London’s East End Pride should be cancelled, gay campaigners say

Next month’s East End Gay Pride should be cancelled because it will cause “community tension”, it has been claimed.

Some local gay campaigners say the march, in east London, will cause tensions between gay people and Muslims.

The march, to be held on April 2nd, has been organised by six friends as a response to anti-gay stickers plastered around the East End.

But opponents say it is an “emotional reaction” which “risks antagonising and scapegoating” Muslims.

They have also accused organisers of having “close links” to the English Defence League because some have Facebook friends who appear to be involved in the far-right group.

Read the letter here

The organisers have expressly barred political groups such as Unite Against Fascism, the English Defence League and the Socialist Workers Party from having a visible presence in the march.

Although the parade has been backed by local police and Tower Hamlets council, some local campaigners are calling for it to be cancelled.

An open letter signed by Out East chair Thierry Schaffauser and Terry Stewart of the Hackney Community Engagement Board claims that the Pride march may “divide our communities” or be used “to oppress other marginalised groups”.

Out East organises Hackney Pride and the letter has also been signed by Denis Fernando of Unite Against Fascism and the Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils.

It says: “We believe that the most appropriate response to the stickers is to liaise with Muslim communities and others to create bridges and communicate with each other.

“We want both homophobia and Islamophobia addressed as a collective problem and not feed one against the other, we do not recognise these as distinct categories.

“We will refuse any attempt to divide our communities or take the risk that an LGBTQ event is used to oppress other marginalised groups, in particular LGBTQ Muslims who will be the most affected by this rising antagonism.”

In response, the organisers of East End Gay Pride said in a statement: “We can 100 per cent confirm that the EDL [English Defence League] or the SWP [Socialist Workers Party] have absolutely nothing to do with this event in any way, shape or form.

“This is wholly a non-political demonstration and purely a high visibility demonstration of the East End gay community. This is not an anti-Muslim march. This is not an anti-anything march. We have stated this over and over again, here and on our website. We simply want to say: ‘Hang on. You’re wrong. The East End is NOT a gay-free zone’.”

East End Pride has also received support from the organisers of Pride London.

In an opinion for PinkNews.co.uk today, chair Paul Birrell wrote: “The organisers of the event should be applauded for this fun and timely reminder of the East End’s LGBT community, not showered with abuse for simply wanting to show, well, a bit of Pride.

“The idea that being out and proud is somehow an assault on someone else’s views is used time and again by hostile governments to ban Pride.

“That some within London’s own LGBT community should use this argument – in what looks suspiciously like a case of sour grapes at not having thought of the idea first – is a source of shame.”

It has been suggested that the anti-gay stickers, which warn gay people to “fear Allah”, have been posted by the English Defence League to stir up tension between LGBT and Muslims.

PinkNews.co.uk reported on Friday that an Asian man had been arrested and released without charge after being found with the stickers in his possession.

Last month, the Muslim Council of Britain and the East London Mosque condemned the homophobic stickers.

Football Association accepts gay rights charter

The Football Association and other sports bodies have signed a government charter for gay rights.

The charter calls on sports to stamp out homophobia and transphobia and ensure everyone is welcome.

Other signatories include the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League, the Rugby Football Union and the Olympics organising committee.

Alex Horne, general secretary of the FA, said: “The FA and its stakeholders have worked hard over the years in providing football for all and ensuring that football stadia are open to everyone and are both family and LGB and T friendly.

“We’ve seen real progress over the last 20 years when it comes to tackling racism and that’s something football should be proud of. We remain committed to our long-term goal of removing all forms of discrimination, such as homophobia, out of the game.”

Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone urged other sports groups and individuals to sign the charter.

She said: “Sport should be about what you can do, not who you are. But too many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people feel that the sports field is not somewhere they can be themselves, and that prejudice and discrimination will mean their sexuality is always talked about more than their ability with a ball, bat or racket.

“Homophobia and transphobia has no place in sport and I’m delighted that so many sporting bodies are backing our campaign to stamp it out at all levels, from local parks to Olympic stadiums.”

This month, Swedish footballer Anton Hysen, the son of former Liverpool player Glenn Hysen, announced he is gay.

The UK has had just one openly gay top-level footballer. Justin Fashanu, who killed himself in 1998, suffered taunts and bullying over his sexuality.

Last year, the FA cancelled the premiere of an anti-homophobia video it had produced. Officials said they had more to do on the film, although they said it would be shown to match stewards as a training and education tool.

Other sports are better represented. England cricketer Steven Davies and Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas are openly gay.

Comment: Why are gay people trying to ban East End Pride?

Paul Birrell, the chair of Pride London, argues that the organisers of East End Pride should be congratulated for showing that East London is out and proud.

East End Gay Pride, the first Pride event focused on the East End of London, is set for April 2nd. This follows a spate of homophobic literature being plastered around the East End and the event is the brainchild of a group of friends from the area.

In a sad reminder of the prejudice that Prides face throughout the world, the event has been denounced as confrontational, with the organisers facing a flurry of baseless and deeply personal abuse.

