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May 16, 2013
Gay activist fights UK minister for straight marriage rights

Peter Tatchell criticizes UK Equalities Minister Maria Miller for opposing civil partnerships for straight couples, saying it amounts to discrimination

Veteran LGBT rights advocate, Peter Tatchell said that the UK Equalities Minister, Maria Miller, is wrong to reject heterosexual civil partnerships.

He stated that the ban on heterosexual couples amounts to discrimination and that the minister defies public consultation, which backed straight equality.

‘The government’s decision to oppose the legalization of civil partnerships for heterosexual couples is hugely disappointing.

May 7, 2013
UK politician angered at anti-gay marriage comments on ballot papers

Voters expressed their opposition to the pro equal marriage councillors views when electing him to Leicestershire County Council

An anonymous Conservative politician said he was upset at anti same-sex marriage comments left next to his name on election papers.

He was elected to Leicestershire County Council in the UK’s local elections held last Thursday (3 May).

April 15, 2013
British MP fights against anti-gay abuse in football

John Leech MP will highlight a report pointing out the levels of homophobic abuse suffered by Brighton fans

A British member of parliament will highlight the importance of fighting against homophobia in football in the House of Commons today (15 April).

April 11, 2013
New links show how US Christian right exports gay hate to Uganda

As links emerge between Christian evangelicals and Ugandan anti-gay campaigners, gay rights group SMUG calls for investigation

The extent to which US evangelical Christians are helping push the ‘Kill The Gays Bill’ in Uganda has been revealed in a series of tweets between them and anti-gay activists in the African country.

Matt Barber, attorney for Liberty Counsel, a US right wing Christian law firm, listed as an anti-gay group, has been praising anti-gay Ugandan evangelical pastor, Martin Ssempa on Twitter.

April 10, 2013
French Larousse dictionary sparks row by including gays in 'marriage' definition

The right-wing party UMP attacks the leading French dictionary for including same-sex partners in the definition of marriage

The French right-wing party UMP has attacked the Larousse dictionary for its new definition of ‘marriage’.

In the new edition of the 2014 dictionary, which will be published in June, marriage is a ‘solemn act between two same-sex or different-sex persons, who decide to establish a union’.

According to the commentators, Larousse’s move comes after the new French marriage law, which is being discussed at the National Assembly.

April 9, 2013
Italian 'populist' party wants gay marriage, trans rights and to stamp out gay hate

Former comedian Beppe Grillo's movement is asking the Italian Chambers to work on gay hate, same-sex marriage and gender reassignment

The newly elected Italian parliament is already working on three pro-gay bills presented by the new party Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S).

Former comedian Beppe Grillo’s party has asked the parliament to  introduce marriage equality, trans rights and stamping out gay hate in Italy.

The M5S is a 'new movement of citizens' and has been labeled by its political opponents as a 'populist party', pandering to both left-wing and right-wing Italians.

April 2, 2013
Are British politicians finally taking trans issues seriously?

Members of the UK parliament from all political backgrounds now seem to be waking up to the issues facing transgender voters

I’m a political commentator and activist who has been around a while. Let’s just say I’ve built up a fair amount of cynicism towards politics and politicians. But even a politico as cynical as me has to admit that, of late, it seems British politicians are genuinely wanting to take transgender people far more seriously. In our quest for social justice for transgender people we are finally being heard.

March 27, 2013
Estonia right wing party says 'sorry' for anti-gay slurs

IRL, Estonia’s main conservative party says it apologizes for making gays feel ‘uncomfortable’ with being called ‘deviant’ and ‘sick’

The third largest political party, the right wing IRL, said it is sorry if its anti-gay remarks made people ‘uncomfortable’.

The apology came after IRL’s Member of Parliament (MP), Priit Sibul said last week that: ‘there are all kinds of deviants. There are also people who like it with animals’, reported the portal of ERR.

March 25, 2013
Kerry McCarthy: A friend for trans people in parliament

Transgender people need as many political allies as possible. Sophia Botha explains how she has developed a relationship with UK politician Kerry McCarthy

Kerry McCarthy, is not just an ordinary Labour Member of Parliament (MP). She is already established as an outspoken campaigner against the English Defence League. She has fought for the jailed all-female Russian punk band Pussy Riot and is now a willing advocate in parliament for people who are transgender.

