Politics
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15 November 2006Gay soldiers appeal US military ban 5 Twelve lesbian and gay veterans of the war on terror have filed a brief in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, in Massachusetts, challenging the constitutionality of the federal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel.The case, Cook v Rumsfeld, was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by Servicemembers Legal Defence Network (SLDN) and the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. -
15 November 2006African continent reacts to gay unions 10 The African continent is split after South Africa became the first country in the region to allow gay marriage.Religious leaders and homophobes have expressed disgust at the law, describing it as a sign of the end of the world, while gay groups have described the Civil Unions Act as a sign of progress. -
15 November 2006Jerusalem gays to continue equality fight 23 Israeli gay campaigners have vowed to continue fighting for equality in Jerusalem after a gay pride rally in the capital city last week.A Hebrew University of Jerusalem stadium hosted 9000 people for a rally last Friday, despite weeks of anti-gay protests and threats of violence from ultra-Orthodox Jews in the area. -
15 November 2006Gay activists oppose Martinez role + Gay campaigners have reacted angrily to the appointment of Mel Martinez as leader of the Republican Party.The Florida Senator was appointment as head of the Republican National Committee this week, but activists fear this will cause another rift in the relationship between the Republicans and the gay community. -
14 November 2006Gay domain name sold for $500,000 + If you're looking to launch a new gay-focused website, you can cross Gays.com off your list of possible domain names.German Internet entrepreneurs Julius and David Dreyer recently snapped it up for the bargain-basement price of $500,000."We are extremely proud to have secured such a prestigious domain name in this exciting sector," Mr Dreyer said. -
14 November 2006Gay activists lobby UN over Iran hangings + Gay campaigners are calling on the community to lobby the United Nations and European Union amid reports that ten Ahwazi Arab rights activists are scheduled to be hanged in IranThe men, accused of bombing oil installations, will by hanged from cranes in public, using the slow strangulation method, which is deliberately designed to maximise and prolong their suffering, according to reports in the Iranian media. -
14 November 2006AIDS charity raising HIV awareness in schools 1 The National AIDS Trust (NAT) today launches its Schools Pack in the lead up to World AIDS Day 1 December, a practical resource for teachers providing ideas on integrating HIV into the national curriculum for Key Stages 3 and 4.The pack is designed for use throughout the school year, but has been launched ahead of World AIDS Day, so that teachers can plan lessons and activities for this international day of awareness. -
14 November 2006Gay bar stops two men kissing 24 A gay pub has been accused of being "unprincipled" and "disingenuous" after a customer was told to stop kissing his boyfriend because it is "inappropriate."Scott Blockley, 39, was shocked when the General Manager of the Rose and Crown pub in Greenwich told him to stop kissing his partner Marc Finbow, 24, because other customers may find it offensive. -
14 November 2006UN urged to outlaw anti-gay legislation + Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas has added her name to calls for the United Nations to outlaw anti-gay laws around the world.Dr Lucas, who represents South-East England, has signed up to a letter demanding the UN Human Rights Council adopts a resolution requiring the worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality. -
14 November 2006South Africa set to back gay unions 10 South Africa is set to back a controversial gay partnerships bill which is opposed by religious groups and seen as a disappointment by some gay campaigners.All members of the ruling African National Council have been ordered to vote for the Civil Unions Bill which allows the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union."
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14 November 2006Africa allows gay weddings 10 The African continent is not known for gay rights, but South Africa has now created a landmark in the region after passing a law allowing same sex marriage.The Civil Unions Bill was passed today by 230 votes to 41, allowing the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
14 November 2006South African gays demand universal marriage law 10 South African gay groups have welcomed today's historic step taken by the country's Parliament in opening up unions to gays and lesbians, but are disappointed that it will run separately to existing marriage laws.The Civil Unions Bill was passed today by 230 votes to 41, allowing the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
14 November 2006Gay charity reminds Ruth Kelly of ‘hidden homeless’ 1 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveRuth Kelly appears to have forgotten about the gay community again, this time by failing to mention them in a speech about homelessness.The Albert Kennedy Trust, England's only charity supporting housing for members of the LGBT community, criticised Ms Kelly for not mentioning the "hidden homeless." -
14 November 2006Michigan store boycotted for gay support + A few statistics pulled from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index is all the evidence usually needed to prove being gay-friendly in 2006 is good for business.That is, unless your business is in Mason, Michigan.Teri Yale, owner of Davey's Basement, an alternative record shop located in downtown Mason, found that out the hard way after supporting the local high school's gay-straight alliance. -
14 November 2006Lesbian boss under fire again + A male fire-fighter is the latest person to sue the Minneapolis fire chief, a lesbian, claiming that she discriminated against him because he is a heterosexual man.According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Elondo Wright alleges that Bonnie Bleskachek, the city's first female fire chief, and her partner, a fire department captain, gave him bad reviews, harassed him and denied him advancement. -
13 November 2006Billboard company rejects gay imagery + A series of billboards by a Polish artist showing two men holding hands have been rejected in the US for being too controversial.The images, by Karolina Bregula, were part of the Real Art Ways' new exhibition of contemporary Polish art, and were supposed to be displayed on billboards, but Lamar Outdoor Advertising of Hartford is refusing to run the images. -
13 November 2006Oz gays demand union commitment + Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has called on the Bracks Government to commit to formal partnership laws for same-sex couples in advance of the state election.At an election forum on Saturday, State Labour MP for Prahran, Tony Lupton, said there have been discussions between gay community representatives and the Government about a Tasmanian-style relationship registry. -
13 November 2006Gay campaigners welcome Sir Elton’s support 1 Activists have welcomed Sir Elton John's support for gay campaigns after he pledged his support for gay rights.In an interview with The Observer Music Monthly, the gay artist backed a gay pride concert in Moscow, where a gay rights meeting was plagued with violence earlier this year.Sir Elton said: "What we should be doing as musicians is trying to bring people together. -
13 November 2006Campaigners seek Christmas cheer for El Salvador gays + Amnesty International is encouraging people across the UK to send a message of solidarity to William Hernández - a gay activist in El Salvador who has received death threats apparently intended to deter him from campaigning - as the campaign group launches its annual Greetings Card Campaign.William Hernández is the director of Asociación Entre Amigos (Between Friends Association) and he and other members of the organisation have allegedly received death threats. -
13 November 2006Young gay Londoners have their say 2 Lesbian and gay Londoners are set to have a say on their city with the launch of a new LGBT Youth Council tonight.A conference, supported by the Metropolitan Police Service sees young LGBT people come together with service providers, funders and local decision makes to really have their say on matters important to them.
