Gay marriage bill passed in Scotland allows same-sex couples to marry

Scotland has followed England and Wales in changing the law to allow same-sex couples to marry. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill passed its third stage in a free vote at the Scottish Parliament as MSPs voted 105-18 in favour. The vote means Northern Ireland is now the only country in the UK that does not permit gay people to marry. After the vote was passed, Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "This is a historic moment for equality in Scotland. “I am proud that the Scottish Parliament has taken this progressive and hugely important decision in favour of equal rights in our country. “It is right that same sex couples should be able to freely express their love and commitment to each other through getting married. Marriage is about love, and that has always been at the heart of this issue. “That was the clear message from Scotland’s Parliament today. We must no longer allow same sex couples who wish to get married to be barred from doing so. “Thanks to this bill, same sex couples now have the same access to marriage — one of our most important institutions — as everyone else. “There has been overwhelming support for this Bill from the beginning and many MSPs from across the political spectrum have expressed considered, personal opinions. “We now need to work quickly and in close co-operation with Westminster on implementation. On that basis, I very much look forward to seeing the first same sex marriages taking place in Scotland as soon as is possible.”The issue had polarised public opinion between supporters who championed it as a move towards equality and opponents who raised concerns about the impact on religious freedom. Scotland becomes the 19th country in the world in which gay marriage is permitted in all or part of its jurisdiction. Legislation to allow gay marriage in England and Wales was passed at Westminster in July 2013. Article: 4th February 2014 www.news.stv.tv

Charlie Condou talks about leaving Coronation street and being a gay dad

The 40-year-old is best known for playing sonographer Marcus Dent, who has had a turbulent relationship with Coronation Street’s other main gay character, Sean Tully, played by Antony Cotton. After a three year absence, Charlie’s character was made more prominent following his return to Coronation Street in March 2011. Although he is leaving the show for a second time, Charlie says he initially only planned to return on a three-month contract. The current decision to place his character in a heterosexual relationship with Maria Connor has been the subject of much controversy. Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk from a sedate coffee shop close to his home in Islington, north London, with his two-year-old son, Hal, quietly napping in a pram, Charlie is keen to defend the storyline and says: “When they came to me with that storyline, the producer who was gay said ‘we’ve had this idea. We want to look at what happens when a gay man who is completely comfortable with his sexuality, knows who he is, falls in love with a woman, and he will continue to identify as gay; he will be a gay man, he will be very clear about that, but he’s fallen in love with a woman’.” Charlie goes on to say: “And I know that the producer was good friends with Russell T Davis, and they had a friend who was a gay man who had done that and they had made the series Bob and Rose, based on the guy. I am aware that it does happen and I was interested. I have said this before, but if Coronation Street had come to me with that storyline ten years ago, I don’t think I would have been comfortable doing it because I don’t think it would have been giving the right message if you like, if that’s our job in soaps. “But I really do think we have moved on from that and I don’t think people are stupid anymore and I don’t think that they would see Marcus falling for Maria and think ‘he just needed the love of a good woman’, that’s not what we were saying in the storyline at all. We just wanted to explore it. In terms from a dramatic point of view it’s certainly not been done before. Marcus has also said that he doesn’t even consider himself bisexual, if he wasn’t with Maria he would be with a man, he’s very clear about that, and of course it’s soap, it’s never going to end well.” According to Radio Times, show executives have promised that Marcus’s involvement with Todd Grimshaw will “divide the residents of Coronation Street”. With a large hint that Marcus’s relationship with Maria is heading for the cliff, Charlie tells PinkNews.co.uk: “Of course at some point he was going to end up with a man again of course he was. So I was interested in looking at what happens and how to play that out. I’ve been quite behind the storyline, I know a lot of the gay community doesn’t feel the same way because Marcus was considered a positive role model, I totally get that, but I don’t know, sometimes I think people’s sexuality can be complicated and the storyline is may be just a sense of that.” When asked by PinkNews.co.uk if he would have considered staying in Coronation Street if his character had been given greater prominence, Charlie replies: “Possibly yeah, I mean you never know. It’s definitely true to say I’ve had a quiet year there and perhaps if I hadn’t, if I had been really busy I would have felt differently, but that’s the way it goes in soaps. Characters go through ups and downs, sometimes they focus on one set of characters for a period of time and then they move off and focus on others. It’s like that for everyone there but for me I was just getting a bit frustrated and it wasn’t worth being away from the kids just to be ordering a pint in The Rovers every now and again.” Once he leaves Coronation Street this summer, Charlie says being able to spend more time with his family in London is one of the things he is most looking forward too. The regular periods away in Manchester have been particularly hard on his 4-year-old daughter, Georgia. His children mean the world to him, and from a young age, the actor reveals he always wanted to be a father. “Definitely. I had always wanted to be a dad since I was probably about 13. I suppose it is quite rare for gay people in the public eye, although it’s becoming more commonplace with people like Elton John and David Furnish obviously, Ricky Martin, Neil Patrick Harris, people like that are doing it now,” Charlie jokes to PinkNews.co.uk, “I like to think they all copied me.” The actor previously wrote a column for The Guardian about his experiences of being a gay parent with the aim of raising awareness. “I think that was part of the reason I decided to be quite vocal about it,” he says. “The reason I asked The Guardian for the column was because when I was growing up there weren’t any gay people that I knew that had kids and it was something that I struggled with. Read more ...

