Politics

The Iraqi LGBT group has expressed its shock and anger at comments branding all Muslims as extremists by a London gay business owner and their reporting by a UK LGBT news outlet. 

Mark Ames of club XXL in London is quoted by PinkPaper.com as writing on Facebook: "From today I will be boycotting any shops, petrol stations restaurants or businesses I know are owned by Muslims this also includes holidays to Muslim [sic] countries today see [sic] our death toll up to 300, so why the hell are we not just flying this scum back out to there beloved states and pull out and let them fight out there [sic] own issues!"

Ames' comments were sparked by rioting following an anti-racist protest in East London 21 June. The 'death toll up to 300' remark relates to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

Read more: Anti-Muslim Comment by Gay Business Owner Causes Upset

Lord Justice Munby, Chair of the Law Commission has heard stark evidence of the continuing barriers facing lesbian and gay people joining the judiciary.

Delivering his lecture at the Law Society Professor Leslie Moran of Birkbeck college said: ‘Only 20 years ago it was policy only to appoint married people to the bench in order to avoid a ‘homosexual controversy’ in the judiciary. The chilling effect of this exclusion is likely to have shaped the careers and career expectations of the most senior legal professionals who have the skills and characteristics that would otherwise make them suitable candidates.’ Professor Moran recommended that the judiciary actively engage with Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index to develop their lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

Read more: Gay Lawyers Face Barriers Becoming Judges

The LGBT Labour group have been refused service because they are a gay group, despite them having made a booking at the Green Coat Boy pub in Westminster.

The manager of the pub said he would have refused the booking had he known it was an LGBT group. LGBT Labour is calling on Punch Taverns chain to apologise and promote LGBT equality to staff and customers. 

LGBTory, the Conservative LGBT Group, today expressed their support for the LGBT Labour group in their action against homophobia. Matthew Sephton, Chairman of LGBTory, commented, “I am appalled that any LGBT group should be treated in such a manner.  This is a disgraceful homophobic and bigoted attitude towards fellow LGBTs and it is completely unacceptable. LGBTory, the Conservative LGBT group, fully supports LGBT Labour in their swift action in involving the police and will push for justice for both their group and for LGBT people generally.” 

Read more: Gay Labour Group Suffer Homophobia

Theresa May, the new Equalities Minister has said she has "changed my mind" about gay couples adopting children and other LGBT issues on BBC's Question Time.

When pressed on her homophobic voting record, she claims to have changed her views and claims if the vote was today she would "vote differently".

Labour MP, Caroline Flint responded, "I'm pleased Theresa's changed her mind and we should accept when people change their mind and welcome that."

Read more: Theresa May Changes Her Mind

Stonewall today publishes voting records for the four remaining Labour leadership candidates.

The results are based on an analysis of 14 key votes on gay equality in the House of Commons between 2001 and 2010. Each candidate for the Labour leadership is ranked on the votes he could have cast during his time as an MP.

David Miliband who declared the death of New Labour yesterday as he officially launched his leadership campaign scored 86%. His brother, Ed Miliband scored 86%.

Ed Balls, the former Education Secretary, scores 93%. Former health secretary Andy Burnham comes fourth, scoring just 71% after failing to support a range of equality measures during his nine years in Parliament.

Read more: How Gay Friendly is Labour’s Next Leader?