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ILGA-Europe welcomes this Opinion and hopes the Court of Justice of the European Union will base its judgement on this Opinion.
Many European countries still ban gay, bisexual and men having sex with men from donating blood. Such bans are not taking into consideration sexual behaviour or practices and exclude those men simply because of whom they are.
Paulo Côrte-Real, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, said:
“This is a very significant opinion which clearly identifies the core problem with such bans: identity of a person or a particular sexuality do not as such represent a risk factor in blood donation and the authorities responsible for ensuring public safety must take into consideration individual sexual behaviour of potential blood donors instead.
We hope the Court will make its judgment in line with the Advocate General’s Opinion and that such discriminatory practices can be abolished.”
The fact of the case: 29 April 2009, a doctor with the Établissement français du sang (French Blood Agency, ‘the EFS’) refused the blood donation that Mr Léger wished to make, on the grounds that the latter was homosexual and that French law permanently excludes men who have had, or have, sexual relations with other men from giving blood. Mr Léger having challenged that decision, the tribunal administratif de Strasbourg (administrative court, Strasbourg) has asked the Court of Justice whether this permanent exclusion is compatible with an EU directive (Commission Directive 2004/33/EC of 22 March 2004 implementing Directive 2002/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain technical requirements for blood and blood components (OJ 2004L 91, p. 25). According to that directive, persons whose sexual behaviour puts them at high risk of contracting severe infectious diseases that can be transmitted by blood are permanently excluded from giving blood.
The post appeared first on Permanent exclusion of men having sex with men from blood donation is not justifiable, says Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union .

The YouGov polling shows that nearly half (48 per cent) of lesbian, gay and bisexual people fear discrimination when dealing with bereavement while more than half (55 per cent) of those over the age of 45 have no […]

The YouGov polling shows that nearly half (48 per cent) of lesbian, gay and bisexual people fear discrimination when dealing with bereavement while more than half (55 per cent) of those over the age of 45 have no financial provision for their funeral. Shockingly, one in ten say they have experienced discrimination at a funeral or when arranging one.
Those in the London and the North were most concerned about receiving poor treatment because of their sexual orientation. More Londoners than any other area believe they will face barriers when planning a funeral or in arranging end of life care.
According to the study, family members and religious leaders were the most likely to discriminate against lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
One in four (24 per cent) believe they would face barriers when planning a funeral, with almost a quarter (23 per cent) worried about being treated poorly by a funeral director when arranging a funeral.
In response to these fears, a guide for lesbian, gay and bisexual people on planning for later life has been developed by Stonewall and The Co-operative Funeralcare. It offers helpful advice on the law, making financial provision, such as a will or purchasing a funeral plan, and offers tips on planning and arranging a funeral.
Ruth Hunt, Acting Chief Executive of Stonewall, said; ‘Many older lesbian, gay and bisexual people grew up in a time when they were discriminated against and persecuted simply because of who they are. It’s therefore hardly surprising that so many feel reluctant to access services to help them plan for later life.
‘At Stonewall we know that we stand on the shoulders of a generation whose tireless work helped to change Britain and the world for the better. We now have a responsibility to make sure that they receive the help and support they deserve for themselves and their families. That is why we’re working with community groups and faith organisations to help make this a reality.’
George Tinning, Managing Director of The Co-operative Funeralcare, said: ‘Despite changes to the law to provide equal rights for people regardless of their sexual orientation and a perceived greater acceptance in society, it is clear from our research that barriers remain even in death.
‘The death of a loved one can be deeply distressing but at a time when people should expect sympathy and understanding, many gay people have faced poor treatment as a result of discrimination and this is simply unacceptable.
‘As well as producing a guide to offer helpful advice to customers, we are also providing guidance to our staff to ensure that we always offer the same care, guidance and support to all our clients.’
The full report can be found here:
The post appeared first on Lesbian, gay and bisexual people grow older fearing discrimination and isolation .

