For the full article go to the Telegraph website - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/9096614/Students-told-cross-dressing-is-as-offensive-as-blacking-up.html

Please feel free to post comments below - are they right or is it "political correctness gone mad"?

The Country Slicker has been designed to counter a ‘lonely farmer’ perception of rural life in the UK.

Read more at Pink News - http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/15/social-network-aims-to-connect-rural-gays/

Why This Is Important

'Sex-swap/change', 'tranny', 'gender pot', 'peter pan pills', 'gender confused', 'gender bender' etc. the use of the word 'he' when referring to a girl or woman and 'she' when referring to a boy or man are deliberately belittling the individual concerned. These terms are not only offensive to Transgender children and adults but are also fundamentally incorrect and uneducated. These terms are outdated and based on bigotry on the part of the Journalists using them. People with gender identity issues are being murdered, beaten, threatened with their lives, bullied, teased, intimidated, disowned and are prone to suicide both attempted and successful and self harm. The Press being an extremely powerful medium has the responsibility to ensure they are not aiding peoples ignorance and hatred and increased lack of self esteem.           http://www.facebook.com/genderissuessupport 

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-press-using-transphobic-terms-and-deliberately-mixing-pronouns-transphobia-kills-help-those-like-this-little-girl-live-the-life-they-deserve

Read the full story at Pink News:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/02/02/ann-widdecombe-let-unhappy-gays-try-to-turn-straight/

The case, which is the first of its kind in Britain, concerned five men who were accused of distributing a series of leaflets in Derby. It is reported that the one of the leaflets, entitled “Death Penalty?” and containing references to gay sex, showed an image of a mannequin hanging by the neck from a noose, accompanied by the following statement:

The death sentence is the only way this immoral crime can be erased from corrupting society and act as a deterrent for any other ill person who is remotely inclined in this bent way.

It is reported that the men admitted to distributing the leaflets but pleaded not guilty to the charges. 
The Public Order Act 1986 was amended by section 74 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 to create the offence of stirring up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. Section 29C reads:

29C Publishing or distributing written material

(1)A person who publishes or distributes written material which is threatening is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

(2)References in this Part to the publication or distribution of written material are to its publication or distribution to the public or a section of the public.

The convicted men will be sentenced in February.

To celebrate the day, they will look back at the enormous contribution Peter Tatchell has made to the fight for equal gay rights and human rights in general across the UK and abroad with contributions from all around the globe.

Late January will also mark 45 years of human rights campaigning by the naturalised Briton, and 10 years since the Peter Tatchell Foundation was originally launched.

Full story here - http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/01/08/pinknews-to-celebrate-25th-january-as-peter-tatchell-day-legendary-campaigner-turns-60/ 

Don't forget to check out the "What's On" and "Forum" sections of this website on a regular basis and please feel free to contribute by contacting me at lynsey.radmore@googlemail.com.

Lynsey (Chair of the Rainbow Forum)

The Home Office has published the first ever Government transgender equality action plan. The plan includes firm commitments to improve the lives of transgender people and support businesses and public bodies so they have the right tools to support transgender people. The document is the culmination of an active engagement with the transgender community, practitioners and the voluntary sector. Read it here

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/lgbt-equality-publications/transgender-action-plan?view=Binary

Spread the message

Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone said:

'Over 2,000 individuals and clubs have already signed up to the Government Charter for Action to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport and I thank them for their support.

'The competition will help encourage even more people to get involved and spread the message far and wide that homophobic and transphobic abuse is never acceptable.'

Choosing the winner

Rugby Union star Ben Cohen will choose the top designs from all the entries; it will then be over to the general public to vote in February for the winner. The winning design will become the official logo for the campaign. 

Ben Cohen, MBE, England Rugby World Cup champion said:

'I am passionate about standing up against homophobia and making sure sport is a welcoming place for everyone. The winning logo will allow sports fans, players and clubs to clearly show their support for tackling this issue and help unite everyone who loves sport behind this important campaign.'

Prizes

Prizes donated by The Football Association, The Football League, The Lawn Tennis Association, the Rugby Football League and Ben Cohen include:

• a mascot package for under 11’s at an England Football International at Wembley
• 2 tickets to the Championship playoff finals at Wembley
• 2 tickets to the AEGON tennis Championship at Queens
• 4 tickets to the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final
• a signed Ben Cohen shirt
• a tour of Wembley Stadium

Get involved

The logo competition is targeted at young people but is open to anyone with creative flair. Applicants have been asked to come up with a design that conveys a message of inclusion and respect in sport.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/lgbt-logo