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May 21, 2013
Tom Joyner’s anti-gay message to black community

The leading African American DJ and how he dismissed gay, black NBA star Jason Collins which reporting a totally separate black issue – a rape by three athletes

On 1 May Jason Collins, the 7’0” center for the Washington Wizards, and a former Boston Celtics, came out. His statement ‘I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay’ made the cover story for Sports Illustrated.

On 2 May, three Morehouse College basketball athletes were accused of raping an 18-year-old Spelman College student. The story didn’t hit the airwaves in the same way as the Collins story.

Many in the African American community were silent on both incidents because they view both as poxes on the community.

March 15, 2013
Let’s give Pope Francis a chance

While many are criticizing the new pope’s stance on LGBT issues, he’s not as bad as his predecessors or as some of the other candidates, argues Lucio Buffone

Reading through the gay press, Facebook and Twitter and talking to friends, there is general bewilderment, anger and some disgust in our community at the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis.

January 28, 2013
UK Catholic Church says 'time to act is now' against gay marriage

The Roman Catholic Church launched a last ditch attack against the UK government’s plans for gay marriage 

The Roman Catholic Church has launched a last minute attack against the UK government’s plans to legalize gay marriage, 10 days before the vote.

In a letter on behalf of The Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Rev Peter Smith, the second most senior active Catholic cleric in England and Wales, told priests: ‘The time to act is now’ against gay marriage.

January 4, 2013
Church of England to allow gay clergy to become bishops

A decade after gay cleric Jeffrey John was forced to step down as a bishop by traditionalist Christians, the CoE have said they have evolved on allowing gay bishops

The Church of England has dropped its ban on gay clergy becoming bishops.

This announcement, from the Church’s House of Bishops, would allow clergy in civil partnerships to become bishops if they promised to be celibate, the BBC reports.

In 2003, the issue split the church when gay cleric Jeffrey John, who has always maintained his celibacy, became a Bishop of Reading.

John, now Dean of St Albans, was forced to step down from the role after protests from traditionalists.

October 19, 2012
Police probe 'idiot' Nick Griffin's anti-gay Twitter threats

Far-right British National Party leader Nick Griffin stands by tweets which threaten gay couple who won a discrimination case againt an English B&B

A gay couple who won a lawsuit against a homophobic B&B has branded British National Party leader Nick Griffin an 'incoherant idiot' after he threatened to send a ‘justice’ team to their home.

October 18, 2012
BNP leader sends British Justice team to gay couple’s home

Far-right British National Party leader Nick Griffin has threatened to send supporters to a gay couple’s home after they won a court case against Christian hoteliers

British National Party leader Nick Griffin has threatened to send a ‘justice’ team to the home of a gay couple who won a discrimination case against two Christians who refused them a hotel room.

Michael Black, 64, and John Morgan, 69, who booked by email and paid a deposit, were turned away by Christian owner Susanne Wilkinson when they arrived at the Swiss Bed and Breakfast in Cookham, Berkshire, southern England in March 2010.

October 18, 2012
Gay couple win lawsuit against B&B which refused them

Two British men, both in their 60s, were turned away when asked to be shown to a room with a double bed

A gay British couple has won a lawsuit against the owner of a bed and breakfast after she refused to let them stay because of her religious beliefs.

Michael Black, 64, and John Morgan, 69, were awarded £1,800 each at Reading County Court for 'injury to feelings'.

The couple, who booked by email and paid a deposit, were turned away by Christian owner Susanne Wilkinson when they arrived at the Swiss Bed and Breakfast in Cookham, Berkshire in March 2010.

October 4, 2012
Eight gay poets that can break our heart

Gay Star News takes a look at some of the best gay and lesbian poets from history and today

Using only the written word, a poet can make you laugh, cry, think, or wonder with just a turn of phrase.

There are many gay, lesbian and bisexual poets who have this ability, and rank as some of the best literary voices in history.

So to celebrate National Poetry Day, Gay Star News decided to take a look at some of the most inspiring gay poets from history and today.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde, otherwise known as the most quotable man of his generation, is one of the wittiest men in history.

September 18, 2012
Gay couple sues bed and breakfast owner for discrimination

Two British men, both in their 60s, claim they were turned away when asked to be shown to a room with a double bed

A gay British couple has sued the owner of a bed and breakfast after she refused to let them stay because of her religious beliefs.

Michael Black, 64, and John Morgan, 69, sought damages from the Christian hotel owner Susanne Wilkinson at Reading County Court yesterday (17 September).

The couple, who booked by email and paid a deposit, were turned away by the owner when they arrived at the Swiss Bed and Breakfast in Cookham, Berkshire in March 2010.

July 6, 2012
Olympic torch turns pink for Reading gay rights procession

A former Reading Pride chairwoman is hoping to persuade the town to let her carry a pink Olympic Torch

A lesbian is hoping to persuade her English town to use a pink Olympic torch to raise awareness of gay rights.

Lorna McArdle, 43, will be Reading's first torchbearer on 10 July as it makes it way around British towns and cities, local newspaper Get Reading reports.

She hopes a sea of pink clothing and decorations will greet the flame when it comes to southern English borough.

McArdle, former chairwoman of Reading Pride, says her aim is to help bring a new diversity and acceptance of sexuality within the community of Reading.