EQUALITY NETWORK - LGBT News - News Sent

30/06/2010
News Sent - 30th June 2010
Equality Network News: Pride Scotia and Pride Glasgow; Halt Hate Crime; Forums News: XXL Islamophobia against gay Muslims; Rugby Football League fines club for allowing homophobic abuse; Football: Survey for Justin Campaign; Research on the Catholic Church's feelings about gay relationships; NHS Consultation: Dumfries and Galloway; Workplace Survey for Bisexual People; NHS Consultation: Dumfries and Galloway; New HIV Wake-up website; New LGBT VOX group in Edinburgh; New LGBT youth group in Fife; New: Equally Enterprising; Talk Scotland Events: Glasgow: Art, Access, Action; Aberdeen: Rainbow Glow; Ladyfest Edinburgh is in season; Edinburgh: Different Strokes; Inverness: The Pink Castle Philosophy Club; Highlands: Scottish Women’s Convention roadshows; Edinburgh: Jesus Queen of Heaven; LGBT Youth National Gathering 2010 - Go Global!; UK News: London Pride Saturday 3rd July; celebrates GLF's 40th birthday; Conflicts of religion, ethnic identity, and sex; UK Black Pride; Transpeople for London Pride; Exploring Gender through the Arts; London: Trans Community Conference; Maiden Tory speech praises Alan Turing; International: Ireland: Leading politician warns Pope away from anti-gay rhetoric; Working for All: HIV Scotland: Policy and Learning Development jobs; Survey assistants wanted in Glasgow; Standards Commission for Scotland: Board Members; Scottish Police Services Authority: Board Members; Quality Meat Scotland: Chair & Board Members; LGBT Families: European right to marriage denied, but hope for the future; Iceland and Australia: two PMs poles apart;

www.scottishlgbt.org/Events

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Equality Network News

Pride Scotia and Pride Glasgow
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the march or stopped by our stall at GHQ on Saturday 26th June and picked up a leaflet, bought a cake, made a donation. We raised nearly Ł200!
We're now looking forward to celebrating Pride in Glasgow on Saturday 17th July: "To mark the 15th year of Pride in Scotland organisers have promised a memorable event, including a march from Kelvinway into the city centre and an exciting line-up of music and entertainment at George Square."
http://www.list.co.uk/article/26746-scott-agnew-cheri-treiffel-and-horse-grace-pride-glasgow/
http://prideglasgow.co.uk/

Halt Hate Crime
The new joint Equality Network/Stonewall Scotland/EHRC publication, Halt Hate Crime, was launched at Pride Scotia on 26th June. Although the cover is EHRC-branded, the content was jointly written and approved by the Equality Network and Stonewall Scotland. If you are on our e-mail list and want to be sure you receive a copy when we distribute it in July, please let us know. The information from the booklet is also available at the National LGBT Forum website.

Forums News

XXL Islamophobia against gay Muslims
Community leaders have slammed London gay nightclub "XXL" owner Mark Ames today (30th June) after he vowed to boycott British Muslims. There is no suggestion that others involved in XXL club share his views but one representative did say they would be supporting his right to freedom of speech. Another club boss, Jeremy Joseph of London’s G-A-Y, says he was “gobsmacked” by Ames comments.and worried that the comments would make gay Muslims feel unwelcome at XXL. “Gay Muslims are a minority amongst a minority and we should be supporting them. I hope gay Muslims stand up against what he says because their voice isn’t heard enough in this country. I would say boycott XXL if you support gay Muslims.” Other leading members of London’s gay community have also criticised Mark Ames' comments. Ali Hili of IraqiLGBT said: “I don’t think it’s acceptable from anyone, especially someone with a high profile. This is especially when the people he’s talking about could be deported to a country which, in turn, may cause them harm. I am in this country because I have fear for my life and I still face discrimination – even here.” Royston Ford, secretary of Imaan, said "LGBT Muslims are preparing to celebrate Pride 2010 with our brothers and sisters of all communities, both in the parade and with events in London and in Bradford. We suggest Mr Ames is best ignored.” (Pink Paper)

