» Bloody Hell!

"The blood transfusion service has rejected calls from gay men's groups to lift the ban on them donating blood. It has told the Scottish Parliament petitions committee HIV is rising in gay men and donor selection is the only way to keep blood products safe. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service said it was not discriminating just recognizing behavioral risks." Hmmm… Isn't that sort of like saying all gay men are irresponsible sex fiends? [BBC]

  3 Responses
» Slurp, Slurp

"A new research project aims to investigate the migration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people from Scotland. Stonewall Scotland said the LGBT brain drain is a serious issue, including the flight from rural areas to cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh. The gay rights group is recruiting volunteers to take part in focus groups and talk about why they moved." [Pink News]

  Respond
» Compassion.

"A prison officer who watched her lesbian lover commit suicide was spared jail [this week] after a judge ruled it was an act of love. Glasgow-born Patricia Mulpeter, 48, comforted chronically ill Kaija Savolainen as she suffocated after wrapping sticky tape over her own nose and mouth… As soon as she had died, Mulpeter drove to Tavistock police station to give herself up… Imposing a 28-week jail sentence suspended for a year, judge Mr Justice Owen told Mulpeter she deserved 'compassion and not punishment." [Daily Record]

  Respond

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Scottish lesbians aren't doing so well.

That is, of course, if you believe a new survey indicating that the nation's lady lovers are facing some uphill mental health battles:

A total of 500 Scottish women took part in the Prescription for Change survey, which was conducted by the charity Stonewall.

It found that 20 per cent of lesbian and bisexual women in Scotland had deliberately harmed themselves in the last year, compared to 0.4 per cent of the general population.

The study also found that five per cent of lesbian and bisexual women have attempted to take their own life in the last year.

The poll also shows that the ladies aren't taking proper physical precautions, like getting tested for cervical cancer and the such. You would think lesbians would like that sort of thing…

» Slip Sliding.

"Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that UK civil partnerships among same-sex couples fell by 46 per cent in 2007 to 8,728. This compares with 16,106 marriage in 2006, the first full year in which civil partnerships could be formed. In England and Wales, civil partnerships fell by 47 per cent in 2007 to 7,929. The figure in Scotland fell by 34 per cent in the same period to 688, and by 4 per cent in Northern Ireland, to 111." [Telegraph]

  5 Responses

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Father's Day caused a queer stir over in Scotland, where a number of schools put a moratorium on celebratory cards to protect kids with lesbian or single mothers:

The politically correct policy was quietly adopted at schools "in the interests of sensitivity" over the growing number of lone-parent and same-sex households.

It only emerged after a large number of fathers failed to receive their traditional cards and handmade gifts.

Family rights campaigners last night condemned the policy as "absurd" and argued that it is marginalising fathers, but local authorities said teachers need to react to "the changing pattern of family life".

The making of Mother's Day cards and crafts, in the run-up to Mothering Sunday, remains generally permitted.

While we understand where the teachers and other educators are coming from, this seems to be taking it a bit far.

Couldn't the fatherless children make a card for another man in their life, like a really cool uncle, or something?

» Waiting…

Syrian national Jojo Jako Yakob will hear this week whether the Scottish government will grant him asylum or it he'll face more abuse after being sent home. It's a nail biter! [Scotsman]

  1 Response
» Disgusting.

Rather than granting gay Syrian refugee Jojo Jako Yakob asylum, the Scottish government offered him £46 to go back home, where he'll surely face violent discrimination. [Scotsman]

  5 Responses

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It's a blessed day for gay twosome Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan. The Scottish homosexuals and their public relations team announced today that the men sealed the nuptial deal. From the very excited press release:

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan confirmed today that, after 22 years together, they have married. The dynamic Scottish design duo were secretly betrothed at the Chelsea Registry office in central London, England.

It was only after experiencing life in Canada that the couple decided to make their long standing relationship official.

“I’m not sure if we would have decided to get married if we hadn’t moved to, and fallen in love with Canada. After a year of living in Toronto, filming Home Heist, it became clear to us that it was time to tie the knot. Canada is such a progressive nation, so welcoming and open-mindedly liberal about gay marriage, that we felt thoroughly inspired,” says Ryan.

McAllister added, “Previously every time someone asked us about getting married, I’d joke that even after such a long time I still wasn’t sure if Justin was the right man! Let’s just say that this year, I’m SURE.”

The service was kept a closely guarded secret, and while the couple’s mothers were both aware of the impending nuptials and gave their blessings, the ceremony was attended by just two close friends, Elaine and George Ponte, who acted as witnesses. Afterward the happy couple and their two witnesses celebrated at The Wolseley on Piccadilly, a favourite London celebrity hangout.

Well, congratulations to you both, gents, even though we've never, ever heard of you…

» Bloody Protest

Gay activists will talk shop with Scotland's parliament today when they propose the government lift a ban on gay blood donations. Opponents argue that we gays carry disease and the such. [Scotsman]

  1 Response

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In other bizarro news, a gay man has been charged with "breach of peace" after calling a straight cop a "poof."

Marc Sneddon had been walking his dogs when he came across former detective Stephen Whelehan. The men got into an argument, Sneddon allegedly kicked Whelehan's dog and then offered some anti-gay epithets.

Following the scuffle, Sneddon and his boyfriend, Graham Spence called the police and Sneddon found himself in the clink.

CONTINUED »

» Valid?

Scottish politico John Charteris attempted - and failed - to stop a £31,500 public grant from benefiting a gay community center. Some may think that conservative values motivated Charteris' move, but he says he objected to the center's social specificity: "I don't think we should be funding organizations which are exclusive - I like funding ones which are inclusive for everybody." Intriguing argument. And one with which we're almost tempted to agree. [BBC]

  4 Responses

A Scottish survey shows that one in four of Edinburgh's queens have faced homophobic violence over the past five years. Less than one in five have reported said attacks.

"Best" For Gay Employees

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Some Scottish police are awfully proud this week. The Lothian and Border police squad, which covers Edinburgh and the Lothian areas, dominated Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index:

A police force has been named Scotland's most gay-friendly employer.

Lothian and Borders Police is also the first Scottish employer to feature in the top 20 of Britain's best employers… Lothian and Borders Police - Scotland's second largest force - came 11th in the UK survey, up from 80th place last year.

Stonewall found the Scottish Government was the second best employer in Scotland, coming 51st in the top 100.

A police spokesman said they're "delighted" to receive such an honor. He should have said "tickled pink"!

The gay group also celebrated the Hampshire coppers.

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• Things are about to get very sticky for whore-loving Senator David Vitter:

The "D.C. Madam" served a subpoena Tuesday on Sen. David Vitter, R-La., requiring him to testify about his use of the Washington, D.C., escort service federal prosecutors say was a prostitution ring.

The subpoena calls on the freshman senator to testify at a federal court hearing Nov. 28 looking into the business operations of the $2 million escort service Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated in the nation's capital for 13 years.

And the Senate Ethics Committee remains silent.

• What do you do when you suspect your man's sticking other lovers? Smell his dick, of course.

• The Democrats seem poised to stop President Bush's recess appointment of anti-gay surgeon general nominee James Holsinger. Rather than calling a recess for the holidays, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid hopes legislatures will use "pro forma". 365Gay passes on Roll Call's extortionately expensive word:

Roll Call reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is considering technically canceling the recess. According to the report Reid is mulling a "pro forma" session. In essence it would mean several members of the Senate would show up on the floor every three days keeping the Senate session alive. With no recess Bush would not be able to make a recess appointment.

You're one smart son of a gun, Harry Reid.

CONTINUED »



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