Obama signs bill to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

President Obama has signed a bill to end the ban on openly gay troops in the US military.

Two years after he promised to end the controversial policy in his election campaign, the president signed the bill during a ceremony at the Interior Department.

Today, he said that the change would “strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend”.

Referring to the sacrifices made by servicemembers, he said: “None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”

An estimated 14,000 troops have been dismissed under the 1993 ban.

Last weekend, the Senate voted to repeal the bill.

However, it may take months before gay soldiers are permitted to serve openly and those fired can re-apply to join the military.

Military officials must consider and rewrite policies related to the issue over the next few weeks.

Then, President Obama, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen must certify that the ban can be lifted without damaging the military.

Following this certification, 60 days must pass before repeal officially takes place.

More... »

Parents of gay suicide student will sue university

The parents of a New Jersey student who jumped to his death after his roommate allegedly broadcast his gay sex session are to sue his university.

Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old student at Rutgers University, killed himself by jumping from the George Washington Bridge in September.

His roommate Dharun Ravi of Plainsboro, New Jersey, and Molly W Wei of Princeton, both 18, deny secretly recording him having sex with a man and broadcasting it online.

They have both been charged with invasion of privacy and have left campus.

Associated Press reports that Mr Clementi’s parents filed notice to sue last week and their attorney Stephen DeFeo said they will argue that Rutgers failed to implement or enforce policies that would have prevented or deterred the alleged invasion of privacy.

A Rutgers spokesman said that while the university was sympathetic to the Clementi family, it was not responsible for the student’s death.

More... »

Mystery remains over spy’s death

Police are still mystified over the death of British spy Gareth Williams, whose body was found padlocked inside a sports bag in August.

Mr Williams, 31, was a GCHQ code-breaker who was on secondment to MI6 at the time of his death.

His naked body was found locked inside a holdall at his Pimlico flat with the keys inside the bag. He is thought to have been dead for a week.

According to Press Association, police revealed today that he had visited bondage websites and had a £15,000 collection of women’s designer clothing.

They also said that a witness saw him at a gay bar in Vauxhall several months before he died and that he had visited a drag show a few days before his death. He also had tickets for two more drag shows.

Mr Williams is rumoured to have been gay, but police say they have not been able to speak to any of his sexual partners. He is said to have been intensely private.

Today, Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire, who is leading the inquiry, said she believes Mr Williams was locked in the bag by another person and that police would continue to study his private life for clues.

Speaking at New Scotland Yard today, she said: “We remain completely open-minded about how he died.

“We are appealing today to someone who is out there to come forward and tell us more.”

No traces of drugs or alcohol were found in Mr Williams’ body. Experts found that he would have died after 30 minutes inside the bag from suffocation.

Police are seeking a man and a woman who visited his flat several weeks before his body was found and say that forensic evidence shows that other people were in the property.

His death is still being treated as suspicious and unexplained and an inquest will be held in February.

More... »

Federal inquiry into US gay teenager’s suicide

Federal education officials are investigating the suicide of a 13-year-old California boy who killed himself after suffering homophobic bullying.

Seth Walsh died nine days after hanging himself in his garden on September 28th. His family said he had endured years of harassment and abuse at school for being gay.

Last week, his mother Wendy accused the Tehachapi school district of ignoring her pleas to tackle the bullying.

She said his grades had fallen and that some teachers had even joined in the harassment.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Education Secretary Arne Duncan confirmed that federal education officials were investigating how the school district dealt with the issue.

Mrs Walsh said she contacted Department of Education investigators while her son lay in hospital in a coma before he died.

She said they spent two days in Tehachapi last week, interviewing teachers, administrators and students.

In October, the Education Department’s civil rights division told school districts that they must take steps to stamp out anti-gay bullying.

According to Associated Press, the department has the power to investigate school districts where bullying is said to be so severe, it has resulted in a “hostile environment” for students who are, or are thought to be, LGBT.

Mrs Walsh is being supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, which last week sent a letter to the school district on her behalf asking it to prevent another tragedy.

The ACLU says that at least 11 US LGBT teenagers have killed themselves after suffering bullying in the last few months.

More... »

UN votes to reinstate resolution condemning execution of gays

The United Nations General Assembly has voted to restore a reference to sexual orientation in a resolution opposing the unjustified killings of minority groups.

Last month, a UN panel deleted a reference to gays and lesbians in resolution introduced by Morocco and Mali. The vast majority of countries in support were African or Arabic.

Many of the supporting countries criminalise homosexuality and five treat it as a capital offence.

But today, the UN General Assembly voted 93 in favour of the United States’ proposal to restore the reference to sexual orientation, 55 countries voted against and 27 abstained. The assembly then approved the amended resolution with 122 in favour, none against and 59 abstentions.

The amendment passed last month called for the words “sexual orientation” to be replaced with “discriminatory reasons on any basis”. The resolution made explicit reference to a large number of groups, including human rights defenders, religious and ethnic minorities and street children.

It narrowly passed 79-70 and was then approved by the UN General Assembly committee with 165 in favour and ten abstentions. The motion condemns extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions and other killings, is voted on by the UN General Assembly every two years. For the past ten years, it contained references to sexual orientation.

More... »

Malaysian gay man gets death threats after support video

A Malaysian Muslim man who spoke out about being gay has received death threats and says he fears for his life.

Azwan Ismail, a 32-year-old engineer, made a YouTube video called ‘I’m gay, I’m ok’, in an effort to encourage other gay Malaysians to feel comfortable with their sexual orientation.

His video clip was part of a series posted by Malaysian activists and was inspired by the US It Gets Better project, in which LGBT people speak frankly about their own experiences growing up.

Mr Ismail told Associated Press that he was scared he was about to be killed and that his life had been threatened.

He was the only Muslim to take part in the project. Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia but offences are not usually harshly punished.

He said: “My intention was not to insult Islam. I just wanted to represent gay Malays in this project. I hope these videos will help to create a more open society and more discussion.”

In the video, which has been viewed more than 140,000 times on YouTube in just six days, Mr Ismail talked about his faith and his sexuality.

One prominent Islamic cleric criticised him for “derid[ing] his own dignity”, while Malaysia’s Cabinet minister for Islamic affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, said action may be taken to prevent more people viewing the video.

Mr Ismail said he was now taking safety precautions in response to the threats.

More... »

Five years of civil partnerships

Today is the fifth anniversary of civil partnerships in England and Wales.

The ceremonies, which give gay couples almost all of the rights of marriage, came into effect at 8am on December 21st 2005. Three gay couples in Brighton were the first to take advantage of the new legislation.

The very first civil partnership to take place was on December 5th 2005, between a gay couple where one partner was terminally ill.

An error meant that Scotland’s first civil partnerships were held on December 20th 2005.

Since 2005, an estimated 40,000 gay couples have entered into civil partnerships. London and Brighton remain the most popular areas for the ceremonies.

Last year, the average age for gay people to have a civil partnership was 41.2 for men and 38.9 for women. For straight couples, the average age at first marriage was 32.1 years for men and 29.9 years for women.

Currently, only gay couples may have a civil partnership. They cannot marry.

However, marriage equality campaigners hope to change this and will soon launch a legal bid to open up both institutions to everyone.

The coalition government has promised to work towards giving gay couples the right to religious civil partnerships but has stopped short of supporting gay marriage.

In a message released today, equality minister Lynne Featherstone said: “As well as benefiting the couples who have registered their unions, the introduction of civil partnerships has helped make a real, positive change in the way society thinks about lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

“As a government we’re committed to building on this progress, which is why we’re currently looking at what the next steps for civil partnerships could be.”