Rugby Football League fines club for allowing homophobic abuse
Castleford Tigers rugby club has been fined Ł40,000 fafter its fans subjected Gareth Thomas, the first and still the only openly-gay rugby player in the world, to homophobic taunts. A Rugby Football League operational tribunal found the Tigers guilty of unacceptable behaviour, of breaching the RFL's Respect policy, of misconduct by their supporters and of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the sport. Gareth Thomas is said to be "delighted" at the tribunal's decision.(PinkNews) “It wasn’t very nice and I was pretty hurt by what I could hear," Gareth Thomas said. "I’m only human and I can’t deny I was hurt... I’ve been told there were people in the crowd telling those chanting to shut up. Perhaps we need to go through this so that those few people realise no one else will stand for it and then it hopefully won’t happen to the next person who comes out.” The Castleford match was in March 2010: Gareth Thomas came out in December 2009. (BBC) The Castleford club is said to be taking legal advice as to whether it can appeal the tribunal's decision. (PinkNews, Yorkshire Evening Post)

Football: Survey for Justin Campaign
In response to the massive interest shown in the 'Football v Homophobia' initiative set up by The Justin Campaign this year, the organisation has decided to create an online survey as part of a global consultation process ahead of the 2011 event. The way in which Football v Homophobia has been taken up internationally in its first year has made The Justin Campaign realise as a campaigning organisation how widespread the problem of homophobia in football really is. Homophobia isn't just prevalent in the European game but has infected the game throughout the rest of the world. (Football Association)
Online survey created for people to give their views on homophobia in football.

Research on the Catholic Church's feelings about gay relationships
Nigel Warner is researching the opposition to, or support for, criminalisation of same-sex sexual relationships. He writes: "In December 2008 the Vatican, for the first time, made a public statement opposing criminalisation of same-sex sexual relationships. I am researching how far this policy has in fact been taken up by Catholic bishops since December 2008. I have enough information on the position of Catholic bishops over the currently proposed law in Uganda, and repeal of section 377 in India, but any information from other countries would be very welcome. The information needs to be supported by publicly quoted sources, for example, statements issued by Catholic bishops conferences, or press reports. Or by credible witness statements." Further infomation from Nigel Warner at nwarner@gn.apc.org

Workplace Survey for Bisexual People
You are invited to take this survey if you do not identify as lesbian, gay, or straight; the survey seeks to understand the workplace experiences of people who identify as bisexual, or as one of the many alternative labels describing ‘erotic fluidity’ (such as pansexual, men/women who have sex with men and women (MSMW and WSMW), queer-identified, many-gender-loving, etc), in order to educate heterosexual, gay, and lesbian co-workers, and impact workplace policies and practices. More information here.

NHS Consultation: Dumfries and Galloway
The LGBT Centre in Dumfries are looking to hear from anyone who lives in Dumfries and Galloway, identifies as male, over 16 years of age, and has sexual activity with other men, to provide input into a needs-assessment survey funded by NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The results of the consultation will help shape sexual health services in the region and all responses are confidential and do not ask for any identifiable information.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/msm

New HIV Wake-up website
The new HIV Wake-up website was produced by NHS Health Scotland in partnership with HIV Scotland, and some content has been adapted, with permission, from material originally published on the HIV Scotland website, the Sexual Health Scotland website and the Health Protection Scotland website. The HIV Wake-up website aims to provide Scotland-based information about the importance of HIV testing to men who have sex with men. However, the information is also relevant to anyone who has HIV, is at risk from HIV or would like to know more about HIV testing.
www.hiv-wakeup.org.uk

New LGBT VOX group in Edinburgh
If you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person interested in mental health, have experience of accessing mental health services or want to discuss issues that affect your mental health then this new group might be of interest to you. VOX are interested in: building a picture of people’s experience of mental health problems; offering people the opportunity to have a say and influence the way that policies and services are shaped.
www.voxscotland.org.uk/lgbt-group

New LGBT youth group in Fife
LGBT Youth Scotland are pleased to announce that there is a brand new youth group for LGBT young people in the Kingdom of Fife. The new group is for 12-18yr olds and will run from the Tower House Centre in Dunfermline. For more information about these developments and more about Fife, please visit:
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/fife.htm

New: Equally Enterprising
An innovative new project to support Scotland’s equality focused third sector organisations to become stronger and more effective, and more sustainable. Equally Enterprising says it "will help you to move beyond grant-based income towards ‘earned income’ that comes from products, contracts and service level agreements." Find out more at Equally Enterprising's Ning Network (Ning is an online platform for organizers, activists and influencers to create their own social network): or call Freephone 0808 129 2080.

