UK
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20 July 2006Scottish homophobic attacks spur gay protection calls 1 The Scottish Executive is facing pressure to make homophobia a hate crime after new figures reveal a significant rise in anti-gay attacks.Figures obtained by a Scottish newspaper investigation suggest there has been a 100 per cent increase in incidents over the last year.The Scotsman claims that "In the Lothian and Borders region, police have revealed that 30 homophobic offences have been recorded this year, compared with 37 for the whole of 2005. -
20 July 2006Homophobic attack victim remembered in school award 2 An annual award for human kindness and consideration has been created in the memory of murdered gay bar manager Jody Dubrowski at his old school in Stroud.Announcing the award Dubrowski's step father Mike Haddock told the children "We are all different but we have to know how to treat each other. -
20 July 2006Call for Indian legalisation of homosexuality 57 In their push for a reduction in the rate of HIV infection, the Indian government's HIV/AIDS control body has filed a statement in the Delhi High Court supporting the legalisation of homosexuality.In a boost for gay rights in India, where a 145 year old law dating back to British colonial rule is still used by police to harass gay people, the National AIDS Control Organisation's (NACO) statement calls for section 377 of the Indian penal code to be abandoned. -
20 July 2006“I’m a lesbian and our guitarist has one hand” 1 PinkNews.co.uk's Katherine Knowles meets a band proudly challenging physical, emotional and musical barriers."We're all equal here, man" says Jackie Romeu, the lead singer of new band Nelson Romeu. -
20 July 2006BBC defends ‘gay car’ comment 29 The BBC has again been forced to defend one of its big name presenters following the recent furore surrounding the controversial use of the word gay by Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.On Sunday's Top Gear programme, presenter Jeremy Clarkson asked an audience member if he would buy a certain car, the audience member said, "No, it's a bit gay." -
20 July 2006Jewish News responds to criticism from gay community 23 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveDefending columnist Howard Palmer's anti-gay pride column in last week's Jewish News, editor Zeddy Lawrence today told PinkNews.co.uk that it was simply reflecting a view held by a large sector of the Jewish community and that his comments do not reflect the newspaper's stance.Gay British Jewry reacted with outrage this week after Palmer's column described the upcoming gay pride march in Jerusalem as "a circus of stomach-churning stunts of sin." -
20 July 2006Campaigners condemn gay hangings + To mark the first anniversary of Iran's hanging of two gay teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, in the city of Mashhad, Labour MP Chris Bryant hosted a public meeting at the House of Commons last night.Speakers included Chris Bryant MP and Azar Majedi, Chair of the Organisation for Women's Liberation in Iran. -
20 July 2006Gay community backs GPA’s anti-religion ad 9 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveThe gay community has backed an advert by the Gay Police Association (GPA) which attributed recent homophobic attacks to religious belief.Scotland Yard is considering an investigation into the group after it placed an advertisement in The Independent's diversity supplement which coincided with the EuroPride rally, displaying a pool of blood next to a Bible. -
19 July 2006Lawyer receives damages over gay passport slur + An immigration lawyer has received £20,000 in damages after the Sunday Times falsely reported that he was advising asylum seekers to have fake gay marriages to obtain residency in the UK.The paper apologised to Dr Akbar Malik of Malik Law Chambers for the story, which also erroneously appeared on PinkNews.co.uk, claiming the lawyer told immigrants that they could obtain a passport quicker by entering a sham civil partnership. -
19 July 2006Fire-fighters investigated after abstaining from gay pride 3 Ten members of Glasgow's fire service may face disciplinary action after refusing to distribute safety leaflets at a recent gay pride march in the city.The Cowcaddens fire-fighters had been asked to hand out leaflets at the rally in a publicity exercise but are believed to have refused on moral grounds. -
19 July 2006Drug tests to take place at Brighton Gay Pride 4 A human rights group is advising attendees of next week's Brighton Gay Pride how to deal with police who may ask to conduct a voluntary drug test.Sussex Police will be using the Ion Track device, which detects small traces of illegal substances, at the event, but the Release group fears lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender revellers will be unfairly targeted. -
19 July 2006Jewish columnist “inciting homophobia” 23 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveThe Jewish gay community has reacted angrily to a newspaper columnist who criticised the upcoming World Pride Jerusalem march branding it "stomach churning."Howard Palmer, a writer for The Jewish News, spoke out against the parade in his regular column, calling it embarrassing for Israel and the Jewish people. -
19 July 2006NAT to Walk for Life + The National AIDS Trust's finance director is to embark on Crusaid's Walk for Life at the end of this month, wearing a 9ft red ribbon.The event is Europe's biggest HIV fundraising walk, wearing a 9 ft red ribbon, and Tim Gutteridge will represent the Trust by wearing its symbol on the 10km walk through Central London. -
18 July 2006Police appeal for help after homophobic assault + Officers from the Westminster Community Safety Unit are appealing for information following a homophobic assault during the Euro Pride event on Saturday 1 July.At approx 1640 the female victim was walking with her girlfriend in Dean Street W1, near to the junction with Bateman Street when an unknown man approached them, attacked the victim and made a homophobic remark. -
18 July 2006Gay community to remember hanged teenagers + Labour MP Chris Bryant will be hosting a meeting at the House of Commons tomorrow evening to mark the first anniversary of Iran's hanging of two gay teenagers.Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni were publicly executed in Iran last year, because according to the regime they were rapists, however gay campaigners insist the boys were killed under Sharia law for the crime of homosexuality. -
18 July 2006London Mayor backs Brits at Gay Games 3 PinkNews.co.uk ExclusiveThe Mayor of London has sent good luck wishes to the athletes taking part in this week's Gay Games in Chicago and the upcoming Outgames in Montreal.The weeklong Chicago event, expected to draw nearly 12,000 athletes from 65 countries, started last weekend and will be staged in 33 venues across Chicago and the suburbs. -
18 July 2006Gay asylum group push for Iranian protection + The UK Lesbian Gay Immigration Group has written to Liam Byrne, the Home Office Minister responsible for immigration, requesting the suspension of removals to Iran of lesbian and gay asylum seekers.The Group has urged the Minister to ensure that no Iranian lesbian or gay asylum seeker be removed from the UK whilst there are genuine concerns that those suspected of having gay sexual relationships are at risk of persecution. -
18 July 2006Darren Hayes celebrates gay union 4 Former Savage Garden frontman, Darren Hayes, has ended speculation over his sexuality after he came out yesterday and revealed he has had a civil partnership.The solo singer has often remained silent on his private life, but yesterday afternoon he published a statement on his website celebrating his civil ceremony with his partner of two years, Richard. -
18 July 2006Guernsey may lower gay age of consent 3 Guernsey Chief Minister Laurie Morgan has signalled that the island may follow neighbouring Jersey's lead in lowering the gay age of consent.His remarks came after the issue was raised at a meeting of the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man, after the fellow Channel Island of Jersey lowered the age of gay consent from 18 to 16 recently. -
15 July 2006Ashley Cole to marry in “wedding of the year” 1 England footballer Ashley Cole is to marry Girls Aloud star, Cheryl Tweedy on Saturday in what is being dubbed, "the celebrity magazine wedding of the year."Cole and Tweedy are to tie the knot at Highclere Castle, Berkshire, the venue for singer Peter Andre and model Jordan's marriage last September.