More... »

London men cleared of stab attack on ‘gay victim’

Two men and two teenage boys have been cleared of stabbing a man they allegedly thought was gay.

The group was accused of attacking Ricky Brown, of Homerton, east London, because they believed he had made advances to young boys after offering them drink or drugs.

Mr Brown, who survived being stabbed 12 times, said he had also been robbed.

After the attack in August last year, police arrested Bradley Goddard, 21, of Keston Road, Tottenham, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, of Station Road, New Barnet, 31, and a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who cannot be named due to their ages.

The teenagers were arrested close to the scene but denied any involvement in the incident.

Mr Goddard and Mr Nwachukwu said to have been travelling in a car caught on CCTV in the area but Mr Nwachukwu said he had been in the area to buy cannabis with a friend.

All four were acquitted of aggravated burglary and two counts of burglary yesterday at the Old Bailey, the Muswell Hill Journal reports.

More... »

Preacher wins £7,000 after being wrongly arrested for homophobia

A Christian street preacher detained by police for being homophobic has won £7,000 in damages for wrongful arrest.

Dale McAlpine, 42, was arrested in Cumbria in April last year after he told a community support officer that homosexuality was a “sin”.

He was then arrested on suspicion of a public order offence by West Midlands Police.

Mr McAlpine, who regularly delivers sermons from a stepladder in Workington, was charged with using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The charge was later dropped.

However, he sought the help of the Christian Institute and sued the force for wrongful arrest, unlawful imprisonment and breach of his human rights.

West Midlands Police have agreed to pay him a £7,000 settlement, plus court costs. He will also receive an apology from a senior officer.

Last week, a Christian street preacher who raged against the “effeminate” and said gays would go to hell won £4,000 in damages for being arrested.

Anthony Rollins, of Birmingham, was arrested in July 2008 when a passerby took offence to his remarks about homosexuality and called 999.

More... »

US awaits signing of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal laws

America is awaiting the presidential signing of the bill repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

The bill will be passed this week to President Barack Obama who has already confirmed that he will sign it into law, saying: “It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognise that sacrifice, valour and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed.

“It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly.”

The Senate passed the motion on Saturday 65-31 in favour of removing the restrictions on gays serving in the military. Numerous celebrities have responded positively to the vote.

Lady Gaga, who has been a vocal opponent of the ban, posted her reaction on Twitter, writing: “Can’t hold back the tears + pride. We did it!! Our voice was heard + today the Senate REPEALED DADT. A triumph for equality after 17 YEARS.”

Ellen DeGeneres also added her thoughts on the social networking site, saying: “Thank you Senators for pushing us one step closer towards full equality.”

Musician Katy Perry agreed with P!nk, stating: “SUPPORTING ALL OUR TROOPS! RT @Pink: Congrats 2 US!!! REPEAL of DADT & 17 years of allowing Human Rights Violations. There’s hope after all.”

Openly gay actor Neil Patrick Harris wrote: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell REPEALED! So proud of Congress for making the right decision. Now all soldiers can serve with integrity. A great day.”

The repeal will take effect after a 60-day period to allow the US Defense Department to consider how best to implement the new policy.

More... »

Australian Catholics told to lobby MPs against gay marriage

The Catholic Church in Australia has advised its followers to call for politicians to resist gay marriage proposals based on the “natural order”.

MPs in Canberra are expected to receive calls from constituents who have been counselled by the Church to stress the importance of biological relationships, rather than protecting marriage as a religious institution.

The Sydney Archdiocese, the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of the Southern Cross issued an open letter urging Catholics to take action.

The letter states: “Marriage between a man and a woman is not a religious construct but a natural institution found across all cultures and religions. Marriage is a unique kind of sexually complementary union with a natural orientation to life.”

The church has also written that heterosexual couples who are married but infertile have a greater right marriage than homosexuals because “their lovemaking is designed to give life”.

“Allowing two men or two women to marry would involve a fundamental change in our understanding of marriage, from a life-giving and sexually complementary union to a personal, romantic relationship with no true communion or connection to procreation.”

Currently, Australia’s Labor Party has an official policy against gay marriage.

The policy has been questioned recently, and a motion tabled by the Australian Greens party called on representatives to consult their constituents on the issue.

The motion was passed by 73 votes to 72.

Marriage Equality Spokesman Rodney Croome said the church should “should respect our right to marry under civil law – this kind of mutual tolerance is the hallmark of a modern, civilised democracy”.

“Our advice to the people we are encouraging to visit MPs is to highlight the fact that under Australian marriage law people of any faith or no faith can marry, as can people who cannot or do not wish to have children.”

More... »

Labour council candidate harassed rival with anti-gay abuse

A Labour council candidate has admitting bombarding his openly gay rival with homophobic abuse.

David Bradley, 29, of Bristol, sent 33 text messages to Ed Bramall, 33, calling him “creepy” and “vile”.

The messages also called gay people “bum rapists” and “gay lords”, the Bristol Evening Post reports.

Bradley, a failed Labour candidate for the seat of Weston-Super-Mare in the general election, lost out to Mr Bramall in the contest to represent Whitchurch Park ward at this year’s local elections.

His hate campaign began shortly afterwards.

Bradley pleaded guilty to harassment at Bristol magistratres’ court and will be sentenced at a later date.

His solicitor Anna Van Wely said he had been suffering a “difficult period” in his life. She said he was now receiving counselling and had cut down his drinking.

“I think it is probably the case that this man has been suffering from a mental health problem for some time,” she said.

Mr Bramall said the messages were “unpleasant” but he was not frightened by them.

“[Bradley] clearly has some mental health issues,” he said. “I don’t really hold any malice towards him. I just think it’s sad that he has done it and got himself in this situation.”

A South West Labour spokesperson said Bradley had been suspended by the Labour Party.

More... »

Winona Ryder says Mel Gibson was homophobic

Winona Ryder claims that Mel Gibson was homophobic and anti-Semitic when she met him 15 years ago.

The actress told GQ that he had called her an “oven dodger” – a reference to the gas chambers used to kill Jews during the Holocaust.

“I was at one of those big Hollywood parties. And he was really drunk,” she said.

“I was with my friend, who’s gay. [Gibson] made a really horrible gay joke.

“And somehow it came up that I was Jewish. He said something about ‘oven dodgers,’ but I didn’t get it. I’d never heard that before.”

She added: “I was like, ‘he’s anti-Semitic and he’s homophobic’. No one believed me.”

Gibson’s spokesman did not comment.

Ryder is half-Jewish and has spoken before about her relatives being killed in the Holocaust.

Gibson, who has been accused of homophobia before, is struggling to save his reputation after he was arrested in the summer for alleged domestic violence.

In 2006, he declared that Jews were responsible for “all the wars in the world”.

In 1991, he told a Spanish magazine that his posterior was “only for taking a s**t”. He later said he had been drunk at the time.

More... »

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter sorry for saying gays shouldn’t have sex in Qatar

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised for saying that gay football fans shouldn’t have sex in Qatar when the country hosts the 2022 World Cup.

Earlier this week, he dismissed concerns that the country is homophobic, despite laws punishing gay sex with up to five years in prison.

When asked about gay football fans visiting Qatar, he said: “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.”

Today, he said he was sorry if anyone had been offended by his comments.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, he said: “It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination.

“This is exactly what we are against. If somebody feels that they have been hurt, then I regret it and present apologies.”

Gay campaigners were furious at his earlier comments.

Former basketball star John Amaechi, who came out in 2007, said he was “enraged” at the comments and had made a complain to FIFA.

The Gay Football Supporters’ Network called on him to retract the remarks or resign.

