The gayest day ever, 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. Stonewall will campaign for transgender rights too

LGB charity Stonewall confirmed that following a consultation with the trans community, it would be expanding its remit.

CEO Ruth Hunt said: “This change marks a significant moment in Stonewall’s history. As a community we can achieve much more by standing together.

“This is an exciting but huge undertaking – we recognise that we are not instant experts, and will work closely with the trans community to achieve real change for LGBT people.”

2. Gay NBA star Jason Collins revealed he’s mentoring sport stars in the closet

Former basketball star Jason Collins has said he is now helping to mentor a number of other LGBT players who remain in the closet.

He said: “I’m in contact with other athletes, collegiate and professionally who are members of the LGBT community who maybe aren’t ready to come out publicly but they have in their private lives.”

3. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson featured her partner in a broadcast

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives released a broadcast for the party featuring her same-sex partner.

The broadcast showed Davidson walking along with her partner Jen Wilson at the Elie harbour in Fife. They are also shown laughing and drinking together in a pub in the village of Lower Largo.

4. Paddy McGuinness called for a gay version of ‘Take Me Out’

The host of the popular dating show said he had asked producers to explore a gay spin-off series.

He said: “I have asked about a gay version (…) It is in the mix. It is up to the powers that be.”

5. NHS England reinforced an 18-week target for trans people to be treated

Despite some trans people left waiting years to access gender services, NHS England confirmed it was working towards an 18-week target.

One woman has been waiting upwards of 21 months for a surgery slot, according to the data. The country’s former top gender surgeon warned last year that backlogs are “spiralling out of control”

6. May 23 is could become the gayest day ever

The result of Ireland’s equal marriage referendum could come within hours of the Eurovision final.

The Republic of Ireland will go to the polls on May 22, with the result likely to be released the following day.

As drag artist Panti Bliss put it: “May 23rd has the potential to be so gay that the Earth’s orbit is affected.”

7. The Pope compared trans people to nuclear weapons

The Catholic leader said: “Let’s think of the nuclear arms, of the possibility to annihilate in a few instants a very high number of human beings.

“Let’s think also of genetic manipulation, of the manipulation of life, or of the gender theory, that does not recognize the order of creation.”

“With this attitude, man commits a new sin, that against God the Creator.”

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