Protests mar Jerusalem's Pride
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


The Israeli city of Jerusalem held its third Pride march yesterday for its lesbian, gay and bisexual population, although protests marred the day of celebrations.

Thousands of LGB people from across the city joined together to march in the early evening, but encountered hostility from some in the crowds.

Two men were arrested for throwing eggs at participants, while orthodox Jewish people had previously placed posters throughout the city denouncing the parade.

Additionally, local newspapers report that posters telling children to keep away from the "sinners" were also visible.


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Northern Ireland former councillor fired over gay taunts
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


Arthur Templeton has been sacked from his position on Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnership, in the ongoing row over his homophobic taunting of a colleague.

Templeton, who was fined £250 last month for taunting fellow DPP worker John Blair over his sexuality, was said to be "unfit" to work on the partnership in the region.

The decision follows his suspension from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) over the same issue.

DPP chairman Desmond Rea said the decision was made with respect to all those involved, and also with the perception of the policing project in mind. The DPP works with communities across Northern Ireland to build relationships with the police and ensure safety across the province.


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Scotland votes to adopt Civil Partnerships
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK

Members of the Scottish Parliament have voted in favour of using the Sewel motion to adopt Civil Partnerships north of the border when the bill is passed in Westminster later this year.

Same-sex couples throughout Scotland will now have access to the same ceremonies as those in England and Wales, after 80 MSPs voted in favour of adopting the legislation.

Although the decision was broadly welcomed across the country's gay community, the issue of whether the devolved country should have drafted its own Scotland specific laws was still apparent.

This issue first emerged last September, when the Scottish Executive introduced the idea of adopting English and Welsh law on Civil Partnerships when passed.


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Ferndale mayor to help at Motor City event
BY ERIN CHAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


On Saturday, Ferndale Mayor Robert Porter will stand outside of City Hall on 9 Mile and co-officiate a wedding of at least a dozen gay and lesbian couples.

Sort of.

Because Oakland County does not issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples, the wedding will be symbolic. But the mayor's presence will mark the first time someone of his position has ever helped oversee a gay marriage ceremony during the Motor City Pride festival.

"I think if it's done properly, it will just call more attention to the needs and concerns of the gay community and their inability to marry," said Porter, who was asked by Motor City Pride organizers to co-officiate. "Maybe it will help people understand that these people care about each other and want to share their lives together and have the same advantages and disadvantages that everybody else does."


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Police launch helpline for gays and bisexuals
By Lisa Frascarelli


POLICE have set up a new helpline in a bid to crack down on unreported hate crime against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Cumbria, reports Lisa Frascarelli.

The initiative, launched next week, will see 15 specially trained liaison officers provide information and advice to callers who have been affected by abuse about their sexuality.

Three liaison officers who are part of a 15-strong county team made up of police and civilian staff will man mobile phone lines in South Cumbria.

Sgt Chris Wickwar, who is heading the initiative, said he hoped the confidential system would see more people seek help.


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Gay couple 'wed' in a county first
by Louise Hale



HAMPSHIRE'S first-ever gay commitment ceremony at a register office was set to take place in Basingstoke today.

Chris Jones, 28, and partner Brett Bird, 23, are to become the first couple to have a same-sex ceremony at Goldings Register Office.

Mr Jones, who is standing as a Tory candidate for South Ham in the local elections next week, said: "It will be a very special day for us both. I am very nervous but cannot wait.

"We have thought long and hard about it and this is what we want. We love each other very much. I really hope we will encourage other gay couples to do the same."

Due to the present law, same-sex couples cannot legally marry, so a commitment ceremony - which is a public declaration of life-long love and dedication - is the highest form of recognised commitment available for such couples in the UK.


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For Coors Beer Is Thicker Than Blood 
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Denver, Colorado) Faced with the growing threat of a nationwide gay boycott, Coors Brewing Thursday distanced itself from family member and former chair Peter Coors the candidate for US Senate who supports a ban on same-sex marriage.

Calls for a new boycott of Coors began last week when the Republican Senate hopeful during a primary debate said he supported the proposed amendment to the US Constitution to ban gay marriage and praised its author, Colorado Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave.

The boycott has already begun in Chicago where a bar owners group has taken out ads in local gay papers.

In a statement issued Thursday by the company, Coors made it clear Peter Coors' views are his own and not those of the firm.