Links

I've just done a Spring clean of the links section, removing some of the bad links, defunct sites and adding a couple of new ones. I'm quite sure there are other sites I should have as links so if you know of such a site please list it in the comments section and I'll add them as appropriate.

Restroom Ventilation?

This weekend sees the start of British Summer Time which means the warmer weather should (hopefully) be on the way and with that weather comes the usual collection of silly summer stories and amongst them the annual stories of mysterious 'crop circles'. Well now Norway seems to have gone one step further. Aftenposten is reporting in Norway that mysterious holes have been regularly appearing in cubicle walls - a mystery that is puzzling maintenance workers despite it going on for ten years. Yes folks, glory holes seems to have arrived in Norway but nobody seems to know what they are. This story is bound to brighten up your Friday. My favourite line is: 'The state highway workers don't think the holes are being drilled to increase ventilation in the restrooms.'

Read the full story at: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2331705.ece

Gaydar on More4

More4 news carried a feature tonight on Gaydar - looking at how it has 'revolutionised' gay life. The report ended with an HIV slant (as seems the current fashion) with apparent shock (from the presenter who is a former Pink News editor) at the number of men willing to engage in bareback sex.

The message seems to be yes the Internet has had a massive impact and yes some men no longer go on the scene or use the scene differently. My own experience is that the scene today is very different to that ten years ago when I was discovering it for the first time. I can only comment on Newcastle and Manchester but in both instances the scene seems far more dominated by gay "stereotypes" - that is to say men (and it does seem to be much more male orientated) who appear camp or dress in a particular way or whose gestures are more effeminate. There seems less (and I hate this term) 'normal' or (hate this term even more) 'straight acting' guys on the scene than there was ten years ago. In contrast almost everyone I have talked to or met through Gaydar has fitted into this category. All this is just my personal experience and pretty sweeping but it does make me think. The scene today seems far more exclusive than ten years ago. I am surprised given the greater 'equality' enjoyed by 18 year old gay men and women today enjoy, that a young generation continues to be keen to carve out a clear gay identity - not apparently to challenge law or seek social changes as may have been the case in decades gone by but for some other reason.

Alternatively it could be that with the increase in acceptability of gay relationships those men who would consider themselves 'straight acting' can now socialise and met other men in reasonable comfort on the straight scene thus reducing the gay scene to the core it has always been with each generation.

I don't know but I do find it interesting to wonder - has the legal reform of the last ten years transformed the gay scene in ways never imagined?

The More4 news site contains a story on this with additional quotes viewable at: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/the+internet+hiv+risk/1872047

The broadcast report is viewable here.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

Pink News has picked up on some of the stories surrounding the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, currently before the House of Commons. The most recent draft of the Bill together with details of its progress can viewed here. The stories focus around MPs being given a free vote on sections of the Bill.

The Bill would replace the current need for doctors to consider the need for a father when decided whether or not to provide such treatments with the need for supportive parenting.

You can view the Pink News stories here and here.

My criticism of the Bill is the same as that of a colleague of mine, Donna Whitehead who has published some material in the New Law Journal on this. Essentially, this Bill is not radical enough and continues to perpetuate outdated models of the family.

New Sex Education Law?

Interesting story in the April issue of Gay Times (GT). Labour MP Chris Bryant (who is apparently appearing in a feature tonight on More4 News about Gaydar) argues for a new law requiring all pupils in England and Wales to undergo sex education. You can view the article at: http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/Magazine/InThisIssue-articleid-3639-sectionid-655.html

It's view I have increasing sympathy with -we require all pupils to undergo PE (oh the misery), English, Science, History etc but not sex education (Which is offered in varying ways) and also RE. I always thought it ironic that every Religious Education (RE) lesson would mean all the Asian pupils would leave and we sat their learning about Islam. Similarly, it seems perverse that the very people who really need sex education are likely to be denied permission to sit in those sessions by pupils. I hate the idea of saying "your child must learn this" but I can't see a way round it.