More... »

Gay referee Nigel Owens on reporting homophobic abuse

Rugby referee Nigel Owens has spoken about why he called police over homophobic abuse at a recent game.

He was on duty at a Welsh premiership game between Llanelli and Neath at Parc y Scarlets last month when a fan allegedly began shouting anti-gay abuse.

Mr Owens told the South Wales Post: “It’s the first time it’s happened when I have heard it so loud, the stadium was fairly empty and everyone there must have heard it, I know the players did.

“The reason something needs to be done about it, and why I took it to the police, however, is I recently spent six hours talking to a young rugby player who was contemplating taking his own life because he felt that he couldn’t deal with coming out.

“I have been through it myself and was telling him people would understand.

Then a few days later you get an idiot like that shouting homophobic abuse. It’s really not on.

“The Samaritans will tell you that around 4,000 young men a year take their own life in the UK and the reason in some cases is because they can not adjust to being gay.”

The referee, 39, is supporting a Samaritans campaign to prevent male suicides. He has documented his own struggle with depression and admitted he tried to kill himself at the age of 26.

Llanelli police are appealing for witnesses to the alleged abuse, which happened just before half-time at the November 15th game.

More... »

Pair convicted of homophobic killing

A 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were convicted today of the manslaughter of gay man Ian Baynham.

Ruby Thomas and Joel Alexander, both of south-east London, are facing jail.

Mr Baynham, 62, died 18 days after he was attacked in Trafalgar Square in September 2009.

The Old Bailey heard this month that he had suffered homophobic abuse before being knocked to the ground and then kicked and stamped on.

The assault was described as a “Clockwork Orange-style” attack.

Mr Baynham suffered severe head injuries and never regained consciousness.

Alexander and Thomas were found guilty of manslaughter and affray in a retrial. The jury in the previous trial could not agree on a verdict.

Rachel Burke, who was also present at the attack, was cleared of assault but found guilty of affray at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC told the court that Ms Thomas had drunkenly hurled anti-gay abuse at the pair and Mr Baynham had confronted her.

Ms Thomas is said to have lashed out at Mr Baynham and he retaliated towards her friend, Rachel Burke, the jury heard.

The court was told that Mr Alexander then knocked Mr Baynham to the floor with a punch to the jaw.

As he lay on the floor, the girls are said to have kicked him and stamped on him.

Mr Alexander admitted punching the older man but said he struck out to protect the girls.

Mr Baynham died from head injuries sustained when he hit his head on the pavement, the court heard.

Thomas, a former private school pupil, already has a conviction for violence after assaulting a bus driver in 2007.

Thomas, Burke and Alexander will be sentenced in the New Year.

More... »

Baynham killing ‘shows homophobia must be tackled in schools’

The killing of out gay man Ian Baynham shows that work to tackle anti-gay bullying in schools must continue, campaigners have said.

Mr Baynham’s killers, Ruby Thomas and Joel Alexander, were teenagers at the time of the homophobic attack last year.

Today, they were found guilty of his manslaughter. Rachel Burke was found guilty of affray at an earlier hearing.

The Old Bailey heard that Thomas had shouted homophobic abuse at Mr Baynham and “put the boot” into him as he lay dying on the floor.

Gay rights groups said that his killers’ ages proved that plenty of work still needs to be done in schools.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said: “We welcome this verdict and urge the judge to take into consideration the homophobic element of this crime when sentencing.

“The perpetrators of this homophobic crime were educated in Britain’s education system within the last five years – demonstrating how much more needs to be done to tackle homophobia in our schools before it festers into violence on the streets.”

Paul Martin, of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, added: “This is a hugely important result, but it is still greatly upsetting that we live in a society where these crimes are still happening and that Ian Baynham is no longer with us.

“The three accused of attacking Mr Baynham were still teenagers at the time of the attack, not long out of the UK education system, highlighting the work that needs to be done in all schools, other young peoples’ settings and throughout society to change attitudes, promote understanding and challenge homophobia.”

He added: “But today’s ruling sends out an important message, that prejudice won’t be tolerated, that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously and that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people should have the confidence to report hate crimes.

“Our thoughts are with Ian’s family and friends.”

More... »

Quote Of The Day - Kevin Spacey

"Look, at the end of the day people have to respect people's differences. I am different than some people would like me to be. I just don't buy into that the personal can be political. I just think that's horseshit. No one's personal life is in the public interest. It's gossip, bottom line. End of story. Now some people feed that. They'll go to the trendy restaurants where all the photographers are and then bitch about being famous. But if you don't want to feed that and you want your life to be based around what your work is then it ends there." - Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, taking a page from Queen Latifah in a Daily Beast interview that asks why he won't officially come out.

More... »

USMC Head James Amos: DADT Repeal Could Cause Marines To Lose Their Legs

General James Amos, Commandant of the USMC, says the "distraction" of openly gay soldiers will cause more casualties on the battlefield.

"When your life hangs on a line, on the intuitive behavior of the young man ... who sits to your right and your left, you don't want anything distracting you," Amos told reporters at the Pentagon. "I don't want to lose any Marines to distraction. I don't want to have any Marines that I'm visiting at Bethesda (hospital) with no legs," he said. He added that "mistakes and inattention or distractions cost Marines' lives. That's the currency of this fight." His comments were the toughest yet on the issue, after he testified at a congressional hearing that he opposed lifting the ban in a time of war. Amos said Marines in combat in Afghanistan sent a "very strong message" in the Pentagon's study released earlier this month, expressing opposition to repealing the ban in a survey."I have to listen to that," he said.

Metro Weekly's Chris Geidner reports that Amos' comments have sparked outrage among pro-repeal groups. Aaron Belkin, the director of the Palm Center, told Metro Weekly, "Among those U.S. Marines who know a gay or lesbian peer in their unit, 88.1 percent say that the unit functions effectively. Gen. Amos is cherry-picking the data to support his 20th century views, and everyone knows it." Belkin added, "Gen. Amos admitted [in his testimony on Dec. 3] that he is the only Service Chief who did not take the time to ask his colleagues in foreign militaries whether allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly undermines combat effectiveness." [snip]

Servicemembers United executive director Alex Nicholson, meanwhile, said in a statement that Amos's "commentary is moving from the realm of reasonable disagreement in the provision of professional military advice to hysteria-inducing absurdity on this topic that reflects very poorly on DOD and on the administration." SLDN's Sarvis went on in his statement to say of Amos's comments, "He had his say before the Senate and House. General Amos needs to stop lobbying against his Commander-in-Chief, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If he cannot do that, the President should ask for his resignation."

More... »

Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Named TIME Magazine's Person Of The Year

The two runners-up were WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the Tea Party. TIME says about Zuckerberg: At 26, Zuckerberg is a year older than our first Person of the Year, Charles Lindbergh — another young man who used technology to bridge continents. He is the same age as Queen Elizabeth when she was Person of the Year, for 1952. But unlike the Queen, he did not inherit an empire; he created one. (The Queen, by the way, launched a Facebook page this year.) Person of the Year is not and never has been an honor. It is a recognition of the power of individuals to shape our world. For connecting more than half a billion people and mapping the social relations among them (something that has never been done before); for creating a new system of exchanging information that has become both indispensable and sometimes a little scary; and finally, for changing how we all live our lives in ways that are innovative and even optimistic, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is TIME's 2010 Person of the Year.