I had thought that the idea of Pride being too confrontational had long died: London’s long-running annual Pride event is nowadays one of the UK’s largest outdoor events and attracts participants and spectators from throughout London’s many different communities.

However, it seems that once that concept transfers out of gay-friendly central London, then a different logic is applied and such openness is deemed to be in some way unacceptable. This is nonsense. The East End of London has a long history of drag clubs and gay boozers and was even – briefly – home to London’s Pride event.

The organisers of the event should be applauded for this fun and timely reminder of the East End’s LGBT community, not showered with abuse for simply wanting to show, well, a bit of Pride.

Perhaps one of the most bizarre rumours floating around is that Pride is being used as a front for the far right. Leaving aside the admitted similarity in appearance between the far right and quite a few gay men – it’s the boots and cropped hair – the idea that the far right has decided to re-brand itself with a bit of Kylie and some rainbow flags is laughable.

The idea that being out and proud is somehow an assault on someone else’s views is used time and again by hostile governments to ban Pride – I’ve seen this argument used to force the LGBT community off the streets and into parks, away from public view. That some within London’s own LGBT community should use this argument – in what looks suspiciously like a case of sour grapes at not having thought of the idea first – is a source of shame.

Pride London has offered to help East End Gay Pride navigate its way through the Byzantine regulations on outdoor events. We’re genuinely pleased that the organisers are bringing pride – and, I’m sure, lots of fun – to the East End.

The open letter to the organisers of East End Gay Pride

The open letter from Out East to the organisers of East End Pride

As a result of the recent homophobic stickers that appeared in Shoreditch, Stoke Newington and broader East London, you have decided to organise a Pride March event on the 2nd April. Out East, with other local LGBTQ community groups, has great concerns about this demonstration and we have decided neither to participate in the event nor to call our supporters to be part of it, and we think it important to express the reasons why.

Firstly, it is not clear who is behind the stickers and the police are still investigating that issue. However, what is clear is that the message of the stickers identifies Islam as the cause for this hate. There have been allegations that it is an attempt from far right groups to stigmatise Muslim people. Whether this is true or not, what will remain in people’s minds is that Muslim people as a whole group are the cause for homophobia. It may not be the intention of East End Gay Pride to endorse this message but having a short term response and an emotional reaction to these stickers risks antagonising and scapegoating Muslim communities. Out East refuses that LGBTQ rights or pride demonstrations are used to promote islamophobia even if not intentionally. Furthermore the council, the mayor, the East London Mosque and the interfaith community worked with local LGBTQ people to take a stand against homophobia and support the police. Neither yourselves or the majority of the media have highlighted this approach, leaving the wrong impression that the east end is actually in danger of becoming a ‘gay-free zone’.

Secondly, we have serious concerns about the close links that this event and some of its organisers have with the English Defence League. This ranges from one organiser stating they are supporting the event on the Facebook group, to inviting Facebook members with EDL logos as their profiles to participate, and some organisers having EDL friends on their profiles*. This has been further compounded by the fact that East End Gay Pride has banned anti-fascist group UAF from attending the event. In addition to this, East End Gay Pride organisers have made it clear that they don’t want the event to be political.

On the contrary, we believe that our response to homophobia can only be a political response and must therefore include all political groups who are working against all discrimination. Taking this political position automatically excludes far right groups who preach a message of exclusion and East End Gay Pride should make it clear that such groups, including the EDL, are not welcome at this event. Instead, the organisers of East End Gay Pride prefer to say that everyone is welcome as long as they don’t bring any political sign or banner. It is clear from comments made on Facebook and responses to articles referring to East End Gay Pride that EDL members will be tolerated if they carry no specifically political signage. If nothing is clearly done to prevent EDL individuals taking part in East End Gay Pride we have great concerns regarding the safety of all the participants, including LGBTQ people themselves who have been repeatedly the target of the far right.

*(Latte Labour blog, containing screen grabs of EDL presence http://lattelabour.blogspot.com/2011/03/east-end-gay-pride-update.html)

In addition, Out East believes that our response to homophobia must be political because homophobia is a system which is present everywhere and not only a hate feeling from particular groups or individuals. Homophobia is not caused only by one particular group but is part of broader society and has political roots. It is easy to portray other minorities (even unintentionally) as the cause of homophobia rather than, for example, questioning the lack of means to fight discrimination in a period of cuts in public services. Instead, we want to highlight the intersection between sexuality, gender, race and class oppression. Homophobia is fed by political practices and ideologies which in turn encourage individuals to commit discriminatory acts.

Thirdly, we believe that the most appropriate response to the stickers is to liaise with Muslim communities and others to create bridges and communicate with each other. We want both homophobia and islamophobia addressed as a collective problem and not feed one against the other, we do not recognise these as distinct categories. We will refuse any attempt to divide our communities or take the risk that an LGBTQ event is used to oppress other marginalised groups, in particular LGBTQ Muslims who will be the most affected by this rising antagonism.

