It’s hard to contemplate that some forty two years ago this very week the eyes of the world looked to New York and the horrible scenes of brutality to gay people. It was an uprising, a fight back, a time to make a stand, it was what has become known as The Stonewall Riots, many claim it was the birth place of the gay pride movement, at least in America. It also spurred on gay people in other nations, that the time to stand up for equality had finally come.
The UK Scout Association has revealed plans that show it is an organization that moves with the times, it’s bidding to increase its amount of gay members and leaders it has.
MORE than 400 homophobic crimes were reported in Scotland last year.
Prosecutors said in the first full year since hate-crime laws were introduced 448 charges were made for crimes aggravated by prejudice over sexual orientation.
Beautiful weather greeted the 504 volunteer walkers who took part in the annual Stonewall Brighton equality 10k walk this weekend.
In a campaign against homophobia in education, Stonewall has enlisted the actor Sir Ian McKellen to do a nationwide tour of schools
Sir Ian McKellen (right) with Ben Doyle, and Zahra Al Moozany.
Christina Aguilera’s smash-hit song Beautiful was the most empowering pop song of the last decade for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, according to Stonewall’s latest social media poll.
The UK equality charity Stonewall has launched what will be the biggest survey of gay and bisexual men’s health, the country has ever known.
The Department of Health has been criticised for spending £36,000 on a two-day residential course for gay and lesbian NHS managers. The report follows extensive ‘freedom of information’ requests put to health and local government authorities regarding gay issues from two UK national newspapers.
The biggest names from London’s theatre community have recorded a moving video for Stonewall’s It Gets Better – Today campaign. Reports the UK’s Pink Paper.
The initiative reassures young lesbian, gay and bisexual people experiencing homophobic bullying that they don’t have to wait for things to get better - their lives can be great today.
The new messages come from a host of leading actors, directors and personalities – including National Theatre Director Nick Hytner, Martin Sherman (author of Bent), Chris New (star of Prick Up Your Ears), Kerry Ellis (played Nancy in Oliver! and Elphaba in Wicked), and choreographer Stephen Mear – plus many more.In the video, Nick Hytner candidly recalls: "I remember a young gay acquaintance of my parents being killed in a car crash when I was a teenager and them saying they thought it was probably for the best that he was dead because he was going to have such an unhappy life.
"My parents are completely different now. Most of their best friends are gay. Everybody grows. As for my personal life – it’s pretty good. It’s not perfect - I don’t know anybody’s who is – but its imperfections have absolutely nothing to do with my sexual orientation."
The West End personalities join other celebrities and MPs who have added their support to the campaign, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Gareth Thomas, Sue Perkins, Clare Balding, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Joe McElderry, John Partridge, Antony Cotton, Danny Miller, Sarah Waters, Theresa May MP and Diane Abbott MP.
Stars of London's West End support Stonewall's It Get's Better campaign - PinkPaper.com
Good news for East Sussex County Council!
They have been named as one of the best employers of gay and lesbian people in the UK.
It came seventh, higher than any other local authority, in the list compiled by gay rights group Stonewall.
The charity rated employers according to criteria which included how they implemented equality issues and supported and engaged with homosexual and transgender staff.
I guess it’s no surprise that the the council did so well, here in Brighton, one of the biggest towns in the council area has the biggest gay population outside of London!
For the council not to have a high rating would have been a major surprise.
Council leader Peter Jones said he was very proud of the achievement.
He said: "That is a huge achievement and recognition of our positive approach on equality issues and the initiatives that we have carried out over the last few years such as our LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] Staff Forum.
