Church Schools in the Netherlands can fire gay and lesbian teachers

Gay teachers can be dismissed by religious schools if it can be shown that their homosexuality clashes with the ethos of the institution. The Dutch Interior Minister, Guusje Ter Horst, made this statement in a letter to parliament attempting to clear up uncertainty on the highly controversial issue.

Up to now religious school boards faced legal proceedings if they expelled homosexual teachers.

The law was unclear as two constitutional rights clashed: freedom of education and freedom of sexual orientation.

In her letter, Minister Ter Horst says schools are entitled to demand that their staff adhere to the school's principles.

In the case of strict Christian schools, this means they are entitled to reject applicants or sack teachers if their sexual orientation conflicts with the school's Christian values.

Read the full story, here.

England cricketer Steven Davies comes out

England cricketer Steve Davies came out to his teammates at the start of The Ashes tour, according to The Sun (28-02-11). Speaking to a reporter from the paper, Steve explained that he couldn't face a three and a half month tour without explaining to his team that he was gay. He praised Gareth Thomas for setting an example for gay sports professionals and advised young people who know they are gay to go out and talk to someone.

Steve has been out to his close friends and family since he was nineteen, but kept his sexual orientation a secret in public and in his profession.In the interview, he described how hard this was, saying that the moments on the field were great, but the social side of it was very difficult. He praised the team, and particularly captain Andrew Strauss, for their support.

Read the full article in the Sun here. There is also an article in the Telegraph here.

Prison hosts gay players' football match

Players from the Justin Campaign Allstars team competed against inmates and staff from Winchester Prison last week, in a bid to highlight this year’s Football v Homophobia campaign.

The indoor football tournament took place on 9 February after inmates watched a short documentary about gay football team, the Brighton Bandits and took part in a workshop on the issue of homophobia in both sport and wider society.

Read the full story on Pink Paper here.

Secret’s out on the hidden life of gay Victorians

The secret history of Manchester’s gay Victorians is being unearthed in a major study.

Historian Jeff Evans, a member of the Schools Out/LGBT History Month team, is looking at attitudes to homosexuality during the last 150 years.

He has now charted Manchester’s origin as Britain’s gay capital after a painstaking trawl through thousands of records.

Read the full article in the Manchester Evening News here.

Gay Republican Launches White House Bid

Fred Karger, the first openly gay candidate for the US presidency, has begun his campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to The Observer.

Read the full article on the Observer's website, here.

LGBT Campaigners attack Repentance App

The much-talked about Roman Catholic online confession App has come under attack from an LGBT rights group for asking "Have I been guilty of any homosexual activity?" among its questions. Truth Wins out accuses the app of helping to encourage neurosis and shame.

To see full article on the Guardian's website, click here.

Scotland: Gay & Lesbian History Trail Planned for Edinburgh Area

A lesbian and gay 'history trail' is being developed in the county by East Lothian Museums Service.The exact format of the trail has still to be decided but a spokeswoman for the local authority said: " In general terms, the museum service will be looking to identify individuals, events or places that have had a positive impact on the development of gay rights and equality within East Lothian."

Suggestions for points of historical and social interest related to LGBT history in East Lothian can be sent to equalities@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Meanwhile, East Lothian Diversity Network has arranged an event in Musselburgh next week to mark this year's LGBT History Month.

You can read the full story in the East Lothian Courier, here., or visit the East Lothian Council website here.

Baynham Killers Found Guilty

The killers of Ian Baynham have been found guilty of manslaughter.

Ruby Thomas, 18, of Lichfield, Staffs, and Joel Alexander, 20, of Thornton Heath, southeast London, beat and kicked Ian Baynham, 62, and stamped on his head in a homophobic assault, causing such injury that he died 18 days later. The attack took place in late September 2009, and shocked the nation as it took place in Trafalgar Square and was carried out by teenagers.

Thomas was heard to have shouted "F**king f*gg*ts at Baynham and his partner before the attack. The two will be sentences in the new year. Rachael Burke, 18, of Upper Norwood, southeast London, was found guilty of affray at an earlier trial.

For more details, see:
- The Trafalgar Square killers: two found guilty of attack that left gay man dead, The Guardian
- Public schoolgirl who turned killer: Drunk teen's homophobic attack on stranger in Trafalgar Square, The Daily Mail
- Gay hate 'alive and, sometimes, kicking' , BBC News

FIFA condemned for lack of gay-friendliness

The Gay Football Supporters' Network has condemned FIFA for its decision to allow Qatar to host the World Cup in 2022. The middle eastern nation was awarded the honour despite its poor human rights record and the fact that homosexuality is criminalised in the country and carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.

Read the full story in the Pink Paper here

John Amaechi, one of our patrons, has also attacked the head of FIFA for his comments made earlier this week that gay football fans should not have sex when attending the World Cup in Qatar. John said he was "enraged" at the supposed joke and had made a complain to FIFA.