We cannot disconnect this particular event from the more general trend in western countries to use LGBTQ liberation campaigns and feminism as a way to stigmatise migrants and Islam as a monolithic culture or Muslim people as uncivilised, barbaric terrorists or hateful invaders.

We applaud the work of Rainbow Hamlets, the Tower Hamlets LGBT Forum to which we belong. It is building meaningful open dialogue between all communities, so that each addresses issues of homophobia, transphobia, islamaphobia and racism in their own midsts. We, in common with Rainbow Hamlets, would like public meetings to happen in East London where LGBTQ and Muslim communities come together and discuss the issues of homophobia, transphobia, islamophobia and racism and how we can all fight together against all discrimination. We welcome working with the local councils in East London to facilitate the organisation of these public meetings by providing safe spaces in which to meet and link all of our groups and organisations together.

For all the reasons above, we call on you and the organisations supporting this event to cancel it with a view to working with the local communities of the East End to ensure active, inclusive responses are made to homophobia, which do not inadvertently contribute to community tensions.

We encourage all other groups who agree with us to co-sign this letter and those already involved to reconsider their support.

On behalf of Out East,

Thierry Schaffauser, Chair.

Terry Stewart, Hackney Community Engagement Board.

[Denis Fernando of Unite Against Fascism and the Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils have also given their support to the letter]

US state department official resigns after calling Bradley Manning’s treatment “stupid”

US state department spokesman PJ Crowley has tendered his resignation after he called the treatment of Bradley Manning, the solider accused of leaking secret cables to Wikileaks as “stupid.”

Private Manning, whose Facebook profile lists him as being gay, is being held in solitary confiement on suicide watch at the Quantico marine base in Virginia. He is kept shackled at all times.

Mr Crowley made the remarks at an event held at MIT- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

When asked about Wikileaks and the “torturing [of] a prisoner in a military brig,” he said: “I spent 26 years in the air force.

“What is happening to Manning is ridiculous, counterproductive and stupid, and I don’t know why the DoD [Department of Defense] is doing it. Nevertheless, Manning is in the right place.”

Mr Manning resigned after the comments were made public in a blog by the BBC’s Philippa Thomas who was in the audience. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she accepted Mr Crowley’s resignation “with regret”. She said that he had always been “motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy”.

A report by Amnesty International said that Private Manning has been held for “for 23 hours a day in a sparsely furnished solitary cell and deprived of a pillow, sheets, and personal possessions since July 2010″. He is forced to undress on a daily basis and is said to be in an almost permanent state of undress in order to prevent him from committing suicide.

Christian foster couple want ‘political intervention’ in gay equality laws

A Christian couple who were barred from fostering because of their views on homosexuality are seeking a ‘political intervention’ in gay equality laws.

Eunice and Owen Johns, of Derby, have been advised by their lawyer Paul Diamond not to appeal the High Court decision because judges are having to interpret “bad law”.

Instead, they and Mr Diamond are seeking a review of equality laws and will begin lobbying MPs and ministers to support their cause.

The Johns were told by Derby council in 2007 that their application to become foster parents would not be approved because they had admitted they would tell children that homosexuality is unacceptable.

Last month, High Court judges Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Beeston upheld the council’s decision and ruled that that the Johns’ views could harm foster children.

They also dismissed Mr Diamond’s claims as “a travesty of reality”.

Mr Diamond said in a Christian Legal Centre statement: “The courts are so set against religious freedom for Christians that an appeal is likely to only make matters worse.

“In recent years, there has been a combination of bad laws and a number of poor judicial appointments by the previous government.

“Where there are excellent judges they are restricted by bad laws. Unfortunately, there are also judges making law based on personal predilections. Parliament must remedy this situation as a matter of urgency.”

He added: “The British people have reversed silly laws in the past; the time is ripe for a review of the equality laws. It is time for the ‘Big Society’ to become a reality and to re-strengthen the communitarian institutions such as the church and other such bodies that can build this.

“Finally, the absurd ‘human rights’ agenda needs to be re-visited including the Human Rights Act.”

Mr Diamond and the Johns are to ask MPs to sign an ‘Equalities and Conscience Petition’ which calls on prime minister David Cameron to ensure that laws allow Christians to act on their consciences.

This week, Mr Cameron backed the High Court’s decision on the couple, saying: “This matter was decided by a court in the appropriate way and I think we should rest with the judgment that was made.

The prime minister said that he was a churchgoer but added: “I think Christians should be tolerant and welcoming and broad minded.”

Man arrested, released over East End anti-gay stickers

An 18-year-old man was arrested and subsequently released last month in connection with anti-gay stickers posted around London’s East End.

The teenager was arrested on February 18th and taken to Limehouse Police Station. He was later released without charge.

Police first received reports of the stickers last month and around 70 have been spotted in east London.

They say: “Arise and warn. Gay free zone. Verily Allah is severe in punishment.”

PinkNews.co.uk understands that the man was Asian. He is understood to have been carrying the stickers at the time of his arrest.

However, sources say police are taking advice as to whether this is a criminal offence under the Public Order Act.