Sexuality, TV and the Limits of Law

I've watched a couple of programmes this week that caused me to pause for thought and reflect on a recurring theme in the class workshops we've had this year. People have repeatedly come back to the point that the law can only get you so far. It is meaningless without a commensurate shift in societal values and those values and attitudes vary within out disparate communities, between different ethnic groups and different classes. Between different religious groups and different geographies. A major factor in this for me is what we see on television. I think back to landmark series such as Queer as Folk in 1998 and how they were so significant for a whole generation but also the general shift in television coverage. The British TV series Shameless is a mixture of comedy and drama and has been a smash hit. It focuses upon modern working class life in North Manchester (yes it even recognises the different approaches within one city). In the latest episode screened on E4 (to be shown next week on the far more watched bigger brother station Channel 4) you see the revelation of an inter-generational relationship. There seems to have been nothing in the UK media so far and I'm fascinated to see if that changes this weekend when the TV reviews for the following week become public. The story line focuses around a 26 year old police officer and a 15 year old girl (approaching her 16th Birthday they are keen to point out). The trailer for the next episode suggests that people find out and the fall out ensues. International readers probably have no idea about this show so I've embedded the credits below:



The other show is the US programme Nip/Tuck now showing on FX in the UK. I've pasted a trailer for the current season (5) below. In the latest episode it was revealed that a long standing character, wife of one central character (currently filed for divorce) and former mistress to another is about to move in with a new partner and yes you guessed it the new partner is female. The new take though was the way sexuality was discussed. Julia (the female character played by Joely Richardson) talked about this not necessarily meaning she was a lesbian - she was simply in love and the other character happened to be female. It was the general contrast between those who viewed sexuality as a fixed state and those who would argue it is of a much more fluid nature. For me, this small scene in a popular global show represented a subtle change in how society starts viewing sexuality. In another ten or so years will we sit in wonder at how our laws (at least English law) reflect sexuality as a fixed rigid state. You saw it on TV first.

Sex Work in Cyberspace

I've just had an article published in Information & Communications Technology Law. The full reference is Ashford, C (2008) 'Sex Work in Cyberspace: Who Pays the Price', 17(1) Information & Communications Technology Law, 37-49. I've reproduced the abstract below:

'In January 2006, the UK government launched its long-term prostitution strategy. The strategy aims to produce better enforcement of laws against kerb-crawling and seeks to
create more opportunities for women to leave prostitution. The approach of UK government focuses on ‘street sex’, yet in the cyber age we have seen a growth in the number of escort sites and a rise in the number of commercial pages on dating and
networking sites. This article will consider the strategy two years on and seek to explore the potential impact of the government’s proposals on prostitution and the growing number of socio-legal issues that are emerging from the rise in cyber-prostitution.'

As ever, I'd welcome any feedback.

Pink Paper - Public Sex

Readers of the Pink Paper will have noticed a letter from me in the recent edition. It's always a nightmare to condense the points down and it is a little over-simplified. That said, I do think it's important that academics reach out to a wider community and seek to promote and influence debate. The full edition of the Pink Paper can be viewed here and the letters page is page 28 of the PDF. I reproduce the letter here:

'There has been considerable coverage of public sex locations in the last couple of editions of Pink Paper and the wider media.

The law is relatively straight-forward. Provided people who do not wish to see the acts are not likely to see them, cruising and dogging activities are within the law. However, public sex in a lavatory continues to be a criminal offence.

It continues to come as a surprise to me that queer campaign organisations and activists do not see public sex as an issue and continue to stand by whilst police forces devote time and resources to policing areas where there have not been complaints or where the activity would fall within the law.

Similarly, media outlets that publish cruising, dogging and cottaging locations are contributing to
creating greater danger in our public spaces.

Police activity in cruising spaces should be with the support of that community and to protect it, not to undermine or stop it.

Chris Ashford, senior lecturer in law, University of Sunderland'

Pregnant Males

The Advocate includes a fascinating article that considers the issue of a guy who is transgender, legally male, legally married and pregnant. Read the story at:http://www.advocate.com/issue_story.asp?id=52664&page=1

"What civil rights?"

I've just read this really disturbing story from over in the USA concerning a guy who is a photographer who went out to take some photographs in the hope of making a living. He found himself stopped on suspicion of (in the words of the Police) "cruising for cock". Read the full story at: http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2008-03-20/news/solar-eclipse/

InterLaw

The Lawyer reported this week on the formation of InterLaw. This is a new group enabling LGBT solicitors in the large City Firms to network. It reported that more than 85 lawyers from 23 City firms were expected to attend to discuss and plan the structure and activities for moving InterLaw forward. It's an interesting development and one worth looking at in a year or two to see how it looks after the headlines have faded.

