PM kisses drag queens, and 6 other stories you might have missed

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

The PinkNews roundup recaps some of the most widely read and notable news stories from the past week, which you may have missed

1. A UKIP candidate admitted she ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if the party wants to repeal same-sex marriages
Deborah Rennie, who is the UK Independence Party’s prospective parliamentary candidate in South East Cambridgeshire, made the comments in a local hustings.

When asked if she supports the repeal of same-sex marriage, she said: “The honest answer is I don’t know. I would not be surprised if UKIP considered it but I want to be honest with you and say I am not entirely sure.”

2. New Zealand’s Conservative Prime Minister spent the weekend kissing drag queens

John Key, who leads the New Zealand National Party, made an appearance at Auckland’s Big Gay Out event.

The Prime Minister shared a kiss with drag queens Buffy and Bimbo – though mercifully avoided a reprise of his dance routine

3. Yvette Cooper declared a ‘war on hate crimes’
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary pledged to strengthen the law to make homophobic hate crimes an aggravated criminal offence, as well crimes against disabled people.

Yvette Cooper MP said:“Hate crimes have no place in modern Britain. No one should fear being attacked because of their religion, their sexuality, the colour of their skin or their disability.”

4. Obama denied he was ‘bullshitting’ about same-sex marriage

Barack Obama’s former strategist David Axelrod accused the President of “bullshitting” when he opposed same-sex marriage while seeking election in 2008.

Mr Obama responded: “The notion that somehow I was always in favour of marriage per se isn’t quite accurate. I think David is mixing up my personal feelings with my position on the issue.”

5. Australia signed up to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest
It was announced that a representative from Australia would join the contest’s line-up in May for the 60th anniversary, bringing the total number of competing countries to 40.

A country does not technically have to be located in Europe to enter Eurovision – broadcasters are usually eligible to join if they are part of the European Broadcast Union.

6. Madonna joined Grindr to chat to fans

It was revealed the gay icon will join Grindr to chat to five competition winners – but despite the platform, it isn’t specified exactly how steamy her messages will be.

A Grindr spokesman said: “Who can forget their very first time? The queen of pop really wants to touch you for the very first time on Grindr.”

7. The Lib Dems selected trans candidate Zoe O’Connell
Ms O’Connell became the fourth transgender Prospective Parliamentary Candidate to be standing this May – after she was selected by the Lib Dems in Maldon.

She told PinkNews: “I think it’s the first election that’s had more than one trans candidate. It’s excellent that people now feel they can do this.”

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