It is not clear whether the wording of the stickers – ‘gay-free zone’ – incites hatred based on sexual orientation under the law.

As the stickers have been placed on the walls of tube stations, the investigation is now being carried out jointly with British Transport Police (BTP).

Officers are examining CCTV footage in areas where the stickers have been reported and say enquiries are continuing.

Detective Superintendent Grieg Lloyd from the Community Safety Unit at Tower Hamlets said: “We are taking this matter seriously and while we have seen a recent drop in the number of stickers being put up, enquiries are still underway to find out who’s responsible and this is now a joint investigation with out colleagues at BTP.

“We urge the public to let us know if they see any further stickers on display as this may assist us in identifying patterns and tracing who is posting them.

“If anyone has information about these stickers they can call the police on 0300 123 1212, or in an emergency always call 999.”

Police say that despite rumours, there is no evidence that the English Defence League is involved.

Last month, the Muslim Council of Britain and the East London Mosque condemned the homophobic stickers.

Dilwar Khan, director of the mosque and the London Muslim Centre, said: “We stand together with our fellow citizens against all forms of hatred, including homophobia.

“We are committed to building strong and cohesive communities in Tower Hamlets, and our strength is that we will not let incidents of hate divide us.”

Interview: Genderqueer performer CN Lester

“It didn’t matter what your genitals were, what mattered was: do you have a beautiful voice and do you look fabulous?”

Genderqueer performer CN Lester, who identifies as neither male nor female, talks to Paris Lees about sexual harassment, operatic androgyny and a mutual fear of going blind.

Paris: You set up the classical music ensemble En Travesti in 2008 with Anne Rebecca Laurent – tell me more?

CN: Rebecca and I both specialised in transgender themes in opera for our masters. She’s just this straight woman, but she loves anything in operatic history that’s to do with undermining gender roles so we got together with Phillip who was plays harpsichord. On the baroque opera stage it didn’t matter what your genitals were, what mattered was: do you have a beautiful voice and do you look fabulous in the costume?

I didn’t realise opera was so gender-bendery…

Classic FM gives you all these passive opera heroines who might lie down and die quite gradually, but the baroque opera heroines just don’t do that. They’re sorceresses and fighters and warriors and queens, and it’s kind of amazing – they kick arse. They might have been played by castrati who was dressed up as a woman, or by women who pretended to be men to get the roles…

Have you been picked up on the classical radar?

Early music doesn’t have the same cache as some grand operas, but this year we’re really focusing on widening our fan base and bringing more instruments in. We actually started as just two voices and a harpsichord, and now we’re doing it with 15 and an early music orchestra. I think next year we’ll maybe start thinking about making a record.

You’re performing at the Trans Media Watch MoU Launch at Channel 4 on Monday. Elaborate.

Well I’m really excited, and so is everyone in the company as we all feel very strongly about how trans history has been suppressed. Rebecca and I started our academic careers writing about it and the more the others get to know me the more they see how the day to day discrimination is so affected by media issues – and they’re fucking furious about it. Being able to participate in something which is so groundbreaking – the fact that people will be signing up to this memorandum – I’m just ecstatic. Obviously, things won’t change overnight, but it’s such a huge step forward. We hope to present a more historical perspective, to say that actually trans issues are not recent phenomena: transgenderism is not some affliction of the modern age, but just a basic human trait. People think classical music is really straight-laced and is just for white, straight, cis people but it never has been, it’s always been full of people that society marginalises and pretends don’t exist, but there we are, centre stage, to spread that message.

Does being trans harm your career?

Classical music, now, is very conservative. I can’t get chorus work because I wouldn’t be willing to wear female clothes or be a member of a women’s chorus. It’s difficult. I’ve actually experienced quite a lot of discrimination finding tutors and applying for courses, being held back by people who were so sure their transphobia was acceptable that they were quite open about it to people I knew. They didn’t see that they were in the wrong – they thought I was wrong for daring to apply. So it was very much “We don’t want people like that associated with us” and they were happy to put it down in writing. The person involved was eventually forced to resign.

What role do the media play?

It’s what we consume everyday – we’re bombarded with it. Whether we like the media or not, whether we chose to engage with it or not, other people are engaging and then their behaviour affects our lives. Women are still treated like second class citizens – add transphobia into that mix and it just explodes. The message that people are getting every day is either that trans people don’t exist, or, if they do exist, that they’re pathetic freaks who we shall laugh at. No wonder they don’t see it as a problem if they discriminate against us, I mean, who would care? If we’re not even afforded the basic decency of having people address us with the right pronouns or correct names, why would they have to be polite enough to offer us equal opportunities at work or in education? You know, you can’t even walk down the street without someone having a problem.

What harassment do you face?

I don’t take hormones, so the majority of people perceive me as a woman, but obviously a woman who is transgressing gender norms. So the street harassment I get tends to be sexual aggression from cis [non-trans] guys, like “Hey baby, how about one up the arse?” or “Suck on this darling.” Or trying to grope you in the street. Then it gets mixed in with the transphobia, when they’re not entirely sure if I’m female or male, that adds to that aggression and it just turns into “f**ing freak” or “faggot”. I think one guy even came out with “You f**king pervert.” I thought wow: you have no idea what I do in bed.

