American Embassy Plays Host For Gay Pride Event

NAIROBI - On Tuesday, the U.S. embassy in Kenya's capital hosted a gay pride event, believed to be the first of its kind in the country.  The event is as part of the Obama administration’s policy to fight prejudice against lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. 

On Tuesday morning the embassy presented what is thought to be the first LGBT Pride celebration in Kenya, where homosexual acts are punishable by law.  Similar events are being held at U.S. embassies around the world.  The push to promote global LGBT rights follows several victories for gay rights advocates in the U.S. over the past year.

Australia's Mardi Gras Returns to Gay Roots?

 After nearly a decade branded as the New Mardi Gras, organisers have announced Mardi Gras 2012will return to its roots by going back to its old name of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The lycra and glitter-filled parade, to be held in March, was relaunched last Thursday after organisers were told they were losing their way.

Organisers say participants next year are likely to be calling for the right to be married.

“I would absolutely say that marriage equality will be right up there,’’ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Graschairman Pete Urmson said.

“We would like to think we might be celebrating.’

Malaysian Police Halt Gay Festival

Social taboo: Police in Malaysia have banned a gay rights festival after complaints from Muslims and other groups, saying it would "create disharmony".  Picture: AFP AFP

MALAYSIAN police have said they will prevent an annual gay rights festival, angering event organisers.

Organisers of the festival slammed the move yesterday as proof of the repression homosexuals face in the socially conservative Muslim country.

Deputy national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the decision to halt the three-year-old "Seksualiti Merdeka" (Sexuality Freedom) festival set for November 9-13 came after Muslims called for it to be banned.

"Police will take action... to prevent any function relating to the programme," Mr Khalid was quoted as saying by the national Bernama news agency.

Alexandra Burke and Pixie Lott on Manchester Pride 2011

 

 

Alexandra Burke And Pixie Lott at Manchester Pride

The partying continued in Manchester's Gay Village for the Pride Big Weekend's annual music extravaganza.

And last night it was the turn of girlband the Sugababes then former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke to entertain the masses.

Doncaster Gay Pride moves to city stadium for safety

 

The fifth annual Doncaster Gay Pride event is due to take place for the first time at the Keepmoat Stadium after being moved for safety reasons.

In previous years, it had been held in the city's market and racecourse, but organisers made the decision to move following a rise in numbers.  They said the move would give them the chance to "develop and grow".   A Walk of Unity will take place through the town  centre before the gates to the event open at the stadium at 14:00 BST.

Pride chair, Trevor Jones, said: "We are very, very excited about this move as it gives us the chance to develop and grow our event in what has to be one of the most prestigious event venues of any Pride in the UK."

BBC News

Hove MP Mike Weatherley joins LGBTory for Brighton Pride march

 

Conservative MP Mike Weatherley joined members of LGBTory for Brighton Pride's annual parade on Saturday.

The 54 year-old, who is the Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade, march through the city with fellow advocates of Brighton Pride, reported the UK’s Pink Paper.

 

‘Other gay actors warned me not to come out’ says Kieron Richardson

 

 

The  Hollyoaks soap actor  Kieron Richardson has revealed that before he came out last year, other actors warned him that it could stop him from getting roles.   The actor was speaking out to GAYDAR RADIO and other media at Brighton Pride last weekend.

His comments echo those made many many years ago by top posh actor Rupert Everett.  “Obviously I had a lot of advice before I did come out. Other actors in the business, they were like, ‘Oh, maybe it’s not really a good thing to do’ because they felt it could hinder my career.” Said the soap star. 

Riot damage won’t stop Manchester Pride.

 

 

 

Manchester Pride will go ahead this weekend, organisers have said.

 

The city centre is recovering from yesterday’s widespread riots and looting and businesses in the gay village suffered some damage.

Venues including Tribeca, Churchills, Via and View have broken windows but the gay village is said to be open for business.

Stockholm Pride attracts tens of thousands of revellers

 

Tens of thousands of revellers turned out for the annual Stockholm Pride on Saturday as the weeklong celebrations of music, debates and performances peaked with a colourful parade and a lively after party.