However, the local registry office refused to register her as female, unless her wife consented to the marriage being turned into a civil partnership or to divorce.
Claiming that this was in breach of Article 8 […]

However, the local registry office refused to register her as female, unless her wife consented to the marriage being turned into a civil partnership or to divorce.
Claiming that this was in breach of Article 8 […]

However, the local registry office refused to register her as female, unless her wife consented to the marriage being turned into a civil partnership or to divorce.
Claiming that this was in breach of Article 8 (Rights to private and family life), Article 12 (right to marry) and a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights, Ms Hämäläinen brought the case to the ECtHR, which now ruled that the required change of marital status would not breach her rights.
Explaining its judgment, the Court stated that “it was not disproportionate to require the conversion of a marriage into a registered partnership as a precondition to legal recognition of an acquired gender as that was a genuine option which provided legal protection for same-sex couples that was almost identical to that of marriage.”
Sirpa Pietikäinen, a Finnish Member of the European Parliament for the EPP reacted to the judgment: “The ruling is a disappointment for those transgender people who wish to stay married throughout the gender recognition process.”
“In 2012, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muinieks said that divorce should not be a necessary condition for gender recognition as it can have a severe impact on the right to family life. In order to guarantee the right to family life for everyone, we need to put more pressure on national authorities to formulate their legislation in a non-discriminatory way.”
Dennis de Jong, Member of the European Parliament for GUE/NGL, added: “The divorce requirement now acknowledged by the Court does have a very negative impact on the family life of transgenders and their partners.”
“Although family law is not a European competence, I call upon Finland and other states for reasons of humanity, to respect the rights of transgender persons and follow the example of the 11 EU Member States which do not require transgender people to divorce in order to have their gender recognised.”
The post appeared first on Strasbourg ruling: divorce requirement for legal gender recognition ‘no violation of Human Rights’ .

Newcastle Pride, which runs from Friday (July 18) to Sunday (July 20), will offer a whole host of live music and family entertainment across the city’s Town Moor and Times Square, including high profile performances by Sinitta, Shayne Ward, Faye Tozer and the Vengaboys.
Highlights in the three-day event include live music at the Pride in the City stage at Times Square, outside the Centre for Life, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday and from 5.30pm until 8.30pm on Sunday, all sponsored by NE1.
The Main Stage at the Town Moor will also play host to a wide range of performances, including a Champagne and Showtunes evening with The Echo-fonics from 7.15pm on Friday.
This will be followed from 12.30pm until 6pm on Saturday, with appearances by acts including Sinitta, Faye Tozer and Shayne Ward, and from 11am until 5pm on Sunday, when the Main Stage will welcome S Club 7’s Jo O’Meara, X Factor star Lloyd Daniels and Eurodance group The Vengaboys, plus many more.
On both Saturday and Sunday the Town Moor will also play host to a fairground, range of stalls and various entertainment and information zones, including the Family Zone, complete with a sensory space, circus workshop and arts and crafts, the Youth Zone, for ages 12 and above and the Steve Paske Health Zone, which will be offering free advice and STI Testing throughout the weekend.
Before that, visitors have the opportunity to take part in the annual Newcastle Pride parade, which sets of from the Civic Centre to the Town Moor at midday on Saturday.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, which organises the event, said: “This is the biggest Newcastle Pride we’ve ever staged and is now officially the second largest free LGBT festival in the UK.
“We’re expecting more than 65,000 people to attend over the course of the three days and, with such a wide range of activities on offer, I’m sure there’ll be something to suit every taste and age.”
Newcastle Pride 2014 is free to attend, though a number of hospitality and ticket packages are also available at http://www.safc.com/northernpride.
For more information and full listings for the event visit http://www.northern-pride.com, follow @NorthernPrideUK on Twitter or download the festival app.
The post appeared first on Newcastle Pride Returns With Three Days Of Free Events .

Failure to provide adequate HIV services for key groups – men who have sex with men, people in prison, people who inject drugs, sex workers and transgender people – threatens global progress on the HIV response, warns WHO.

These people are most at risk of HIV infection yet are least likely to have access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. In many countries they are left out of national HIV plans, and discriminatory […]

These people are most at risk of HIV infection yet are least likely to have access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. In many countries they are left out of national HIV plans, and discriminatory […]

