Politics

With the election called for 6 May, Stonewall kick starts its campaign to encourage all supporters of equality to use their vote with brand new election materials at www.stonewall.org.uk/election2010.

Stonewall’s voting records will help voters decide how to cast their vote in four weeks’ time. All current MPs are included alongside their party and constituency in the easy-to-use research tool.

‘We know that lesbian, gay and bisexual people decide who to vote for based on a wide range of factors,’ said Derek Munn, Stonewall’s Director of Public Affairs. ‘The economy, public spending and job losses are at the forefront of everyone’s mind. But in the countdown to 6 May, we’ve launched a new campaign to encourage not just gay people but anyone who supports equality to use their vote - and to reflect on what the candidates in their area would do for gay equality if they got into Parliament.’

Read more: How gay friendly is your MP?

B&B's should be allowed to turn away gay couples because of their sexuality, a leading Conservative has said.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said large hotels should not be allowed to discriminate against homosexuals, but he suggested family run B&B's should have the right to decide who stays in their home and not accept gay couples.

His outrageous comments were recorded in a meeting of the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank. Such a change would be a step backwards from the Equality Act 2006 that outlaws discrimination on goods and services on the grounds of sexual orientation.

"I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences. I personally always took the view that, if you look at the case of should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from a hotel, I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home.", he said in a recording of the meeting.

Read more: Conservatives say B&B's Should Be Allowed to Ban Gays

Home Secretary Alan Johnson today launched Stonewall’s new plain English guide for victims of anti-gay hate crime. Blow the Whistle on Gay Hate explains what homophobic hate crime is, why hate crime should be reported and what to say when reporting it.

Launching the guide this afternoon in central London, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: ‘Gay people have the same rights as everyone else to live in peace and security. Homophobic incidents have no place in a civilised, decent society. There are no extenuating circumstances.

‘I welcome this excellent plain English guide that encourages gay men and lesbians to report hate crimes. It sends a clear signal that there’s no place in a civilized society for such hatred. Gay people should have the same right as everyone else to justice, to live their lives without fear.

One in five gay people have been subject to homophobic hate crimes or incidents in the last three years, according to polling conducted for Stonewall by YouGov. Six gay men have been the victims of murder or attempted murders indentified as homophobic in Britain in the last 18 months.

Read more: Gay Hate Victims Guide Launched

The UK government through its Border Agency has refused to give priority to an application for asylum by the leader of Iraqi LGBT, Ali Hili, in exile in London. The application has been outstanding for nearly three years and while it is outstanding, he cannot travel.

This decision directly impacts on harshly persecuted Iraqi lesbians and gays through the reduced ability of their sole visible leader to raise their profile internationally.

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin spoke last month of their concerns for LGBT both in Iraq and as refugees, in a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton co-signed by 64 other Congresspeople.

Numerous human rights organisations and journalists have documented the pogrom against lesbians and gays in Iraq. Human Rights Watch has described a "campaign of torture and murder". Iraqi LGBT estimates that over 700 LGBT have been assassinated over the past few years. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has advised 'favourable consideration' for asylum claims because of the situation.

Read more: Government Refuse Action on Gay Iraqi Asylum

David Cameron's has stumbled through an interview over gay rights. At one point he asked for the interview to be stopped.

He repeatedly faltered in a video interview with Gay Times, asking for the camera to be switched off while he gathered his thoughts. The Tory leader was asked, in light of his recent message on gay rights, his MEPs refused to support a motion condemning a homophobic law in Lithuania.

Cameron was asked about an amendment to allow civil partnerships to take place in places of worship, he said, "I think it's an important debate, this, and I don't rule out changes. I think it's right there should be a free vote. It was a backbench amendment."

This prompted the interviewer, "If we vote for you, we want you to vote for us."

The Tory leader replied, "I do, I do. Do you know – Can we stop for a second?"

Cameron was accused of making a "major gaffe" by gay MP Ben Bradshaw, the culture secretary.

Read more: Embarrassing Video of David Cameron interview on Gay Rights