The story can be viewed at: http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=131705

Greek Bloggers Against Discrimination

Another interesting story on Pink News this week concerns Greek Bloggers. It's an interesting development in the campaign for LGBT rights. The story states: 'more than 200 weblogs have joined an initiative called Greek Bloggers Against Discrimination to campaign against proposed new legislation on domestic partnerships that excludes same-sex couples.'

I'm really interested in the way that the Internet appears to be increasingly used to promote rights based agendas and with that, shifts in law. For sexual minorities this enables groups that may have previously found it difficult to communicate and gather in order to organise such campaigns an opportunity to do so. For example, could the Internet be used to shift our perceptions of inter-generational sex or self modification or barebacking and bug chasing? Is it already doing so?

The story can be viewed in full at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7186.html

The blogs can be viewed here.

New Partnership Rights in Washington

Pink News reports that the US state of Washington has signed into law a Domestic Partnership Expansion bill that will provide more than 160 new rights and responsibilities to registered domestic partners. Read the full story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7179.html The US law in relation to partnership rights seems to be getting increasingly complex but on the plus side there does seem to be far more of a public debate around this issue than was ever the case with the Civil Partnership Act. The end result is that in the UK we ended up with a law that pleased some, offended others and that continues to be interpreted in different ways by the gay community and constructed differently by academics and the drafters of the legislation (see earlier post on Barbara Roche here).

SLSA

I've just got back from the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Annual Conference in Manchester. I organised the Gender, Sexuality and Law stream this year and the conference seemed to work really well. The programme contained many engaging and interesting papers ( a description befitting all the papers in my stream I have to say) so thanks to all those who took part and made it a success. The conference abstracts can be viewed here and the programme here. The conference website is still available by clicking here.

Resource: Scribd

I've just come across this amazing source - http://www.scribd.com/ It's a collection of reports, chapters, articles, PhDs that people upload (a sort of text based Youtube). There's a search tab at the top and it allows you to work through oodles of material. I've already found it to be quite addictive.

Body Modification

Some of the queer academic lists have been circulating stories/debate around the issue of body modification this week. It's not an issue I've ever really addressed i this blog but it's an important aspect of sexuality. I've found the Body Modification Ezine (BME) a good starting point. The site describes the ezine as containing 'the personal experiences of thousands of people all over the planet, in photo and text form. It serves to document the activities of the body modification community in as complete a fashion as possible.' The site also includes the following warning: 'BME covers all forms of body modification and body modification related ritual. As such, this includes body modification and manipulation of the genitals, as well as erotic play involving these subjects.

We have done our best to present this material tastefully, but we strongly urge parents to browse the Internet with their children to ensure they do not come into contact with questionable material.'

You can view the site at: http://www.bmezine.com/index.html

CPS on HIV Transmission

The CPS has published guidance on HIV transmission. In a press release on their website they state that they have 'published a public policy statement and guidance to prosecutors to explain how it deals with cases involving the intentional or reckless sexual transmission of infection. To date 11 such cases have been prosecuted.'

The policy document can be viewed at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/sti.html

The Legal Guidance can be viewed at:
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section7/chapter_h.html

Barbara Roche Visit

For those of you who missed Barbara Roche last week here are some photos. Barbara has just been appointed a Visiting Professor at Sunderland and was presenting a workshop on Civil Partnerships. She is a former Government Minister,and a key figure behind the drafting of the Civil Partnerships Bill. A former barrister, she was the Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green between 1992 and 2005. During that time she held numerous ministerial posts including: Minister for Small Firms, Department of Trade and Industry, 1997-1998; Financial Secretary to the Treasury, 1999; Minister of State, Home Office, 1999-2001; Cabinet Office, 2001-2002; Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2002-2003.

The workshop was a fascinating insight into the backstory to the Bill. Among one of the most interesting discussions was around the issue of 'sex' within the Bill and the academic interpretation that the lack of reference to 'sex' (e.g the absence of a lack of consummation as a ground for annulment). The true reason was one of pragmatism Barbara explained. The idea of 'consummation' just seemed outdated and after taking advice from her civil servants, it was left out. So now we know!

Cruising in Amsterdam

A remarkable story, first posted on De Telegraaf on Friday and I've just now picked up the English versions. You can read the original story here:

You can read an English version of the story here.

The story is that The Netherlands National Diversity Expertise Centre (LECD) wants sex allowed in all public parks. "Why should we try to maintain something that is actually impossible to maintain, which also causes little bother for others and for a certain group actually signifies much pleasure?" says Paul van Grieken, the responsible Alderman in the Oud-Zuid district of Amsterdam.

