Cohen, 29, discusses coming out to his Jewish family in the time of Section 28, when discussion about being gay was limited in schools. He also condemns reparative therapy for same sex attractions. His former school, JFS, was criticised last month for showing sixth form students a slide about gay cure treatments.

He says: “I first began the process of coming out when I was fifteen. For a few years, I wondered if the feelings I had would go away and maybe whether they were a test from God.

“When I look back at it now, I can’t believe how scared I was when I first started telling my family and friends. I knew that there were already openly gay people in my extended family and that my parents had a few gay friends. But I remembered a rather nasty comment my Dad said about gay people when I was younger, something I really focused on.

“In reality when I told my family, they were more surprised that my ex-boyfriend wasn’t Jewish than that he was a guy. They just wanted to me be happy and more recently, my Dad has become vocal advocates for LGBT rights in their professional and communal lives.

“Although, back when I came out were living in a totally different world, Section 28 meant homosexuality wasn’t really discussed in schools, there wasn’t an equal age of consent, no civil partnerships and no prospect of same sex marriage- something our prime minister wants to introduce.

“But I realise that despite the advances in equality, coming out is still difficult, especially if like me you come from a faith background. For some it’s not just about how your family reacts, it’s about how you fit into a community that you love.”

Cohen was a pupil at JFS, the school which came under fire last month for showing pupils a slide depicting the logo of a ‘gay cure’ group during a discussion on homosexuality.

He says: “Unfortunately some young people are still being told that homosexuality is a choice, a wrong choice, NOT something that you can’t help. In some religious institutions young people are being told about so called reparative therapy for same sex attraction. In other words, courses and treatments to turn you straight.

“I know people who’ve spent tens of thousands of pounds trying to unsuccessfully alter their sexuality and other people have harmed themselves after failing. On both sides of the Atlantic, medical associations condemn the practise.

“But, there is another way, I feel twice blessed that I was born into the Jewish and LGBT community and in part it’s because I’ve discovered that there are tens of thousands of people like me.

“In Britain we have Keshet UK, the national LGBT Jewish forum and groups including Gay Jews in London, JGLG, Engayje, the Gay and Lesbian Orthodox Network and Imaot v Avot – the group for LGBT parents. And in the wider faith community there’s the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, and Imaan the group for LGBT Muslims.

“The point is that there are people like you, lots of them and you’ll find by supporting each other, it gets better.”

Homosexuality has always been a hot potato in the Jewish community. Proponents argue that Judaism is homophobic while detractors insist they are just upholding the letter of the law.

The biblical injunction against homosexual activity is clear. People who want to conform to the Bible should not be condemned as homophobic anymore than critics of religion might be labelled theophobic. However, just because I maintain that homosexuality is wrong doesn’t mean I have to go beating the drum about it anymore than I might regularly preach against adultery. To be sure, there are times when public statements are deemed necessary, such as when same-sex marriages began to become legalised. Imagine the public outcry were bigamy to be declared legal. Similarly, when governments were voting with their feet to recognise same-sex marriages, it was only to be expected that moralists and religious leaders would speak out against. Still, even when it is considered necessary to protest, it remains imperative that basic sensitivity is maintained. A fundamental principle in Judaism, sadly lost on too many extremists today, is to condemn the action, never the person. Take for example the “Statement of Principles on the Place of Jews with a Homosexual Orientation in Our Community,” initially released in mid-2010. It was signed by dozens of leading Orthodox Rabbis across the Jewish world, making perfectly clear the traditional Jewish viewpoint on homosexuality, while also reassuring gay people that they are always welcome into Synagogues and communities.

Last week, the Jews Free School in London made headlines for teaching a class that homosexuality can be cured. According to a Jewish Chronicle report, as part of the school’s Jewish studies curriculum, pupils were shown a website from the American group JONAH – Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality, apparently introduced at the end of the textual study on homosexuality and the Orthodox viewpoint. Having met last night with Michael Glass, the Chair of Governors of JFS, he informs me that the school has issued a statement denying the reported sequence of events, and insisting it was something that formed part of a discussion, rather than an ideal that was being formally promoted.

