Labour MSP Elaine Smith: ‘I’m against equal marriage but don’t call me homophobic’
Labour MSP Elaine Smith claims she has been subjected to personal attacks after declaring she will vote against Scotland’s same-sex marriage bill.
Equal marriage opponent Lord Dear withdraws bill amendments
Several amendments to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, by equal marriage critic Lord Dear were withdrawn last night – although the former Chief Constable has warned he may re-introduce additional measures seeking greater legal protections for opponents at a later stage.
US: Illinois equal marriage group pledges $500,000 effort to promote same-sex marriage
An equal marriage advocacy group in the US state of Illinois has announced that it is gearing up for a large-scale campaign to promote same-sex marriage ahead of the 2014 state election.
South Australia to debate motion to formally congratulate New Zealand for marriage equality
The Upper House in South Australia is on Wednesdsay to debate a motion which would formally congratulate New Zealand for legalising equal marriage earlier this year.
US: Advocates hope to get equal marriage question on 2014 Arizona ballot
Supporters of equal marriage are hoping to get the question of legalising equal marriage on a ballot in the state of Arizona, as soon as 2014, in order to undo a voter-approved constitutional ban on the practice.
US: Russian gay people urge boycott of 2014 Russian Winter Olympics
Gay people from Russia and the former Soviet republics who are living in the US have urged a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, because of growing fears that LGBT people are not safe in Russia.
Archbishop of York: Would the Church of England rather bless ‘sheep and trees’ than gay couples?
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, addressed the question of the Church of England's opposition to equal marriage, and the issue of whether or not it will bless civil unions, asking if the issue has been "given enough space".
European Parliament express concerns on lack of gay rights provision in trade treaty
The European Parliament has agreed to a new multilateral treaty with Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific regions, but with strong reservations about its lack of human rights protections in relation to sexual orientation.
US: Baltimore Pride features mass same-sex wedding
During this year's Baltimore Pride parade, the city's Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake officiated a mass wedding of over 20 couples, in an emotional and symbolic move.
Lord Hylton anti-equal marriage ‘union’ amendment withdrawn
An amendment by equal marriage opponent Lord Hylton that suggested the word “union” is strong enough to describe the bond between gay couples has now been withdrawn from being included in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