More... »

HomoQuotable - USMC Staff Sgt. Eric Alva

"He pretty much spit on me, my Purple Heart, and my 13 years of service. I would definitely ask Amos for a meeting to explain his comments, and I’d bring my Purple Heart with me. I wish Obama would invite [Amos] to the White House and fire his ass on the spot." - Former USMC Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, responding to USMC Commandant General Amos' comment that repealing DADT would cost Marines their limbs due to the "distraction" of all those homo soldiers. In 2003 Alva became the first Marine to be injured in Iraq when he lost his leg due to a landmine

More... »

PhoboQuotable - Tony Perkins

"How many brave men and women are liberals willing to sacrifice so that homosexuals can flaunt their lifestyle? The only reason for changing the present policy is if it would help the military accomplish its mission. So far, no one has produced a single reason how it would. Until then, the Senate has to ask itself: Do they want the blood of innocent soldiers on their hands just to appease the political base of Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)? If they can live with that, then they're unlike any human beings I've ever met." - Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, in a post agreeing with USMC Commandant James Amos.

More... »

Colorado May Consider Civil Unions

Openly gay Colorado state Sen. Pat Steadman plans to introduce a civil unions bill early next year.

Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, said he believes the majority of Coloradans support civil unions and oppose gays being treated unfairly. Steadman, who is gay, said he expects his proposal to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, but he's not sure what kind of reception the idea will get in the Republican-controlled House. It could be a frosty one, said the speaker-elect, Rep. Frank McNulty, who noted Coloradans rejected a similar proposal four years ago. "I think that kind of bill would be of concern with the vast majority of the members of our caucus," the Highlands Ranch Republican said. But Rep. Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, who will be the speaker pro tem next year, said he supports civil unions "in concept, precisely because they are not gay marriage." However, he added, he would have to read the bill before he decides where he stands.

Colorado-based Focus On The Family says they plan to oppose the bill, surprise surprise.

More... »

Army Birther Convicted On All Counts

Lt. Colonel Terrence Lakin, the Army birther who said he didn't have to obey the orders of his "illegitimate" commander in chief, has been found guilty on four felony counts of military disobedience at his court-martial.

"I am extremely sorry for everything that has come of this," Lakin said during unsworn testimony in the sentencing phase of his trial. "As a military member, I was wrong." Lakin faces as much as 42 months in prison, forfeiture of pay and retirement benefits, and dismissal from the service after being convicted of four felonies. The court-martial panel found him guilty of two counts of disobeying orders to report to his commanding officer, one count of failing to report to his new unit, and, most seriously, missing the movement of an airplane that was to take him to his new post. Lakin will be sentenced tomorrow.

Lakin says he continues to believe the president is not a U.S. citizen, but that he shouldn't have allowed that opinion to affect the orders of his immediate superiors.

More... »

Kevin Spacey: ‘Asking me about being gay is like bullying’

Kevin Spacey has compared media interest in his sexuality to anti-gay bullying.

The actor has fiercely protected his private life and has denied that he is gay for years.

Speaking to interviewer Kevin Sessums for the Daily Beast website, Spacey equated the interest in his personal life to the bullying suffered by gay teenagers who attempt suicide.

Sessums said: “We gay men have always proudly claimed you as a member of our tribe, and yet you don’t proudly claim us back. Why?”

In response, Spacey said: “Look, I might have lived in England for the last several years but I’m still an American citizen and I have not given up my right to privacy.”

After Sessums argued that heterosexuality was not considered private, the actor continued: “I think what we have seen in terms of gay teenagers committing suicide because of bullying is anguishing. I think young people, if they are feeling like they are confused, need to know that there are people to talk to and that there are places they can go and not feel alone.

“But I feel that they have just as many rights as I do to not be bullied. And I don’t understand people who say, ‘Well, this is a terrible thing that is happening to this young person whose life is being exposed,’ and then turn around and do it to another person.

“People have different reasons for the way they live their lives. You cannot put everyone’s reasons in the same box. It’s just a line I’ve never crossed and never will.”

Sessums responded that he did not consider the line of questioning to be bullying and asked whether the actor would make an ‘It Gets Better’ video.

Spacey said: “Yeah. Absolutely. I’d do one of those. But why is it in this country that kids might think it’s okay to bully and make fun of somebody?

“I’ll tell you why, because what do they see in the media happening all the time? In the media they seem to think that’s okay. So if we stop using sexuality as a weapon against people maybe everyone will eventually get cool with it.”

More... »

Husband of murdered bride accused of gay sex with prostitute

Police are questioning a male prostitute who claims he was paid for sex by the husband of murdered honeymooner Anni Dewani.

Mrs Dewani was shot dead in Cape Town, South Africa, last month and local police believe her husband Shrien arranged for her to be killed by hitmen.

He has already faced questions about his sexuality and a 39-year-old German man is understood to have contacted British police to claim that Mr Dewani paid him for sex on three occasions.

According to the Sun, the escort told detectives at Scotland Yard that the pair had been in contact for months and had “kinky” sex in the Midlands and west London.

He said that Mr Dewani, a millionaire businessman, paid him a total of £1,100 in cash for his services between September 2009 and April of this year.

Mr Dewani is on £250,000 bail and strenuously denies having anything to do with his wife’s death.

He has also denied having sex with men and his spokesman, the PR guru Max Clifford, said: “It is categorically denied. Shrien Dewani has never had a sexual relationship with a man in his life.”

Mr Dewani’s lawyer said he had witnesses to corroborate his story.

He is currently fighting extradition to South Africa, where local police want to investigate him on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

Mrs Dewani’s family have urged him to return to the country to “clear the doubts”.

She was initially thought to have been killed in a hijacking. Mr Dewani and their taxi driver Zola Tongo escaped unharmed.

Tongo was jailed for 18 years last week. His sentence was reduced from 25 years after he implicated the British businessman in the killing. Two other m

More... »

Legal challenge to begin as final couple are refused civil partnership

Gay rights campaigners are preparing to launch legal action after the last of eight couples to challenge the UK’s marriage laws were turned away from a registry office today.

The Equal Love campaign aims to overturn the bans on gay marriage and straight civil partnerships.

Lucy Hilken and Tim Garrett applied for a civil partnership in Aldershot but clerks rejected them, citing UK law.

In the last two months, four gay couples and four straight couples have applied for – and been denied – ceremonies they are not entitled to.

They now plan to challenge the law in court.

Mr Garrett, 31, said: “We hope Britain will soon join other civilised, liberal democracies such as South Africa and the Netherlands, by casting off this unpleasant and offensive form of segregation. Allowing civil partnerships only to gay people and civil marriages only to straight people is unjust discrimination.”

Ms Hilken added: “We have been refused a civil partnership on unfair and discriminatory grounds. We are now are going to pursue this matter in the courts.”

Campaign organiser Peter Tatchell said a press conference would be held next Tuesday and that further details about the next steps would be released later this week.

The couples are being advised by Robert Wintemute, professor of human rights law at Kings College London.

Prof Wintemute says that the twin bans violate Article 14 (protection against discrimination), Article 12 (the right to marry) and Article 8 (the right to respect for family life) of the Human Rights Act.

More... »

Gay Youth Parliament member suspended over porn pictures

A gay member of the UK Youth Parliament website has been suspended after allegedly posting explicit pictures of himself on the internet.

Reace Mcdonnell, 19, put the images on a “porn networking site”, the Plymouth Herald reports.

He was suspended after a mother found them and complained.

The woman, who did not want to be named, told the newspaper: “I am concerned as a mother for my child. He has recently ‘come out’ as gay and has been following the out youth in Plymouth.

“Reace Mcdonnell, who leads this group and is an apparent role model for young teens in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, is on the internet.

“My son has spoken to me about this internet site and thinks that this is ‘cool’.”

Andy Hamflett, chief executive of the UK Youth Parliament, said: “Our primary concern is for the safety of all the young people we work with and we are taking these allegations very seriously.

