1 Gay and lesbian couples will be given the right to civil partnership style unions, according to a report unveiled by the government.Ireland's cabinet has been considering same sex unions this week and has come up with a registration system, but the State has refused to allow gay marriage. -
29 November 2006Canada to debate gay marriage 1 Canada will revisit its laws on same sex marriage next week.A debate on same sex marriage will start on Monday in the country's Parliament after a manifesto pledge from Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper that a debate on banning gay marriage in Canada would be held.Mr Harper announced in his manifesto that there would be a free vote on the issue. -
29 November 2006South Africa’s gay union laws await President’s nod 10 South Africa's gay marriage legislation is now just awaiting the signature of President Thabo Mbeki before it can become law.The Civil Union Bill was approved by the National Council of Provinces this week and faces one final hurdle before it is passed allowing the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
29 November 2006Equality laws may ‘disregard’ disabled gays + Gay disabled groups have expressed concerns that the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) will not adequately support those who experience multiple discrimination.The CEHR, due in October 2007, will provide protection for minority groups such as gay people, the disabled and the elderly, but campaigners from gay disability group Regard are worried that the new equality laws will not correctly represent their views and will also be ignored by the wider gay community. -
29 November 2006Positively promoting the L-Word + Gay charity Stonewall is attempting to foster a new generation of confident and open business leaders in the workplace. -
29 November 2006Social care expert named HIV group Chair + The National AIDS Trust has announced the appointment of social care expert Dame Denise Platt as its new Chair.Dame Denise takes up her role as Chair at an important time for the National AIDS Trust (NAT) in the lead up to World AIDS Day 1 December.She will be succeeding Dame Ruth Runciman, who has served as Chair of the NAT for the past six years and will continue to support the organisation as an ambassador. -
29 November 2006Comment: Gay and lesbian identity is doomed 3 Gay activist Peter Tatchell calls for an end to the gay-straight divideThis month has been Queer Awareness Month at many universities across Britain, with four weeks of stalls, debates and films to promote queer human rights. -
29 November 2006Government provides HIV cash boost to gay community 1 An extra 1m is to be invested in work to tackle the rise in HIV cases amongst gay men and African communities in this country, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint announced today.The money will be used by the Terrence Higgins Trust and African HIV Policy Network on projects to strengthen HIV prevention and reduce transmission rates amongst these most at risk groups. -
29 November 2006Government slams “wild speculation” over gay laws 18 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveMinisters involved in drawing up the incoming Sexual Orientation Regulations have called for calm after a series of outburst by religious groups and leaders regarding the new laws.The legislation, due in the New Year for Northern Ireland, and April 2007 for the rest of the UK, guarantees equality in the provision of goods and services for all sexual orientations, prompting outrage from religious groups. -
29 November 2006Pope uses gay translator for Turkish delight + The Pope will be preaching a message of tolerance, respect and peace as he travels around Turkey this week, but he may even find his own values tested when he meets his interpreter, an Italian gay icon.According to reports, actress Serra Yilmaz, has been drafted in to help the pontiff build bridges with Turkey's Muslim community.Yilmaz has appeared in gay-interest films such as His Secret Life and Harem Suare -
28 November 2006Scotland ignores homophobic crime + Disabled and gay groups have criticised the Scottish Executive after Deputy Justice Minister Johann Lamont confirmed that their communities would not be included in new hate crime laws.In a written answer to Labour MSP Susan Deacon, Ms Lamont, appears to backtrack on recommendations from the Working Group on Hate Crime in October 2004, which push for an inclusion of the groups as a "statutory aggravation" when considering the motives of the crime. -
28 November 2006Stone aimed to kill loyalist he thought was gay + Loyalist hitman Michael Stone has been described as a "lunatic" by one of his targets.Stone, now facing charges for the attempted murder of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness at a Stormont meeting last week, is reported to have warned a newspaper of the planned attack and also a desire to murder fellow Loyalist Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair. -
28 November 2006Gay plight is ‘civil rights struggle’ + The fight for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality is a crucial civil rights struggle that all Americans should support, two legendary civil rights heroes have announced.Dolores Huerta and Julian Bond made the statement in interviews in the latest issue of the Human Rights Campaign magazine, Equality. -
28 November 2006Activists launch gay-friendly medical guide 1 A gay rights group and a gay medical organisation have teamed up for a landmark project.The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) announced a first-of-its-kind relationship this week to rate the healthcare industry on how it treats its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients and to educate the community about what to expect from medical providers and facilities. -
28 November 2006EU gay group tackles diversity error + The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights has vowed to seek an amendment to a statement from the European Parliament Bureau on diversity after it was revealed that sexual orientation was removed from the document.The decision has been criticised by LGBT activists working at the European level as a dangerous precedent in the light of efforts to stop the creation of a so-called hierarchy of discriminations within the European Union. -
28 November 2006Scholars fight gay military ban + A group of renowned constitutional scholars has filed a brief asking the First Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a District Court ruling and allow a lawsuit to move forward in an appeal by twelve military veterans battling the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law prohibiting military service by lesbian, gay and bisexual recruits.The nine recognised experts filed the amicus brief, in support of the service members in Cook v Rumsfeld, last week. -
28 November 2006Irish cabinet considering gay marriage 1 The Irish government will consider options for creating greater equality for same sex couples, according to reports.Irish gay group the Gay and Lesbian Equality network has welcomed the news and views it as a sign that the government may approve gay marriage laws.The cabinet is due to consider a report commissioned by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell today.
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28 November 2006Ex gay rent boy elected to Canadian Parliament 1 A male prostitute turned gay priest has entered the Canadian Parliament after a shock by-election victory.Raymond Gravel, who was once criticised by the Pope for his pro-gay views, won the election in Repentigny, representing the Bloc Quebecois Party, which campaigns for sovereignty of the Quebec province.
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28 November 2006Gay man targeted in homophobic arson attack + Police are appealing for information after a gay man became the victim of a mindless homophobic arson attack at his home.The victim, who has requested not to be identified, was returning home when he heard a smashing sound.Arriving at his doorstep, he found a fire blazing on his doorstep. -
28 November 2006Ikea brings gay couples out of commercial closet 7 Swedish home furnishing retailer Ikea made worldwide news in 1994 for its US commercial featuring a male couple buying furniture together, the company has returned to its roots with a new spot including another gay pair, this time with a child.Following a rainbow of families, the black and Asian male couple are joined by their Golden Retriever and daughter, snuggled in domestic bliss.