Another succesful Manchester Pride Event 2013

On Saturday, the streets of Manchester were lined with thousands of people for the spectacular Manchester Pride parade. The city was a riot of colour and noise as the rainbow flags stayed high, and around a hundred different floats paraded down Deansgate, through Manchester, and into the Gay Village. Community groups were joined by hundreds of police officers, firefighters, NHS workers. Dozens of students, church groups, sports teams and city businesses also joined in the celebrations. John Stewart, Manchester Pride's chief executive, said: "It's great to be able to share our celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life with the whole city and recognise the contribution that LGBT people make to the spirit and diversity of Greater Manchester. "This year's parade was one of the biggest, with over 100 entries from 99 groups and organisations including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community groups, charities and businesses, trades unions, political parties, public sector organisations and some of the country's biggest businesses. The indoor arena was also a huge success with thousands flocking in for the evening high energy dance experience. By day the Lifestyle Expo was popular with thousands of people chatting to organisations and charities such as the Lesbian and gay foundation, Outdoor Lads and Pride Angel. Erika co-founder of Pride Angel said 'This year was fantastic in the fact that we had so many more success stories. We had four couples who came up to speak with us to tell us their good news, that they had conceived with a donor through Pride Angel. It is always rewarding for us to hear such exciting news'. Read more about finding a sperm donor or co-parent at www.prideangel.com

Olympic winner tops Independent's Pink List 2012

Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams tops this year's Pink List. More than 1,500 people voted for the influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who make Britain safer, fairer, better and more entertaining. More than 250 nominees' names were run past the panel of judges: two magazine editors, a teacher and LGBT schools adviser, a film maker, a charity CEO, and the Chief Executive of Stonewall. They wrestled with the knotty question of who was most influential in 2012. Not surprisingly, sports people are high on the list. 1 (new entry) Nicola Adams Olympian Nicola Adams punched her way into the history books this year, becoming the first woman ever to win an Olympic medal in boxing. Since the 30-year-old flyweight from Leeds floored China's Ren Cancan to win the gold she has become an inspiring role model for young people in Britain and around the world. Rarely seen without the smile that is now emblazoned on billboards and buses around the country, Adams is modest, hard-working and friendly. Everything, in short, that you would hope from a sporting hero. Adams, who is bisexual, persevered with the sport for more than a decade when representing her country — let alone getting an Olympic medal — was not an option for girls. This year, her talent and charm have won over many of the chauvinists who queued up before the Games to say that putting a woman in the ring was "unnatural". "It's amazing to be on top of a list of such inspiring and influential people," Adams said. "Thanks to everyone for their continued support." 2 (4) Clare Balding Presenter and author Ordinarily, being queen of the Olympics, a best-selling memoirist, champion of women's sport and darling of Twitter would be enough for a number-one slot. We love her, and her partner, Alice Arnold. We hope she'll be chuffed to come second to a London 2012 gold medallist. 3 (re-entry) Peter Tatchell Legend Last year the Pink List committed the unforgivable error of forgetting the veteran campaigner. He forgave us with typical good grace. Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, he has tackled neo-Nazis, President Mugabe and the British parliament. Indefatigable, brave and unforgettable. 4 (new entry) Lee Pearson Paralympic equestrian He told The IoS that he prepared for the Paralympic Games with curry, Malibu and Coke, but that didn't stop Pearson from taking home his 10th gold medal from four summer Olympics. At London 2012, the MBE also added a bronze and a silver to his trophy cabinet. 5 (new entry) Carl HesterOlympic equestrian One of the most established dressage riders in the country, Carl Hester worked with Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer to win Britain's first Olympic dressage gold in the team event. He also made history as the only Team GB Olympian to be "out" at the time of the Games. 6 (judge) Greg Barker Climate-change minister Conservative MP who is defending the interests of the green movement inside DECC against anti-wind farms minister John Hayes. Barker is also chairman of the 2020 group of Tory MPs, who want David Cameron to return to the progressive centre and stand up to the Conservative right. 7 (10) Heather Peace Actress The actress and musician acquired a cult following after appearing in the BBC drama Lip Service as a lesbian police officer. She received more public nominations than anyone else on this list. Her first album, Fairytales, was released in May and she is now filming Waterloo Road. 8 (new entry) Nick Grimshaw Radio DJ The exceptionally likeable presenter officially became the biggest deal in radio when he took over the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in September. That the newly-out Mancunian replaced former Stonewall Bully of the Year Chris Moyles makes his ascent all the sweeter. 9 (re-entry) David Laws Cabinet office minister Reinstated to Government in September after being forced to resign over his expenses in 2010, Laws, whose responsibilities include schools policy, attends Cabinet and is close to both Michael Gove and Nick Clegg — making him a key influence on the coalition. 10 (new entry) Luke Anderson Winner, Big Brother 13 Anderson rose to prominence as a hugely popular winner of Channel 5's Big Brother 13. While in the house, Anderson revealed he had been born a woman and hoped that his appearance on the show "will help to show trans guys that you can lead a normal life". Read the full 101 most influential LGBT figures in Britain.