How a gay bar upset the Mormon church, 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. David Cameron agreed gays kissing in public was ‘sweet’
The Prime Minister was quizzed on whether gays making out in public was ‘sweet’ or ‘inappropriate’.
He told Newsnight host Evan Davis: “No, that’s fine! If I can kiss my wife in public, I don’t see why you can’t kiss your husband in public.”
2. The gay former Deputy Mayor of London defected to UKIP
Former Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes announced he had defected to the United Kingdom Independence Party.
The gay ex-Tory politician had served as Boris Johnson’s deputy between 2008 and 2012, but lost his seat on the London Assembly in May 2012.
3. Gay blogger Andrew Sullivan claimed ‘almost all men’ hate condoms
The gay Catholic blogger made the claim while discussing alternative HIV treatments.
He wrote: “To make doubly sure, you can always use a condom. Except almost every man who ever had sex hates condoms”
4. A gay couple were told they can’t move into a flat because they’re not a regular couple
George Poole and his boyfriend were turned down for a flat while looking to move to London – because they’re not a ‘regular couple’.
Mr Poole said: “Regardless of the arena whether it’s public or private – this ‘mistake’ should not occur.”
5. Nick Griffin was expelled from the BNP
The former British National Party leader, who stepped down in July after the party was completely wiped out in the European elections, was expelled by the party entirely.
The party has stepped up its anti-gay rhetoric since Adam Walker took up the leadership leader, claiming in August that a BBC boss wants to put gay porn on CBeebies.
6. A British man was jailed in Morocco for ‘homosexual acts’
Ray Cole, 69, a retired magazine publisher from Deal in Kent, was sentenced to four months behind bars, for ‘homosexual acts’ during a holiday to Marrakesh.
Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover, told PinkNews: “I urge people not to visit Morocco. If you go there you are at serious risk of facing trumped up charges for medieval crimes.”
7. A gay bar upset the Mormon Church with a ‘dress like a Mormon’ party
Club Jam, a gay club in Salt Lake City down the road from the headquarters of the Mormon church, came under fire for hosting a ‘Missionary Position Conference Weekend Party’ – where bar staff wore missionary nametags, and special Mormon-themed drinks called ‘sacrament shots’, ‘baptism by fireball’, ‘garment droppers’ and ‘151 missionary’ were put on the menu.
The Mormon church said: “It is sad to see events like this – deliberately designed to offend and alienate – given any kind of attention.”