These people are most at risk of HIV infection yet are least likely to have access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. In many countries they are left out of national HIV plans, and discriminatory laws and policies are major barriers to access.
WHO today released “Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations”, in the lead-up to the International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia, starting on 20 July.
Steps to reduce new HIV infections
The guidelines outline steps for countries to reduce new HIV infections and increase access to HIV testing, treatment and care for these five ‘key populations’*. They include a comprehensive range of clinical recommendations but, for these to be effective, WHO also recommends countries need to remove the legal and social barriers that prevent many people from accessing services.
For the first time, WHO strongly recommends men who have sex with men consider taking antiretroviral medicines as an additional method of preventing HIV infection (pre-exposure prophylaxis)** alongside the use of condoms. Rates of HIV infection among men who have sex with men remain high almost everywhere and new prevention options are urgently needed.
Modelling estimates that, globally, 20-25% reductions in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men could be achieved through pre-exposure prophylaxis, averting up to 1 million new infections among this group over 10 years. Studies indicate that women sex workers are 14 times more likely to have HIV than other women, men who have sex with men are 19 times more likely to have HIV than the general population, and transgender women are almost 50 times more likely to have HIV than other adults. For people who inject drugs, studies show the risks of HIV infection can be also 50 times higher than the general population.
“None of these people live in isolation,” says Dr Gottfried Hirnschall, Director of the HIV Department at WHO. “Sex workers and their clients have husbands, wives and partners. Some inject drugs. Many have children. Failure to provide services to the people who are at greatest risk of HIV jeopardizes further progress against the global epidemic and threatens the health and wellbeing of individuals, their families and the broader community.”
Continued global progress still needed
The guidelines are published as new figures underline the need for continued global progress on HIV. By the end of 2013, around 13 million people were taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), with 11.7 million of these people living in low- and middle-income countries. This has led to a 20% drop in HIV-related deaths between 2009 and 2012.
But while the number of people dying of AIDS is falling sharply, preventive efforts are still lagging too far behind, particularly among key populations.
There are still significant gaps in addressing their needs in national HIV plans. Globally, just 70% of countries surveyed explicitly address the needs of men who have sex with men and sex workers, while the figure for injecting drug users was 40%. Transgender people are rarely mentioned in HIV plans. And even where policies exist on paper, it is hard for people to access services that can help them.
Key populations are less likely to have equal access to HIV treatment. For example, in some settings in Eastern Europe, people who inject drugs make up more than half of all people living with HIV, but only one third of people living with HIV have access to lifesaving ART.
In many countries, discrimination is reinforced by laws that criminalize sexual behaviours, drug use, gender expression or perceived sexual orientation. However where laws and policies support access to HIV services for these key populations, illness and death due to HIV among these groups has declined and new HIV infection rates remain low or have fallen, especially among sex workers and for people who inject drugs.
“Bold policies can deliver bold results,” says Dr Rachel Baggaley, from WHO’s HIV Department. “Thailand was one of the first pioneers of programmes to recognise the need to keep sex workers healthy and reduce new HIV infection. Malaysia, Spain and the United Republic of Tanzania have made major advances in providing opioid substitution therapy and needles and syringe programmes for people who inject drugs. Data show that where a combination of effective HIV prevention and treatment services for people who inject drugs are available, HIV transmission among people who inject drugs is minimal.”
These new guidelines outline ‘comprehensive HIV packages’ for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for the five key populations and address specific issues and needs of adolescents from these groups. These include measures to better manage sexual and reproductive health, mental health and co-infections such as tuberculosis and hepatitis. They highlight the need for needle and syringe and opioid substitution therapy programmes and include recommendations for treatment of overdose in the community.
At the International AIDS Conference 2014 in Melbourne, WHO will call on governments to re-energize and strengthen HIV programmes so that all key populations benefit from the ongoing advances in HIV treatment and programme scale-up.
*Key populations are defined groups who, due to specific high risk behaviours, are at increased risk of HIV irrespective of the epidemic type or local context. Also, they often have legal and social issues related to their behaviours that increase their vulnerability to HIV. These guidelines focus on five key populations.
** Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV, but who are at risk of getting it, to prevent them getting HIV by taking a single pill (usually a combination of two antiretrovirals) every day. PrEP, when taken consistently, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92%. PrEP is much less effective if it is not taken consistently.
The post appeared first on WHO : Calls on all gays to take HIV medicine .

Johanna’s first EP (November 2013) was a stepping-stone, it showed the arc of her melodies, the poise of her voice, her flights of fancy. The second EP, Letter to New York, is a bolder leap into the unknown. There is rich interplay here between the evocative vocals, flowing strings, layers of chimes, ephemeral drones, percussive backing vocals, and the growing confidence of her piano and ukulele.
An increasingly non-linear songwriter, Johanna fills her work with a depth of stirring choruses, unexpected bridges, and the surprising changes in dynamics exemplified by the movements of Letter to New York. Distance also represents a departure in song structure, written more like a Steve Reich loop than a traditional verse-chorus-verse pattern. The visceral Letter to New York, the relentless Distance, the ebb and flow of Tiger, and finally the sorrowful, plaintive descent into the Wonderland reflect disparate voices from the single shattered whole.
Never content to sit still, Johanna’s vision isn’t simply to create pretty music, or even emotional music, but to bring the listener with her, to immerse them in her unfamiliar world. Letter to New York represents an attempt to point out the direction of Johanna’s vision without arriving there completely, it’s a journey that’s well worth joining.
Buy Letter to New York.