The report goes on to state 'Homosexuals' organisation COC is pleased that the Amsterdam Oud-Zuid district is to be the first to tolerate sex in the Vondelpark. "Cruising is something belonging to all time and banning it does not work anyway. They do it surreptitiously and mostly without others being annoyed by it. But homos at cruising spots are often attacked. By now agreeing rules of behaviour on this, safety can be increased," according to COC Amsterdam chairman Dennis Boutkan.'

This strikes me as an amazingly forward looking suggestion and one I hope is adopted across the Netherlands. I would love to think that such an idea could be adopted internationally.

CNN on YouTube

Interesting story on CNN about YouTube and anti-gay groups. See the video at: http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2008/03/10/dnt.ok.lawmaker.anti.gay.kwtv?iref=mpvideosemail

Canadian "ex-gay" Adverts

Pink News is reporting that a Canadian "ex-gay" advert that promotes the idea homosexuality can be "cured" and that you can go on to live a happy care free hetero lifestyle has been forced off the air. According to Pink News 'LGBT activists in Canada launched an online campaign for the removal of the advert, utilising social networking sites such as myspace and Facebook.' It is striking that firstly, a TV station will take notice of such a campaign and secondly (and perhaps for academics of greater significance) LGBT activism has now taken to the net and it has proven effective.

Read the full story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7078.html

I've also embedded the video below. The video is produced by 'Life Productions' which is a religious campaign organisation website. On the front page is a 'good test'. The bad news is that I fail every task and according to the site, short of making god "corrupt" (their word) I'm on an express service to hell. In another part of the site it asks 'Are you a homosexual? Do you know someone who is?'. Click here for the page. For some bizarre reason the intro to the A-team is stuck in my head -maybe you can hire "Life Productions"? Maybe it's the new Mr T advert that is played constantly on Galaxy Radio or maybe I'm just tired. Anyway, I have also posted the A-team theme. Enjoy the videos:

Angels in America Controversy

LifeSiteNews (a pro life and seemingly right of centre North American website) is running a story about Angels in America been offered as a text in one Illinois school. The site seems rather worked up about the text which my students should be familiar with from my human rights class. According to the site: 'The books contain graphic descriptions of sodomy heretofore only heard of in hardcore homosexual pornography. With numerous uses of the 'f' word and vulgar sexual references to Mother Teresa, the Mother of Jesus, and God.'

The site goes on to say: 'The State's Attorney's office of Lake County, Illinois, deemed the books "obscene" according to Illinois obscenity laws, violating the "distributing harmful materials to minors" statute. However, state and federal obscenity laws exempt schools and libraries under "affirmative defense," giving the school and teachers involved near immunity.'

The full story can be viewed at: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08030704.html

Finally they invite people tow rite to the Principal to express concerns. I would urge readers to write to the principal giving him their support in what seems to me a worthwhile project. How on earth the play - which is regularly performed by schools, toured last year as part of the National Theatre, has been a TV series/HBO film and is widely available in bookshops - can be be found to be obscene is a mystery to me. It is a moving and wonderful play that is both insightful and thought provoking. The contact details are:

Deerfield High School

Principal Sue Hebson

shebson@dist113.org

Trans Resource

The following page recently came to my attention. It's a really brilliant trans resource and well worth taking a look for anyone doing any research in this area.

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/wst/Transgender%20Bibliography/transbiblio.htm

Alan Duncan on his Civil Partnership

The Sunday Times carried an interview with Tory front bencher Alan Duncan today. The piece focused on his forthcoming civil partnership. At the age of 18 I was (for my sins) a Tory activist. I led the local youth group, sat on the local executive and was expected to take over the regional group and ultimately stand as an MP. Yet, ten years ago I put out a press release that suggested the Tory Party should be more open and should be keen to attract more gay members. I went on to call for the repeal of section 28, equalise the age of consent and look at what was then termed 'gay marriage' with an open mind. Much to my shock and my mothers irritation, a massive media storm blew up with the story running on the front page of the local press, people from the regional newspaper appearing on the doorstep and the phone constantly ringing with requests for interviews. I turned them all down. I'd switch on the radio and the local BBC station was running a phone in on my comments. Within 48 hours I was gone and my brief thought of a political career over. Instead I went off to university and became passionately involved in student politics and LGBT issues. In the weeks that followed I was approached in the street and in my workplace by local activists who said they applauded what I said but could never publicly agree themselves. Others said they agree with me but thought it would never happen so I should have kept my mouth shut. It deeply affected me. I don't regret saying what I did but I do look at interviews such as this with a wry smile. It took ten years, but the Tories might just have 'got it'.