Meanwhile, Holland’s Chief Rabbi, Aryeh Ralbag has been suspended for putting his signature to the JONAH mission statement that promotes the idea that homosexuality can be “mitigated and potentially eliminated.” This in turn has prompted a public outcry from the Conference of European Rabbis and others, arguing that to relieve a Chief Rabbi from his position for upholding an ancient biblical law, is deplorable, “verging on fascism.”

There is a difference between issuing a statement asserting the traditional Jewish view on homosexuality, and offering one’s own theory about “illness and cure.” The Bible condemns the act as an abomination, as it does eating bacon. Plain and simply put, it is forbidden. That’s where the scope of any Rabbi’s position should begin and end. If psychotherapists believe that sexual orientation can be altered, that is their remit. It’s not for Rabbis to go publically endorsing such a position, which is essentially saying, not only are you gay but you’re also mentally unstable. That’s crossing the line into condemning the person, not just the act.

Chief Rabbi Ralbag should not be relieved of his position for taking a religious stance on a traditional biblical position. That’s plain ludicrous. However, his sensitivity, and by extension his ability to reach out to his wider constituency, in endorsing a controversial statement regarding homosexuals, must surely be called into question.

Yitzchak Schochet is the Rabbi for Mill Hill United Synagogue and is responsible for family issues in the Chief Rabbi’s cabinet. He blogs at www.shul.co.uk/rabbi and can be followed on twitter @RabbiYYS

As with all “Comment” pieces, the views of Rabbi Schochet do not represent the views of PinkNews.co.uk

He added that London would “see through this fear-mongering rhetoric”.

The Friends of Clapham Common said last month a gay Pride House event due to be held on the common was “highly likely” to become a “magnet for undesirable elements of the gay community”.

The group denied claims the objection, which was partly based on perceptions that the event was “exclusively” for the LGBT community, was homophobic, saying all communities have “undesirable elements”.

John Amaechi, who came out in 2007 following his retirement from NBA basketball and now lives in Clapham, said the idea of Pride House turning the common into a “den of iniquity” showed the group to be “out of touch”.

An ambassador for Pride House, Amaechi told the Wandsworth Local Guardian: “These comments by the ‘Friends of Clapham Common’ are carefully worded to avoid overt homophobia, but they certainly imply a narrow, outdated understanding of the LGBT community and their friends.

“Their objections are based on archaic stereotypes and a complete misrepresentation of the facts.

“Today’s LGBT community and their straight friends are as much about family and children, book clubs and Bikram yoga and indeed a fanatical support for the greatest sporting spectacle in our lifetime, as any other part of the community.

“To suggest greater numbers of ‘undesirable elements’ in the gay community is not only pure speculation, it’s an implicitly bigoted insinuation.

“The Pride House complex will welcome everybody, and age-old clichés casually asserting that the gay and lesbian families in attendance will somehow turn Clapham Common into a den of iniquity, only indicate just how out of touch this group is with modern Britain.

“Having personally lived by the common for a decade, I know the people of London will see through this fear-mongering rhetoric and come along to celebrate together.”

The claims were part of a Lambeth Council consultation on Pride House, which will include live music, entertainment, LGBT art, sports and tournaments.

Creator Chad Molleken said it would “welcome athletes, dignitaries, media, Londoners and visitors from around the world with a dynamic and entertaining programme in support of the LGBT community”.

20,000 people are expected to attend Pride House during the Olympics. Stephen Fry and Peter Tatchell are among the patrons of the event.

Representatives for the voluntary Friends organisation, which works to “protect and improve” the common, did not return messages from PinkNews.co.uk after the objection was made public.

