First time flying Finnair. First time to Helsinki. First time to Finland.

As I stepped off the plane and down on to the tarmac I regretted forgetting to pack my sunglasses – the sky was blue and the sun was shining. Spring had arrived in Helsinki.

I was here to investigate whether Helsinki is Europe’s next gay travel hotspot. People need to know.

Established in 1989 with a team of 12, the Philadelphia Falcons soccer club has now grown to become a powerhouse club with over 150 members.

We spoke to club president Ed Argothy to find out about the club and its important outreach work in the local community.

What are the main things that the Philadelphia Falcons delivers for its members?

An 11-year-old Texas boy being raised by a lesbian couple has revealed how video gaming has helped him stand up to homophobic bullies.

Caine Smith of Haltom City, says playing on his Nintendo Wii has kept him calm after being faced with bullying, sometimes from former friends, at school.

Gay couples have not been included on a new bill offering US citizenship to immigrants living across the country.

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act was introduced on 17 April offering full citizen rights to illegals who have lived in the US before 31 December 2011.

Archie Comics’ openly gay character Kevin Keller will give his boyfriend, Devon, a kiss in an upcoming issue - a kiss witnessed by a Riverdale mom who has all kinds of problems with it.

In the issue, which comes out on 7 August, the kiss at Tate's Diner results in an incident when the mom 'gets very offended and kind of pitches a bit of a fit,' Dan Parent, who writes and draws the issue, tells the Associated Press.

The weather was less than perfect. It constantly rained and the temperature should have been higher for a May Sunday. However, even less than ideal conditions did not keep approximately 30,000 people from raising money for AIDS/HIV support services.

For 28 years the AIDS Walk New York has attracted support from all neighborhoods in the city. This year, as reported by organization's Twitter feed, $5.5 million (€4,287,429) was raised today (19 May).

It was raining in Brussels and I was late. I’d over-estimated my walking speed and sense of direction on my way to meet with Michael Cashman, one of the UK’s representatives to the European Parliament.

His assistant Renaud rang me: ‘Where are you now?’

‘I don’t know. I can see the Sofitel?’

‘Oh. You have to cross the park. I will meet you in reception.’

Well-groomed and impeccably dressed, Renaud was sympathetic when I finally made it to the reception of the parliament – my clothes dripping and my shoes covered in grass.

If you think there's a formula for Eurovision – the world's campest gay singing tournament – then this batch of semi-finalists may hold some suprises.

From leaping around the stage in sparkly suits to a laid back tune and from the oldest contestant in the European contest ever – a 95-year-old – to, possibly, the first lesbian kiss, there is plenty of variety.

An online fundraising campaign has been launched to help pay the hospital bills of a New York gay couple who were attacked in broad daylight.

The New York Police Department has identified suspects in a gay bashing that took place on Sunday.

Authorities have released surveillance footage of at least six individuals wearing Knicks basketball jerseys they want to talk to about the beating.

Nick Porto and his partner Kevin Atkins, who were attacked near 34th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday (5 May), identified their attackers as men wearing Knicks jerseys.

A Knicks basketball game had just ended when the couple was walking arm-in-arm down 8th Avenue after finishing brunch.

Former British X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels is stripping off for an acting job on sell-out gay comedy play Up 4 A Meet?.

And the boy next door who won gay and straight hearts whena appearing on the talent show has confessed he would like to be a naturist.

The 20-year-old singer, who is a regular performer at London's top LGBT nightclub G-A-Y, will play gay dating app user Scott in the production.

Festivals, parades, over 70 events and parties, yes Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) is back with its 2014 teaser.

SGLMG’s video is an explosion of LGBT celebration. There’s bondage, rainbow roads, sailor dancers, fireworks, cocktails, Amanda Lepore, carnivals, sea, sun, beaches, lots of dancing and little clothing.

And 2014 will see SGLMG celebrate its 36^th year, the first was held in 1978 and many of its original partiers still attend.