The post appeared first on MySoCalledGayLife.co.uk.

Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are both supporting leading LGBT festival, Newcastle Pride, when it returns to the city from Friday July 18.
The event, now officially the second largest of its kind in the UK, will offer three days of free live music and entertainment at both the Town Moor and Times Square.
Northumbria Police, which serves a population of 1.5million people across the region, is sponsoring 5000 specially-designed lanyards that will be sold during the festival, and will also be supporting the event with a stall at the Town Moor on July 19 and 20.
All proceeds from sales of the lanyards and 5000 additional wristbands, priced at a minimum donation of £1 and £2 each respectively, will be used by charity and event organiser, Northern Pride, to help ensure Newcastle Pride can remain free in future.
Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “Having a positive relationship with our local communities is a cornerstone of policing, and we are really pleased to be involved with this event.
“It’s extremely important for us to be involved with the LGBT communities in our area so we can support them, understand their concerns and respond to them.
“As part of this, I would also like to encourage people to consider getting involved with the wide range of volunteering opportunities that are available to them with the force.
“Those who get involved tell us they find it incredibly rewarding to be part of making a difference in their community. We would encourage people from all communities to join the policing family so our volunteer recruits fully represent the people they serve.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, which provides the 999 fire response service across the region and rescues people from road traffic collisions and incidents such as major flooding, will be hosting a Pride breakfast at Northern Stage on July 19 and will also be engaging with the community by providing fire safety demonstrations and messages at the Town Moor throughout the weekend.
John Baines, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are committed to promoting fairness and equality, both among our employees and in the service we deliver to the communities of Tyne and Wear. By having a more diverse workforce, which reflects the local population, we are able to provide a better service to our local community. Our involvement in Northern Pride is a key part of this.”
Newcastle Pride, now in its seventh year, will return from Friday July 18 to Sunday July 20, with a host of high profile performers including Sinitta, Shayne Ward and the Vengaboys.
In order to accommodate its extended line up, the festival will be split across Newcastle’s Town moor and Times Square, where there will be a special stage erected outside the Centre for Life.
Most of the event is free to attend, however a small number of VIP, Gold Circle and Platinum Tickets are also available to raise additional funds and offer visitors a more stylish way to enjoy all the action.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “Newcastle Pride is a large scale event, which requires a lot of funding top get off the ground. It’s thanks to the support of organisations like Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service that this year’s extended three day line-up is possible and hopefully we’ll be able to continue to offer this level of entertainment for free in future, with help from the proceeds raised from the wristbands and lanyards.”
For more information about Newcastle Pride, including all of the family friendly activities and additional entertainment on offer, visit http://www.northern-pride.com or follow @northernprideuk on Twitter.
Picture Caption : Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, with Firefighters Lee Forster and Jay Shepherd from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and PC Amy Tapping from Northumbria Police.
The post appeared first on Rainbow Support From The Emergency Services .

This is despite the fact that two thirds (66 per cent) of secondary school teachers say that homophobic bullying has a detrimental impact on students’ achievement and attainment at school.
Shockingly three in ten […]

This is despite the fact that two thirds (66 per cent) of secondary school teachers say that homophobic bullying has a detrimental impact on students’ achievement and attainment at school.
Shockingly three in ten (29 per cent) secondary school teachers and two in five (37 per cent) primary school teachers do not know if they are even allowed to teach lesbian, gay and bisexual issues.
The polling also revealed that more than a third of secondary school teachers (36 per cent) and nearly a third of primary school teachers (29 per cent) have heard homophobic language or negative remarks about lesbian, gay or bisexual people from other school staff.
The Teachers’ Report 2014 also reveals that an overwhelming majority of teachers across both secondary and primary schools believe school staff have a duty to prevent and respond to homophobic bullying.
Encouragingly the report does show that the percentage of teachers who say homophobic bullying happens often in their schools has fallen by half (13 per cent in 2014, compared to 25 per cent in 2009.
Stonewall Acting Chief Executive Ruth Hunt said: ‘Teachers are the most powerful tool that we have in the fight to tackle homophobic bullying. Sadly our new research shows that, despite some progress, the legacy of Section 28 is lives on in Britain’s schools.
‘We’ve seen what happens when schools fail to get to grips with teaching the realities of 21st century Britain. The Government must now make it a priority that every single teacher is trained to tackle all types of bullying and abuse in our schools.’
The Teachers’ Report 2014 is launched today at Stonewall’s annual Education for All Conference, which brings together teachers, politicians and students.
The charity is also launching an interactive new website for primary schools to help them tackle homophobia and to talk about different families in an age-appropriate manner: http://www.stonewallprimary.org.uk
Alongside of the new guidance and research Stonewall has named the top local authorities who are working to tackle homophobic bullying. Brighton & Hove council is named the top local authority for their work to prevent bullying and create inclusive schools. Hertfordshire Country Council and Wiltshire Council round out the top three performing local authorities in 2014.
Speaking about the Education Equality Index, Stonewall’s Head of Education Luke Tryl said: ‘When local authorities abdicate their leadership on tackling bullying and prejudice it is students across Britain who suffer. The local authorities, and particularly Brighton & Hove Council, have shown that we can build schools that are welcoming for all where students can achieve their full academic potential, regardless of their sexual orientation.’
Details of the Stonewall Education for All Conference can be found here.
The post appeared first on Just one in eight teachers trained to tackle homophobic bullying .