Christopher Wellbelove, now a Labour councillor, told PinkNews.co.uk: “This is a huge opportunity for Clapham and Lambeth to participate in London 2012, showing their support Team GB during the games together with LGBT athletes from around the world.

“The event will also be a stance against homophobia such as the very unfortunate comments in the objections by the Friends which I would be surprised if it was truly representative of the Friends as a whole.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will be seen by people around the globe demonstrating London (and Clapham) as a diverse community and promote inclusion and diversity which their comments only demonstrate the need for such an event.”

Here are some of the photo highlights.

But Tower Hamlets Council told PinkNews.co.uk today no venues have been selected for review as they have not yet finished analysing their first consultation on the policy.

600 regulars of the White Swan on Commercial Road near Limehouse put their names to a petition saying they were “surprised and shocked” the venue was being “targeted for review”, the BBC reports.

The council had consulted last autumn to “gather community opinions on a draft policy which says that there is no location within Tower Hamlets suitable for sex establishments”.

The policy would allow the council to shut down venues which offered pole-dancing, lap-dancing and stripping in order to protect against exploitation of women.

The petition’s author said no women were involved in the gay comedy strip contest held on Wednesday evenings at the White Swan.

Daryl Stafford told the BBC “It certainly feels like it’s extremely homophobic.

“It feels as though it’s because it’s a gay venue and there are a lot of people on the council who do not approve of having a gay venue in the middle of their borough.”

But the council insists no venues have yet been selected for inclusion in the review.

The petition reads in part: “The White Swan, Commercial Road, E1 caters for the Gay community. It has been under the same management for twenty six years. There is no prostitution or exploitation on the premises and there has never been any complaint about the White Swan by residents, police or the licensing authorities.

“We are therefore surprised and shocked that a venue which has an international reputation, is being targeted for review by the Council as a so called “sex” establishment.

“We call on the Council to prove its commitment to equality and exclude the White Swan from this discriminatory policy.”

A council spokeswoman told PinkNews.co.uk: “No decision has been made at present.

“The council is part way through the analysis and evaluation of the sex establishment consultation that took place in autumn. There was a record number of responses to the consultation and it was clear that residents felt strongly about the matter.

“A consultation meeting was held with Rainbow Hamlets [Tower Hamlets' LGBT Community forum] and these views along with all of the others collected as part of the consultation process will be considered.

“No decision has been made in relation to which premises would be deemed to be sex establishments. National sex establishment legislation will be adhered if and when this process occurs.”

Barry Kirk, a co-ownder of the pub told the BBC: “We’ve survived a lot over the years.

“But Wednesday is our only busy weeknight. If they kill off our Wednesday nights, we’ll be threatened with closure.”

The leader of the Conservative group at Tower Hamlets, Peter Golds, said: “I, like most reasonably minded people, have concerns about scantily clad women being exploited.

“But consenting adults looking for a laugh, a joke and comedy is not exploitation.”

Jules Mattsson was 15 when he attended the parade in Romford, north east London in June 2010.

During the public event, Mr Mattsson’s solicitors say a police inspector told him he was “a public hazard” and his photography constituted “anti-social behaviour”.

They added: “He described the act of taking photographs as ‘silly’ and ‘gay’ and ‘stupid’.

“When [Jules] continued to state the lawfulness of his behaviour, the inspector declared it was ‘dangerous’ as he was ‘likely to be trampled on by soldiers’ from the parade.”

When he refused to stop taking pictures and recording his conversation with police, he was arrested for breaching the peace.

The police inspector told him: “You were being silly, you were running around being stupid and gay”.

Chez Cotton, of Bindmans LLP, said the inspector “attempted to justify his actions in shocking and absurd ways.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the settlement and the apology to the 16-year-old, who now works as a professional photographer, saying they had failed to “respect press freedom”.

Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall said: “It is a matter of grave concern that even now Metropolitan Police officers feel emboldened to use homophobic language like this.

