Scotland, UK: Liberal Democrats Leader Says it's Time to Move Ahead on Marriage Equality

May 23rd, 2013

Now that England and Wales have advanced a marriage equality measure, the head of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, Willie Rennie, is pushing for a Scottish vote. Pink News reports:

Mr Rennie said: "Modern, progressive nations are increasingly endorsing equal marriage as the change respects people who wish to commit to each other. How we treat each other... read_more

UK: A Few More Marriage Equality Updates

May 22nd, 2013

After yesterday'sPassage of the marriage equality bill in United Kingdom, we have a few more updates for you. First off, UK Prime Minister David Cameron appears to have spent quite a lot of political capital to get the bill passed. Queerty reports:

"It's a perfect political storm. It couldn't have come at a worse time for Cameron," Iain Dale,... read_more

UK: House of Commons Passes Marriage Equality Bill on Third and Final Reading

May 21st, 2013

The House of Commons gave its final seal of approval to the marriage equality bill today, sending it up to the House of Lords for consideration. Here's a recap of today's events. An amendment that would have reinstated marriages for transgender citizens who had them annulled to have reassignment surgery was withdrawn. Pink News reports:

Equality Minister Helen Grant... read_more

UK: Third Reading Vote Due Today on Marriage Equality Bill

May 21st, 2013

Having survived a contentious day of debates and amendments, the marriage equality bill will be debated on some more today before receiving a third reading and final vote in the House of Commons. Pink News is liveblogging the event. Marriage quality opponents are not happy, including Lord Tebbit, who said the Prime Minister had "fucked up" by pushing the... read_more

UK Marriage Equality Bill Survives Amendment Onslaught

May 20th, 2013

A number of amendments were offered to the marriage equality bill, including at least one that could have killed it. Pink News reports on one that would have allowed registrars opt out of performing same sex weddings:

An amendment to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill tabled by Conservative MP David Burrowes, urging for registrars to be allowed to... read_more

UK: More Marriage Equality Bill Updates

May 20th, 2013

They're coming in fast and furious this morning. First off, gay activist Peter Tatchell is supporting the amendment to allow straight couples to enter into civil partnerships. Pink News reports:

I urge MPs to vote for the right of heterosexual couples to have a civil partnership. Banning them is wrong. This is a simple issue of equality.... read_more

UK: Proposed Amendment Could Delay or Kill Marriage Equality Bill

May 20th, 2013

Things are heating up in the UK over the marriage equality bill for England and Wales. Pink News is liveblogging the debate. Pink News reports:

Three Tory MPs - Tim Loughton, Charlotte Leslie and Rob Wilson - are pushing for civil partnerships to be an option for heterosexual couples in an amendment as part of this week's... read_more

UK: Defence Secretary Says There's No Demand for Marriage Equality, PM Disagrees

May 17th, 2013

Pink News reports - aAfter Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said this:

"I have just never felt that this is what we should be focusing on. This change does redefine marriage. For millions and millions of people who are married, the meaning of marriage changes. There is a real sense of anger among many people who are married... read_more

Europe: New Survey of LGBT People Released for IDAHO

May 17th, 2013

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Towleroad.com reports on a new study just released for today in Europe:

According to the data collected, LGBT people start facing difficulties early at school, where they regularly experience bullying and harassment. For this reason, anti-bullying policies should be developed and implemented and teachers should be trained about how... read_more

Europe: New Rainbow Map Shows How Gay Friendly (or Not) European Countries Are

May 16th, 2013

A European gay rights group has released a new map scoring each country for its gay friendly policies. Joe.My.God reports:

ILGA-Europe has issued its annual overview of LGBT rights. Although it does not yet have full marriage equality, the United Kingdom received the highest rating of the 49 nations in the report, earning a 77% score. Russia... read_more

UK: Liberal Democrats To be Allowed to Vote Their Conscience on Marriage Equality

May 16th, 2013

Liberal MP's will be allowed to vote freely in the third reading of the marriage equality bill. Pink News reports:

Liberal Democrat Voice reports at Tuesday's parliamentary meeting of Lib Dem MPs, it was agreed that all would be given a free vote during next week's Commons debate on a number of amendments to the bill. Previously,... read_more

United Kingdom: Marriage Equality Updates

May 15th, 2013

A few things bubbling to the surface in the fight for marriage equality in the UK, as the House of Commons prepares for the third reading of the bill next week. First off, Conservative MP David Burrowes has admitted that he's only pushing for a public vote on marriage equality to derail the bill in Parliament. Pink News read_more

UK: Some Tories Push for Public Vote on Marriage Equality

May 13th, 2013

A group of conservatives is pushing to send the marriage equality bill to a public vote. The Guardian reports:

A group of Conservative MPs has proposed a referendum to allow the public to vote on gay marriage in one of several amendments aimed at watering down the bill to legitimise same-sex weddings. More than 100 MPs may... read_more

UK: Christians to Attend Organized Prayers Against Marriage Equality Bill

May 12th, 2013

The anti-gay group Christian Concern is organizing prayer meetings against the marriage equality bill later this month. Pink News reports:

The Adamantly homophobic group Christian Concern, has organised the intermittent prayer meetings to take place outside Parliament on the two days of the bills third reading. To coincide with the Bill's third reading, Christian Concern is organising... read_more

UK: Updates on the Marriage Equality Bill Debate

May 10th, 2013

A few updates from Pink News out of the UK on the marriage equality bill there. First off, Lord Carey is accusing the government of sidelining and marginalizing opponents of marriage equality and minority ethnic communities:

Lord George Carey of Clifton told the House of Lords yesterday that the Government has painted opponents of marriage equality as a "strange breed... read_more

Northern Ireland, UK: Local District Council Supports Marriage Equality

May 9th, 2013

A local district council in Northern Ireland has just passed a resolution endorsing marriage equality. Pink News reports:

The District Council in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, has passed a Sinn Fein motion in favour of “supporting the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Fermanagh regardless of race, religion or sexuality.” The motion passed,... read_more

UK: Marriage Equality Bill To Be Debated In House Of Commons Starting May 20th

May 9th, 2013

The UK's gay marriage bill is finally back on the table, with debate planned in the House of Commons on May 20 and 21st. Pink News reports:

The bill's remaining stages will be debated on 20 and 21 May, Leader of the Commons Andrew Lansley told MPs on Thursday. If the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is approved... read_more

UK: Tory MPs Again Push Prime Minister to Drop Marriage Equality Bill

May 6th, 2013

In what seems to be becoming a regular bimonthly occurrence, members of Prime Minister David Cameron's own party are once again urging him to drop the marriage equality bill ahead of elections next year. Gay Star News reports:

According to According to British newspaper The Telegraph, former defense minister Sir Gerald Howarth urged Cameron to drop the gay marriage... read_more

Northern Ireland: Assembly Defeats Marriage Equality Bill, As Expected

Apr 29th, 2013

After the country's largest party basically issued a veto, the marriage equality bill was expected to fail. But still, it's sad to actually see it happen. LGBTQ Nation reports:

A bid to legalize same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland was defeated in the Assembly on Monday by a vote of 53 to 42. A motion by the... read_more

UK: Daughter of Anti-Marriage Equality Conservative Tory Produces Film Supporting Gay Rights

Apr 29th, 2013

The daughter of a conservative Tory MP proposes gay marriage has made a film spoofing Le Miserables in support of gay rights. Pink News reports:

The daughter of an anti-equal marriage Conservative MP has produced a film in support of gay rights called Misérable Lesbians. A spoof of the original Les Misérables, Katie Amess, daughter of Tory MP David... read_more