Read the Alan Duncan interview here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3510791.ece

Minneapolis Bathroom Sex Guy Released

The Associated Press is reporting that 'a Minneapolis man arrested in the same airport bathroom sex sting that netted U.S. Senator Larry Craig has been acquitted.' Apparently, he used the same defence of Craig (see earlier postings on this blog using the PSEs label). Hopefully this might make alw enforcement agencies think twice before launching sting operations if they know they can't secure a conviction ont he back of such tactics. That said, it's saddening that this poor guy has been dragged through this whole legal process.

Read the full story at: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MN_SEX_STING_ACQUITTAL_WAOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Public Sex in Reading

The local press in Reading are frothing at the mouth this week. According to 'Get Reading' a lay-by has become the centre for controversial public sex activity. The website reports that: 'One businessman, who pulled into the parking area to make a phone call on Tuesday, said he saw several men wander off into the woods in quick succession.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“As I was making my call, I noticed a lot of strange men park up and go in and out of the woods.
“They were glancing around to see if anyone was going to join them.
“The next thing you know, another one showed up and followed them in there. Then another pair arrived and did the same. A short time later they would reappear one by one.
“I was only there for 15 minutes, but I lost count of the number of blokes who disappeared off into the woods. Most were in their 40s and 50s. It’s obviously a hotspot for cottaging – no doubt about it.
“Even a blind man’s dog could tell you what they were up to.”'

I fine the comment from the Police particularly of interest. The website reports that 'neighbourhood specialist officer PC Matthew Allen said: “In the past I have received reports of suspicious behaviour in this area, but as far as I’m aware no criminal offences have been reported.
“In the last public meeting for Sulham and Tidmarsh residents the issue was not raised, so I don’t believe it is a major problem.
“The area is patrolled regularly and if anyone is found to be committing an offence they may face arrest.”'

OK, so we have a re-assertion (as is commonly done) that the police will be RESPONDING to complaints rather than ANTICIPATING them. We also have the Police stating the area IS PATROLLED. Why is this the case? When are they patrolling. A serious journalist would have asked those questions rather than allow themselves to be consumed by this rabid-like moral panic. Finally the website states: 'Cottagers face a charge of gross public indecency if caught by police, but many users of the website claim the risk of getting caught is part of the thrill.'

So we have another example of journalists searching cruising and cottaging websites and then irresponsibly publishing details which can lead to hate crime and homophobic attacks. We also have journalists wrongly stating the law. Sorry to spoil the parity guys but the Sexual Offences Act 2003 repealed the gross indecency laws. Cruisers can not be charged with that offence because it does not exist. It's also worth re-stating that the 2003 Act largely legalises public sex in many situations. The scene described in this report would in my view be legal and no offences would be committed. That being the case, what on earth are the police doing spending their time and resource patrolling this area? Of course, given the increased chance of hate crime after this report they may now need to patrol the area in order to protect the men engaging in these acts.

Read the story at: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2023179_copse_still_a_sex_haunt

Disability and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

BDSM Pornography in Poland

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North East Pride

The last issue of OutNorthEast reported on the developments both with N-Pride - the new Pride event in Newcastle and plans for another 'Supergay' weekend in Middlesbrough. N-Pride announced a huge Street Party around Newcastle’s Gay Quarter on Saturday 12th July. They also announced plans for a main stage, Women’s tent, Market Place and Fun Fair rides. They also have a website up and running though it currently just consists of a countdown: http://www.n-pride.org/

Meanwhile in Middlesbrough organisers have just announced the second year of events will take place between Thursday 11th September and Sunday 14th and are hoping to attract
more people, introducing Live Music, Comedy, Theatre and Film to the running order.

I wish all the organisers every success with this. It's really overdue but I'm guessing that's probably more down to the lack of commitment amongst the larger gay community rather than the people who have down taken on these projects, with all the work that's involved.

The only addition I would suggest is the kind of academic element that is so common in Pride events across the Atlantic (and btw in Brighton this year) - hold a half day/full day academic event as part of the pride festival in which north east academics can come together, share ideas, papers and get in touch with the activist base.