February 22, 2013
Polish MP says filmmaker only wants civil partnerships for 'lesbian daughter'

Agnieszka Holland says she will not vote for a party which will not legalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples

Acclaimed Polish film director Agnieszka Holland is speaking out against a member of parliament who said she was only concerned about civil partnerships because of her 'lesbian daughter'.

Before Civic Platform, the leading centre-right political party in Poland, got into power the party leader said they would legalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

But when the party became the leading force in government, the party was split and the prime minister backtracked on the promise.

February 15, 2013
Gay MP responds to Welsh Secretary’s comments on gay parents

Labour MP Chris Bryant has asked the Welsh Secretary David Jones to retract his comments saying gay people 'clearly' could not raise children

A gay member of parliament has responded to the Welsh Secretary David Jones’ controversial comments on gay parents.

In a controversial interview on Welsh television, he said gay couples ‘clearly’ could not raise children.

‘I regard marriage as an institution that has developed over many centuries, essentially for the provision of a warm and safe environment for the upbringing of children, which is clearly something that two same-sex partners can’t do,’ Jones said.

February 11, 2013
Tory MP Sir John Stanley says being gay is a ‘phase’

The Conservative MP who was a minister in Margaret Thatcher's government in the 80s has defended voting no on marriage equality

A Conservative member of parliament has said being gay is just a passing ‘phase’.

Sir John Stanley, 71, said homosexuality was a ‘normal phase’ for youngsters before they became straight in later life.

In a letter to constituents in his Kent seat of Tonbridge and Malling, he explained why he was one of the 175 MPs to vote against same-sex marriage.

February 8, 2013
How one MP hopes straights will benefit from gay marriage

Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert speaks to GSN about why he wants to open up civil partnerships to heterosexuals

A Liberal Democrat member of parliament has put forward two amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) bill.

After the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill by 400-175, it now goes onto a committee stage.

While only 19 MPs are in the committee, others can put forward suggestions.

Julian Huppert, the Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, is supporting opening up civil partnerships for straight people, and allowing humanist weddings in England and Wales.

February 6, 2013
UK vote inspires Australian Greens to put forward another marriage bill

Australia’s Greens party will put forward another bill to introduce marriage equality after being inspired by a successful vote on the issue in the British House of Commons

The Australian Greens say a successful vote on marriage equality in the British House of Commons has inspired them to move forward with another bill on marriage equality despite previous bills being defeated in the Parliament when the Australian Opposition refused its members a conscience vote.

The House of Commons passed its bill on Tuesday in a vote of 400 to 175 votes.

February 5, 2013
Allow brothers and sisters to marry if you want equality, MP says

Sir Roger Gale makes reference to incest while speaking out agianst marriage equality in the House of Commons

A Conservative member of parliament has said if the UK government is serious about equality, they should create civil unions that include incestuous relationships.

Sir Roger Gale, who was knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours List, said a way forward in achieving equality would be abolishing civil partnerships and creating a new form of civil union for people of all sexualities.

February 5, 2013
Black Christian MP tells House gay marriage must not be separate but equal

David Lammy: 'Separate but equal is the language that tried to push Rosa Parks to the back of the bus'

A member of parliament has given an impassioned argument for marriage equality in the House of Commons today.

David Lammy, a black Labour MP, said the ‘Separate but Equal’ argument anti-gay marriage people use is flawed.

He said: ‘Let me speak frankly. “Separate but equal” is a fraud.

‘Separate but equal is the language that tried to push Rosa Parks to the back of the bus.

February 1, 2013
Tory MP: ‘As a God-fearing woman, I back gay marriage’

Helen Grant, under-secretary for women, equalities and justice, is urging Christians to believe in justice and fairness

A Conservative member of parliament has said as a ‘god-fearing woman’ she backs marriage equality in England and Wales.

Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone in Kent, said religious people should believe in justice and fairness.

Speaking ahead of the second reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill debate on 5 February to political magazine The House, Grant said her faith is important to what she believes in politics.