“The young person in question has been suspended whilst the matter is investigated.”

Mr Mcdonnell has not commented but posted on his Facebook profile yesterday: “I would like to remind people NOT to believe everything you read in the papers.

“I think its really quite pathetic that you should intringe on my life like this, not only at this pivotal stage, but atall, considering im an adult.

“My statment is that the allegation is not based on fact and should be discredited and ignored by all who read it [sic].”

He joined the Youth Parliament in 2007 and said he would campaign for LGBT rights and better sex education.

More... »

Top Marine general says lifting gay ban could result in deaths

The US Marines’ top general has said that lifting the ban on out gay soldiers could cost lives.

General James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, says a Pentagon study on lifting the ban showed that front-line troops were most concerned about serving alongside out gay colleagues.

He said that gay servicemembers might cause a “distraction” that could result in increased injuries and deaths.

Gen Amos told reporters at the Pentagon: “When your life hangs on a line, on the intuitive behavior of the young man … who sits to your right and your left, you don’t want anything distracting you.

“I don’t want to lose any Marines to distraction. I don’t want to have any Marines that I’m visiting at Bethesda [hospital] with no legs,” he said.

“When your life hangs on the line,” he said, “you don’t want anything distracting. . . . Mistakes and inattention or distractions cost Marines’ lives. That’s the currency of this fight.”

He has opposed lifting the ban before but according to the Washington Post, this is the first time a senior officer has suggested that troops could be seriously injured or killed if gay soldiers can serve openly.

The pro-repeal Servicemembers Legal Defense Network accused him of “fear tactics” and said he should resign.

Army veteran and executive director Aubrey Sarvis said: “General Amos needs to fall in line and salute or resign now. He implied that repeal will lead to Marines losing their legs in combat.

“Those fear tactics are not in the interest of any service member. The General’s goal is to kill repeal no matter the consequences, perhaps at the dereliction of his other duties.

“He had his say before the Senate and House. General Amos needs to stop lobbying against his Commander-in-Chief, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. If he cannot do that, the President should ask for his resignation.”

The Pentagon survey found that most troops were relaxed about lifting the ban.

However, nearly 60 per cent of troops in the most dangerous roles – in the Marines and combat units – said repeal would be damaging.

In October, the the retiring commandant of the Marine Corps said that almost all Marines would be unhappy about serving with out gay colleagues.

Gen James Conway said that “90 to 95 per cent of the Marines” he had informally surveyed said they had concerns about the consequences of allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly.

More... »

Gay ban hotel couple ‘may have to close business’

The Christian couple at the centre of a court case around gay rights and religious freedom say they may have to close their hotel if barred from discriminating against gay couples.

Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who own the Chymorvah Private Hotel in Cornwall, are being sued for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

In 2008, they refused to let civil partners Martin Hall and Steven Preddy stay in a room with a double bed because they are both men.

At Bristol country court today, their lawyer James Dingemans QC said that if they were not allowed to retain their policy of only allowing straight married couples to share rooms, they would have to shut their hotel.

The Bulls state on their website that they will only let heterosexual married couples share rooms. They say that their longstanding policy applies to all unmarried couples, whether gay or straight but they do not check whether couples are legally married.

Catherine Casserley, the lawyer for Mr Hall and Mr Preddy, argued that the couple were being discriminated against purely on the basis of their sexual orientation because straight couples could pretend to be married.

According to Press Association, she said: “Nobody wants to see the defendants out of business, but we say they have to abide by the law. They either have to change their policy or offer single rooms to everyone.”

The Bulls claimed that they had been the victims of a sting but Mr Preddy and Mr Hall denied this.

The court will give a judgment after Christmas.

More... »

Researchers ‘cure’ man of HIV with stem cell transplant

German researchers believe they have cured a man of HIV by using a stem cell transplant.

Timothy Ray Brown, 42, was also being treated for acute myeloid leukaemia – a cancer of the immune system. Three and a half years later, he apparently shows no sign of either disease.

He stopped taking HIV medication and was given the stem cell transplant in February 2007. He also underwent high-dose chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which wiped out his immune system.

Mr Brown received another round of treatment and a new stem cell transplant from the same donor just over a year later, when his leukaemia relapsed.

Researchers at Charite-University Medicine Berlin said that the donor’s stem cells had a rare inherited genetic mutation that made them resistant to HIV infection.

It was expected that his HIV would return but this has not happened yet.

Dr Gero Huetter, a hematologist and professor at the University of Heidelberg, and a co-author of the new paper, told Deutsche Welle: “We weren’t able to find HIV in his cells. The new cells have a natural resistance against HIV.”

The study, published in the journal Blood, said his immune system has returned to normal health and concluded: “Our results strongly suggest that cure of HIV has been achieved in this patient.”

However, HIV experts said that while the results were promising, they did not represent a potential cure for all patients.

Dr Michael Saag, professor of medicine and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham AIDS Center, told CNN: “This probably is a cure, but it comes at a bit of a price.”

“For him to receive the donor cells, his body had to have all of his immune system wiped out. . . . The Catch-22 here is that the best candidates for a cure, ideally, are people who are healthy.”

”I would call this a functional cure,” Dr Margaret Fischl, an AIDS researcher at the University of Miami, told the Brisbane Times.

”It’s on the level and a very remarkable case. But would we do this with an HIV patient? No.”

More... »

John Amaechi: ‘FIFA boss must apologise for gay remarks’

Gay basketball star John Amaechi has condemned the head of FIFA for saying that gay football fans should not have sex in Qatar.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Sepp Blatter appeared to laugh at concerns that Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup, is deeply homophobic.

When asked how gay fans could visit the country for the event, he joked: “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.”

Qatar punishes homosexuality with five years in jail and lashes.

Amaechi, who came out in 2007, said he was “enraged” at the comments and had made a complain to FIFA.

He said: “The statements and the position adopted by Sepp Blatter and FIFA regarding LGBT fans who would pay the enormous ticket and travel prices to attend the World Cup in 2022 should have been wholly unacceptable a decade ago.

“Instead, with little more than an afterthought, FIFA has endorsed the marginalisation of LGBT people around the world.

“Anything less than a full reversal of [Blatter's] position is unacceptable and if the FA and football and sporting associations around the world fail to acknowledge this insult, they too will be complicit.”

Amaechi added: “Blatt’s [sic] words aren’t really about sex. . . Rather, what Blatt is really saying is ‘don’t be camp… don’t hold hands… don’t look into each others eyes… don’t book rooms with one bed… don’t have candle-lit dinners in the restaurant…’ and so on.”

Meanwhile, the Gay Football Supporters’ Network said Blatter should resign.

Chris Basiurski, chair of the GFSN, said: “Many LGBT people live in countries where they would face execution or imprisonment if discovered, these people deserve our help, our respect and our support. They, like the rest of us, do not deserve to be laughed at.

“Mr Blatter should retract his remarks and apologise immediately. Otherwise, he should reconsider his position and resign.”

More... »

Jury retires in case of gay Trafalgar Square death

The jury in the case of a gay man killed in central London has retired to consider its verdict.

Ian Baynham, 62, died 18 days after he was attacked in Trafalgar Square in September 2009.

The Old Bailey heard this month that he had suffered homophobic abuse before being knocked to the ground and then kicked and stamped on.

He suffered severe head injuries and never regained consciousness.

Joel Alexander, 20, and Ruby Thomas, 18, both of south London, deny manslaughter and affray.

Mr Baynham had been out with a friend celebrating a new job on the night he was attacked.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC told the court that Ms Thomas had drunkenly hurled anti-gay abuse at the pair and Mr Baynham had confronted her.

