Guardian: A ‘hideously diverse Britain’ where LGBT people “hold strong cards”
As part of his series for the Guardian entitled ‘Hideously diverse Britain’, Hugh Muir looks at how diversity and race impact on Britain today. This week he explores how minority groups “hold strong cards”.
IBM rated most gay-friendly employer for the second time
IT company IBM has been rated the most gay-friendly company to work for by gay rights organisation Stonewall. The firm was rated best employer in the charity’s annual Top 100 Employers List.
Obama appoints trans woman to Department of Commerce
US President Barack Obama has appointed a trans woman to the role of senior technical advisor to the Department of Commerce. Amanda Simpson is on the board of directors of the National Centre for Transgender Equality and has worked in the aerospace and defence industry for 30 years.
Former drag queen accuses boss of homophobia
A gay man who once worked as a drag queen is suing his boss for unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination. Dean Awford claims David Gray was homophobic and referred to him as “she” in front of customers.
Groups welcome Ladele ruling over civil partnerships
Secular and libertarian groups have welcomed the Court of Appeal ruling yesterday that a council did not discriminate against a Christian registrar who refused to perform civil partnerships.
Australian teacher accused of lesbian affair with pupil
An Australian music teacher has pleaded not guilty to repeatedly counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a female pupil.
Christian relationship counsellor loses appeal over gay couples
A Christian relationship counsellor who refused to work with gay couples has lost his appeal for unfair dismissal. Gary McFarlane was sacked by Relate last year after saying he would not “encourage sin” in gay and lesbian couples.
Trans businesswoman Kate Craig-Wood vies for Entrepreneur of the Year
Technology entrepreneur and trans woman Kate Craig-Wood has been named the South East’s Entrepreneur of the Year and will now compete for the national title at a ceremony in London today.
Police officers disciplined for homophobic emails
Two police officers in Leith, Scotland, have been disciplined for sending homophobic emails to colleagues in the Gay Police Association and choir.
Lesbian deserter to have asylum claim reviewed in Canada
A lesbian soldier who deserted the US Army after claiming she had been physically abused and threatened has won the right to have her asylum case reviewed in Canada.
Staff relaunch Washington’s oldest gay newspaper
The Washington Blade has been relaunched as the DC Agenda by its staff. It was distributed as an eight-page newsletter on Friday and former employees of the Blade hope to print a 16-page edition this week.
Exemptions allowing churches to refuse to employ gays to be scrapped following pressure from EU
The European Commission is putting pressure on the British government to drop the exemptions from equality legislation by religious organisations who currently have the right to refuse to employ LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) staff.
UNISON calls for better reporting on homophobic hate crime
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.
Christian registrar takes civil partnerships complaint to court of appeal
Lillian Ladele, the Islington registrar who refused to perform civil partnership ceremonies for gay couples, will argue her case in the court of appeal today.
Lesbian policewoman sues force for discrimination
A lesbian policewoman is suing the British Transport Police for not allowing her girlfriend to work with her. Sergeant Jasmine Stewart claims that heterosexual couples were allowed to work together at Ashford Police Station.
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