Read the full story in PinkNews here.

Press Release: World Cup Decision a ‘Particular Disappointment for Our Community’

LGBT campaigners were expressing disappointment at the choices of venue for the World Cup over the next decade.

FIFA, Football's governing body, announced yesterday that the World Cup competition would take place in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022. Both countries have dubious track records in respect of Human Rights in general and LGBT Rights in particular.

Tony Fenwick, co-chair of LGBT History Month said: “It seems a great shame that, at a time when there is real work beginning to happen to combat homophobia and transphobia in sport in general and football in particular, FIFA should award these prized honours to countries that leave a lot to be desired as regards their record on equal opportunities and human rights.”

Russia decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, but continues to deny same sex couples marriages, civil partnerships or any other legal recognition of their relationships. It has no legislation to protect LGBT citizens against discrimination, although it does allow homosexuals to serve in the armed forces. Moreover, Moscow Pride has consistently been banned and violence against marchers, including Peter Tatchell, has been ignored or condoned by the authorities.

Qatar operates Sharia law and same sex relationships are illegal and punishable by up to five years hard labour. An American citizen was convicted of homosexuality and sentenced to 6 months hard labour and 90 lashes in 1995. Later, there were mass arrests and deportations of Phillipinos for their alleged homosexual activity.

“I had no particular preference for the England bid,” continued Tony. “The English FA attended the LGBT History Month Pre-Launch and has announced its commitment to tackling homophobia on the terraces and on the pitch. But Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal all have same-sex marriage and an excellent record on LGBT equality. To be honest, it feels like a kick in the teeth that this honour should be bestowed on two states that have a very dubious record on LGBT rights.”

There is hope, however, that the decision may encourage Russia and Qatar to improve their record on LGBT rights so that they might gain international kudos. FIFA’s decision, however, is final and it is not open to public scrutiny.

More on Wikipedia:
- LGBT Rights in Russia
- LGBT Rights in Qatar

Successful pre-launch for LGBT History Month

The sports community today joined LGBT activists at a ground breaking event to make plans for the biggest ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month, throughout February 2011.

The month aims to raise the profile of LGBT sportspeople past and present, as well as tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport.

Participants in today’s pre-launch event heard from LGBT sports specialists and organisers of successful LGBT History Month events shared their experience.

BBC TV’s Jane Hill compered a panel discussion with John Amaechi, psychologist and former NBA basketball star, Clare Harvey, GB sitting volleyball player, and rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

Gareth spoke of his personal torment in the closet and the liberation of coming out. He cited the power that sponsoring brands such as Nike have to set the agenda and make positive changes.

Clare thought it would be easier to come out before reaching peak performance as there would be less pressure.

John also shared his unique professional insight as both a psychologist and professional sportsman, when he spoke of ‘the authenticity of living openly’. The tiny amount of energy a closeted sportsperson reserves to protect themselves really is significant at the level of elite sport.

Dikeledi Sabanda spoke movingly about the Chosen Few black lesbian soccer team in Johannesburg and their tireless and often dangerous campaign work. She said the South African constitution looks great on paper, but in reality it just didn’t protect her.

Sue Sanders, Co-chair of LGBT History Month, commented: 'It’s been an amazing, productive day for everyone involved. We heard so many positive stories and great ideas for events. We’ll try and share everything on our website.

‘There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Dikeledi told us of the brutal murder of her friend and teammate.

‘Taking on homophobia and transphobia in sport is a huge challenge for us, but I’m bowled over by the expertise and passion in the community to make this happen.

I’m already looking forward to some fabulous events in February!’

Gareth Thomas backs campaign against prejudice - Wales Online

Picture by Karen Kodish showing Gareth Thomas, John Amaechi and Clare Harvey.

More pictures of the event can be found on our Flickr photopool. Please feel free to add your own.

A Stonewall Veteran, 89, Misses the Parade

At noon on Sunday, thousands of marchers filled Fifth Avenue for New York City’s annual gay pride parade. Nearly six miles away, on the sixth floor of a nursing home in Brooklyn, the frail, white-haired woman in beige pajamas and brown slippers in Room 609 sat motionless at the edge of her bed, staring out her window.

Read the story of Stonewall veteran Storme DeLarverie in the New York Times here.

Forty Years of Gay Liberation Front

“We were just spectacular,” says Michael James, former drag queen and member of the 1970s’ Gay Liberation Front. “Visible, colourful, out loud, inventive, flamboyant and very, very funny.” It’s been 40 years since gay men and women put forward a radical notion – being gay wasn’t something to hide or apologise for, but rather something of which to be proud. This was revolutionary.

Helena Pozniak looks at the movement that involved changing society rather than adapting to it in the Independent, here.

The GLF's manifesto (1971) can be found here.

Dakar: from Africa's gay capital to centre of homophobia

In colonial times, Senegal's metropolis Dakar was famous for its open and tolerated homosexual prostitution market, and as late as in the 1970s, as many as 17 percent of Senegalese men admitted having had homosexual experiences. Now, Dakar is West Africa's centre of gay oppression.