Ms Thomas is said to have lashed out at Mr Baynham and he retaliated towards her friend, Rachel Burke, the jury heard.

The court was told that Mr Alexander then knocked Mr Baynham to the floor with a punch to the jaw.

As he lay on the floor, the girls are said to have kicked him and stamped on him.

Mr Alexander admitted punching the older man but said he struck out to protect the girls.

Mr Baynham died from head injuries sustained when he hit his head on the pavement, the court heard.

Ms Burke was not in court and the jury was told not to speculate on reasons for her absence.

More... »

Judge approves $1 million payout to gay bar patrons

An Atlanta judge has approved a $1.025 million payout to patrons of a gay bar raided by police.

US District Judge Timothy Batten Sr signed the settlement order today after the city council agreed to pay the sum.

The Atlanta Eagle was raided in September 2009 and patrons said the dozens of officers subjected them to excessive force and homophobic abuse.

Police claimed that the bar was raided because of anonymous reports of drug use and and men having sex. However, no evidence for this was found.

Twenty-eight patrons filed a lawsuit against the Atlanta Police Department last November seeking damages and alleging that some officers committed crimes of false imprisonment, assault, battery and trespassing.

It was pointed out today by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the city could have saved the money – and the funds it spent defending the case – by accepting a settlement offer in February that had almost identical terms, but did not ask for $1,025 million.

On Wednesday, Mayor Kasim Reed made a statement apologising to each of the patrons in the lawsuit for their mistreatment at the hands of police.

More... »

San Diego gay journalist dies in apparent suicide

A prominent gay journalist in San Diego has been found dead after apparently jumping from a seven-storey hotel.

Michael Portantino, 52, was the publisher of the weekly San Diego’s Gay and Lesbian Times, which he bought in 1989.

He was credited with turning the newspaper’s focus to news and politics and was said to have been dedicated to LGBT equality.

However, reports said he was rumoured to be depressed after closing the newspaper in October when it suffered financial difficulties.

He was found dead on Wednesday night after apparently jumping from the building near Balboa Park.

Jeri Dilno, a former editor of the Gay and Lesbian Times, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Mr Portantino was “sometimes controversial and not afraid to point fingers”.

“He was very committed to the community and provided a lot of free ads to struggling organisations,” she added.

Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, chair of the Legislative LGBT Caucus, said: “He was a passionate and fearless advocate for the cause of LGBT equality.”

More... »

Canadian military publishes new transgender policy

The Canadian military has published new guidance on transgender soldiers.

While debate continues in the US about openly gay troops, the Canadian military has been putting together a new policy on how trans soldiers should be treated, the National Post reports.

The policy says they should wear the uniform of their “target” gender but must be given privacy and respect. For example, no reason must be given when a person’s name is changed on military records.

The new policy does not allow military honours to be reassigned to new names, saying “there is no legal authority for rewriting history”.

Canada’s military first paid for gender treatment for a member in 1998 and deals with one or two trans troops every year.

Cherie MacLeod, executive director of PFLAG Canada, said the change was positive.

“This is an important step towards recognising a community that has always struggled for equal rights and basic human protection,” she told the newspaper. “When government becomes more inclusive, over time, society will follow.”

More... »

Husband of murdered bride Anni Dewani says he’s not gay

The husband of a British woman murdered in her honeymoon in South Africa has denied he is secretly gay.

Shrien Dewani is under suspicion for the death of his new wife Anni and South African police are reportedly looking into the possibility that he was gay and did not want to start a family with her.

The 30-year-old is fighting attempts to extradite him to South Africa over claims he paid two hitman to kill his wife.

Mrs Dewani, 28, was shot dead in an apparent hijacking in Cape Town last month. Her husband and their taxi driver Zola Tongo escaped unharmed.

Tongo was jailed for 18 years this week. His sentence was reduced from 25 years after he implicated the British businessman in the killing. Two other men are accused of murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

According to The Sun, a South African detective involved in the case said: “We are looking closely at suggestions that all was not well within the marriage – and that Shrien Dewani’s sexuality was a factor.

“They appear to have had different views about starting a family.”

Mr Dewani’s relatives said the claims were “ridiculous” and he denied he was gay in a recent interview with the Sun.

He was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and will appear at a court hearing today.

More... »

Hotel owners sued after banning gay couple from sharing a room

The Christian owners of a seaside hotel are being sued by a gay couple they refused a double room to.

Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who own the Chymorvah Private Hotel in Cornwall, refused to let civil partners Martin Hall and Steven Preddy stay in a room with a double bed in 2008.

The Bulls state on their website that they will only let heterosexual married couples share rooms.

A month before Mr Hall made the booking, the Bulls had been contacted by gay rights charity Stonewall to warm them that their policy broke the law.

Mr Hall and Mr Preddy, of Bristol, have lodged a claim for sexual orientation discrimination and are seeking £5,000 in damages.

Mr and Mrs Bull say that their longstanding policy applies to all unmarried couples, whether gay or straight. . Their legal defence is being financed by The Christian Institute.

Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute, said: “This case is about liberty of conscience. This guesthouse is Mr and Mrs Bull’s own home. They have rights too, and they should not be forced to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs under their own roof.

“Their guesthouse is not the only one in Cornwall, there is plenty of room for diversity of opinion. This Christian couple are being put on trial for their beliefs. Equality laws are being used as a sword rather than a shield.”

The case will be heard at Bristol County Court on Monday December 13th and the hearing is scheduled to last for two days.

Earlier this year, another gay couple said they would sue a bed and breakfast for damages after the Christian owners refused to let them share a room.

Michael Black and John Morgan, from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, were barred from staying at the Swiss B&B in Cookham, Berkshire, in March.

More... »

US Senate blocks repeal of gay military ban

The US Senate yesterday blocked legislation to end the ban on out gay troops.

Senators voted 57-40 – three votes short of the 60 needed – to pass military funding legislation which included a repeal measure.

The vote means it is unlikely the controversial law will be overturned this year.

Republicans had promised to block all bills other than those to fund the government in a row over expiring tax cuts.

President Barack Obama, who promised two years ago he would end the ban, criticised a “minority of senators” for voting against the legislation because they oppose repeal.

“While today’s vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts,” he said.

“This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.”

The 1993 law allows gay and lesbian troops to serve in the military so long as they keep their sexuality secret.

Also known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, it bans superiors from asking troops whether they are gay but they can still be fired if their sexuality becomes known.

One Republican voted to pass the legislation – Susan Collins of Maine. She said after the vote that she and independent Senator Joe Lieberman would jointly introduce a separate bill to end the ban.

Ms Collins said a standalone bill would be more likely to garner the necessary support.

However, their bill would have to be passed by the House and may run out of time before the Republicans become stronger in the Senate in the next session.

Aubrey Sarvis, of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said another way to repeal the ban must be found.

He said: “The Senate and the president must remain in session and in Washington to find another path for repeal to get done in the lame-duck.

“While difficult, realistic options still exist for advocates and Senators to move repeal this year. We need to keep pushing as the Senate is scheduled to break for holiday vacation.

“We implore all who support repeal to join us outside the Senate this Friday. As secretary of defence Robert Gates said, ‘If not now, when?’.”

The group plans to hold a rally today on Capitol Hill to protest at the vote.

A Pentagon report released at the beginning of this month said that the ban can be lifted safely without too much disruption.

More... »

Christian writer’s pilgrimage to ‘repent’ of homophobia

A Christian writer plans to go on a three-week pilgrimage to “repent” of his past homophobia.

Symon Hill, the associate director of the pro-gay Ekklesia thinktank, says he will walk from Birmingham to London and speak at churches along the way to encourage Christians to rethink their views on homosexuality.

