Supreme Court on Prop 8

The California Supreme Court ruling on proposition 8 - that it stands- marks just another stage in the controversy rather than an end point in this saga. As a lawyer and someone interested in constitutional law, the case makes fascinating reading whilst it's impact is both disappointing and logical. Asked to make the decision I would have reached the same decision as the court. The reasoning is very well written and very clear - and is rather different from many English judgments in walking the reader through the law. Read more about the development here and read the three cases on the California Supreme Court page here. They will certainly be key reading for students on the module next year.

Sex Work Laws Increase Risk?

The Guardian carried a really interesting piece in it's Society supplement yesterday. The piece involved a journalist heading over to Scandinavia to see how the new laws are operating there. The report comes as the Westminster government attempts to tighten up the law once again - this time making it an offence to 'buy' sex. The piece features interviews with the sex workers affected and examines the flaws in the law. It is well worth a read and can be viewed here.

End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

With hindsight, "don't ask, don't tell" sounds strangely appropriate for a Clinton Policy but the US armed forces policy. Obama had made a pledge to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women serving in the armed forces and Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is now preparing an assessment to consider the impact - if any - of repealing the policy. Read the full story here. You can watch an episode of 60 Minutes on the subject below. Interestingly, part two includes a comparative with the British army:

Sexualities Content Alert

Ken Plummer
Introduction Sexualities 2009 12: 267-269. [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Chrissie Rogers
(S)excerpts from a Life Told: Sex, Gender and Learning Disability Sexualities 2009 12: 270-288. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Brooke Wagner
Becoming a Sexual Being: Overcoming Constraints on Female Sexuality Sexualities 2009 12: 289-311. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Anna Gruszczynska
Sowing the Seeds of Solidarity in Public Space: Case Study of the Poznan March of Equality Sexualities 2009 12: 312-333. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Amy L. Stone
More than Adding a T: American Lesbian and Gay Activists' Attitudes towards Transgender Inclusion Sexualities 2009 12: 334-354. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Nuria Romo, Jorge Marcos, Ainhoa Rodríguez, Andrés Cabrera, and Mariano Hernán
Girl Power: Risky Sexual Behaviour and Gender Identity amongst Young Spanish Recreational Drug Users Sexualities 2009 12: 355-377. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]
Tania Ferfolja
State of the Field Review: Stories So Far: An Overview of the Research on Lesbian Teachers Sexualities 2009 12: 378-396. [Abstract] [PDF] [References] [Request Permission]

Sam Warner
Book Review: Laura Ellsworth, Choosing to Heal: Using Reality Therapy in the Treatment of Sexually Abused Children. London: Routledge, 2007. xvi + 169 pp., illus. ISBN: 0415956145 (pbk) ISBN: 9780415956147 (pbk) Sexualities 2009 12: 397-398. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Robert Aldrich
Book Review: Chris Brickell, Mates & Lovers: A History of Gay New Zealand. Auckland: Godwit/Random House, 2008. 430 pp. illus. ISBN 978 1 86962 134 6. $NZ49.99 Sexualities 2009 12: 398-400. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Ana Cristina Santos
Book Review: Kimberly B. Dugan, The Struggle Over Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Rights. Facing Off in Cincinnati. New York and London: Routledge, 2005. 150 pp. ISBN 0—415—97233—7. £50.00 Sexualities 2009 12: 400-401. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Christian Klesse
Book Review: Fedwa Malti-Douglas (ed.), Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender (Four Volumes). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference (Thomson Gale), 2007. 1682 pp. ISBN: 978—0-02—865960—2 (set hard cover); eISBN: 978—02—866115—5 Sexualities 2009 12: 402-403. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Lynn Pettinger
Book Review: Michael Gard, Men Who Dance: Aesthetics, Athletics and the Art of Masculinity. New York, Washington, Bern, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna and Oxford: Peter Lang, 2006. ix + 236 pp. illus. ISBN 0—820—7266—2 (pbk) Sexualities 2009 12: 403-405. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Linda McDowell
Book Review: Sara Ahmed, Queer Phenomenology: Orientations, Objects, Others. Durham, NC and London, Duke University Press, 2006. 223 pp. ISBN 10: 0—8223—3194—5 Sexualities 2009 12: 405-407. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Svati P. Shah
Book Review: Brinda Bose and Subhabrata Bhattacharyya, The Phobic and The Erotic: The Politics of Sexualities in Contemporary India. London: Seagull Books, 2007. xxxii + 496 pp. illus. ISBN 190542213X (hbk), ISBN 1905422148 (pbk), ISBN 9781905422135 (hbk), ISBN 9781905422142 (pbk) Sexualities 2009 12: 407-408. [PDF] [Request Permission]