“It further damages the confidence in the Metropolitan Police’s ability to protect the gay community in London.”

Sonia Burgess, 63, who was known professionally as David, died at Kings Cross station last October when she was hit by an incoming underground train.

Senthooran Kanagasingham, 35, of Cricklewood, denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

According to the Evening Standard, Mr Kanagasingham, who has used the name Nina in the past and at the time of Ms Burgess’ death, now wishes to be regarded as male.

The Old Bailey heard today that Mr Kanagasingham, a Sri Lankan national, had been suffering mental health problems including depression and schizophrenia.

On the day of her death, Ms Burgess had accompanied Mr Kanagasingham to a GP appointment, where she had raised concerns about his mental health.

The court heard that Ms Burgess, who allowed the defendant to visit her flat to shower and discuss personal problems, feared that Mr Kanagasingham was becoming psychotic.

His lawyers say he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time.

But Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Kanagasingham’s actions were “entirely deliberate and executed with the intention of killing Sonia Burgess”.

He added: “After all, it could hardly have been done with any lesser intention than to send her to her death.”

The trial continues.

Runner up Collins was mentored by Take That star Gary Barlow.

The X Factor ‘winner’s song’ was ‘Cannonball’ by the Irish folk singer Damien Rice. When it was originally released in 2003, it only reached 32 in the UK Singles Chart. A year later when it was re-released it reached number 19.

The 23 year-old former hairdresser from Liverpool has been living with his boyfriend David Heath for some time. Heath is himself a former X Factor contestant, a member of the band Eton Road, who came fifth in the contest in 2006. Collins met Heath when he joined the band in 2007 to replace the then lead singer, although Collins himself left the band the following year.

Last month, it was reported that Collins, who is mixed race, was the victim of a racist and homophobic phone call. A source told The Sun that Collins received a phone call in the small hours that “was just full of hate and spewed all sorts of racist and anti-gay abuse.”

The source added: “He was saying, ‘You don’t deserve to be on the show. Who do you think you are?’ and calling him every name under the sun. Marcus couldn’t believe his ears and he couldn’t understand how anyone got hold of his number in the first place.”

Marcus was the first openly gay contestant to reach the grand final of the X Factor. Joe McElderry, who won the X Factor in 2009, came out a year later, last July after pranksters hacked into his Twitter account and outed him. Despite initially denying publicly that he was gay, the incident prompted him to come out to his mother.

Will Young, who won the precursor to the X Factor, Pop Idol, came out as gay shortly after winning the competition.

At an event tonight, held at London’s City Hall, details for the festival which will include live music, entertainment, LGBT art, sports and tournaments will be revealed.

Pride House is the brainchild of Canadian born Chad Molleken and is inspired by the success of Pride House Vancouver and Whistler at the 2010 Winter Games

“Next summer Pride House will welcome athletes, dignitaries, media, Londoners and visitors from around the world with a dynamic and entertaining programme in support of the LGBT community”, said Mr Molleken. “It has been extremely rewarding to see the interest and engagement from organisations and individuals from around the world and today we are proud to announce partnerships with the It Gets Better Project, UK Pride Sports, LGBT History Month and Diversity Role Models.”

Pride House’s launch event is sponsored by London & Partners, the official promotional organisation for the capital. Its chief executive Gordon Innes said: “We are really excited about the prospect of Pride House in London – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the capital to celebrate diversity in the community. The house will be a wonderful addition to the array of cultural and entertainment experiences and other houses which will be opening up across the city next year.”

Actor and author Stephen Fry has been named an ambassador of Pride House. He commented: “I’m very proud and pleased to be an ambassador for Pride House London. All eyes will be on London for the 2012 Games and Pride House is an idea that brings together so many of the elements that makes London one of the greatest cities in the world and a beacon of tolerance, diversity and pride. Pride House is a symbol of how London remains one of the most truly cosmopolitan and accepting cities in the world.”