How do you deal with it?

You watch where you go. If you see a group of young guys coming you think: “I’m crossing the street and if they start yelling stuff I’m just going to put my fingers in my ears and think about music.” Feeling unsafe on the street is a big deal, but also I had to stop going to gay bars and gay clubs because I was just so sick of being groped by strangers. It was lots of “I can’t tell if you’re a man or a woman” but before you can say it’s none of your business, they’ve decided to grab your crotch to decide for themselves.

Some of the worst transphobia I’ve experienced has been in gay bars…

I don’t want to sound rude or like I have a problem with lesbians – but I’ve had some really terrible experiences in gay bars from strangers deciding that I’m a traitor to lesbians everywhere. It’s like: 1. I’m bisexual and 2. I’m not a woman… so! And strangers just deciding, especially when they’re drunk, that they can just come and commit acts of sexual assault because they don’t even think you get to the right to sit quietly and have a drink with your friends,

All the more galling when we’re the ones seen as perverts…

I know, especially this whole bathroom issue.

Which toilets do you feel safest in?

The disabled one, unisex. It really depends upon the day: if I’m not wearing any eye make up, the guys, if I go Goth, the ladies. If I use a women’s bathroom I get lots of “cha” and angry looks, but then if use the men’s I’m always quite worried that someone will take it a further than just being rude. I tend to do what a lot of trans people do – I try not to drink too much and I try not to use public toilets.

Any problems in shops?

Most places I’ve found to be really quite friendly, but there was one time in Topman where they were just so, so incredibly rude. I got a couple of things to try on and there were two assistant trainees on the door. I find it darkly funny in those situations, where you feel like saying: “Well if you’re counting up what side you’re going to put me on, do you not think I could do the same for you?” Especially when you get these guys who are shorter than you, with great big man breasts. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s ironic when they judge you on those stereotypical points. So anyway, they were sort of whispering to each other and one guy said “Oh you can’t use these changing rooms”. I asked what their specific policy for transgender customers was and he just gave me this look like I’d spoken in some bizarre language. They whispered a bit more, then one decided to fetch the manager. The manager also gave me this long considering look, up and down, spoke to the assistants – didn’t speak to me – and I asked again: “Do you have a policy for transgender customers?” He just said, um, um, um… more whispering, and then he said: “Well female customers can’t use this changing room”. I said: “Well I’m not female and would really appreciate you answering me the trans-customers question” and he just gave me this weird look. I didn’t lose my temper, but I did drop the clothes on the ground and said “Look, you’ve lost a customer” – and went off and bought lots of stuff elsewhere.

Shit…

It was very odd going to River Island afterwards because they were such sweethearts. They were like “Do you have everything in your size?” and “Can we ask you to buy more expensive things?” and “Ooh you look fabulous in that – you definitely ought to buy it!”

Did you complain?

I did, and they wrote a long letter of apology saying they are meant to have sensitivity training for all their staff and that obviously the gender that someone presents as is the gender they’re treated as. And that it shouldn’t have happened and that it’s not their position to decide if people are allowed to be one gender or another. They gave me a voucher – it was a genuine apology and a promise to increases sensitivity training in that store so it was a nice answer. But it brings you down when you can’t even do your capitalist duty and do some shopping without someone giving you a hard time for it.

It’s enough to keep you indoors…

Well…. I think we’re so f**king hard on ourselves anyway. I don’t know a single trans person who doesn’t spend every single day sort of going: “Am I OK, am I allowed to go out into the outside world, Oh God, Oh God, it’s all so tragic!” I sometimes even wonder what will happen if I’m in a terrible accident.

I wonder what’d happen if I go blind…

Please tell me that me your biggest concern about going blind is that you wouldn’t be able to check how you looked?

It’s my ONLY concern.

I know, what about my hair? What if I wasn’t dressed properly? I’d have to hire a personal stylist – it’s just so ridiculous.

I worry about war meaning they stopped making hormone tablets…

There’d have to be some stylish, 1940s-style like spy network. It would be amazing, like all these incredible trans women in Yves Saint Laurent trading black market hormones…

Back to the media, 2011. What would you like to see change?

One is just basic respect. There are style guidelines out there by the Gender Trust or Trans Media Watch with easy to follow instructions on how to talk about trans people. So don’t pretend you don’t know better, you know better. You don’t use derogatory language about black people, you don’t use derogatory language about Asian people – or at least you shouldn’t – so don’t use it about trans people. And the second thing is greater exposure, and not some cisgender person going to peer into trans people’s lives. I want more trans people talking for themselves. These are our lives and if you want to know about them, ask us, because we know best.

So how about trans people reading the news?

Perfect! There are all these trans people out there who are amazing journalists and political commentators, or incredible wordsmiths who write opinion pieces and articles. So don’t just have a story where it goes “They’re trans and they came out at this age…” or whatever. We’re not just one dimensional people – we have a lot to say.