Talk Scotland Events

Glasgow: Art, Access, Action
Monday 5 July, 10am - 1pm, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow. Commissions totalling Ł1.5 million will be awarded to help celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games across the UK. Shape are holding five Advice Sessions for disabled artists, disabled and Deaf-led arts organisations and mainstream producers in June and July 2010. The Advice Sessions will bring together speakers from London 2012, Arts Council England and the British Council so you can find out more about the commissions and how to apply. (Shape Arts)

Aberdeen: Rainbow Glow
10pm to 2am, Tuesday 6th July, Rainbow Glow LGBT Club Night, at Liquid Nightclub, Bridge Place. Ł4 entry. Fundraiser for THT Grampian. (Date change from 29th June) "Something a little different to what you've seen before, hosted in Aberdeen's Biggest Nightclub. With Drag Acts, Live Music and a Thrilling Theme, Rainbow Glow is gonna knock your socks off! So roll up, roll up and get ready to party!"

Ladyfest Edinburgh is in season
8th July, Edinburgh, time/venue TBA. Ladyfest is a global celebration of women in the arts, culture and society. Ladyfest Edinburgh is a non-profit, community based festival designed by and for women to showcase the women's artistic talents across all artforms including visual arts, poetry, literature, music, dance, performance and comedy. Last year's Ladyfest committee say "we thought it'd be a great idea to ditch the festival idea and throw ourselves into a new monthlies project - a gig/event/workshop/whatever every month for the next year....or whenever really." They have partnered with the anarchafem kollective dayschool (Sept 2010) and intend to launch the monthlies project with an evening gig after the dayschool, and ask "If this tickles your fancy then please do come and join us on Thursday 8th July, or if you don't have time right now but have a great idea or wanna do a monthly event and need support/help/other folk to make it happen then get in touch via info@ladyfestedinburgh.co.uk or on Facebook."

Edinburgh: Different Strokes
4-6pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from July 10th, at Glenogle Swim Centre. The swimming group exclusively for the trans community is back! The group is an open group but we ask that you sign up before hand so that they know numbers for the day. The swimming pool, steam and sauna room will all be trans only for a very relaxing afternoon. For more information contact the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing (LGBT Health, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE; By Phone 0131 523 1100; By Email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk)
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Inverness: The Pink Castle Philosophy Club
7pm, Tuesday 13 July: meets at at Nico's Bar (Glen Mhor Hotel), Ness Bank, Inverness. Contact Morgan on 01463 751258 / 07745 930383 or email morgan@tramstop.org. The club meets on the second Tuesday of every month.

Highlands: Scottish Women’s Convention roadshows
The Scottish Women’s Convention are holding a series of Roadshows across the Highlands of Scotland to discuss issues for women in the area. They will be at the Lochinver Village Hall on Thursday 15th July 2010, the Lairg Highland Hotel on Friday 16th July 2010 and the Ramada Hotel, Inverness on Saturday 17th July 2010. Each roadshow will run from 12.00pm – 4.00pm (lunch provided). SWC events are completely free. A contribution towards childcare and public transport costs may also be available to women attending.
www.scottishwomensconvention.org

Edinburgh: Jesus Queen of Heaven
Saturday 31st July at 7.00pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Written and performed by Jo Clifford. This play's world premiere was at Glasgay! 2009, and is performed here as a free event. Play starts at 7pm, doors open at 630pm. For more information contact Our Tribe, ourtribe.auc@gmail.com.