The msot recent issue of OutNorthEast can be viewed at: http://www.outnortheast.com/dokumenty/1201890763_issue8web.pdf

Thanks

I thought a thank you was long overdue to you, the readers of this blog. Though it was designed primarily for my current undergraduate students, I installed a blog counter on mid January. Since then the blog has had readers from the UK, USA, Australia, France, Italy, Austria, Malaysia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Brazil, Canada, Poland, Denmark, India and Morocco. I hope you found what you were looking for and that you'll stop by again!

Gay Blood Ban

Pink News is running a story on the 'gay blood ban'. They challenged challenged the National Blood Service to 'explain why it continues to discriminate against any man who has ever had sex with another man'.

I went on to the National Blood Service website where you can work through a series of questions to see if you are eligible to give blood. Sure enough, question 12 asks 'Are you a man who has had oral or anal sex with another man (even if you used a condom). If you select yes you receive the message 'thank you for your time but it seems that you are not able to give blood'.

The report goes on to note that the Campaign group BloodBan.co.uk has branded current guidelines "outdated and discriminatory" and called for an overhaul of the policy. Read the full story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7064.html

Meanwhile a story emerged in Canadian news that Canadian Blood Services is conducting research to determine whether it should lift its total ban on blood donations from gay men. Read that story at: http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/Blood+agency+studies+lifting+ban+on+gay+donors/Health/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=blood-gay&feedname=CBC-HEALTH&show=False&number=5&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False

This comes after The Advocate reported that Canada’s two blood-collection agencies decided Thursday to uphold a lifelong ban on donations from gay men. Read that story at: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52550.asp

I await the results of the Canadian study with real interest. Though uncomfortable with it, I support he ban at present on the basis that the safety of our blood supply is of paramount importance but we should keep an open mind on this issue.

Possible Death for Iranian Teen

The Advocate follows a number of other outlets that are reporting on this story. They say that a young Iranian man who sought sanctuary in the UK now faces deportation back to his home country. Medhi Kazemi, 19, came to London to study English in 2004 and later discovered that his boyfriend back in Iran had been arrested, charged with sodomy, and hanged, according to The [London] Independent. He also found out that during his boyfriend's interrogation by local police, he named Kazemi as his partner.

Kazemi filed for asylum in England, but his case was denied in 2007, so he fled to Holland, where he is presently being detained.

It is another horrifying story from Iran and I certainly hope that common sense prevails and he is granted asylum.

Read the full story at: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52527.asp