‘Fraudster’ wanted for targeting gay men

Police are hunting for a suspected fraudster who targets gay men after meeting them on the internet.

Matthew Attenborough, 30, who also goes by the name of Saul White, is wanted for fraud and deception by nine police forces across the UK.

Gloucestershire police arrived at the home of a 43-year-old man in Bishops Cleeve near Cheltenham on February 20th after Mr Attenborough, who had been staying with him for over a week, allegedly disappeared with around £600 in cash and credit cards.

The victim said they had met on a website and Mr Attenborough had said his name was Saul White.

He allegedly claimed he was a police officer from Avon and Somerset who was transferring to Gloucestershire and needed a place to stay while he found permanent accommodation.

PC Melanie Earnshaw, of Gloucestershire Police, said: “This man is finding his victims on the internet. Once he has got what he wants he will then move onto his next victim it seems in a completely different area of the country.”

According to the BBC, Mr Attenborough is wanted by forces in Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, London, Doncaster, Reading, Coventry and Cardiff.

Elton John backs Sheffield Eagles’ anti-homophobia rugby t-shirts

Rugby team Sheffield Eagles are to wear t-shirts to oppose homophobia at a home game on Sunday.

Sports fan Elton John said he was “delighted” at the initiative, while gay sportsmen Gareth Thomas and Steven Davies also gave their support.

The strip, funded by the LGBT History Month and Pride Sports, bears the slogan “Homophobia: Tackle It!”.

The team will wear the strip to play against Widnes Vikings.

John said: “I am delighted to hear about Sheffield Eagles’ initiative.

“I feel that an enormous step forward is being undertaken when Rugby League recognises the diversity of human sexuality. I applaud all those involved in this initiative.”

The Eagles also received support from gay sports stars including Gareth Thomas, John Amaechi and English cricketer Steven Davies, who came out recently.

Davies said: “There may be added pressures in sports as the number of people that have come out is so small so it’s great that Rugby League is taking this step.”

Amaechi, who came out in 2007, said: “I am really proud to see Sheffield Eagles take such a proactive step to break stereotypes and embrace their entire fan base.

“It says something truly positive that it is rugby out of all our top sports and a team based in Sheffield in particular – a city I am proud to say I lived in – that are leading the way.”

In November, the Rugby Football League held a reception in parliament to launch a campaign to welcome gay fans and players.

‘Gay couple’s row’ causes Heathrow bomb scare

A gay couple allegedly caused a bomb scare at Heathrow airport yesterday during an argument.

Armed officers surrounded a 72-year-old man at Terminal 5 after police received a call claiming he had a bomb and “planned to blow something up”, reports the Evening Standard.

A source told the newspaper: “These allegations have to be taken seriously and precautions needed to be taken. Once the man at Heathrow was stopped and searched he was quickly ruled out.”

The source added: “Someone gave the man’s name and said that he had a bomb in his bag and was on his way to blow something up. He did not specify what.”

Today a man in his thirties was arrested on suspicion of making the hoax call. He is believed to be the civil partner of the older man.

Armed police and British Transport Police launched an operation in response to the call to try and stop the man before he boarded a train at Oxford railway station, but were unable to find him until he reached Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Part of the building and terminal were evacuated and closed for over an hour at lunchtime yesterday while the man was searched. Police managed to find him before he passed through airport security.

Officers told the Standard that the younger man faces prosecution for wasting police time and making false claims about a bomb.

Trans woman loses legal battle for breast implants

A trans woman has lost her legal battle to have breast implants funded by the NHS.

The 59-year-old patient, known as C, challenged a decision by West Berkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) not to provide the money but the Court of Appeal ruled today that the PCT was entitled to make the refusal.

C had received hormone treatment for breast growth since 1996 but had failed to grow breasts “appropriate” to her body size.

The PCT said it would not fund surgery carried out “purely for cosmetic reasons”

In May, the High Court ruled that the PCT was entitled to refuse funding for the treatment and today, three appeal judges backed the decision, Press Association reports.

C had argued that her emotional well-being was damaged by the refusal and that her human rights had been violated. She also claimed she was a victim of sex discrimination.

Her lawyer Stephanie Harrison said C thought of herself as a woman already but needed the surgery to become female “psychologically and physically”.

Gay icon and rugby star Ben Cohen to head new LGBT support foundation

England rugby union star and gay icon Ben Cohen is planning to head a new foundation that supports gay charities and organisations.

Cohen, who is to leave Sale, announced on his website this week: “This summer I am heading The Ben Cohen Acceptance Tour to the USA.

“We are working with gay/gay-friendly rugby clubs holding events and dinners and spreading a message of acceptance and mutual respect for everyone and also raising money for my soon to be formed foundation, which will be supporting existing charities and organisations working within the LGBT community.”

PinkNews.co.uk understands that Cohen is preparing to officially announce his plans in the next few days.

The star was told last week that his contract at Sale will not be renewed.

He has said he will retire if he cannot find another Premiership club to join.