LGBT Youth National Gathering 2010 - Go Global!
This year's national gathering is all about making a difference in the world, whether that is in your back garden or on the other side of the world! Come along and find out how you can change things for LGBT young people who live in your area, in the next city or in a different country. They will be looking at how individuals, groups, schools and communities can make a difference by working together. The National Gathering will take place at Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine, Fife, July 30th to 1st August. For more information, please visit: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/NG.htm

UK News

London Pride Saturday 3rd July
The Pride march through London assembles at Baker Street for a 1pm set-off. There will be a candle-lit Vigil and Remembrance for people living with HIV and AIDS, in St Anne's Gardens in Soho at 4 o'clock on Saturday to remember "those who cannot be at the party because they are no longer with us, are too poorly or they feel excluded". Organised by the London Order of Perpetual Indulgence.
http://www.londonsisters.org/
http://www.pridelondon.org/

Pride London celebrates GLF's 40th birthday
Helena Pozniak in the Independent (The end of homophobic discrimination) looks at a movement that involved changing society rather than adapting to it
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-end-of-homophobic-discrimination-2001212.html
"We were just spectacular," says Michael James, former drag queen and member of the 1970s' Gay Liberation Front. "Visible, colourful, out loud, inventive, flamboyant and very, very funny." It's been 40 years since gay men and women put forward a radical notion - being gay wasn't something to hide or apologise for, but rather something of which to be proud. Among the many subversive direct actions, or "zaps" as they were known, taken by the GLF, James remembers a sense of humour and invention. Protesters threw flour over Bob Hope at a Miss World competition, marched in upon a London radio station which broadcast anti-gay comments, organised sit-ins, locked London councillors overnight in a church hall, and performed impromptu acts of street theatre outside magistrates' courts.

Conflicts of religion, ethnic identity, and sex
Imaan, the support group for LGBT Muslims, plans to march this year on foot under the “Faith” section and as this year the theme for the parade is “Paint the town ruby red” they hope that all their members will wear traditional garments in red (Shalwar Kameez, Kurta's. Jilbabs, Hijabs) or Imaan's red t-shirts. In early June Imaan were discussing "Should LGBTQI Muslims March at Pride" at their meeting. Patrick Williams (vice-chair of Pride London) was present to speak and take questions. Any queries contact; qurra@imaan.org.uk or tawseef@imaan.org.uk
http://www.imaan.org.uk/
A group for Gay Jews In London that began as an online Facebook group has now turned into one of the largest gay Jewish groups in the world and will this weekend be leading a delegation of LGBT Jews at London Pride.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/06/29/gay-jewish-group-grows-from-facebook-group-to-london-pride-delegation/
http://www.gayjewsinlondon.com/
Christian groups plan a visible and united presence at Saturday's festival as Christians Together at Pride. Symon Hill, associate director of Ekklesia, noted that "In recent years, the small number of Christians who turn up to protest against Pride have been vastly outnumbered by the Christians participating in it. "
http://www.scottishlgbt.org/Events/News/Index.aspx?id=157
http://www.christiansatpride.com/

UK Black Pride - Britain's biggest and best celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Middle East and Latin America - is proud to announce the fifth annual UK Black Pride Festival will take place on Saturday 14 August 2010 in the beautiful setting of Regents Park College, London, from 12 noon until 9pm, followed by late after-parties. The theme of the UK Black Pride Festival 2010 is: 'Pride, A Deeper Love'. Tickets will be available from their website from 2nd July.
http://www.ukblackpride.org.uk/

The Equality Network's Minority Ethnic LGBT Project, EveryoneIN, will be recruiting for their Glasgow Action Group at Pride in Glasgow on 17th July.
http://www.equality-network.org/minorityethniclgbt

Transpeople for London Pride write: If you want to meet up and breakfast and march with a good-natured big beautiful bunch of Transpeople, the meeting place for 3rd July is Cafe Teo 54 Baker St. Banner-carrying volunteers especially welcome! "Much love and hope to see lots of celebrating transpeople there! As Tessa said on stage in Trafalgar Square two years ago. 'We have arrived, and we are not going away!'"