January 31, 2013
Gay politicians prepare for victory in Italy's elections

At least five openly gay and lesbian politicians have a strong chance of winning seats in the Italian general elections. What will they do when they get there?

At least five openly gay and lesbian Italian politicians are in line to win seats in the next general elections, due on 24 and 25 February, and be part of the Camera and Senato, the lower and the higher chambers of Parliament.

Their victory would significantly strengthen the openly gay presence in the assemblies. The last parliament had only one out politician, Anna Paola Concia in the Camera.

January 23, 2013
Gay millionare to run as Tory MP in area split by gay marriage row

Ivan Massow announced his candidacy for the marginal Somerset seat within hours of Tory chairman resignation over gay marriage

A gay millionaire who left the British Conservative party over gay issues now wants to stand as a member of parliament.

Insurance businessman Ivan Massow applied to be the Tory candidate for the Somerset constituency he has 'lived in and loved' all his life.

But on the same day the chairman of Somerton and Frome Constituency Conservative Association resigned after 49 years, citing Prime Minister David Cameron's stance on gay marriage as the reason.

These two events have kicked off a constituency row about equal marriage.

January 23, 2013
Tory MP says gay people do not want to get married

Tim Loughton, former children's minister, has said he believes marriage should stay between a man and a woman

A Conservative member of parliament has said he will not be voting for marriage equality because gay people have told him they do not want to get married.

Tim Loughton, the Tory MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said while he was an ‘enthusiastic supporter of civil partnerships’ he did not support gay marriage.

The 50-year-old former parliamentary under-secretary for children and families said he believed marriage should be between a man and a woman.

January 21, 2013
Politician bids to put gay kids in line to be British king or queen

Labour MP wishes to amend the Royal Succession Bill, which in its current state will allow the first child of Prince William boy or girl to become monarch

A UK member of parliament wants to change the law to allow the children of gay couples to be recognized as the heir to the throne.

Labour MP Paul Flynn is wishing to amend a bill which ensures the first child of Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will rule as monarch regardless of whether they are a boy or girl.

He is hoping to amend the legislation to allow their children to be a king or queen, and still be openly gay.

January 21, 2013
Sexuality is no longer a party political issue, claims MP

Member of Parliament Iain Stewart says that gay issues are no longer the preserve of the left in British politics

Britain has seen a ‘sea change’ and LGBT issues are no longer party-political, gay Member of Parliament (MP) Iain Stewart has said.

Stewart, the Conservative representative for Milton Keynes South, made the comments on the BBC’s Daily Politics show today (21 January).

He suggested when he first became interested in politics in the late 80s and early 90s, being openly gay was not tolerated.

January 13, 2013
UKIP members’ extreme anti-gay views exposed

UK Independence Party members have used forum to express views like gay people are pedophiles and black people are schizophrenics

The UK Independence Party may have its recent growth stopped in its tracks after new evidence of extreme homophobic views in its party ranks was exposed today (13 January).

Using the party’s official online forum, members have used it to express extreme right-wing opinions such as linking homosexuality to pedophilia, the Sunday Mirror reports.

January 10, 2013
Former British minister David Blunkett brands gay marriage plans a ‘dog’s dinner’

Former UK Home Secretary David Blunkett says the current government has messed up equal marriage but indicates he has an open mind

Britain’s former Home Secretary David Blunkett has attacked plans to introduce equal marriage in England and Wales as a ‘complete dog’s dinner’.

Writing to a PinkNews reader, the Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield said the current Conservative and Liberal Democrat government had messed up the plans.

But he has not closed the door to eventually supporting the plans.

January 4, 2013
British government accused of misleading in gay lawyer’s extreme porn case

Simon Walsh, a gay former aide to London Mayor Boris Johnson, was cleared of all charges in ‘extreme porn’ case but fall-out continues

British government officials – and Policing Minister, Damian Green, MP – were today accused of spreading deliberate disinformation about the reasons for prosecuting gay barrister Simon Walsh in 2012 for possession of extreme porn.

Damian Green, in particular, is singled out as needing to explain why, in respect of such a controversial legal initiative, he appeared to be smearing Walsh by linking him to practices that formed no part of the case against him.