Sussex based charity Mankind have launched a new online survey to uncover the extent and effects of sexual violation on LGBT people. Mankind is a specialist agency that provides counselling to men who have experienced sexual abuse and is concerned by the lack of research and knowledge around the experience of LGBT people. “We are aware that individuals from LGBT communities face unique difficulties and challenges in disclosing sexual abuse. We want to address this by giving them a safe way to tell us about their experiences,” said Mankind CEO, Martyn Sullivan.

The survey is called ‘With Consent?’ and aims to go beyond clearly defined instances of sexual abuse, assault and rape. “Sometimes, it is not that clear,”continued Martyn Sullivan, “sex can be used in many different ways and we sometimes find that we’ve been involved in something that later on we are not entirely happy or comfortable about.”

Swedish pop group and gay icons ABBA have topped the chart for bands we would like to see reformed.

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! some more ABBA, was the call of the UK public who voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Eurovision winners, who broke up nearly eighteen years ago. 

The Police came in second place, with Pink Floyd and The Smiths sharing third spot, respectively. The top five most wanted reformation of bands (with the majority of the original members alive) are:

ABBA - 25%
The Police - 13%
Pink Floyd - 11%
The Smiths - 11%
Oasis - 10%

Christina Aguilera has been voted most inspirational pop act for gay people, beating Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in a Stonewall social media poll.

Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful was the most empowering pop song of the last decade for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, according to Stonewall’s latest social media poll.

Christina Aguilera said: ‘I’m delighted to have been voted the most inspirational pop act by Stonewall’s supporters – my gay fan base is so important to me and this continues my special relationship with them.’

Tuesday 17 May marks international day against homophobia, a day that recalls how much discrimination persists against people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-gendered.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford, Vice President of the Liberal Democrat LGBT group (DELGA) and an active member of the European Parliament lesbian & gay rights intergroup, said, “In the UK, the Liberal Democrats, who have always been proud to represent and stand up for lesbian, gay and trans rights, are leading a consultation on how to remove inequality between marriage and same-sex civil partnerships. The LibDem equalities minister Lynne Featherstone, backed solidly by the party, is determined to make progress on this."

“At international level there is still a fight on very basic justice. A priority for the worldwide gay rights effort is universal decriminalisation of homosexuality across the globe and eradication of the death penalty for homosexuality in the 8 countries that still impose this appalling punishment.”