Gay Men and the Church

A couple of stories doing the rounds today on the subject of the church. First off, Rev Scot Rennie has been appointed as a minister in Aberdeen. He is the first openly gay clergyman with crucially, a sexually active relationship in the UK. Wowzers I hear you cry. Yes this is significant but fear not, more than 12,000 people including 272 serving Church of Scotland ministers, more than 700 ministers from Protestant and Catholic churches in Britain and more than 500 from oversees signed an online petition protesting. Having been appointed, the question must surely be - how long can he stay appointed? Read more here.

More cheery news from the church, this time from father John Owen, the communications officer (surely some mistake? lol) for the archdiocese of Cardiff who popped up on the BBCs 'Big Questions' show yesterday morning and proclaimed in light of the Ryan Inquiry (published last week) that 'most of these offences [priests having sex with children] are being committed by homosexuals'. Read the full story here.

Law326 Assignments

An audio announcement about LAW326 assignments (earlier posted on Twitter and Facebook). A listen box should appear below but there seems to be a bug with Audioboo - you can view the page directly (and listen) here: http://audioboo.fm/boos/23191-assignment-feedback-boo

GT Sex Survey

I've renewed my subscription to GT after bit of a lapse and the new issue has just arrived. it includes the annual sex survey which always makes interesting reading. The total number of respondents isn't given but 88% identified as gay, 11% bi and 1% as other or don't know. 64% were aged 18-28%, 30% were 29-45 and the rest over 46.

Only 12% said a big penis was essential for good sex while less than a 1/4 require their body to have a fit body (there was many a cork popping at that news). 16% were always active in bed, 21% passive and 56% were versatile.

I love the relationship stats. 41% were in a relationship, 53% single and 6% weren't sure. lol. 40% have been unfaithful and 43% say they have been cheated on.

The number of sexual partners came as a real shock to me (in terms of how low). A whopping 44% have had 1-10 sexual partners while 25% had been 11 and 50. The figures get less clear with 8% virgins and 10% were beyond 151 - "the 10% club". Just 10%?! This seems v.far out or maybe I only hang around with sluts, I don't know.

The issue also includes an interview with an escort which makes for interesting reading (and gives him a plug on GT escorts) and includes an interview and info about the developing romance between Captain Jack and Ianto in Torchwood (which shifts to BBC1 in July). Girlfriend gets turned into a Cyberman and then you find yourself seeking some action with Captain Jack - who hasn't been in Ianto's position?

Canal Street

Interesting little snippet in the latest Pink Paper (14 May) about the changes to Canal Street geography in Manchester. A new rail is being erected and glass fencing to prevent people falling into the canal together with enhanced lighting. We'll be back in November for the annual module field trip so we can take a look then unless I manage to make it before then or make the Big Weekend in August. What's not clear reading the article is the extent of the lighting. It will be interesting to see if it continues to the far end of Canal Street and the canal itself which is a cruising zone and if that area has lighting enhanced whether the cruising will be moved and where to.

Durex Recession Proof?

As I munched away at my cornflakes yesterday I was confronted by a giant mountain of multi-coloured condoms. You'll be relieved (if you pardon the phrase) to know that it was a giant picture in the Guardian relating to a story about Durex. The full story can't be linked to as it's not on the Guardian website for some reason, but essentially it's that Durex is fighting of the signs of the recession thanks to brand awareness and people apparently bonking their way through the economic gloom. Profits are up 30%! (this really does seem like a Carry On plot). 1 billion condoms will be produced by SSL's (Durex) new China factory in one year. The group plans to launch further lines - including a clothing range. One of the most surreal moments as a students union welfare officer was Pasante (another condom company) contacting me asking if I'd like to see a demonstration of their products. Now that's how you boost sales.

Oslo 2010

So off to Norway next year for Eurovision and congratulations to them. There was a story that popped up in the run up to the competition about the Norway entry and censoring gay Eurovision fans but interesting as it looked like Norway would win, a correction appeared on this story. Read it here.

What would you like for your birthday son?