Exploring Gender through the Arts
Re-looking at the Sci:dentity Project, Screening with Q&A, 30th June 6.30-8pm, Embassy Theatre, Central School of Speech & Drama, University of London, Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY (supported by Central School of Speech & Drama). In 2006, an arts project funded by the Wellcome Trust asked the question 'What is the Science of Sex & Gender?' with 18 young transgender people, resulting in a documentary film. With the help of an additional grant, this series of screenings of a new cut with additional footage includes a Q&A session with original participants. The film footage will be screened with Question & Answer sessions in June 2010 with project staff and some of the young people who participated in the original project in 2006. To book a place or to find out more contact cett@cssd.ac.uk.
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/the-identity-project/events-nationwide/the-scidentity-project.aspx

London: Trans Community Conference
Friday 16th July, 9AM-6PM, at the Embassy Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, London, NW3. A one-day gathering featuring a series of workshops for members of the trans community from across the UK, as well as professionals who work with the trans community. The trans community includes family members, partners and lovers and friends and allies. Booking essential. The conference will celebrate our diversity of identities and knowledge, as well as the different groups, organisations and projects that our community offers.This will be followed by an optional evening in the Embassy Theatre, from 7pm - 9pm "Tit Bits": An Evening with Bird la Bird.
http://www.genderedintelligence.co.uk

Maiden Tory speech praises Alan Turing
Iain Stewart, the newly-elected Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, used his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 25th June to highlight the heroic life of mathematician and code-breaker Alan Turing and to praise Gordon Brown "for what he did to right the wrong against the brilliant code breaker and mathematician, Alan Turing, a national hero who was so persecuted for being gay that he ultimately took his own life. While the right hon. Gentleman and I share little political agreement - although, in the interests of full disclosure, I should declare that I was christened by his father - I pay tribute to him for making that national apology for the wrong done to Alan Turing."
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/06/25/new-gay-tory-mp-pays-tribute-to-alan-turing/
http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=3286
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8249792.stm
http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/

International

Ireland: Leading politician warns Pope away from anti-gay rhetoric
Irish Labour leader Eamon Gilmore warns that the Pope’s anti-gay rhetoric "gives comfort" to thugs carrying out violent homophobic assaults and that Benedict XVI should "temper" his language as his hard-line stance encouraged discrimination. Gilmore urged the Pope and others in positions of influence to "bear in mind" the effects of their language when dealing with the issue after the Pope sparked controversy with a spate of anti-gay statements, including one in which he said "saving" humanity from homosexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforests. Research by the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) shows that 80.4% of Irish gay, lesbian and transgender people reported facing homophobic verbal abuse, 42.5% said they had been threatened with physical violence, 24.4% reported being punched, kicked or beaten, and 7.9% said they had been attacked with a weapon.(Irish Examiner)

Working for All

HIV Scotland: Policy and Learning Development jobs
Senior Policy Officer (Ł29,259 - Ł31,761) and Learning Development Officer (Ł26,331 - Ł28,680) based in Edinburgh, 35 hours per week.
HIV Scotland are looking for experienced specialists capable of providing high quality advice and learning to policy makers, professionals and agencies engaged at all levels in the promotion of standards, effective interventions and co-ordination in HIV. Full details of these posts and application packs are available at www.hivscotland.com or e-mail info@hivscotland.com or call 0131 558 3713. Deadline 19th July. Interviews provisionally set for 4th August (Senior Policy) and 18th August (Learning Officer).

Survey assistants wanted in Glasgow
The MRC and Glasgow Caledonian University are conducting a survey in gay bars in Glasgow in July this year. They need a team of survey assistants to visit the bars to distribute questionnaires and collect survey data. The survey will take place between 19th July and 1st August each evening and training for the study is scheduled for Saturday 10th July in Glasgow. The salary for the post is Ł10/hour and there will also be vacancies for team leaders at a rate of Ł12/hour. To take this forward, please contact Jennifer Clark at Bruce Murray Recruitment, Lower Ground, 24 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG, Tel: 0141 221 2201, Email: info@brucemurray.co.uk More information here.