Other patrons include former NBA basketball player John Amaechi, Team GB volleyball training squad member Claire Harvey, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, the chief executive of Diversity Role Models Suran Dickson, film producer David Furnish, author and journalist Dan Savage and New Zealand Olympic short-track speed skater Blake Skjellerup.

Last year, the organising committee of the London 2012 Olympic Games began to sell special pin badges aimed at LGBT people.

The £5 badges were be the first in a series highlighting the six ‘strands of diversity’ and feature the 2012 Games’ logo against a rainbow flag.

Organisers say: “The idea is simple; as a community, we dress up like we mean to party, then SWISH down Old Compton Street in colourful acknowledgement that we enjoy and respect life.

“The AIDS Swish is an affirmation – we’re here and we care, not just about ourselves but each other.”

The walk will begin at 6pm on the corner of Moor Street and Old Compton Street and will end at the Lo Profile bar on Wardour Street.

At 8pm, organisers promise all the bars in Soho will play ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor.

The event is not affiliated to any charity but seeks to promote awareness that London has no permanent AIDS Memorial, where people can gather “at any time, from any country, for any reason of remembrance”.

The London AIDS Memorial campaign says it aims to hold the SWISH as an annual event until a permanent space is achieved.

Stephen Fry has lent his support to the campaign saying: “A London memorial will serve, I believe, not just as a testament to all generations to come of what Britain and the world went through, but also as a fierce reminder that this scourge is far from over.”

“It is only right that London, so proud of its cultural influence, its fabulous entertainment, nightlife and its open and diverse attitude of welcome to all who visit and inhabit it, should proudly memorialise the fallen in the war against HIV.”

“It is a little shaming to think that, when one looks around the world, London is the most important city on earth not to have such a memorial and I hope that things will speedily come together to allow that to be put right.”

The AIDS Swish organisers asked: “Are you going to strut, swagger, shimmy, roller skate, stride, mince or sashay?

“We don’t care. We just want you to be there.”

Dr Alan McOwan, Lead Consultant at 56 Dean Street, said: “We will be using the world’s fastest HIV antibody test, which provides a result in just 60 seconds.

“One in 20 gay men in London has undiagnosed HIV and two-thirds of undiagnosed men think that they are negative. Testing early can add 16 years to someone’s life.”

G-A-Y will be donating £10 for every test performed at one of nine testing stations around the venue to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The record setting attempt will run from 2pm to 10pm on World AIDS Day, 1 December 2011, and will be held at the G-A-Y bar on Old Compton Street. Registration forms can be picked up from the venue in advance or completed on the day.

In April the London Specialist Commissioning Group changed rules on treatment regimens in order to tackle rising costs, the UKCAB said.

The group says the move may be taken up in other regions in England, and potentially in Scotland and Wales.

In a statement, the organisation said: “In response to these changes, and to get a clearer picture of how they are impacting people living with HIV, the UKCAB is undertaking a study of patients who have seen changes to their drug regimen since April, and of the experiences of people accessing HIV drugs from London HIV clinics.

“The survey will be available online for the next few months, and the information that we obtain from the data will be used to help UKCAB produce a report on how the new regime is affecting people living with HIV, positively or negatively.”

The survey can be accessed at the SurveyMonkey website, and is open to people living with HIV and receiving treatment in London.

An undercover investigation by Sky News has revealed that evangelical churches in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow have been telling worshippers that God can heal them of the virus.

The broadcaster sent three undercover reporters to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), in the south London Borough of Southwark.

All of them were told by pastors they could be healed.

The team – who are all HIV positive – had water sprayed in their faces as part of the healing process.

They were also shouted at and told it would rid them of the devil.

One of the pastors, Rachel Holmes, told Sky News, that SCOAN has a “100% success rate”, adding: “if symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea persist, it is actually a sign of the virus leaving the body”.

