PinkNews.co.uk

Suspect in Puerto Rico teen's murder 'may use gay panic defence'

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:35:04 PST

The man arrested in connection with the murder of gay Puerto Rico teenage Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado will reportedly use the 'gay panic' defence.

Gordon Brown and equalities minister Maria Eagle mark Transgender Day of Remembrance

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:34:37 PST

Prime minister Gordon Brown has made a statement describing violence and harassment against trans people as "utterly unacceptable". He also thanked trans campaigners for their work.

Gay Glasgow council leader Steven Purcell is Councillor of the Year

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:45:46 PST

Steven Purcell, the leader of Glasgow city council, has been named the Herald's Councillor of the Year. Purcell, who is gay, was ranked at number 16 this year on PinkNews.co.uk's 50 most powerful gay, lesbian and bisexual people in British politics.

UNISON calls for better reporting on homophobic hate crime

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:56:56 PST

Workers' union UNISON is holding its annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) conference today and tomorrow. The organisation is calling for more encouragement for LGBT victims of hate crime to report offences to police.

Family appeals to gay community to find missing son

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:45:50 PST

The father of a 14-year-old boy who went missing two years ago has appealed to the gay community to help find him. Andrew Gosden has not been seen since September 14th, 2007.

New York court grants married gay couples some government benefits

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:27:42 PST

Gay couples who married in states where gay marriage is legal should be able to claim some government benefits, a New York court ruled yesterday.

Gay rights advocate Cathy Ashton is new EU foreign affairs chief

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:30:22 PST

Baroness Cathy Ashton, who won Stonewall's Politician of the Year award in 2006, has been named as the new European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Elton John's UK gigs won't be rescheduled

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:43:30 PST

Elton John has offered his fans refunds after it was announced that a string of cancelled UK tour dates will not be rescheduled.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Jessica Geen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:22:09 PST

Today is the 11th International Transgender Day of Remembrance. The yearly event is held to recognise and remember trans people who have been killed through hatred or prejudice.

Trans woman in Italian political scandal found dead

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:12:22 PST

A Brazillian trans woman at the centre of a scandal involving an Italian politician has been found dead in a burnt-out basement.

Newspaper roundup: New EU foreign affairs chief Cathy Ashton has strong gay rights record

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:04 PST

In a profile published for The Guardian, Caroline Davies argues that the new European Union's new High Representative For Foreign Affairs has a strong history of standing up for equality. In 2006 she was the first recipient of the Stonewall Politician of the Year award.

NHS 'a world pioneer' in treating intersex babies

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:57:27 PST

British doctors are becoming "world pioneers" in treating children and adults who are born with ambiguous genitals, it has been reported. The NHS treats such babies on the assumption that they should not automatically be operated on.

Tatchell: 'Alan Carr and Graham Norton are camp and cliched'

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:33:55 PST

Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has said that TV executives should chose a wider range of gay presenters, not just "camp and cliched" stereotypes.

Texas 'accidentally banned all marriages'

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:31:13 PST

A Texas candidate for attorney general has argued that an amendment made to the state's constitution to ban gay marriages has actually made all marriages illegal.

Video: Gordon Brown records message for World AIDS Day

Jessica Geen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:20:42 PST

Prime minister Gordon Brown has recorded a video message for World AIDS Day. In the message, Brown paid tribute to the gay community in the 1980s, which he said had "led the way" on HIV and AIDS campaigning.

Chaz Bono says transition is 'the best decision I've ever made'

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:40:53 PST

Chaz Bono, the son of singer Cher, appeared on US television this morning to discuss his gender reassignment. Speaking to Good Morning America, he said eight months into transition, he feels "great".

Chair of Brighton Pride resigns

Jessica Geen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:47:01 PST

Yvonne Barker, the chair of Brighton Pride, has announced she is stepping down from her post and resigning from the board of trustees with immediate effect. The event has been in turmoil for some time.

Gay German spy accused of betraying state secrets

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:31:36 PST

A German spy is on trial accused of handing over secret documents to his lover. The 42-year-old spy, named only as Anton K, reportedly began the affair with a Macedonian translator when he was posted to Kosovo in 2005.

Man charged with murder of gay Puerto Rico teen

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:47:40 PST

A man has been charged with the first degree murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. Lopez Mercado, 19, was found dead by the side of a road Saturday in the city of Cayey. His body had been burnt and dismembered.

Gay unions threaten 'fabric of society', bishops say

Jessica Geen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:42:51 PST

A pastoral letter agreed at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops warns about the dangers of same-sex marriage and partnerships, saying they will affect everyone.