PinkNews.co.uk

Twitter prank forces X Factor winner Joe McElderry to realise he is gay

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:16:17 PDT

X Factor winner Joe McElderry has come out as gay just weeks after he claimed that he was straight. Earlier this month, pranksters hacked into his Twitter account and posted messages including: "It's been difficult living a lie for so many years..."

Swedish politician stripped of duties over alleged homophobic comments

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:03:45 PDT

A Swedish politician is to be stripped of his role as a lay judge following homophobic comments allegedly made by him on a political opponent's blog post about gay adoption.

Gay hate preacher Stephen Green to air views in Channel 4 documentary

Jessica Geen — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:22:26 PDT

Stephen Green, the director of anti-gay lobby group Christian Voice, will air his homophobic views in a short Channel 4 programme on Monday.

David Miliband changes his mind to now support full gay marriage

Jessica Geen — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:07:06 PDT

Labour leadership frontrunner David Miliband has changed his mind on the issue of equal marriage rights. During an interview with PinkNews.co.uk earlier this month, he said he thought of civil partnerships as being "completely equal" to marriage.

Best of PinkNews: BBC accused of homophobia over Lindsay Lohan slurs

Rachel Charman — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:56:36 PDT

As PinkNews.co.uk celebrates its fifth birthday, we take a look back at some of the most important exclusive stories we've broken. In January 2009, the BBC was accused of homophobia over comments about bisexual actress Lindsay Lohan it broadcast by the BBC Radio 5 Live presenter DJ Spooney. He described lesbians as...

Two thousand marchers join 'subdued' Jerusalem Pride

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:03:59 PDT

Two thousand people marched in Jerusalem Pride's parade yesterday despite anti-gay protests. The march was described by onlookers as "subdued", as it lacked the usual colour, noise and vibrant costumes associated with Pride.

Irish trans woman applies for refugee status in Canada

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:25:43 PDT

An Northern Ireland-born trans woman is fighting to get refugee status in Canada because she says she could be at risk of attack if returned to her native country.

Roseanne star Sara Gilbert talks about being a lesbian for the first time

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:41:14 PDT

Roseanne actress Sara Gilbert has announced she is a lesbian. The star, who played Darlene Conner-Healy in the 1990s, was not exactly in the closet, as she has two children with TV producer Allison Adler.

Author Anne Rice 'quits' being a Christian over attitudes to gays and women

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:08:06 PDT

Anne Rice, the author of Interview with a Vampire, has "quit" Christianity over the faith's "hostile" attitudes to gay rights, women and contraception. She converted to Catholicism 12 years ago but announced on her Facebook yesterday that although she remained "committed to Christ", she no longer wanted to be part of the...

Lesbian presenter Ellen DeGeneres leaves American Idol

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:10:35 PDT

Ellen DeGeneres has announced she is leaving American Idol after being a judge for just one season. The lesbian presenter said the show was "not the right fit" for her, despite signing a five-year contract.

Theatre review: Bent

Dan Harrop-Griffiths — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:30:52 PDT

Bent, at the intimate Tabard Theatre in Parsons Green, west London, tells the story of a young gay couple sent to a concentration camp after witnessing the murder of a German SA officer.

Rush Limbaugh says he and Elton John agree on gay marriage

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:08:34 PDT

US radio host Rush Limbaugh said this week that he and Elton John share the same anti-gay marriage views. Limbaugh, known as a controversial shock jock, said on Wednesday that he and the singer support civil unions but not marriage for gay couples.

First Liverpool Pride to remember murdered gay teen Michael Causer

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:34:54 PDT

Liverpool's first Pride celebration is to hold a vigil next week to remember Michael Causer, the gay teenager who was murdered in the city two years ago. Michael, an 18-year-old hairdresser, died in hospital in August 2008 after being punched and kicked.

Gay groups urge Lady Gaga to cancel Arizona gig over immigration laws

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:27:19 PDT

Gay groups in the US are calling on Lady Gaga to cancel a gig in Phoenix, Arizona, in protest at new immigration laws. Gaga, who is bisexual and a gay rights supporter, is due to play a concert in the city on Saturday.

MP Angela Eagle defends Australian lesbian minister's opposition to gay marriage

PinkNews.co.uk Staff Writer — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:31:46 PDT

Labour MP Angela Eagle has defended an Australian lesbian politician for publicly opposing equal marriage. Ms Eagle, who was the only out lesbian in parliament until this year, said that Australian Labor politicianPenny Wong should be commended for her previous record on gay rights.

Banking heir sues for libel over Peter Mandelson story

PinkNews.co.uk Staff Writer — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:12:48 PDT

Nathaniel Rothschild is suing the Daily Mail over a story which claimed he set up a meeting between Lord Mandelson and a Russian billionaire. The newspaper's story, published on May 22nd of this year, was titled "Mandelson, an oligarch and a £500m deal".

Homophobic 'family' group claims repealing US military gay ban will spread HIV

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:31:26 PDT

The homophobic Family Research Council has begun a campaign against efforts to repeal America's ban on out gay soldiers in the military.

London support group for gay men with HIV and hep C

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:28:47 PDT

A support group for gay men in London with HIV and hepatitis C begins next month. The group, set up by Terrence Higgins Trust, will meet one evening a week for six weeks in central London, beginning on August 12th.

American rabbis sign declaration of gay acceptance

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:04:26 PDT

More than 60 US rabbis have signed a declaration calling for Jewish communities to be accepting and tolerant of lesbian and gay people.

Kelis to headline Manchester Pride

Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:41:57 PDT

US singer Kelis is to headline Manchester's Pride festival next month. The star, whose top hits are Milkshake and Acapella, will perform on Sunday August 29th in the city.