Mr Hill, who is “not exclusively heterosexual”, admits he once campaigned against gay ministers and Christian acceptance of LGBT people.

He told PinkNews.co.uk: “I was fine with homosexuality and bisexuality before I became a Christian in my late teens. But after my conversion, I thought that opposition to same-sex relationships was ‘part of the deal’, even though my own sexual feelings had not been exclusively heterosexual (and still aren’t).

“This was partly out of a desire to fit in at the church I had joined. That church was very good in many ways, and had a very positive effect on me in other areas of my life, but I think they were severely mistaken about sexuality.

“Having adopted that view, I then campaigned against the ordination of ministers in same-sex relationships and spoke out strongly against Christian acceptance of homosexuality.

“As you’ll realise, I have become convinced that I was wrong.”

Mr Hill, who has written extensively in support of gay rights, will walk around 150-200 miles after setting off in early June 2011. He plans to arrive in London on the day before the Pride march on July 2nd.

He intends to stop off at a number of places he used to live, including Coventry, Daventry and Oxford and is hoping for offers of accommodation and invitations from churches to speak.

Mr Hill added: “I have struggled for years with issues of sexuality – through prayer, reflection, personal experience and reading the Bible. These struggles have led me to the conclusion that it is not homosexuality, but homophobia, that is sinful and contrary to the message of Christ.

“Many churches continue to reject loving same-sex relationships and to oppose equality. Others have failed to speak out due to a misplaced desire for unity. Given the hurt and abuse involved, minor changes are not enough. As Christians, we are called to take a stand against injustice.”

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell praised his pilgrimage, saying: “Symon Hill is bearing witness and setting an inspiring example of Christian repentance for 2,000 years of church homophobia. I hope Pope Benedict and Archbishops Rowan Williams and John Sentamu will join him.”

The walk has been endorsed by Ekklesia, the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, Courage UK and Inclusive Church.

More... »

Anti-gay Christian preacher wins £4,000 compensation for arrest

A Christian street preacher who raged against the “effeminate” and said gays would go to hell has won £4,000 in damages for being arrested.

Anthony Rollins, of Birmingham, was arrested in July 2008 when a passerby took offence to his remarks about homosexuality and called 999.

The 45-year-old preacher, a regular on the city’s streets, was handcuffed and held in a police cell for almost four hours.

He had been quoting passages from the Bible which condemn the “unrighteous”, including adulterers, the effeminate, and “abusers of themselves with mankind”.

Mr Rollins announced that effeminate meant gay and that “the abominable shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone”.

West Midlands police were ordered to pay him damages at Birmingham county court yesterday, the Daily Mail reports.

Judge Lance Ashworth QC said that the man who called police to complain about Mr Rollins, John Edwards, had “relished the attention and greatly embellished his evidence”.

According to the newspaper, Mr Rollins said he challenged the arrest for “freedom of speech”, rather than the money.

He added: “I wonder if they would have arrested the Bishop of Birmingham if he had been preaching on the street? Would they have handcuffed him and dragged him off as if he was a common criminal?”

In July, 62-year-old Paul Shaw, of Colchester, was arrested after distributing leaflets which said gays and lesbians should be “locked up”.

He denied using threatening words or behaviour and escaped charges after refusing to be bound over to keep the peace, which is a criminal conviction.

More... »

Gay rights ally Elizabeth Edwards’ funeral to be picketed by anti-gay church

The funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, former wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, will be picketed by the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church.

Mrs Edwards, a lawyer and author, died yesterday at the age of 61 after a six-year battle with cancer.

She was a supporter of gay rights and in 2008, while her husband was running for the presidency, declared that she believed in legalising gay marriage.

While Mr Edwards reserved his support for civil unions, she told reporters: “I don’t know why somebody else’s marriage has anything to do with me. I’m completely comfortable with gay marriage.”

The Westboro Baptist Church, which usually targets the funerals of killed soldiers with the slogan ‘God Hates Fags’, said it would be outside the Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday.

The church, which claims that soldier deaths abroad are God’s vengeance for gay rights, released a statement condemning her for having fertility treatment and for questioning her faith after her 16-year-old son Wade was killed in an accident.

In a final message posted on her Facebook page, Mrs Edwards avoided any mention of God and instead cited her “faith in the power of resilience and hope”.

More... »

Prop 8 Judge Refuses To Recuse Himself

Ninth Circuit Court Judge Stephen Reinhardt has refused to recuse himself from next week's hearing of the appeal of the overturn of Proposition 8. Here's his legalese-laden refusal.

“Filed order (STEPHEN R. REINHARDT) I have before me defendants-intervenors-appellants’ motion to disqualify myself from this appeal. I have not hesitated to recuse from cases in the past when doing so was warranted by the circumstances. See Khatib v. County of Orange, 622 F.3d 1074, 1074 (9th Cir. 2010); Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc., 586 F.3d 1108, 1109 (9th Cir. 2009); Buono v. Kempthorne, 527 F.3d 758, 760 (9th Cir. 2008); Sw. Voter Registration Educ. Project v. Shelley, 344 F.3d 913, 914 (9th Cir. 2003); Valeria v. Davis, 320 F.3d 1014, 1015 n.** (9th Cir. 2003); Alvarez-Machain v. United States, 284 F.3d 1039, 1039 n.1 (9th Cir. 2002); Coalition for Econ. Equity v. Wilson, 122 F.3d 692, 711 (9th Cir. 1997). Here, for reasons that I shall provide in a memorandum to be filed in due course, I am certain that “a reasonable person with knowledge of all the facts would [not] conclude that [my] impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” United States v. Nelson, 718 F.2d 315, 321 (9th Cir. 1983); see also Sao Paulo State of the Federated Republic of Brazil v. Am. Tobacco Co., 535 U.S. 229, 233 (2002) (per curiam). I will be able to rule impartially on this appeal, and I will do so. The motion is therefore DENIED. [7564262]”

More... »

Gay groups’ anger at ‘homophobic’ World Cup hosts Russia and Qatar

Gay groups have said they are “deeply concerned” by FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and can be punished with lashes and jail, while the Russian capital of Moscow has banned gay Pride marches for years.

England got just two votes in yesterday’s contest to host the World Cup in 2018, despite submitting a strong bid.

There have been calls for a probe into possible corruption at the international football governing body and some media outlets pointed to two countries’ riches in oil and gold.

Russia’s win came on the same day it was denounced by leaked diplomatic cables for being a “corrupt autocracy”.

Gay rights campaigners also questioned the countries’ human rights records, saying that

Peter Tatchell, who was savagely beaten by neo-Nazi thugs on a Pride march in Moscow in 2007, said: “Both countries have very poor human rights records. Not just on gay rights, but also on the rights of women, the freedom to protest and freedom of the press.

“Sport should never be allowed to trump human rights. FIFA have put their corporate interests before the wellbeing of the people of Russia and Qatar.”

Gay football group The Justin Campaign added that it was “deeply concerned” and said: “Despite their apparent commitment to humanitarian values and the promotion of global solidarity through football, FIFA is sending out a message loud and clear that the rights of the global LGBT community do not even register on their agenda.

“It is a stark and sad reminder of just how much work we still need to do.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Sephton of Conservative-affiliated group LGBTory said FIFA should ask Qatar to decriminalise homosexuality by 2022.

He said: “Now that this decision has been taken, I would like to set the challenge to FIFA and the FA to be a force for good and also to get its own house in order. I hope that between now and 2022 Qatar will take steps to decriminalise homosexuality and that FIFA can help bring this about.