Remarkable story on Reuters -  a father was arrested after driving his son through a red light district in a bid to hire a sex worker for his sons birthday.  The son was 14 but rather than the issue of age, it is the morality of using a sex worker that the judge and article appears to focus on. Read the full article here.

Eurovision Zoolander Dance Off

Paddy O'Connell warning viewers about a 'green gimp' coming up...it can only be the Eurovision semi final and the Albania entry. I have been tweeting my way through the contest but twitter has just died (grrrr!) so I thought I'd update this blog with more Eurovision randomness which I promised earlier in the week. So far tonight we've heard Greece and Hungary which brought to mind the need for a Zoolander style dance off (gutted can't find a clip on YouTube). If there were points for sheer campness Hungary would surely win but Greece would give him a run for his money. Sadly, can't put tonight's performances on yet but here are some previous performances - gives you a feel (so to speak):

Hungary:



Greece:

Oui Love

Blackpool has been seen as one of the 'gay destinations' in the UK. My visit to the self styled 'best gay hotel in Blackpool' Trades as a student with my then boyfriend is burnt in my memory for the men wandering around in the middle of the night. It wasn't the best hotel for it's fine furnishings put it that way. It also had this bloody parrots in the back yard that were noisy through the night. I should say since then it's been refurbished and I think has new managers. Anyway, the reason for my nostalgic ramblings is that Blackpool tourism have released a new video on YouTube that pitches the resort in a fresh light. It's an attempt to make it a more sophisticated destination and I do love the ad but it left me wondering (say it out loud in a Sarah Jessica-Parker like voice) is it trashy to be gay? Do we have to straighten ourselves up and become French to be appealing? Anyway, love the vid.

Bindel & Burchill

The Guardian carried a really interesting email interview yesterday between the feminists Julie Bindel and Julie Burchill. They seem to have made up. Read the full piece here.

Challenging Homophobia in North East England

The ARCH racist reporting line has been expanded to homophobic incidents. This was developed by a sub group of the Newcastle LGBT workers network and Newcastle Council Community Development section.

You don't need to be able to prove that an event happened in order to report it. If you or someone you know has been the victim of homophobic harassment ARCH can help. You can report something that has happened to you, to someone else, or something you have witnessed
How do I report a homophobic incident to ARCH?

Call 0800 032 32 88. This 24-hour line is FREE even to mobiles and can be linked to language line.

Call into an ARCH reporting centre.
These include:
MESMAC, 11 Nelson Street, Newcastle, 0191 233 1333
Lesbian Line, 0191 261 2277
Metropolitan Community Church,07770 543 407
Outpost, 13 St James Street, Newcastle, 0191 222 1937
Any Newcastle City Council Customer Service Centre
Any Your Homes Newcastle Housing Office
Victim Support, 0191 2744274

Once you have told ARCH about your experience you decide what happens next. You can keep your details anonymous and you chose which agencies receive the information.

If you would like further information about ARCH please email: arch@newcastle.gov.uk

Blow the Whistle on Homophobia

I've had the press release/circular forwarded on to me about the Newcastle event as aprt of IDAHO (International Day Aginst Homophobia) which is this coming Saturday. I've reproduced the details below:

There are 77 countries in the world today where it is still a criminal offence to be gay. These countries punish women, men and children because of their sexual orientation and in seven countries the punishment is death. Even in countries like the UK where it is not a criminal offence to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender we still face homophobia, transphobia and discrimination.

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) provides a platform for everyone to make a powerful statement to demand improvements for the quality of life for LGBT people both overseas and here in the UK. It can be used to raise awareness of homophobic issues that are negatively impacting on people’s lives and to showcase success stories where a positive change has been achieved.

Newcastle’s LGBT Issues Network plan to hold our annual event: ‘Blow The Whistle On Homophobia’ on Saturday 16th May at 12 noon. The event will be at Monument, Newcastle, with an information stall, music and a speaker who will call on participants to make ‘one minute’s noise’ to demand an end to homophobia.

Everyone can take part: they just need to turn up with bells, whistles, drums and any other noisy method to get people’s attention!

This will be followed by a film showing, music and refreshments at the Side Cinema from 1pm. We will be showing Stand up To Hatred, a film celebrating LGBT community action in the North East and Against A Trans Narrative, which was internationally previewed at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last month.