In August 2010, Cohen gave his support to Gay Sports Day, an event organised by GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, and appeared on the cover of Attitude magazine in 2009.

US bill introduced to protect LGBT students

A bill was introduced in both the US House and Senate yesterday to protect LGBT students from discrimination, including harassment “based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity” in public elementary and secondary schools.

The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), introduced by Sen Al Franken and Rep Jared Polis, would help put an end to the abuse of LGBT students in American public schools by extending federal civil rights laws to cover sexual orientation.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is strongly supporting the bill and is calling for “swift action” from both chambers.

A school in Texas recently banned all extracurricular clubs in a bid to stop a gay-straight alliance forming to encourage understanding between students.

“The Student Non-Discrimination Act would have a profound impact in improving the lives of LGBT students in our schools,” said Ian Thompson of the ACLU.

“As a country, we must do a better job of protecting LGBT students and ensuring their right to an education free of intolerance and harassment.

“So many LGBT students face daily discrimination and, too often, violence in our schools. It’s time to make a positive difference in their lives. The House and Senate should make passage of this bill a priority.”

LGBT campaigners say that recent suicides of young gay students from across the country demonstrate the need for the bill that would protect students struggling with their sexuality.

Thirteen-year-old Seth Walsh was one of those students. He had endured years of homophobic bullying at school before he hanged himself in September, dying nine days later.

He left a note expressing love for his family and friends, and anger at the school for bringing them “this sorrow.”

Seth’s mother, Wendy Walsh, and close friends report that teachers and school administrators were aware that Seth was being harassed and, in some cases, participated in the harassment, but brushed aside her complaints.

“Seth was a wonderful, loving child, and I loved him for who he was. I can’t bring my son back. But schools can make a difference today by taking bullying seriously when students and parents tell them about it. It’s time for change. We have to create better schools for everyone,” said Ms Walsh.

Ms Walsh attended the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention on Wednesday and spoke in support of the SNDA at its introduction.

While federal laws currently protect students on the basis of their race, colour, sex, religion, disability or national origin, no federal statute explicitly protects students on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

The SNDA legislation would not only deal with discrimination when it occurs, but also help prevent it from occurring in the first place, supporters say.

US House will defend gay marriage ban

The US House is to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of gay marriage.

Today, a five-member panel appointed by House Speaker John Boehner voted 3-2 on party lines to defend the law. The chamber is Republican-controlled.

Last month, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Obama administration will no longer defend DOMA in court on the grounds that it violates equal rights.

Mr Boehner said earlier this week: “The constitutionality of this law should be determined by the courts — not by the president unilaterally.

”This action by the House will ensure the matter is addressed in a manner consistent with our Constitution.”

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said: “Apparently, the Republicans’ jobs plan is a full employment project for right-wing lawyers bent on defending discrimination.

“With today’s vote, Speaker Boehner has made clear that an anti-equality agenda trumps helping American families in tough economic times, including loving and committed couples who are legally married in their states.”

The decision by the president not to defend DOMA is as a result of two cases brought against the US government.

They were filed in Connecticut and New York by gay rights groups argued that the law was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs were five married same-sex couples and a widower who were all denied federal rights and protections because they are married to a person of the same sex.

The administration said the decision was made by Mr Obama himself, because he believes that the law is unconstitutional. However, a spokesman for the White House said that it is not a reflection of a change of the president’s position on gay marriage.

The president is still “grappling” with his personal views on the matter, however, he has consistently described DOMA as “unnecessary” and “unfair”.

New York man uses gay inequality to dodge jury duty

A New York gay man dodged jury duty this month by saying he could not be impartial because he is treated as a second-class citizen.

Jonathan D Lovitz, a model and actor, was waiting to be called in with other jurors when they were asked whether they could be impartial.

He wrote on his Facebook page: “I raised my hand and said, ‘Since I can’t get married or adopt a child in the state of New York, I can’t possibly be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second class one in the eyes of this justice system.”

He was then excused by the judge.

Speaking to News Nation, he said: “It was such a spur of the moment thing. I was shaking, trembling. It just came out of me so spontaneously.

“I never intended to be an activist. . . I’m just a young gay man who saw some inequality in the state, in the country.”

Mr Lovitz added: “We have certain civic responsibilities, like paying our taxes and serving on juries. and I think everyone is obligated to participate.

“But when it’s your turn to say how you really feel, you need to say how you really feel.”

Legal experts say it is up to a judge to dismiss a member of the jury if he or she is considered unable to be impartial.

Government ‘will work with FA to encourage gay footballers’

The government will work with the Football Association to encourage gay footballers to come out, equality minister Lynne Featherstone has said.

She was asked by Conservative MP Mark Menzies at Commons question time today what can be done to encourage a “welcoming atmosphere” in the sport, following cricketer Steven Davies and rugby player Gareth Thomas’ announcements that they are gay.

Ms Featherstone congratulated the sportsmen for coming out and added: “Obviously it is very important and we look forward to working with the Football Association to create an atmosphere and ambience where footballers also feel free to come forward and come out if they wish.