“The Rugby Football League has set the pace by recently launching their ‘tackle it’ campaign to challenge homophobia in their sport. Football should follow this important lead by their rugby counterparts and prove that they too believe there is no place for homophobia in any sport.”

More... »

Government says it will work to make companies ‘more gay-friendly’

The coalition government says it will commission research into why workplaces are not more LGBT-friendly and work with firms to “improve equality”.

The pledge is in the new equality strategy, unveiled yesterday by equalities minister Lynne Featherstone.

It says: “We will work with business to consider the report’s recommendations and take steps to improve LGB&T equality in the workplace.”

Other aims include encouraging more lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people to become involved in local and national politics, promoting better recording of homophobic and transphobic hate crimes and implementing the “first ever cross-government programme” for LGBT people.

An action plan specifically for trans people is to be developed next year.

The coalition said it would “proactively question 42 Commonwealth countries which retain homophobic legislation, with a particular focus on those countries which have the death penalty for homosexual acts”.

Another part of the strategy said that coalition would “work bilaterally with other European countries to overcome the legislative or policy barriers which prevent them recognising UK civil partnerships”.

Last week, the new head of the Tory party in Europe came under fire for trying to block a motion to call for recognition of civil partnerships across Europe.

Martin Callanan argued that the issue was a matter of states’ sovereignty but Labour MEPs accused him of trying to block equality efforts.

The strategy does not mention marriage but says the coalition is talking to religious groups and gay groups about “what the next stage should be for civil partnerships” and the possibility of religious civil partnership ceremonies.

During the pre-election period, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said he supported gay marriage, while Tory leader David Cameron said he would consider the arguments for it.

As home secretary Theresa May said last month, the coalition says it work with organisations with a “proven track record of tackling prejudice-based bullying” to stop anti-gay harassment in schools and will work with sport governing bodies to address homophobia in football.

Finally, the document reaffirms the pledge that a provision to delete historic convictions for gay sex will be included in the upcoming Freedom Bill.

More... »

Gay Missouri trooper’s partner sues for survivor benefits

The longterm gay partner of a Missouri trooper is suing to access survivor benefits.

Dennis Engelhard, 49, was a state trooper killed in the line of duty while responding to an accident on Christmas Day of last year.

Usually, the partners of Missouri State Highway Patrol employees are entitled to an annuity of 50 per cent of the employee’s average salary if the employee is killed on duty.

But because Mr Englelhard’s partner Kelly Glossip is male and the pair could not marry, or have any marriage recognised by the state, he will receive nothing.

Mr Glossip said: “Dennis and I loved each other and lived in a committed relationship for 15 years. We depended on each other emotionally and financially in our life together like any other committed couple. We exchanged rings and would have married in Missouri if the state didn’t exclude us from marriage.

“I‘m just seeking the same financial protections the state provides to heterosexual couples. It is hard enough coping with the grief of losing Dennis. It is even more painful to have the state treat Dennis and me as though we were total strangers.”

Mr Engelhard was investigating an accident on Interstate 44 in Eureka last Christmas Day when he was killed by a car.

Following his death, all US. and Missouri flags were flown at half-staff and Mr Glossip was recognised as his surviving partner at a Washington DC ceremony in May to commemorate police officers killed in the line of duty.

Mr Glossip will now sue to win the benefits given to heterosexual spouses and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on his behalf this week.

Anthony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, said: “Kelly is merely seeking the same treatment he would have received if his partner had been a woman, rather than a man.

“Kelly may not have been able to marry the person of his choice under Missouri state law, but he is still entitled to equal protection and the fundamental right to the family relationship he formed with Dennis Engelhard. He is seeking the same dignity and security for his family that is granted to other state troopers’ families.”

More... »

Red Honey In Red Hook

Beekeepers in Red Hook, Brooklyn say their hives are producing Red Dye #40-laden honey because their bees have been dive-bombing a nearby maraschino cherry factory.

Mr. Selig, who owns the restaurant chain Rice and raises the bees as a hobby, was disappointed that an entire season that should have been devoted to honey yielded instead a red concoction that tasted metallic and then overly sweet. He and Ms. Mayo also fear that the bees’ feasting on the stuff could have unforeseeable health effects on the hives. But Mr. Selig said there was something extraordinary, too, about those corn-syrup-happy bees that came flying back this summer. “When the sun is a bit down, they glow red in the evenings,” he said. “They were slightly fluorescent. And it was beautiful.”

The real point of this post, of course, is "Hello, hot beekeeper!"

More... »

Katie Price attacked for HIV Tweet

Katie Price has apologised after she posted false allegations on Twitter about a showbiz editor having HIV and another writer having “crabs”.

Price said she “accidentally” reposted messages which were sent to her by fans. She made the blunder yesterday, one day after World AIDS Day.

Her tweet said she should start claiming that News of the World showbusiness editor Dan Wootton had HIV and that the Daily Star’s Gemma Wheatley had “crabs”.

Price’s spokesman quickly said she had apologised to the pair: “Katie is well aware of the devastating impact that HIV has and would never seek to make light of or trivialise such a horrific disease.

“‘Katie immediately apologised to both Dan [Wootton] and Gemma [Wheatley] publicly on Twitter for her mistake and repeats that complete apology now.”

The former Page Three girl deleted the tweet yesterday and wrote: “Apoligies everyone especially (dan and gemma) that RTwas accidental. Be great if they’d admit when they get something wrong but wont happen! [sic].”

Lisa Power, of HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Whether or not a person has HIV, it should never be used as a slur.

“People living with HIV have enough public prejudice to contend with, so it’s important that people who are role models try to improve this situation, not perpetuate it.”

More... »

Ann Coulter On DADT

"Liberals don't care. Their approach is to rip out society's foundations without asking if they serve any purpose. Why do we have immigration laws? What's with these borders? Why do we have the institution of marriage, anyway? What do we need standardized tests for? Hey, I like Keith Richards -- why not make heroin legal? Let's take a sledgehammer to all these load-bearing walls and just see what happens!

"For liberals, gays in the military is a win-win proposition. Either gays in the military works, or it wrecks the military, both of which outcomes they enthusiastically support. But since you brought up gays in the military, liberals, let's talk about Bradley Manning. He apparently released hundreds of thousands of classified government documents as a result of being a gay man in 'an awkward place.' Any discussion of 'don't ask, don't tell' should begin with Bradley Manning. Live by the sad anecdote, die by the sad anecdote." - GOProud's BFF Ann Coulter, in an essay declaring that history's most notorious spies and traitors have been gay.

Coulter's piece manages to work in references to Cher, Lady Gaga, Liza Minnelli, Patti LaBelle, "butt-less chaps," The Wizard Of Oz, Halloween, Greenwich Village, and Steven Slater.

More... »

‘Paperboy’ wins Green Carnation gay book award

‘Paperboy’ by Christopher Fowler has won the Green Carnation prize for gay men’s fiction and memoirs.

The novel recounts the author’s lonely early years in suburban London and was described by judges as a “rich and astute evocation of a time and a place [recalling] a childhood at once eccentric and endearingly ordinary”.

Paul Magrs, the chair of the judges for 2010 and the founder of the award, said: “Paperboy is about the forming of a gay sensibility – but more than that, it’s about the growth of a reader and a wonderfully generous and inventive writer.

“It’s a great wodge of social history – of back-to-back houses, plasticine models and exercise books, and how Lois Lane’s adventures were always more interesting than Superman’s. It’s modest, funny and brilliant.”

The Green Carnation prize, which has no cash value, was set up this year and recognises work by gay men.

It was initially called the ‘Man Fooker’ prize but organisers decided to name it after the green carnation won by Oscar Wilde.

More... »