Twitter Tweets
@LukeVernon my favourite song ever, and its my alarm on phone. Wakes me up in a good mood!1 week ago from Twitter for iPhone
@LukeVernon gimme shelter gives me the urge to watch my favorite film #goodfellas1 week ago from Twitter for Android
Or GLASTONBURY even. Not sure where Galstonbury is, but Im sure it doesn't have the worlds biggest festival. Sounds Texan.1 week ago from txt
In a restaurant in the middle of the US and the song with the best intro ever came on, Gimme Shelter. Which reminded me, in 3 weeks....1 week ago from txt
I shall be seeing one of the greatest live acts of all time, The Rolling Stones, @ THE greatest festival ever, GALSTONBURY! Yes, Im shouting1 week ago from txt
Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans re-arrested on new indecent assault allegations
The MP strenuously denies the claims. A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said: He will be interviewed about these allegations at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day. We take all allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and understand how difficult it can be for victims to have the confidence to come forward.
As a Constabulary, we are committed to investigating sexual offences sensitively but robustly recognising the impact that these types of crimes have on victims. We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or who has information about it, to have the confidence to report it to us knowing that we will take it seriously, deal with it sensitively and investigate it thoroughly. Mr Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley since 1992, has been excused from his parliamentary duties while inquiries continue.
The original rape and sexual assault allegations are said to have happened in Pendleton between July 2009 and March 2013.
The new indecent assault allegations are claimed to have occurred in Blackpool and London between 2003 and 2011.
For legal reasons, we do not allow comments on this news story.
Continue readingCher to perform at New York Pride s Dance on the Pier party
Her performance will be one of the most memorable in the history of this world-class party , said Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride. He added: Now in its 27th year, the Dance on the Pier continues a proud tradition of partnering with all-star talent to create a high-quality event that raises funds to support local LGBT non-profits and New York City s annual Pride festivities. Artists such as Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson and Cyndi Lauper have taken part in previous years.
Discuss this Get the latest LGBT headlines in your inbox with our free daily newsletter!
Sign up
Continue readingUS: Attorney representing lesbian teenager charged for relationship with younger girl to step down
Her family a private conversation between her and her then girlfriend was secretly recorded by police and her girlfriend s family, during which they discussed kissing in the school bathroom. Circuit Judge Robert Pegg has set a trial date for September, and attorney Julia Graves filed a motion on Monday which alleged that the case was being singled out, because the trial date was set before over 200 other criminal cases. Ms Graves made the allegations, saying that the case was coming to a trial prematurely, and asked to be removed from the case, reports the Associated Press.
Earlier in May, Hunt rejected a plea deal, which would have put her under house arrest for two years, and labelled her a sex offender. LGBT rights advocates have argued that the case is being unfairly singled out because the couple are gay, and that young romances with similar age differences are commonplace. In a letter sent by the hackers collective Anonymous last month, they threatened to raise a petition of 200,000 signatures, and threatens Florida state Attorney Brian Workman with thousands , who may urge him to step down.
The letter accuses the state of losing perspective , calls Ms Hunt a bright young girl , and notes the consensual nature of her relationship.
Discuss this
Continue readingUK: Injunction halts deportation order of lesbian asylum seeker with just hours to spare
An injunction was granted on Tuesday afternoon. In March, the deportation flight of another female asylum seeker to Uganda was cancelled with just hours to spare. Campaigners have frequently documented alleged cases of UKBA deporting LGBT asylum seekers back to countries where they face homophobic persecution.
The claims have always been denied by UKBA and the Home Office. In response to the government s decision to scrap the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Liberal Democrats LGBT group warned in March that LGBT and general asylum cases needed to be handled better by officials. In February, S Chelvan, a leading human rights lawyer criticised UKBA officials for subjecting LGBT asylum seekers to inhuman and degrading pressure in order to prove their sexual or gender identity.
Discuss this
Continue readingRussia: Ban on adoption by same-sex couples unanimously passed at second reading
President Vladimir Putin has already indicated his approval of the bill, stating If such a law is passed by the Parliament of the country, I will sign it. Two weeks ago, the Russian Children s Rights Commissioner, Pavel Astakhov, said it is only logical to halt adoptions of Russian children by French couples due to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France. In the light of France having passed a bill to legalise equal marriage on 18 May, President Putin said he was happy to consider changing agreements to block gay couples from adopting Russian orphans.