SkinTwo Fetish Ball North

Last month I blogged about the brilliant Skin Two Yearbook but as well as producing that magazine/book, the group also host social events. As with most "minority" (I really doubt the accuracy of that term) sexual activities, these sort of events tend to be London based but there is going to be a Skin Two North Fetish Ball in Leeds in July - the details of which can be viewed here. It's on July 4th so what other theme could they have had but 'Kinky Americana'?

The tickets are £20 each and are available from http://www.skintwonorth.com/ or selected stockists (see website). Admission on the door is £25.

Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

The guardian has finally published an obituary of key queer thinker Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick. It can be viewed here.

You've got the loveliest arse in the world...

Du Hast Den Schönsten Arsch Der Welt (you've got the lovelist arse in the world) might not be a track you're familiar with unless your German. It's by the German group Alex Swings Oscar Sings who are an openly gay do and will be appearing at Eurovision next weekend. They are best known for this track and it is rather good. The reason I'm sharing this with you is that Media Guardian includes a little snippet this morning on them and the Moscow (hosts for Eurovision this year) preparations.

The piece points to the anti-gay stance of Moscow's mayor, Yuro Luzhkov and recently banned a march by gay rights activists on the day of the Eurovision final and Luke Harding in his Guardian piece points to the various posters that have popped up in the city with Germany represented by a blond German lady - no gays here!

Oscar Swings Oscar Sings Eurovision entry is Miss Kiss Kiss Bang which is a little different (!!) but has a nice swing to it (I think they would have more chance with lovelist arse myself). More Euro randomness in the coming days!

Tatchell Criticism of Irish Civil Partnerships

Now here is a very interesting story from Pink News. They report that human rights activist, Peter Tatchell has criticised the move to introduce civil partnerships in Ireland, arguing that they should introduce marriage. Tatchell reportedly said:

“Civil partnerships will reinforce the ban on same-sex marriage and thereby reinforce discrimination. They will extend discrimination by denying heterosexual couples the right to have a civil partnership. This is not equality.

“Civil partnerships are not good enough. They are second best. Same-sex couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. Creating one law for gays and another for straights is a retrograde, divisive step."

Read the full story here.

Michael Savage

There are probably some people who'd rather I didn't blog about this, adding extra publicity to the man but I think it's better to get this stuff out there. Michael Savage, the US radio talk show host has been receiving a lot of publicity on this side of the pond following his ban by our Home Secretary. I'd never heard of him before but for some barmy reason the UK government banned him from entering the UK and you can read more about that here. Personally, I subscribe to the Voltaire maxim 'I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it' but Jacqui Smith (in another brilliant political move) banned Savage from entering the UK - someone who few had heard of and who didn't even want to come here.

Sadly, many people share his views and you can hear him talking about gay marriage in the clip below. Make your own decision:

Sex Work on Campus

The Times Higher Education carried a story this week about academics and students who engage in sex work. According to the report, academics from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Kingston University sent a Freedom of Information request to 326 universities and colleges, asking whether they had policies governing staff or student involvement in the sex trade. The report goes on to state that of 236 responses, none had a specific policy but 36 per cent implied that disciplinary action would be taken against staff or members of the student body who worked in, or purchased, commercial-sex services.

You can read the full article here. The article also has an extra bit about the blog of a 'Russell Group call girl'. The blog can be viewed here and a couple of academics have posted comments following on from the THE article.

I've written on our continued gendered obsession with sex work and once again we have a female victim used by men. What about male student and academic sex workers? They certainly exist and I was somewhat surprised by the 'shock factor' of this piece but I guess academics and universities too often close their eyes to what is really going on. This research goes some way to lift those blinkers and as such, is very welcome.

First Civil Partnered Labour Councillor Elected

Bit of local news from just down the road in Hartlepool. I had a tweet this morning from LGBT Labour who drew my attention to the election of the first Labour 'civil-partnered' councillor. The full results were:

Christopher Akers-Belcher Labour 532
Cheryl Dunn British National Party 157
Dave Pascoe UK Independence Party 300
Ray Pocklington Conservative 102
Pamela Turnedge Liberal Democrat 166
The turnout was 26.69%.

I hadn't really thought about it properly before but I had just kind of assumed it had already happened. Given this news I was left wondering who was the first civil-partnered councillor and have the Tories all ready got one/more? As the biggest part of local government you would think/hope so.

Taco Bell Orgy

Can't believe I missed this.