Read the full article in Afrol News, here.

Embargoed Government Files Expose Homophobic Attitudes

Embargoed government files from 1974-1978 were released by The National Archives today, unveiling some of the disturbing attitudes government officials once held towards homosexuality - and how their approach was softened by the equality movement.

Read the full article in the Pink Paper here.

Is The Malawi Couple Sentence A Trans Issue?

Yes, according to Natacha Kennedy. Writing in the Guardian's Comment is free section, Kennedy claims that Tiwonge, who lives as a woman when at liberty, is transgender, possibly intersex, and that failing to mention this is implicitly transphobic.

Read the full article in the Guardian here.

Prevalence of Homophobia' - News Round Up

Following the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia launch of the 'Prevalence of Homophobia' surveys in the North West, the following news reports have appeared showing the true extent of homophobia in our schools.

- Homophobic abuse rife in Liverpool schools by Marc Waddington, Liverpool Echo
- Liverpool marks International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), Liverpool Daily Post:
- Peter Tatchell to launch Liverpool anti-homophobic bullying plan, Crosby Herald
- Coronation Street Antony Cotton in gay-hate bullies plea, MEN
- Homophobia still rife in schools, warns NUT, Oldham Chronicle

in addition BBC Radio GMR featured coverage of the story in its morning and afternoon news bulletin. This included an interview with Prof. Martin Hall (Vice-Chancellor of Salford University) host of the NUT launch. Commercial Radio Key 103 included interviews from those attending the launch in its news bulletins and feature.

Schools OUT and LGBT History Month Co-Chair, Tony Fenwick, said, "At last the press is reporting what teachers and pupils have known for ages; that homophobia is endemic in our schools. Now we need to challenge the Government, the LEAs and our school's leaders to take on homophobia and eradicate it."

Cameron says he will try to celebrate LGBT History Month

Answering questions put to him by readers of Pink News, Tory Leader David Cameron said he supports LGBT History Month and will try to celebrate it if elected to form a Tory Government. Asked if he would hold a reception to celebrate LGBT History Month in Downing Street, as Gordon Brown has for the past two years, David Cameron said, “I really don't think I can start putting things in the diary yet – we've got to win this General Election first and that's a massive task. But whether or not the Conservatives get elected, I would of course be delighted to mark LGBT History Month in some way”.

Answering other questions, Cameron said he would adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to homophobic bullying and that he understood Michael Gove wanted to introduce training for teachers on how to tackle it.

Crucially for many teachers and others exempt from the Criminal Justice Act, Cameron said he would ensure that people convicted of consensual sexual acts that would have been legal after the age of consent was equalised in 2000, would have their convictions quashed. Nick Clegg has made the same commitment.

He expressed concerns over the postcode lottery for gender reassignment and said ‘if’ it existed he would get Andrew Lansley to ‘look at it’.

Cameron also said he would make it harder for homophobic bullies who were excluded from school to return and that his allies in Europe were not homophobic, although he accepted that some were ‘socially conservative’.

Finally, he announced that if elected, his party will erase the historic convictions of all those found guilty of consensual gay sex.

LGBT rights campaigner and Green supporter Peter Tatchell has challenged David Cameron on his responses to questions written by PinkNews readers. In a Pink News article on Saturday, he said that Cameron's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy contained little that was specific and that he had not fully answered the question of a postcode lottery for people with gender dysphoria. On Sunday, Tatchell took part in a 50-minute meeting with Tory frontbenchers George Osborne, Theresa May and Nick Herbert, which he seemed to consider disappointing.

You can read the full set of questions and answers on the PinkNews website here.

New legislation to protect LGB people

The Scottish parliament has passed legislation that will make hate crime a factor in prosecuting people who attack LGB and/or disabled people, bringing it in line with legislation south of the border.

The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009, passed by Holyrood on Wednesday was also the first Act proposed by the Green Party in Scotland to be brought into law.

For more information, read the article here on the Herald's website.

At the other end of the country, Guernsey politicians have agreed to lower the age of consent for gay men from 18 to 16, bringing the law into line with that for heterosexuals and lesbians.

Read the full article on PinkNews here.

Finally, a law criminalising stirring up homophobic hatred in England and Wales came into effect on Tuesday.

Read the full article on PinkNews here.

Same Sex Hand Holding Nominated for award

A Day in Hand - LGBT History Month's sister project, has been nominated to win the Pink Paper award for ‘best gay organisation’ –for A Day In Hand and for ‘best event’– for Same-sex hand holding Saturdays.

David Watkins, the project's founder, says: "So this is the final round, and essentially an easier box ticking exercise. Please can you help one more time and also send to friends and family and get them to do it. Just go to www.adayinhand.com/news/pinkpaperawards and follow instructions."

Voting closes on March 1st, so there's little time left.