New Resource - Sexualities

A new issue of Sexualities is available online:
1 February 2008; Vol. 11, No. 1-2
The below Table of Contents is available online at: http://sexualities.sagepub.com/content/vol11/issue1-2/?etoc
Studying Sexualities for a Better World? Ten Years of Sexualities
Ken Plummer
Sexualities 2008;11 7-22http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/7
Visions of Sexualities: Abstract and Introduction
Ken Plummer
Sexualities 2008;11 23-24http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/23
Visions of Sexual Politics
Dennis Altman
Sexualities 2008;11 24-27http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/24
Traps We Set Ourselves
Jeffrey Weeks
Sexualities 2008;11 27-33http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/27
Ordinary Sex
Stevi Jackson
Sexualities 2008;11 33-37http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/33
Sexualities Future, Present, Past . . . Towards Transsectionalities
Jeff Hearn
Sexualities 2008;11 37-46http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/37
The Drive for Sexual Equality
Gert Hekma
Sexualities 2008;11 46-50http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/46
People of Darkness
Alan Sinfield
Sexualities 2008;11 51-53http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/51
Prognosis: More Pharmasex
Leonore Tiefer
Sexualities 2008;11 53-59http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/53
The Pornography of Reality
Simon Hardy
Sexualities 2008;11 60-64http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/60
Analysing Sexualities in the Shadow of War: Islam in Iran, the West and the Work of Reimagining Human Rights
Matthew Waites
Sexualities 2008;11 64-73http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/64
Personal Observations on Changes in Sexology by a Formerly Hesitant and Fearful Researcher who is now Awed by the Emergence of a Vast and Rapidly Changing Field
Vern L. Bullough
Sexualities 2008;11 74-77http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/74
Abstract and Introduction
Róisín Ryan-Flood
Sexualities 2008;11 79-80http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/79
Cool Heads and Hot Hearts
Don Kulick
Sexualities 2008;11 80-86http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/80
Arguments, Citations, Traces: Rich and Foucault and the Problem of Heterosexuality
Beth Schneider
Sexualities 2008;11 86-93http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/86
Compulsory Sexuality and the Desiring Woman
Hilary Radner
Sexualities 2008;11 94-100http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/94
Locating Economics within Sexuality Studies
Jon Binnie
Sexualities 2008;11 100-103http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/100
Rethinking Nationalism in Relation to Foucault's History of Sexuality and Adrienne Rich's `Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence'
Desiree Lewis
Sexualities 2008;11 104-109http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/104
Truths and (Mis)representations: Adrienne Rich, Michel Foucault and Sexual Subjectivities in India
Paul Boyce
Sexualities 2008;11 110-119http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/110
`Taking it Like a Man': Masculinity and Barebacking Online
Gary W. Dowsett, Herukhuti Williams, Ana Ventuneac, and Alex Carballo-Diéguez
Sexualities 2008;11 121-141http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/121
The Soldier and the Terrorist: Sexy Nationalism, Queer Violence
Adi Kuntsman
Sexualities 2008;11 142-170http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/142
'Elvis Died and I was Born': Black African Men Negotiating Same-Sex Desire in London
Lesley Doyal, Sara Paparini, and Jane Anderson
Sexualities 2008;11 171-192http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/171
Legalizing Love in a Cold Climate: The History, Consequences and Recent Developments of Registered Partnership in Scandinavia
Jens Rydström
Sexualities 2008;11 193-226http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/193
Gay Asian Sexual Health in Australia: Governing HIV/AIDS, Racializing Biopolitics and Performing Conformity
Audrey Yue
Sexualities 2008;11 227-244http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/227
Negotiating Social Stigma Among Gay Asian Men
Maurice Kwong-Lai Poon and Peter Trung-Thu Ho
Sexualities 2008;11 245-268http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/1-2/245
Book Review: Jeffrey Weeks, The World We Have Won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life. London and New York: Routledge, 2007. 269pp. ISBN 978—0—415—42201—7 (pbk). £21.99
Róisín Ryan-Flood
Sexualities 2008;11 269-270http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/269
Vern Leroy Bullough (1928—2006)
Richard F. Docter
Sexualities 2008;11 271-272http://sexualities.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/1-2/271

UK Cottaging

There have been a number of stories relating to cottaging recently. Last month there was a story in the Bolton News that one toilet block in the North West town was being closed after a raft of complaints relating to men engaging in sexual activity there. They announced it would be a "temporary" closure in order to "disperse" the men. The paper also managed to get a quote from the much respected campaigner Allan Horsfall, who is president of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. He is reported as saying: "The people I feel sorry for are people who need to use the toilets. This will not be eradicated until they get rid of all public toilets". I'm not sure if he's therefore saying get rid of toilets or, give up because you'll never succeed in stopping this activity. Read the story at: http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/display.var.2056077.0.gay_sex_toilets_have_been_closed.php

Down in Surrey, it was announced that the toilets in which a 50 year old man was recently murdered are to be pulled down and replaced with a much more open environment: http://www.surreyad.co.uk/news/2023/2023049/stab_scene_toilets_to_be_demolished

Interestingly, this links in with Cockfield and Moss' work in this area regarding the design of public conveniences. It is the most workable solution for those wanting to stop the activity. The question Bolton news didn't ask and would have made an interesting response from Bolton police is where the men who use these venues are being dispersed to - commercial spaces, online or just other public sex spaces.

Hate Crime in Brighton and Hove

The Pink Paper is reporting on an academic study into hate crime in Brighton and Hove. According to the report 73 per cent of respondents had experienced abuse because of their sexuality in the past five years. And 79 per cent said the abuse came from a stranger. Only 55 per cent reported abuse to the police, while seven per cent registered incidents to the Community Safety Team. Of those who did report the hate crime, a third described the response as “poor”. The story can be read at: http://www.pinkpaper.com/pinkpaper/story.asp?aid=354

Human Rights Campaign

Pink News is reporting that the Human Rights Campaign has now received over a million hits on YouTube. The US based organisation has created nearly 70 videos on a wide variety of subjects relevant to the fight for GLBT equality. Read the full story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7044.html and view the video clips at: http://www.youtube.com/HRCmedia

Newsnight: Bareback Porn

Newsnight included a controversial and revealing item last night on the bareback porn industry. The report has had a follow up on Pink News and the mainstream British media.

