Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing to receive posthumous pardon for homosexuality conviction – The Independent

Posted July 22nd, 2013 in bills, homosexuality, news, pardons, parliament, retrospectivity, sexual offences by sally

“The Government says it will not oppose a parliamentary bill that would quash the 1952 ‘gross indecency’ conviction.”

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The Independent, 20th July 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Gay marriage: freedom of speech and conscience – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“At the beginning of 2013 11 countries allowed gay marriage to be performed. By the middle of the year that number had increased to 15 with more to come. Some states in the US and Mexico also allow gay marriages to take place and some jurisdictions recognise same-sex marriages conducted elsewhere but do not perform them. While civil partnerships were introduced throughout the UK in 2004, England and Wales and Scotland look likely to be the next jurisdictions to allow same-sex marriage. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14 regarding England and Wales is already in the House of Lords and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill has just been introduced. Northern Ireland, by contrast, looks set to stick solely with civil partnerships (and will recognise the other jurisdictions same-sex marriages as such).”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 16th July 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Gay marriage set to enter law with first wedding ceremonies to take place by next summer – The Independent

Posted July 17th, 2013 in bills, equality, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“Legislation to introduce same-sex marriage has completed its passage through the House of Commons, paving the way for the first gay weddings in England and Wales next summer.”

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The Independent, 16th July 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Gay marriage: Peers approve legislation – BBC News

Posted July 16th, 2013 in bills, homosexuality, marriage, news, parliament by sally

“Same-sex marriage in England and Wales is a step closer to becoming law after the House of Lords approved the change.”

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BBC News, 15th July 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

B&B owner who turned away gay couple loses appeal – The Guardian

“The Christian owner of a bed and breakfast has lost her appeal against a ruling that she unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple when she refused to let them stay in a double room.”

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The Guardian, 9th July 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina ((JB) (Jamaica)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department – WLR Daily

Regina ((JB) (Jamaica)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: [2013] EWCA Civ 666;   [2013] WLR (D)  252

“Since the undisputed evidence was that homosexuals were routinely persecuted in Jamaica, the Secretary of State had acted unlawfully in designating Jamaica, under section 94(5)(a) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, as a state where there was ‘in general no serious risk of persecution of persons entitled to reside in that state.’ ”

WLR Daily, 12th June 2013

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Hate Crime: The Case for Extending the Existing Offences – Law Commission

“This project came to the Law Commission by a reference from the Ministry of Justice, following the Government’s publication of its three-year hate crime action plan in 2012.”

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Law Commission, 27th June 2013

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

The truth about gay marriage: legally there is nothing to be gained – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“The law pertaining to same-sex relationships has come a long way. Until the Sexual Offences Act 1967, homosexual relationships were illegal. Until the Civil Partnership Act 2004, there was no way of formalising a homosexual relationship. The debate has now moved to the more intricate matters surrounding the nature of that formalisation, with many people now campaigning for a law which would allow gay marriage.”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 4th June 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Myths and Realities about Equal Marriage – UK Human Rights Blog

“The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is back before Parliament today for the ‘Report Stage’. The latest version of the Bill is here, updated explanatory notes here, and the full list of proposed amendments here. Predictably, the amendments are the focus of much controversy.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 20th May 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Gay marriage: Review of civil partnerships possible but not until 2019 – BBC News

Posted May 17th, 2013 in bills, civil partnerships, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“Ministers have said they are prepared to review whether civil partnerships should be extended to heterosexual couples but not until 2019.”

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BBC News, 17th May 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court backs ban against teacher who condemned ‘homosexual lifestyle’ – The Independent

“The High Court has upheld a classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the ‘homosexual lifestyle’ in front of pupils.”

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The Independent, 12th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Gay? Prove it then – have you read any Oscar Wilde?’: Judges accused of asking lesbian asylum seekers inappropriate questions – The Independent

“Have you ever read Oscar Wilde? Do you use sex toys? Why have you not attended a Pride march? These are just some of the questions that have been asked of lesbian asylum seekers in what one academic says shows shocking levels of ignorance and prejudice among tribunal judges.”

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The Independent, 4th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ban on ‘ex-gay, post-gay and proud’ bus advert criticised but lawful – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted March 26th, 2013 in advertising, complaints, homosexuality, news, transport by sally

“In a judgment which is sure to provoke heated debate, the High Court has today ruled that the banning of an advert which read ‘NOT GAY! EX-GAY, POST-GAY AND PROUD. GET OVER IT!’ from appearing on London buses was handled very badly by Transport for London (‘TfL’) but was not unlawful or in breach of the human rights of the group behind the advert.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 23rd March 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Human Rights and Family Law Spring Update – Family Law Week

“Deirdre Fottrell, barrister of Coram Chambers, reviews recent cases involving human rights issues which are of significance to family lawyers.”

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Family Law Week, 22nd March 2013

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Christian B&B owners sued over refusing gay guests can now turn away homosexual couples – The Independent

“A Christian couple who broke equality laws when they refused to let a gay couple stay in a double room in their bed and breakfast will now be able to legally turn away homosexual couples after becoming a not-for-profit organisation.”

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The Independent, 22nd March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Ex-gay’ London bus advert ban ruled lawful – BBC News

Posted March 22nd, 2013 in advertising, homosexuality, news, transport by sally

“A ban on a Christian group’s proposed bus advert suggesting gay people could be helped to change their sexuality has been ruled as lawful.”

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BBC News, 22nd March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court challenge over banned ‘ex-gay’ bus advert – BBC News

“A ban on a bus advert claiming gay people can be “cured” is to be challenged in the High Court.”

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BBC News, 28th February 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Commission launches guidance on managing religion or belief in the workplace – Equality and Human Rights Commission

Posted February 15th, 2013 in employment, homosexuality, human rights, marriage, news, religious discrimination by sally

“Equality and Human Rights Commission has published new guidance today to help employers and employees deal with the expression of religion or belief at work and avoid conflict and costly court cases.”

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14th February 2013

Source: www.equalityhumanrights.com

Gay marriage: some legal inequalities will remain – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2013 in appeals, bills, civil partnerships, divorce, equality, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“The aim of the marriage (same-sex couples) bill is to ensure that all couples enjoy equal marriage rights. Some elements of legal asymmetry remain, however, under the legislation.”

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The Guardian, 5th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gay asylum seekers feeling increased pressure to prove sexuality, say experts – The Guardian

Posted February 4th, 2013 in asylum, evidence, homosexuality, human rights, immigration, news by tracey

“Gay asylum seekers are increasingly going to extreme lengths to meet immigration officials’ demands that they prove their sexual identity or else be returned to countries where they face persecution.”

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The Guardian, 3rd February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk