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The gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has warmly welcomed the steadily increasing support to win an official apology for Alan Turing, the gay atheist code-breaking genius and father of the modern computer who committed suicide in 1954 after being prosecuted for being homosexual.

More than 12,000 people have now added their name to the on-line petition calling for the Government to recognise the "consequences of prejudice" that ended the life of the scientist aged just 41.

Notable among the campaign's supporters is the well-known atheist and humanist Professor Richard Dawkins who said that an apology would "send a signal to the world which needs to be sent, and that Turing would still be alive today if it were not for the repressive, religion-influenced laws which drove him to despair."

Read more: Gay Humanists Support Alan Turing Campaign

Politics

In an attention grabbing stunt, the Tories have redesigned their tree logo to appeal to the lesbian and gay community.

However, showing little knowledge and a disregard for it's meaning they have used the wrong rainbow. The interntionally known gay pride flag is made up of six colours, they have used a seven colour variety that is in fact the Flag of Cusco in Peru.

They decided to 'adapt' the blue and green tree to for a conference event in Manchester. The incorrect-rainbow-logo can be seen on the party's website.

This comes on the back of leader David Cameron's pledge to make the party more 'open and inclusive'. Last year he commented, 'I want the Conservative Party to be an open and inclusive party which speaks for everyone in Britain regardless of their race, background or sexuality and I am determined that we will act to ensure that at every level, we are representative of modern Britain.'  

Mr Cameron recently apologised on behalf on the party for the much hated "Section 28" legislation, which banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools in the late 1980s.

Health

New sex and relationships education service to offer online, text and face to face support for young people in London.

Terrence Higgins Trust has been awarded £432,000 by the Big Lottery Fund’s Young People’s Fund 2 programme to offer sexual health counselling, mentoring support and volunteering opportunities for 10 – 18 year olds in London. Support will be offered online, via text and through face to face counselling. 

The working title of the project, chosen in consultation with young people, is T2T (an abbreviation of Talk to Terry) but the final name will be selected by a young people’s executive group. The executive group will help design, implement and deliver the service. The three year project will begin in September 2009 and is aimed at young people who are concerned about sex, sexuality, relationships, sexual health and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) as well as the wider range of issues that impact their lives.

Read more: Sex Education by Text Service Wins Funding

Politics

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has demanded that the Home Secretary halt the deportation of a gay Iraqi man living in her constituency, and revise the ruling that it would be safe for him to be returned.  

This week a Human Rights Watch report stated that gay Iraqi men are being tortured and then murdered in what appears to be a co-ordinated campaign involving militia forces. Sarah has worked on behalf of her constituent, whose name has been kept secret to protect his safety, ever since the initial government decision to deport him. The news that anti-gay attacks are on the rise in Iraq makes it even more certain that Sarah’s constituent would face execution if he returned to Iraq. 

Despite this compelling evidence of homophobic persecution, the Home Office has not yet accepted that the man has grounds to remain in the UK.  

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said, “In light of this deeply distressing report, Immigration Ministers must show some basic humanity and reverse the decision to deport my constituent. If this deportation goes ahead there is a terrible risk that this man will be killed. How can we possibly claim to be a country that values human rights if we are willing to endanger a life in this way? 

Read more: MP Demands Stop to Gay Iraqi Deportations

Health

The Department of Health has explained that the most at risk will be given vaccine priority, this includes people living with HIV.

Jason Warriner, Director of Clinical Services for Terrence Higgins Trust said, "We welcome the news that people living with HIV will be among the first to be offered the vaccination against swine flu. If you want to know more about whether the vaccination might be helpful for you, speak to your HIV clinic or contact the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513."

The priority groups who will be first in line for vaccination against swine flu will include pregnant women, frontline health and social care workers, and everyone in at-risk groups aged over six months, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

This follows advice from independent experts on who should be first in line for vaccination. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the evidence and advised the Department of Health on the crucial risk groups to be offered vaccination in order to reduce the rate or possibility of serious illness. This advice was also scrutinised and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

Read more: People with HIV included in Swine Flu Vaccine Program

Health

On Tuesday September 1, Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a course of workshops for gay men who feel they are losing control when it comes to drugs and or alcohol. The group will take place each Tuesday for 8 weeks from 6.30 – 9pm in Central London.

The ‘Are you losing control?’ group aims to help people who feel that their drug/alcohol use is having a negative impact on their lives. It is led by expert facilitators who have training to deal with addiction issues.

Gordon Mundie, Group work co-ordinator at THT said “We know that many gay men take drugs and drink alcohol but some feel that what started as fun is out of control. Perhaps they are beginning to feel they need alcohol to have a good time, they feel guilty or ashamed after using or they are only having sex when they are on drugs. If this sounds like it might apply to you, or you are just worried you might have a problem, then this course could help.  Please get in touch to find out more.”

Read more: Are you losing control?

Civil Partnerships

The Design Museum is one of London’s most sought-after venues for events and corporate hires and is already a first choice destination for the ultimate wedding lunch or reception. 

In response to the growing demand for wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, the Design Museum has recently been granted a marriage licence.

The contemporary setting of the Design Museum Space can accommodate up to 100 guests, with its floor to ceiling glass windows and expansive balcony area offering spectacular views of the City of London and Canary Wharf, it is perfect for any stylish London wedding.

Larger receptions can also be accommodated in the Riverside Hall and the galleries, where up to 500 family and friends can be invited to join in the wedding celebrations later in the evening.

Read more: Designer Gay Wedding?

Health

Gorillas have been found, for the first time, to be a source of HIV.

Previous research had shown the HIV-1 strain, the main source of human infections, with 33m cases worldwide, originated from a virus in chimpanzees. But researchers have now discovered an HIV infection in a Cameroonian woman which is clearly linked to a gorilla strain, Nature Medicine reports.

A researcher told the BBC that, though it was a new type of HIV, current drugs might still help combat its effects. HIV originated from a similar virus in chimpanzees called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Although HIV/Aids was first recognised by scientists in the 1980s, it is thought to have first entered the human population early in the 20th Century in the region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The virus probably originally jumped into humans after people came into contact with infected bush meat. SIV viruses have been reported in other primates, including gorillas.

Read more: Gorillas Found with HIV Strain