Standards Commission for Scotland: Board Members
Are you interested in promoting high standards in public life and in helping to ensure that the conduct of Councillors and Members of Devolved Public Bodies is beyond reproach? Then you might be one of the people we need, as the Scottish Ministers will be appointing up to 2 board members to the Standards Commission early next year. The appointments will be for 4 years. Reappointment will be possible, subject to a satisfactory performance assessment and continuing to meet the essential criteria at that time. Ł5,712 per year; 2 days per month. Deadline Friday 30 July 2010.
http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/Current-positions/Member---Standards-Commission-for-Scotland/
http://www.standardscommissionscotland.org.uk/

Scottish Police Services Authority: Board Members
SPSA staff are committed to supporting each and every police officer to make the best of their time and talent in the protection and service of the public. Members of the SPSA board provide strong strategic direction and regular appraisal of the organisation. Remuneration: Ł229.50 per day. Travel and subsistence costs and reasonable childcare and dependent carer expenses will be reimbursed. Both positions are typically 2-4 days per month and Board meetings usually take place at SPSA’s Headquarters in Glasgow.
http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/Current-positions/Members---Scottish-Police-Services-Authority/
http://www.spsa.police.uk/

Quality Meat Scotland: Chair & Board Members
Scottish Ministers are seeking to appoint a new Chair and at least four new Board members for the body responsible for the development, marketing and promotion of the Scottish red meat industry. This dynamic organisation undertakes a challenging workload on behalf of the Scottish red meat industry with a small, committed team of staff working closely with the Board to deliver an ambitious programme of activity. Most meetings are held at QMS at Ingliston, near Edinburgh. The Chair position takes about 1.5 days per week and the Board positions 8-12 days per year. Deadline: 30 July 2010, interviews scheduled late September 2010.
http://www.appointed-for-scotland.org/Current-positions/Chair---Quality-Meat-Scotland/
http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/

LGBT Families

European right to marriage denied, but hope for the future
Last week, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that same-sex marriage is not a basic universal human right. The decision was made in response to a case brought to the court by two Austrian men, Michael Schalk and Johan Kopf, who were denied the ability to marry and sued under the European Convention on Human Rights. (Ms)
While most gay and lesbian rights groups in Europe were disappointed at last week’s European Court of Human Rights judgement by the Chamber against a claim by an Austrian same-sex couple that the authorities’ refusal to allow them to marry was a breach of their rights, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP said this morning that there was a prospect of a more liberal interpretation in the future. (UK Gay News, Pink Paper)
Clive Baldwin writes in the Guardian (European court's hidden but hopeful message on same-sex marriage): "Last week, the European court of human rights ruled unanimously that there was no obligation on states to recognise same-sex marriage. At least, not yet. Because hidden within the ruling are two significant findings that make it almost certain that one day the court will rule in favour of a right to have same-sex relationships – including marriages – recognised in law. The case is also notable for a bizarre intervention by the UK government, arguing against a right – to recognition of civil partnerships – that it had itself introduced at home. Two Austrians, a Mr Schalk and a Mr Kopf, argued that the right to marry, set out in the European convention on human rights, requires states to recognise same-sex marriage. The court rejected that argument unanimously, stating instead that the right of men and women to marry is subject to national laws. The court relied on the fact that only six of the 47 European states recognise same-sex marriage (in fact, seven countries now do, with Iceland the latest). In this approach the court showed once more that on issues it calls "morality" it normally follows states, rather than leads them, an approach which those who accuse the court of "interfering" too much would do well to consider."

Iceland and Australia: two PMs poles apart
In the same week as the Prime Minister of Iceland, Johanna Sigurdardottir, and her civil partner, Jonina Leosdottir, converted their stađfest samvist (registered partnership) into a marriage, the new Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, declared her belief that "marriage is between a man and a woman".
Johanna's marriage makes her not only the world’s first openly gay leader, but also the first gay leader to get married. This week also marks 30 years since Iceland elected the world’s first female president. Iceland’s new marriage equality legislation became law on Sunday 27th June, and the Prime Minister and her long-time registered civil partner straight away took the opportunity to upgrade their contract to full marriage, which is allowed under the new law. The legal contract change does not require a new marriage ceremony, as registered partnerships were already legally very similar to marriage. (Pink News, Ice News)

The Equality Network’s website for information on all aspects of LGBT family law – including civil partnership, cohabitation, having children, breaking up – is www.lgbtfamilies.org

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