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.

Coronation Street TV star Charlie Condou has defended his soap’s writers who have made his gay character fall in love with a woman.

He also said gay male portrayals on British television have improved but it is still important LGBT issues get into people’s homes via the media.

He was talking at a panel debate for National Student Pride in Brighton on the south coast of England that saw others calling for more media representation of transgender, bisexual and lesbian people.

The European Parliament has told Russia and Ukraine to ditch plans to fine and jail people who talk positively about gay issues.

The LGBT ‘gay laws’ already exist in nine regions of Russia but now the Duma parliament is planning countrywide legislation. Similar proposals are also being debated in Ukraine.

The laws are used to ban gay prides, silence gay organizations stop young people being given positive messages about being LGBT, and to crack down on dissidents.

Today (5 November) sees the launch of a new campaign focusing on gay parenting rights throughout Europe.

The short film, entitled Invisible Parents, features the voice of a woman reminiscing about a happy childhood with her two fathers, before stating that the majority of Europe does not recognize families with gay parents.

The film is directed by Mike Buonaiuto, the man behind Homecoming, the video that went viral earlier this year. Invisible Parents launches to coincide with the UK's National Adoption Week.

Gay hate crime victims are to be given more protection under EU law.

Today (12 September) the European Parliament agreed on a directive which ensures victims assistance and protection on the basis of gender, gender identity or expression and sexual orientation.

It is the first time EU law mentions gender expression, which refers to the way someone expresses their gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.

The European Commission has published its first ever report into discrimination against transgender and intersex people.

Politicians have welcomed the report which is an analysis of the current EU legal order in relation to trans and intersex people.

Michael Cashman MEP, co-president of the LGBT Intergroup, said: “It’s as thorough an analysis one could hope for and a very powerful contribution both legally and politically.

'Trans and intersex persons’ fundamental rights are the same as everyone else’s and they deserve to be free from discrimination.'

With days to go until the end of the UK government's consultation into equal marriage in England and Wales, Out4Marriage have produced a video highlighting the celebrities who’ve supported the campaign.

The EU has pledged to spend €20 million ($24,660,000 £16,100,000) to help fight discrimination, including against LGBT people, around the world.

EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs launched the package today (1 June), saying it would fund Non Governmental Organizations and civil society groups to tackle any incidences of discrimination on the ground.

Veteran gay rights campaigner and Member of the European Parliament Michael Cashman has called for same-sex marriage equality in a new video.

Openly gay Cashman became a household name as an actor in EastEnders. He went on to help create Stonewall, Britain’s leading lesbian, gay and bisexual campaign organization before becoming an MEP. He now heads the European Parliament’s LGBT rights group.

Members of the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights have called for an inquiry into a new Hungarian law on religion.

The new law says 'since church institutions are ideologically committed', they may determine their own conditions of employment or termination to maintain their specific identity.

Members of the Intergroup, including chairs Michael Cashman and Ulrike Lunacek, questioned the law's compatibility with the European Commission's non-discrimination standards.

Gay British MEP Michael Cashman has met with leaders in Northern Cyprus to show his support for plans to decriminalize homosexuality.

Cashman met with senior politicians, including Prime Minister Irsen Küçük, President Dervi? Ero?lu and Speaker of the Parliament Hasan Bozer, to talk about repealing the homophobic British Colonial Laws, where Articles 171 and 173 punishes 'unnatural sex' with five years jail and gives three years imprisonment for attempts to commit such acts.

Members of the European Parliament have backed a report today (29 March) which calls on EU member states to allow full freedom of movement for gay couples.