On 11 June the Duma voted 436-0 with one abstention to pass a bill imposing a hefty fine for anyone promoting the distorted understanding of social equality of traditional and non-traditional sex relations . The bill has caused outrage among the LGBT community and human rights supporters. Some called for the jailing of one of the bill s sponsors, Yelena Mizulina.
The Moscow Times notes that in a recent television interview, Mrs Mizulina suggested introducing legislation to remove children from same-sex couples.
Discuss this
Continue readingAmendments allowing registrars to opt out of equal marriage withdrawn in House of Lords
She proposed that registrars who could prove they had a conscientious objection should have the right to refuse to take part in same-sex weddings. However, she said there should be a duty on registry authorities to ensure they had enough willing registrars to cover ceremonies. Baroness Cumberlege argued that the proposed changes would allow registrars quietly to refrain from conducting same-sex marriages only where there are enough other registrars to cover demand .
Backing the Baroness, Lord McColl argued that if the government rejected the amendment to be logically consistent they would have to end the practice of making space for atheist teachers and doctors whose consciences do not permit them to perform abortions . This was criticised by Baroness Butler-Sloss, who noted that marriages are a major part of a registrar s work, whereas doctors are not primarily providers of abortions. She went on to suggest that a middle ground be found by allowing people who became registrars before same-sex marriage was an issue to opt out of performing them.
The topic of opting in or out of performing same-sex marriage ceremonies was taken up by gay peer Lord Alli, who noted that the debate was giving him the uncomfortable feeling that simply having a strong religious belief against gay marriage entitles you to be exempt from the law, but that having the opposite and equally strong religious conviction does not. Addressing the Bishops of Hereford and Leicester, he added: If a conscientious clause to allow registrars to opt out in civil marriage is so important, I will work with the Bishops to craft a similar clause to allow registrars in the Church of England to opt in. Conscience is not a one-way street.
It goes both ways, he said, concluding: We all have a conscience and mine tells me that this amendment is wrong in principle. Baroness Thornton ultimately ruled that the Goverment would reject the amendments, quoting Culture Secretary Maria Miller s statement that public servants will have to be ready to take part in marriages of same sex couples . Baroness Cumberlege agreed to withdraw, but noted she hoped to return with a perfected amendment in future.
During the debate the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, addressed the question of the Church of England s opposition to equal marriage and the issue of whether or not it will bless civil unions, asking Bishops Would you rather bless a sheep and a tree but not them? That is a big question to which we are going to come and the moment is not now. Peers also debated whether unions between same-sex couples should be called marriages, or whether another term should be used.
An amendment by equal marriage opponent Lord Hylton that suggested the word union is strong enough to describe the bond between same-sex couples was withdrawn after arguments, but not before senior Liberal Democrat figure Baroness Williams announced her support for it.
Former Chief Constable and equal marriage critic Lord Dear withdrew several of his amendments, but has warned he may re-introduce additional measures seeking greater legal protections for opponents at a later stage.
Discuss this
Continue readingLabour MSP Elaine Smith: I m against equal marriage but don t call me homophobic
However, I have no doubt that I will be made to suffer for my views on this issue and by voting against I will undoubtedly be labelled homophobic. Scotland s Herald newspaper reports Ms Smith has now been denounced by many over her position on Twitter. I predicted that in speaking or voting against these proposals, I would undoubtedly be verbally attacked and labelled homophobic.
That prediction seems to be coming depressingly true. She added: It is astonishing that a politician cannot represent the views of their constituents without being vilified and subjected to personal attacks. Speaking against the redefinition of marriage in modern Scotland, sadly, leads to verbal attacks which seem to be an attempt to try to shut down debate and intimidate opponents.
Ms Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, argued that existing civil partnerships ensured equality for same-sex couples. So far only a handful of MSPs have declared their intention to vote against the bill, which is not expected to face a final vote until late next year. The Equality Network, which has co-ordinated the campaign for marriage equality in Scotland, said the debate should remain respectful.
Director Tim Hopkins said: Elaine Smith is entitled to her view, but she is wrong on the facts. A large majority of Scots, and an overwhelming majority of LGBT people, supports same-sex marriage. Those who want a same-sex marriage will be able to marry; those who don t won t have to, and no church will be required to do them.