The former Health Secretary Lord Fowler, who led the HIV/AIDS awareness drive in the 1980s, said SCOAN’s advice about the virus was dangerous and completely incorrect.

With the church being a registered charity, the UK’s Charity Commission has now launched an investigation.

SCOAN told Sky News: “We are not the Healer – God is the Healer. Never a sickness God cannot heal. Never a disease God cannot cure. Never a burden God cannot bear. Never a problem God cannot solve.

“To His power, nothing is impossible. We have not done anything to bring about healing, deliverance or prosperity. If somebody is healed, it is God who heals.

Last month, BBC London aired the findings of a similar investigation into the practice.

Meanwhile, HIV/AIDS support charities are appalled at the revelations.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of the National Aids Trust told PinkNews.co.uk: ‘It is worrying and tragic that there are people living with HIV being told not to take their life-saving medication.

“Prayer and faith are very important to some people, but this should always be in addition to medical treatment rather than a substitute.

“It is a terrible abuse of trust and faith for these religious leaders to be misleading individuals and this is a serious issue which needs to be tackled.

“If a person with HIV stops taking their medication, there are not only grave health risks but it also increases the likelihood of passing the infection on to others”.

SCOAN is not the only church in the capital that has been offering dangerously incorrect advice about the virus.

A gay HIV positive man was also told to stop taking treatment by a church in north London.

His boyfriend is now believed to be ill with the virus. 

An investigation was launched immediately by the club after Elliott Whitehead’s comments were brought to officials’ attention by PinkNews.co.uk.

Stuart Reardon, who began his career at Bradford Bulls and currently plays for French side AC Carcassonne, appeared in a photo spread for Australian DNA magazine.

In many shots, he was shown without a shirt or only in underwear.

Reardon had commented during the accompanying interview, “I don’t think it matters if you’re gay in sport or any kind of job, really”, and this quote was printed on one double-page spread.

He posted an image of this spread to his Facebook account, to which 4,000 people have access.

On the afternoon of 6 November, Whitehead, 22, commented on the picture, saying: “This a gay mag or something!!! You have really let the bradford bus down with this fort better from u [sic]“.

A spokesman told PinkNews.co.uk the comment had been removed on Monday 20 November and Whitehead had apologised, saying his comment related only to Reardon’s pose.

Players are warned not to engage in activity on social media which could bring the sport into disrepute.

Bradford Bulls recently signed the government’s Charter for Action, which promotes equality and inclusiveness in sport and shows sporting organisations’ commitment to tackling homophobia and transphobia.

The incident will be referred to the sport’s governing body, the RFL, who are able to issue more stringent penalties if the club’s reaction is thought to be too lenient.

On joining the Charter this year, RFL Chairman Richard Lewis had said: “At the RFL we are committed to eradicating all traces of discrimination from our sport.

“The RFL is proud to have shown our commitment to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport by signing the LGBT charter and by continuing to work hard we can all come together to tackle this issue and kick all forms of discrimination in sport into touch.

“The challenge for us now is not to rest on our laurels but to keep developing our entire equality and diversity programmes and continue the impressive progress we have made in recent years.”

This summer, Whitehead, who was the club’s 2008 player of the year, had been banned for 5 games and fined £300 by the RFL for biting a player during a match.

This week, Welsh team the Ospreys fined player Kristian Phillips after he called a Big Brother contestant a “faggot”.

The honorary doctorate was awarded at the university’s graduation ceremony. It described Mr Tatchell as follows: “Campaigner, author, journalist and broadcaster, Peter Tatchell has devoted his life to speaking out against discrimination and injustice. Australian-born, he began campaigning for Aboriginal rights while still at school. He moved to London in 1971 and soon became a leading member of the Gay Liberation Front.

“In 1990 he co-founded gay rights group OutRage! and he has also spearheaded other long-running campaigns against apartheid, nuclear weapons, environmental degradation and the death penalty. His work to promote the enforcement of international human rights law has included efforts to secure the prosecution of Robert Mugabe and Henry Kissinger. He is currently leading the Equal Love campaign, aimed at ending the bans on same-sex civil marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships.”

