Paramilitaries deny gay death threat in Northern Ireland
Ben Townley,�Gay.com UK


Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary group has denied any part in the death threats posted to a gay couple in the province earlier this month.

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) had been linked to the threat after a note telling the couple to leave their home was signed in its initials.

The note told the couple they had "2 weeks or bang bang" and called on "gay bastards" to leave the residence.
Additionally, their home, in Derry, was daubed in graffiti telling them to get out of the area.


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Beenie Man apologises for anti-gay lyrics; gay group slams it as "hollow"
Ben Townley,�Gay.com UK


Following accusations that his music advocates the killing of lesbian and gay people, reggae and dancehall star Beenie Man has issued an official apology for any lyrics that have "caused distress and outrage".

The statement, issued through virgin records today, follows an ongoing campaign against the musician and other Jamaican stars for inciting hatred against LGBT people.

In the statement, Beenie Man acknowledges the campaign against him, but dismisses the accusations.

"It has come to my attention that certain lyrics and recordings I have made in the past may have caused distress and outrage among people whose identities and lifestyles are different from my own," it reads.


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Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Expected in Washington This Week
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Morning Editor


(CNSNews.com) - Advocates and opponents of same-sex marriage are keeping a close eye on Washington state, where a court ruling is expected this week in a case seeking to legalize marriage for homosexual couples.

King County Superior Court Judge William Downing heard arguments last week in the lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center on behalf of eight same-sex couples.

The case was filed in state court in March, Lambda Legal said in a press release.

"It was clear during oral arguments that this judge is looking very closely at the important issues our case raises," said Jennifer Pizer, a senior staff attorney with Lambda Legal.


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Gay-marriage petitions ready
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Supporters of ban to present 400,000 signatures today for constitutional amendment
By Jim Siegel
Enquirer Columbus Bureau


Supporters of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage expect to submit more than 400,000 signatures today to place the issue on the November ballot in Ohio.

If at least 323,000 signatures are certified and withstand likely legal challenges, voters could alter the state constitution for the first time since 1997.

At least 10 states, including Kentucky, have constitutional amendments outlawing gay marriage on the November ballot. Missouri voters will decide a gay-marriage amendment today in a special election.

The Ohio amendment would prevent the state from recognizing gay marriage and deems civil unions and domestic partnerships unlawful.


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Tackling discrimination gay staff in the police force
personneltoday.com, 03 Aug 04
Paul Cahill, chairman of the Gay Police Association (GPA), talks to Michael Millar about what the police are doing to fight discrimination against gay staff.


How important is the police have a positive attitude and value their gay staff?

The police are a public service and we have a monopoly on the service we provide. The public deserve a first-class response whenever they call us and the police have to realise the public has no alternative and therefore we should behave responsibly when providing that service.

If we are not inclusive and do not respect our own staff, how on earth can the public have confidence that when we roll up to help them, we are going to respect them? Service behaviour affects service delivery.

Since the GPA was set up in 1990, we have had a steady increase in the number of calls from officers and from civilian police staff that say they are being harassed, victimised or bullied.