It s about freedom of choice for all. He added: This debate should be conducted in a respectful way something we as an organisation have always done. We have not heard of any report of hate crime against people because they oppose equal marriage, but we would urge anyone who experiences any hate crime to report it to the police.
Discuss this
Continue readingUS: Advocates hope to get equal marriage question on 2014 Arizona ballot
The measure would need to get 259,200 valid voter signatures, in order to qualify for the 2014 ballot. This measure will define marriage in Arizona as being a union of two persons. It will ensure the protection of religious freedoms by specifying that religious organizations, religious associations, and religious societies in Arizona will not be required to solemnize or officiate any particular marriage or religious rite of marriage, reads language filed with the Secretary of State in Phoenix on Monday.
A poll released last month found that over half of voters in the US state of Arizona are in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry. The poll found that 55% of Arizonans were in favour of equal marriage, with 35% opposed and 10% were unsure. Nine US states, and Washington DC currently allow equal marriage, and it will become law in Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota in the summer.
The US state of Maryland in November 2012 became the first state to legalise equal marriage by means of a popular vote back in 2012. The law came into effect on 1 January 2013. Washington and Maine also legalised equal marriage in referendums in those states on the same day.
On 6 November, voters in Minnesota voted no on Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as being a union solely between a man and a woman.
The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases surround equal marriage, in the next two weeks, potentially making a groundbreaking ruling for equal marriage in the state of California, and the whole of the US.
Discuss this
Continue readingEx-Telegraph editor Charles Moore: Chief Rabbi wrong not to vote again equal marriage
In an article for The Spectator entitled Opposing gay marriage now is as brave as being openly gay was in 1970 , Mr Moore, Lady Thatcher s official biographer, wrote: Since one s attitude to homosexual acts is now considered the main way of judging whether a person is civilised, one must salute those in public life who defy this. To oppose gay equality today is roughly as brave as it was to be publicly homosexual in, say, 1970: your position is not absolutely illegal, but it is perilous. Given how wobbly many Anglicans are on the issue, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London should be commended for their courage in the House of Lords debate.
The Chief Rabbi, Lords Sacks, should be reproved. Orthodox Judaism is absolutely clear on this issue, but Lord Sacks absented himself. Perhaps he feels that Jews should not intervene in secular society.
But if such a key social institution as marriage is beyond his responsibility, why did he agree to become a legislator? Last year, in its official response to the government s consultation on equal marriage for England and Wales, the office of the Chief Rabbi stated that Jewish Law prohibited the practice of homosexuality, and it argued against all same-sex unions, and same-sex marriages. The Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism officially support equal marriage.
Speaking to the broadcaster and journalist Sir David Frost last month, Lord Sacks, rejected a suggestion that he had come out strongly against same-sex unions. He said: I ve not come out strongly, I ve simply said that in Judaism we don t do it. Discuss this Get the latest LGBT headlines in your inbox with our free daily newsletter!
Sign up
Continue readingDavid Cameron to discuss Nigeria s new anti-gay law with country s politicians and leaders
The law awaits the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan. Mr Cameron told the BBC that he would be raising the issue with Nigeria s leaders. With countries like Nigeria, where we have a very good relationship, a very strong relationship, nothing should be off the table , the prime minister said.
So when we meet with Nigerian politicians and Nigerian leaders, we should be very clear about those things that we agree about and very clear where we disagree. Mr Cameron said that the UK has a very good record on equal rights for lesbian and gay people , adding: we believe that s right for every country in the world. The matter of your sexuality is something that shouldn t disadvantage you just as your religion, or your race, or the way you should choose your life When asked if UK foreign aid should be docked from Nigeria, the prime minister said: We will have to have some conversations with them, as I said nothing is off the table and we should have these conversations, but we also have some very important objectives with the Nigerians for instance to deal with the appalling rates of poverty in the north of Nigeria which is part of a problem that affects not just Nigeria but the rest of the world.
The PM concluded: But as I said nothing is off the table; always prepared to have these conversations, and my view very strongly is that we should have proper equality for lesbian and gay people and that should apply everywhere in the world.
Discuss this
Continue reading