After the ceremony, Mr Tatchell said: “It is wonderful to be honoured by my local university, with which I have been associated for nearly 30 years as an occasional guest speaker. I am grateful to receive this recognition for my four decades promoting the enforcement of human rights law and, in particular, my innovative use of the power of citizen’s arrest in a bid to bring President Mugabe to justice for the crime of torture.

“My contribution to human rights is small. But together with many others I have contributed to major gay law reforms and other human rights advances. Our collective efforts have made a positive difference. I dedicate my acceptance of this award to the heroic democracy, human rights and social justice activists in Uganda who are campaigning against the increasingly authoritarian regime of President Yoweri Museveni. Many of them have been arrested, beaten, tortured and jailed. I salute their extraordinary courage.”

Mr Tatchell added: “I dedicate my acceptance of this award to the heroic democracy, human rights, LGBTI and social justice activists in Uganda who are campaigning against the corrupt, authoritarian regime of President Yoweri Museveni. Many of them have been arrested, beaten, tortured and jailed. I walk in their shadow and salute their extraordinary courage.”

Last September, Southwark Council fixed a blue plaque outside the flat that has for many years was the headquarters of his human rights campaigns.

The plaque unveiled by the actor and Stonewall co-founder Sir Ian McKellen reads: “Peter Tatchell. Born 1952. Campaigner for human rights, gay freedom and social justice. Lived Here. Voted by the people.”

Unusually, Southwark Council occasionally awards blue plaques to living people. The honour given to Mr Tatchell was awarded after a vote by residents.

Last summer, Mr Tatchell was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Sussex.

The legislation seeks to criminalise same-sex marriage. It stipulates three years’ jail for a person who enters into a same-sex marriage, and five years’ imprisonment and fines for anyone who “witnesses, abet and aids” an unofficial same-sex marriage.

The legislation’s sponsor, Senator Domingo Obende, claimed that gay marriage was “spreading” and must be stopped.

Nigeria already punishes homosexuality with up to 14 years in prison and gay marriage is not recognised in the country.

The kiss-in is being organised by Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws.

Coordintor Yemisi Ilesanmi, said: “Outside the embassy, Nigerian LGBTI people and our allies will hold hands, hug and kiss as a gesture of defiance against the proposed ban on same-sex marriage and in solidarity with our Nigerian LGBTI brothers and sisters. Come and join us to kiss goodbye to this bill and the sodomy laws. International solidarity knows no borders.

“The new Nigerian bill aims to further criminalise same sex relationships. Already, consensual same-sex conduct between adults is a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years imprisonment and in some parts of the country there is the death penalty under Sharia law.”

Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights lobby the Peter Tatchell Foundation, will attend the kiss-in.

He noted: “This proposed new law violates the equality and non-discrimination guarantees of Article 42 of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria has signed and pledged to uphold”.

The group will present the ambassador with a formal position statement by expatriated Nigerian LGBT people.

The kiss-in will take place on the afternoon of 14 November at Nigeria House.

Eric James, 46 of Lambeth, died early on 30 June after having sex with a man at the cruising spot, the Streatham Guardian reports. Police were told Mr James had taken the substance during the encounter.

Westminster Coroners Court heard that Mr James suffered a heart attack in reaction and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedic at 2.30am.

Deputy coroner, Dr Shirley Radcliffe, said: “It would appear that this death has been clearly linked with the use of poppers or amyl nitrate during a sexual encounter.

“Sadly this can lead to a very sudden death from an arrhythmia [irregular heartbeat] from which it is not possible to resuscitate the individual.”

It was concluded that Mr James had died of misadventure from the unintended consequences of using amyl nitrate.

He had been found with a small bottle of the chemical at the scene, according to Detective Rory Wilkinson of Wandsworth CID, who had initially suspected foul play. Two men were initially arrested.