This is despite the fact that two thirds (66 per cent) of secondary school teachers say that homophobic bullying has a detrimental impact on students’ achievement and attainment at school.
Shockingly three in ten […]

On Sunday July 13, Boulevard cabaret club, Churchill Street, Newcastle, will be taking visitors on a journey through the history of drag for a special evening of entertainment in aid of leading LGBT charity, Northern Pride.
The aptly-named Dragged Through the Generations, which is open to ages 18 and above, will feature performances by some of the North East’s best-loved female impersonators, many of whom have been working the circuit for years.
This includes Anna Morphic and October De Winter, who were crowned Drag Idol winners in 2013 and 2014 respectively, along with Boulevard’s own Betty Legs Diamond and compere Miss Rory.
Proceeds from the event, which is being held in the build up to the annual Newcastle Pride festival, will be donated directly to Northern Pride to help promote equality for the LGBT community and ensure the popular Pride festival remains free in future years.
Miss Rory
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “Northern Pride and its annual Newcastle Pride festival rely heavily on the support of sponsors and individual donations to continue to promote equality and inclusion for all.
“Events like Dragged Through the Generations are a great way of bringing all branches of the North East community together and raising vital funds while having a fabulous time.”
Tickets for Dragged Through the Generations, priced at £5 standing and £10 seated, are available direct from Boulevard on 0191 2507068 or http://www.boulevardnewcastle.co.uk
You can also find out more about the events taking place as part of the free Newcastle Pride festival, July 18 to 20, including performances by Sinitta, Shayne Ward and the Vengaboys, by visiting http://www.northern-pride.com or following @northernprideuk on Twitter.
The post appeared first on Getting Glammed up for the History of Drag .

More than 400 volunteers, young people and staff – the largest group ever to march with Stonewall – took part in the parade carrying placards in five languages to support the charity’s campaign for equality in Britain and around the world.
The charity, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was joined on the London Pride parade by Stonewall founders including X-Men star Sir Ian McKellen, Olivette Cole-Wilson, Simon Fanshawe and Lisa Power.
Before the London Pride parade 150 young people joined Stonewall’s annual Youth Pride Brunch, allowing many of them to celebrate Pride for the first time. The Brunch is a major part of Stonewall’s Youth Volunteering Programme, supported by Lloyds Banking Group. During the morning event young people heard a powerful speech from Sir Ian McKellen.
Stonewall Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Stonewall’s Acting Chief Executive Ruth Hunt said: ‘London Pride is a celebration that the whole capital can be proud of. It’s inspirational to see so many thousands of people not just celebrating everything we’ve achieved as a community but also continuing to fight for LGBT equality here in Britain and around the world. The fact that so many young people marched with Stonewall shows that the spirit of Pride is alive and well.’
Stonewall at London Pride 2014
In nearly 80 countries homosexuality is illegal, and in five countries people can be executed for being gay. Stonewall works with campaigners worldwide, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and international partners, to support campaigns for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality. Find out more at http://www.stonewall.org.uk/international
Here in Britain Stonewall works with more than 10,000 schools and runs an annual Youth Volunteering Programme to help tackle homophobic bullying in schools: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/atschool
The post appeared first on MySoCalledGayLife.co.uk.

More than 400 volunteers, young people and staff – the largest group ever to march with Stonewall – took part in the parade carrying placards in five languages to support the charity’s campaign for equality in […]

Last Thursday the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the “Protection of the Family”. FamilyThe resolution calls on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to draft a report on the status of the fam […]