Public Sex and the Law: Silent Desire

A bit of shameless self publicity but you can now see some details about my forthcoming book on public sex on the Routledge-Cavendish website here.

Oklahoma Public Sex Sting

A story as interesting as it is depressing comes from Oklahoma. Following a 'sting' operation on a public sex environment, the Police have made a video explaining their approach and also posted 'mug-shots' of the poor guys arrested. Read the video/story here. A major contrast from my last post on public sex in the Netherlands.

De Oeverlanden Cruising Zones

Here is an interesting story about De Oeverlanden park near Amsterdam. According to the report, they have erected signs indicating 'cruising zones' within the public park. If anyone has any pics of the signs, it would be great to see them!

Celebrity and Coming Out

Rachel Johnson (sister of Boris - he of whiff-whaff, HIGNFY and mayoral fame) wrote an interesting piece in the Sunday Times yesterday following the revelation of Kelly McGillis that she is a lesbian. This is the week that the Guardian reproduced a piece by Stephen Fry in which he wrote a moving letter to his teenage self. The original is published in the latest issue of Gay Times which is celebrating it's 25th anniversary. Johnson suggests that both celebrities are making a similar assertion this week which is:

'Despite the Internet, gay chatlines, gay parades, the ubiquity of men-seeking-men personal ads, even though being gay has gone from a matter of deep personal shame to pride over many years via Stonewall rioters and Harvey Milk, it’s still tough out there'.

She quotes Fry who wrote:

'For millions of teenagers around Britain and everywhere else, it is still 1973. Taunts, beatings and punishment await gay people the world over in playgrounds and execution grounds'.

Beyond the technological and social shifts that Johnson points to, we have also witnessed an amazing change in legal measures affecting he lives of gay men and women over the last ten years and yet, for all of that, there continues to be these continued fears in the UK and beyond. This should also act as a warning for those who believe that further legislative change - such as the Equality Bill - will transform this issue. In truth, there has been two much faith that law alone can transform the lives of gays and lesbians. It has undoubtedly made a significant impact but the fight for rights, respect and perhaps even hope goes beyond law.

Law, Sexuality and the Conservative Party

It seems likely that the next general election will see a Tory victory in the UK. Polly Toynbee points to a report by the ConservativeHome blog that the likely Conservative Party post election victory would be socially conservative and anti-gay adoption. This assertion is based on interviewing those prospective parliamentary candidates likely to make up the back benches. The story was also picked up by The Times earlier in the week.

The adoption assertion by Toynbee is a little more complex than simply being 'anti-gay adoption'. The question related to the measures the Government introduced to prevent adoption agencies discriminating against those who they offered their services to. According to ConservativeHome 71 per cent support “the right of Catholic or other religious adoption agencies to decline to place children with same-sex couples”. That doesn't make them anti-gay adoption, it makes them pro-religious freedom. Nonetheless, I find that troubling anyway and suspect given that position that many will be anti-gay adoption too (Alan Duncan, an out gay member of the shadow cabinet has already gone on the record saying he doesn't agree with it) but this is guess work rather than something derived by the survey (as Toynbee suggests).

All of this matters if the huge changes in law over the last ten years are to be translated into continued shifts in social attitudes. Having the Civil Partnership Act was one thing, our social acceptance and celebration of the ceremonies another.

ConservativeHome also revealed that a team Cameron insider has pointed to five themes that would emerge in the coming months in a bid to prove that 'new toryism' or 'compassionate conservatism' was still in the agenda and include the specific issue of outreach to gay groups. The full five themes are:

• Further promotion of women and ethnic minority Conservatives.
• Outreach to gay rights groups (see this).
• More emphasis on environmental policies. At Spring Forum in Cheltenham Greg Clark MP promised to make Britain the "Saudi Arabia of renewable energy."
• Loud trumpeting of the fact that the NHS and international development are the top two Tory spending priorities.
• More initiatives on social justice with a greater role for Iain Duncan Smith.

The now infamous Brown YouTube video (below) in which he displays his terrifying smile at utterly random moments (and also banned comments on YouTube) and the reaction to it suggests that Brown is not merely disliked but is now laughed at by the public at large. This is further evidence of a looming Labour disaster at the polls and provides a clear reason as to why we need to understand what the future for law, gender and sexuality is under a Conservative Government.

Whatever Happened to Camp?