However, during an investigation, the police found no evidence of a suspicious death.

Mr James was described as a loving father who suffered from bouts of depression and stress due to his bisexuality.

Dr Naseem Akbar from Balham Medical Centre submitted a statement saying the former IT worker had complained in 2002 of being bullied by homophobic gangs near his home. In 2010, he was allegedly beaten up, suffering head injuries requiring stitches. He had also been treated for stress and insomnia. 

Officers returned to Dewhurst Road in a bid to extend appeals to those who live and work in the area, via the handing out of leaflets and disseminating a Bluetooth message to mobile devices.

Just before 4pm on 21 October, officers found 58-year-old William John Saunderson-Smith, commonly known as ‘John’, dead at his home in Dewhurst Road, W14.

A post mortem gave cause of death as head injury caused by blunt trauma, but no weapon was recovered.

Forensic officers searching homes in Dewhurst Road, W14, and Sedlescombe Road, SW6, seized approximately £150,000 in cash found in several plastic bags, lying about in the properties.

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Howard Groves said: “At present details regarding Mr Saunderson-Smith’s life, and the events leading up to his death, remain sketchy.

“Whilst local enquiries are ongoing, we are now extending our appeals to anyone who knew Mr Saunderson-Smith from his frequent visits to gay clubs in and around the Old Brompton Road and Kennington areas. This could be crucial in assisting us to build a complete picture about his life.

“I must stress that we are not treating this as a homophobic crime, however we are keeping an open mind as to the reasons behind his murder.

“We understand that Mr Saunderson-Smith had a number of people in his life though business and leisure interests, I am urging anyone who knew him to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the incident room on 020 8247 7821; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

45 simultaneous dinner parties were held around the capital, with guests including Cilla Black, Graham Norton, Rory Bremner, Russell Tovey, Dan Gillespie Sells, and gay Tory MP Nick Herbert.

A cocktail-filled after party at Piccadilly’s Café De Paris, hosted by Coronation Street star Charlie Condou, followed. The event is in its eleventh year.

Genevieve Edwards, Terrence Higgins Trust’s Executive Director of Fundraising, said: “Our supporters once again did us proud with a show-stopper of an event which has raised huge amounts of money to support people living with HIV.

“With World AIDS Day just round the corner it’s a vital time to raise awareness of HIV so we’re delighted so many of our guests turned out in force again last night to show their support for this cause.”

Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity. It recently launched www.myhiv.org.uk, a site for people living with HIV in the UK, for accredited information, self management tools, interactive web services and community forums.

He told the Evening Standard he felt he had been trapped by new laws which make it a crime to open a picture of a naked male under the age of 18 on a computer. He told the paper he had not solicited the message. Although the age of consent is 16, pornographic models need to be over 18 to be filmed or photographed.

The openly gay barrister, 49, was charged on that count, and on a second relating to a picture of a man in a gas mask in April.

He said police alleged the image was indecent as the gas mask pose was “life-threatening”, due to a risk of suffocation. Mr Walsh contended that the image would be on sale legally in many sex shops.

Mr Walsh was removed from his position as mayoral appointee to the London Fire Authority this week. He said the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and his chief of staff Sir Edward Lister, took the decision after he would not stand down voluntarily.

But Mr Walsh insisted: “I have nothing to regret or be ashamed of. I have done absolutely nothing wrong.”

He said the police service themselves are not sure the male in the first picture was under 18.

Mr Walsh added: “I would have appreciated the opportunity to say to Boris what I’ve said [to the Standard]. He may have made exactly the same political decision but I’m not sure I would have felt quite as cross about it.

“The grounds of the letter of dismissal was that I hadn’t given them full information.

“If they think that when I’m arrested I’m going to give full information when I don’t know the precise nature of the allegations, they’re asking the impossible.”

The case should be committed to the Southwark Crown Court next week.