It includes a description of one company that sent eight boys out to France in July last year to make a barebacking porn video. One guy had been HIV- before he went out but found out he was positive after the shoot. It turned out he was positive after the shoot (he had therefore actually been positive during the shoot). 3 further models were infected and another company, Load XXX subsequently released the scenes showing the models being infected in their barebacking scenes.

The whole item names numerous well known groups in the gay community including the massive group behind the Gay Times and Pink Paper plus Gaydar. I have a feeling that this has the potential to be really explosive in the UK gay community. You can view the item via the BBC iplayer at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7280000/newsid_7280500?redirect=7280560.stm&news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1

Read the Pink News item at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7042.html

You can read the original item about the DVD in Boyz published last year: http://www.boyz.co.uk/pdfs/848/pdfs/04_BOYZ_In_The_Know.pdf

You can keep up to date in this general area in this amazing blog by Edwin J Bernard: http://criminalhivtransmission.blogspot.com/

F***ing Ben Affleck - watch the video!

OK, every now and then it's time for a little silliness on this blog and this is just totally brilliant. You might be familiar with Sarah Silverman whose comedy show is currently showing on Paramount but maybe not Jimmy Kimmel who has a show in the US. Well here you can watch first the Silverman video which gives you the context then the Affleck video.

The video perhaps highlights how far legal developments have come. It's certainly a long way off the 1959 Liberache case in which the entertainer sued after being described in the Daily Mirror as: 'the summit of sex - the pinnacle of masculine, feminine, and neuter. Everything that he, she or it can ever want to be...a deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium plared, scent impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit flavoured, ice-covered heap of motherly love.'

See how many celebs you can spot in a video featuring Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Cameron Diaz, Joan Jett, Macy Gray, Robin Williams, Don Cheadle, Pete Wentz, Perry Farrell, Benji and Joel Madden, Lance Bass, Huey Lewis, Josh Groban, McLovin, Christina Applegate, Rebecca Romijn, and Dominic Monaghan.

Attempt to ''ban bathroom sex'

An excellent example of a proposal that is as mad as it is bad comes from Minnetonka in the USA. Read the full story and watch the news report at: http://wcco.com/local/bathroom.sex.minnetonka.2.663420.html

It will play an advert first, then the report.

Condom Packaging

This blog recently came to my attention and a really interesting post about condom packaging. Essentially, the post draws attention to the use of the phrase 'vaginal use' in condom packaging and raises some interesting questions about the reluctance to highlight the fact they are also used for anal sex. Well worth a read: http://www.eyeweekly.com/fun/lovebites/article/19269

Australian Mardi Gras

The BBC reported this weekend that around 300,000 spectators have turned out to watch the 30th annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade through central Sydney. This a significant year for the event, celebrating 30 years of events. With the election of a new government last year it's an optimistic time for many Australians. Read more about Mardis Gras at Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7024.html and view some photographs at the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7272846.stm

Obama and the Gay Vote

Today marks what could be a turning point in the US Presidential race. Obama and Clinton are running close in the Texas and Ohio primaries and it's interesting that the gay vote has come to prominence once more. The Advocate is reporting that: 'Comparing their strategy to the Bush/Cheney get-out-the-vote efforts in Ohio in 2004, Stern said the Obama camp has identified local LGBT folks to work gayborhoods such as Montrose in Houston and the Short North in Columbus.

“What they did, that we’re now doing, was they deputized local people to go door-to-door and serve as precinct captains, while the Kerry campaign was sending people from out of state into Ohio to run the ground game,” he said, adding that he believes that’s why the Democrats lost the Buckeye State in 2004. “Ultimately, if you’re talking to an undecided voter, if you’re their neighbor down the street, they’re more likely to listen to your argument and be persuaded by it. We’ve learned from that.”
But just as quickly as Obama has been striking, Clinton has been swinging back. No sooner had his campaign secured four full-page ads in four separate gay weeklies in Dallas, Houston, Columbus, and Cleveland, than she had conducted a conference call with reporters from three of the same weeklies. The Clinton camp also announced the formation of a 38-member LGBT steering committee in Ohio last week.

And in Houston – which has the 10th largest gay population in the nation – after the city's nonpartisan GLBT caucus endorsed Obama last week, Clinton spent 20 minutes of her Friday evening answering questions from the Houston Stonewall Democrats, who endorsed her on Saturday. '

Read the full story at: http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid52458.asp