Two stories conspire to prompt the question "what happened to camp?". First off, the new Sky Magazine promotes the new Knight Rider. Yes, it's back and the Hoff has a cameo apparently. A bit of googling suggests the series has been cancelled in the USA so don't get too excited. I've put the new credits at the bottom of this post followed by the original 80s credits which for a child of the 80s like me continues to provide flashes of childhood excitement (I wanted to be Devon Miles, played by Edward Mulhare when I grew up. lol). If you're not familiar with the series, KITT (the car) featured the voice of William Daniels. Although Daniels is straight, he provided KITT with a rather camp character. In the 2008 series, Val Kilmer takes over from Daniels and makes him rather husky and 'butch' from what I've seen. If anything, the car and the opening credits suggest a much more 'butch' series format.

The second story that sent my mind racing (well gently cantering at any rate) concerns Eurovision which is the camp ritual due to take place later this month. The Guardian carries a piece today that goes behind the scenes of the UK entry and preparation and continues the Scooch bashing (the 2007 entry). Now I loved that entry and it was one of the campest ting I've ever seen (local boy, and I think Sunderland student, David Ducasse saying "would you like something to suck on for landing sir" - fabulous) but this year the competition is being 'taken seriously' and such campness seems out. Camp = naff.

Of course the Dr Pepper ad that features the school guy who has "hurt his little friend" is in the camp tradition of innuendo but where are the camp characters on TV? Simon Cowell is as camp as a row of tents but is "straight". Graham Norton had a camp semi-lobotomy on joining the BBC from Ch4 and I really can't think of other characters on TV. I'd love people to add comments of anyone they can think of any.

Is it possible that the legal reform that the UK has witnessed in the last ten years has done much to de-queer homosexuality? Civil partnerships, adoption rights, goods and services regulations and so on have done much to place homosexuality within a heteronormative framework.

I can't embed the new opening credits but it can be viewed here and airs on Sci Fi/SCi Fi(HD) on 12 May at 8pm. Thanks to what I guess are the over zealous activities of the networks, I also can't embed the original credits but you can view them here. The New KITT is pictured below.

Duffy Named Poet Laureate

Carol Ann Duffy has been announced as the first female poet laureate and a lesbian one at that. I would have been pleased with either Duffy or Simon Armitage who were tipped as front runners (and have to confess to a slight preference for Armitage as he was the first poet I heard and felt relevant). A quick search of wikipedia indicates Duffy was almost appointed in 1999 but Tony Blair had been worried about appointing a homosexual to the role. Of her status as a 'lesbian poet' Duffy apparently said: "I’m not a lesbian poet, whatever that is. If I am a lesbian icon and a role model, that’s great, but if it is a word that is used to reduce me, then you have to ask why someone would want to reduce me? I never think about it. I don’t care about it. I define myself as a poet and as a mother – that’s all."

Gay Marriage in Sweden

Pink News is reporting on an interesting development in Sweden. They have introduced a gender neutral change to marriage which becomes law today. I like the look of it and it marks a big change from the gay marriage discussions in the USA or civil partnerships in the UK.

What does equality mean to you?

Danny Dyer popped up on This Week last night in the context of a discussion on equality (hence the gratuitous photo). The show can be viewed again on the programme website here. On that page, the Danny Dyer item is pulled out as the main video so you don't have to sit through the whole programme to watch it. It has a really good intro video narrated by Andrew Neil at the start. His opening question to Dyer was "what does equality mean to you?" and it's a useful starting point. The Gay Times Chandler Cline blog is pointing to the possibility that the Tories might attack the equality bill. That may be true but they wold be doing so because, as with the Dyer conversation, the focus in an equality discussion usually comes back to issues of money and class rather than issues of race, sexuality and gender. This is particularly the case given that is what the government is choosing to highlight. I don't think you can suggest that a Tory front shadow cabinet with two male members openly gay and in civil partnerships and opposition to this bill does not equate to being gay. On a personal note, I think there is some good stuff in the bill, some bad stuff, and some stuff that needs amending. That I question the present structure of proposed new burdens for business on wage visibility does not make me anti-women or anti-gay any more than it does those who seek to scrutinise and question this bill.

On gender, would we not argue that Lesbian bars can be a good thing? Groups that are aimed at only gay youth useful? These are discriminatory practices and environments but surely we would say they can be a positive thing? Equality is not therefore always a good thing and we should embrace a more nuanced debate on this area. Perhaps a better term is 'fairness'.