Inside Latvia's Gay Rights Battle

 

By Kristina Rizga.

The last time I flew to see my father in Latvia, he didn't get up to greet me. It was the spring of 2008, and he was battling cancer. His hair had lost all of its pepper. His chest and shoulder muscles had evaporated. He sat by a walker surrounded by local newspapers and countless political magazines. "Did you hear we had a gay pride parade again this year?" he said as we sipped black tea. "I don't care what these people do in bed, but why do they have to parade it in front of everyone?"

Openly gay bishop in Louisville urges Christians to 'show more love'

 

Sharing his views on gays and lesbians in the church, the role of religion in public policy and whether non-Christians can go to heaven, Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, conducted an adult faith forum Sunday at Episcopal Church of the Advent in Louisville.

Rio de Janeiro Seeks To Be The World Gay Capital

 

A gay pride march in Rio de Janeiro: the city's tourist board wants to boost its appeal to gay tourists. Photograph: Globo/Getty

The theatre lights dim and a Brazilian supermodel takes to the stage, tanned legs emerging from a skintight miniskirt.

Brighton Pride Looks Set to Flop

 

 

One of the UK’s most popular gay pride celebrations looks set to be one of the biggest flops in its history.   

This years Pride organisers sparked outrage when they announced it would be a pay to play event with a costly entry fee.   Now,  with little over one and half months to go before the event almost  45,000 tickets are yet to be sold.

Victoria Pride

 

Pride week in Victoria culminates with a parade this Sunday and looks all set to be the big highlight of the annual celebration by the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.    The parade is due to start at noon from the corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue and so far more than 75 colourful entrants, including floats and marching bands, are expected.

Bournemouth Pride

 

A pride parade in a Dorset town is to commemorate a member of its organising team who died last year,  reports the BBC.

Steve Collier, who died from cancer last November aged 47, was one of the trustees of the annual Bourne Free Pride event in Bournemouth.   A seafront parade on Saturday 10 July will feature a special award in his name for the "best dressed" entry.

London Pride

Thousands have jammed the streets of London today for London Pride.

 

Photo JaCattell

 

More photos  -

11 Year old to lead San Antonio Pride.

By Michael Barajas for Current

A simple act of classroom disobedience turned 11-year-old Will Phillips into one of the country’s youngest — and targeted — gay-rights advocates.

Two years ago, despite repeated urging from teachers in his West Fork, Ark., fifth-grade classroom, Will refused to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. “There are those parts about ‘liberty and justice for all,’ and I realized that’s just not true,” Will told the Current last week. “It’s not true when gay people don’t have the same rights as everyone else, not if they can’t get married and, in some places, can’t even adopt children like everyone else. … I feel like I’m lying if I say that pledge.”

London Pride–Mayoral Bitch Session!

 

The UK’s capital will come alive with London Pride tomorrow,  but there is going to be a noticeable absence   - London Mayor Boris Johnson.  He wont be going. 

Greater London Authority’s press office confirmed that Johnson is not making an appearance in this year’s Pride parade or at any of the other pride or gay rights related events.  There is also a bit of a bitch fest going on between the spokesmen for Johnson and ex mayor Ken Livingstone.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone Speaks Ahead Of London Pride.

By Ken Livingstone.

This weekend’s Pride reminds us that London’s status as the home to the largest LGBT community in Europe helps place it at the leading edge of major cities. A city that welcomes and encourages the talents and contributions of all is always going to be a more prosperous and safer one that any that does not.

That is why I will be marching with LGBT Labour members this Saturday at Pride. A better and fairer London depends on continuing to move forward on LGBT equality.

Cuba Stages First Gay Pride

 

It wasn’t big in terms of numbers, but it was massive in terms of advancement for equality, awareness and acceptance.   The very first Cuban Pride has taken place,   ok,  so there  were just a few people taking place, not much more than a dozen or so.  But,  these few brave souls made a massive stand on the  road to gay rights recognition in the country.