Gay-free singing contests, and 6 other stories you might have missed this week

PinkNews brings you a roundup of news from the past seven days.

Here are some of the most widely read, and notable news stories from the past week which you may have missed.

1. Russia ditched its plans for a ‘no gays’ Eurovision rival

Russia scrapped plans to bring back the Soviet-era ‘Intervision’ contest as a family values song contest.

There had been talks of a revival this year, following the Eurovision victory of Austrian drag artist Conchita Wurst.

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2. Totnes unveiled its own rainbow crossing

The rural Devon town took inspiration from Brighton and London to design their own temporary Pride crossing.

The crossing was unveiled at the heart of the town, after a crowdfunding campaign helped pay for the liquid chalk materials.

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3. Tory MP Michael Fabricant announced a bill to end the gay blood ban

The Conservative politician will next month introduce legislation to end discrimination against men who have sex with men when giving blood.

The Blood Donation (Equality) Bill will be introduced in the Commons on on October 22.

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4. Sam Smith said he doesn’t want to be a ‘spokesperson’ for gay people

The Money on My Mind singer, who came out earlier this year, said: “I’m not trying to be a spokesperson.

“It sounds awful of me, but I’m really just trying to live my life and write music about it. That’s what I do.

He previously said people should avoid making an “issue” of their sexuality, and claimed Grindr is ruining romance.

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5. Gay UKIP MEP David Coburn compared Alex Salmond to Robert Mugabe

Coburn, who is UKIP’s most prominent gay politician. claimed of the Scottish National Party: “The way they have behaved in the referendum, terrifying people, bullying people, frightening businesses, is very much fascism of the 30s.”

He added: “[Salmond] wants to limit land ownership, much like Robert Mugabe.”

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6. TV host Susanna Reid accidentally asked a Downton Abbey star if he has gay sex to get acting roles

The Good Morning Britain host she asked Dan Stevens if he had to “beat off a lot of American men” to get his latest acting role.

The presenter seemed unaware why the actor found the question so funny, asking again: “Did you not have to beat them off?”

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7. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova proposed to her girlfriend during a match

The retired Czech-American player popped the question to partner Julia Lemigova while in the crowd at the US Open semi-final.

She said: “I thought this was the right place and the right time to pop the question and thankfully I got a ‘yes’.”

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