“Not just for the sake of the league and themselves but also for the sake of youngsters all over the country who should be able to play on any field of sport free of any kind of discrimination.”

This week, Swedish footballer Anton Hysen, the son of former Liverpool player Glenn Hysen, announced he is gay.

The UK has had just one openly gay top-level footballer. Justin Fashanu, who killed himself in 1998, suffered taunts and bullying over his sexuality.

Last year, the FA cancelled the premiere of an anti-homophobia video it had produced. Officials said they had more to do on the film, although they said it would be shown to match stewards as a training and education tool.

While Elton John, the chief of the Rugby Football Union and the gay Irish hurler Donal Óg Cusack backed the video, not a single footballer came forward to support it.

BBC World Debate programme asks ‘Is homosexuality un-African?’

A BBC World News Debate will be screened next week on the topic ‘Is homosexuality un-African?’

The debate, which will not be broadcast in the UK but will be available to view online, features notorious Ugandan anti-gay MP David Bahati as a panellist.

Other panelists include gay activists Paula Akugizibwe and Eusebius McKaiser and former Botswana president Festus Mogae.

Last year, the BBC was heavily criticised for running an online debate titled ‘Should homosexuals face execution?’

The BBC Trust rejected significant numbers of complaints but admitted the language used had been “stark”. Then, in December, BBC News invited anti-gay extremist Stephen Green to comment on gay star Elton John’s surrogate baby.

At a screening of the debate at the Frontline Club in London, one audience member said he was “shocked” at the title of the programme.

Debate producer Ben Cashdan said: “We used that very deliberate title to force people to this kind of conversation.

“The question is: can you really say that homosexuality is not African? Because that’s exactly what Bahati argues.”

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda. In 2009, Mr Bahati proposed a bill to punish ‘aggravated’ gay sex with the death penalty.

The public would also be required to report gay people to police or face punishment themselves.

Last month, a BBC Three documentary saw gay Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills travel to Uganda to explore attitudes to homosexuality.

He met gay people who had been attacked and driven from their homes, while Mr Bahati sent armed police after the production crew.

In January, one of the country’s best-known gay rights campaigners, David Kato, was murdered in his home.

Founder of Fabulis/ Fab.com blames gay rights progress for failure of his gay social network

Fab.com, the gay social network that launched originally as Fabulis, has closed after its founder said that advances in gay rights mean there is less need for a gay version of Facebook.

The website began as a sort of gay Foursquare-style game based around users’ Facebook connections. It then evolved to a gay version of Groupon.

But neither really took off despite millions of dollars of investment from influential angel investors and the Washington Post. The company will now reform as a Groupon clone centred around design enthusiasts.

Jason Goldberg, its founder, wrote in a frank blog post explaining the decision: “Gay rights progress over the past year had a positive impact on the gay community but a negative impact on the demand for our services.”

He added: “With developments like the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the court victories over California’s Proposition 8 gay marriage ban, the Obama administration’s tacit rejection of the Defense of Marriage Act, and the anti-bullying ‘It Gets Better Project’ continuing to integrate gays into the mainstream, we saw a diminished need for a gay Facebook or a gay Yelp or a gay Foursquare or a gay Groupon.”

Mr Goldberg also admitted that he “couldn’t do the math” to turn Fab.com into a big business.

He added that there is a larger market for well-designed products, the focus of the next incarnation of Fab.com, than there is for a gay-orientated online venture.

While Fab.com managed to gain more than 140,000 registered users, other social networking platforms are growing much faster.

Dot429.com, a newly launched gay take on Linkedin, has started to gain traction and gay mobile networking applications including Grindr and BoyAhoy have grown significantly, particularly in the UK.

This week Grindr launched on the Android platform.

Writing on PinkNews.co.uk’s comment section, Mr Goldberg explained: “Grindr is the only true success story in new online gay services, and that’s because it’s about a critical need: hookups. But we didn’t want to be another hookup site at fab.

“I do not believe at this point that there is legitimate demand for a non-sexual social network for gay men that would garner more than 1M members. And if you can’t get to 10M members, it’s hard to build a significant business in this space.”

New York governor pledges ‘personal’ push for gay marriage

Andrew Cuomo, the Democrat governor of New York, has told gay rights campaigners he will devote his “full attention” to marriage equality.

Speaking to campaigners in a closed meeting, he reportedly said: “For me, this is personal.”

According to the New York Times, participants in the meeting said the governor was “unexpectedly forceful and impassioned” about the issue.

He is to ask his most senior aide and secretary, Steven M Cohen, to oversee the administration’s efforts to bring about marriage equality.

Mr Cuomo is said to be cautious of moving too soon, as a bill was defeated on the Senate floor in 2009 after support was misjudged.

In a statement issued after the meeting, he said: “To me this is more than just a piece of legislation. This is about the lives of people who I have known for many years, who currently are without the rights to which they are entitled.”

He was elected last November and promised to campaign for gay marriage.

Five states – Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington DC – currently allow gay couples to marry.

California’s ban is under review, while Maryland is expected to be next to make the change.