New Radio Show: Being LGBT

SparkFM, the Sunderland University radio station, has launched a new show, 'Being LGBT'.  The station has deservedly won a stack of awards, and this latest show marks a new project for the extremely talented Sam Willey.  It's every Wednesday at 2pm (and you may hear a familiar voice in the near future) , and you can catch it on listen again if you missed it.

This week:

Kieron Brady former Sunderland football player, now equality expert with CICI speaks about homophobia in the game.

Lindsay England from the Just a Ball Game? initiative says more needs to be done to tackle homophobia in football.

Megan Worthing-Davies from Football V Homophobia chats to us live about the campaign and her involvement with the Justin Campaign.

Lewis Moody, former England Rugby international speaks out, calling for more open LGBT people in Sport.

Gentoo and the Tyne and Wear Fire Service talk to us about being a North East employer included in the Stonewall Top 100 of LGB friendly employers.

Check it out here.

Some People Are Gay...in Prison?

Feltham Young Offenders Institute appears to be in some hot water according to Pink News. They report that Prison staff at the Feltham Young Offenders Institute refused official recommendations to display positive images of gay and bisexual relationships to inmates, according to a report released today.

They don't include a link to the full report but it can be viewed here.   The report seems more positive on equalities than the picture painted by the Pink News Story.  Of greater concern for me was that young people didn't always have access to free telephone calls to their legal representatives but they did have relevant legal books in the library.  Seriously folks?  That's adequate for the demography likely to be needing advice?  (let alone a breach of legal rights).  

Anyhow, the fact prison officers resisted the display of the posters is disheartening but I suspect it came from a culture in which such posters  -it was specifically the Stonewall posters - might have led to increased bullying etc.  Feltham does, the report indicates, have issues with gangs to the extent of riots and in that environment the prison officers might think the Stonewall posters are inappropriate - for a host of reasons.  It doesn't necessarily indicate homophobia on their part.  I'd rather the posters were up, but this seems an area that the Inspectorate should have probed more, and groups such as the Howard League for Penal Reform should be less quick to condemn (as they do in the Pink News piece).

The report points to positive treatment of one trans inmate, stating:

'A transgender young person who arrived during the inspection was interviewed on the day of his arrival by the liaison officer to assess and address his needs. He was placed on a unit with a higher than average staffing level to address his support needs. Staff told us that they had previously put in place a programme of support for transgender young people, including the opportunity to wear suitable clothing for their preferred gender.'

On sexualities, the report concludes that:

'Some impressive work had been undertaken to support gay and bisexual young people and to raise awareness of issues among young people and staff.'

Hardly condemnation.  The report and the Pink News story point to the presence of a group - PRIDE - as a positive sign but many years of report writing made me question thesis action.  The report writes (and this bit is repeated in the Pink News report):

'A support group for gay young people, PRIDE, had been established which met whenever there were young people who wanted to attend it. All young people were told about it on induction, which provided an opportunity for young people to offer information about their sexual orientation if they wished.'

So, how often has it met? How many people attend? What do they do? How useful did people find it.  As currently phrased, this sounds like something that exists on paper but not in practical reality.

Read the full Pink news story here.

Melanie Phillips voted Stonewall’s ‘Bigot of the Year’

Hurrah.  What more can I say?  A much deserved award for Ms Phillips.  The Annual Stonewall Awards took place at a swanky do held in the V&A.  A Pie and Pea supper this wasn't.  In many ways, the event was perfect fuel for those who see Stonewall as a luvvie-orientated celebrity homosexual group which has become out of touch with the 'grass-roots'.  Whilst I've certainly been among those who have criticised Stonewall int he past, this Annual Awards ceremony is an important way of a) garnering publicity for the group - and the fund-raising that can follow, and b) a way of networking with the great and good.  Influence comes from contacts and so drawing people in to this event and making them -and the event - visible is important.  To do that, a nice (and expensive) venue is needed.  A few glasses of wine or champagne are mandatory and so it creates the impression of begin aloof.  It needn't be.   Stonewall has an obligation outside of these events to really engage with dissenting and diverse voices, explaining their own strategy and vision together with listening to the desires of those who are more likely to clean up at the V&A the morning after than attend a champagne bash the night before.

Stonewall is an amazing group that does some terrific work.  It's a sign of how important they remain that people are exercised about how and what they should influence when it comes to social and legal change.

Homophobia and the Legal Profession

The Guardian carried a really interesting piece on Thursday from Alex Aldridge (check out one of his podcasts in my earlier blogpost here).  He notes that the judicial appointments committee (JAC) – the body founded in 2006 to enhance judicial accountability – has begun to monitor the sexuality of wannabe judges (it already monitors gender, ethnicity, age, professional background and disability). He also notes that the JAC is also increasing its engagement with the gay lawyer community through talks at LGBT legal events (yes, they do exist) and the publishing of case studies of gay judges.

I remain concerned that many of these efforts are London based and as Aldridge highlights in his piece, even in London, homophobia appears evident, so how fares gay lawyers in the so called 'provinces'?

He also notes the growing number of law firms now included in Stonewall's index of gay-friendly employers (six in the recent list).  Whilst this is probably a sign of progress, I remain deeply critical of this survey as a box ticking exercise.  Have an LGBT group - excellent.  The survey doesn't take account of how often such a group meets, or how vibrant it is (instead terms of reference and other such worthy documents are produced).  It's a human resources dream, good at forms, and writing policies, you're in.  This is, of course, better than nothing but a more rigorous process is needed if we want to see real demonstrable change.  In case, you think I'm being too cynical, check out the 2012 workplace equality index criteria here.

Aldridge also notes the regular complaint among legal LGBT groups that they are dominated  dominance  by 'a certain type of confident gay man'. Apparently, just 30% of the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association (LAGLA) members are female.

Check out the full piece here.

Stonewall Awards 2011

Stonewall annoucned today the shortlist for their 2011 awards.  The shortlist is detailed in full at the bottom of this post - the sixth ever awards and due to be held in November at the glamerous V&A. 

The awards celebrate those who have made a positive impact on the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain in the last 12 months.

The sixth annual Stonewall Awards ceremony, hosted by Stephen K Amos, takes place on Thursday 3 November at the V&A in London. Tickets are £150 + VAT. To book your ticket visit www.stonewall.org.uk/awards or contact Maria Anna Petrou on 020 7593 2294.

Entertainer of the Year

• Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
• Harry Derbridge (The Only Way is Essex, ITV2)
• Jane Hazlegrove (Casualty, BBC1)
• Jessie J
• Matt Smith (Christopher and His Kind, BBC2)

 Broadcast of the Year

• Torchwood (BBC1)
• Lip Service (BBC3)
• The Night Watch (BBC2)
• Jamie’s Dream School (C4)
• The World’s Worst Place to be Gay (BBC3)

 Publication of the Year

• People Management
• Nursing Standard
• Derby Telegraph
• www.SoSoGay.org
• Guardian Weekend

 Journalist of the Year

• Matthew Cain (C4 News)
• Vanessa Feltz (Radio 2, Daily Express, BBC London)
• Grizelda (Private Eye, The Spectator)
• Matthew Todd (Attitude)
• Phil Reay-Smith (Daybreak, ITV1) Writer of the Year
• Jodi Picoult, Sing You Home
• Eleanor Catton, The Rehearsal
• Alan Hollinghurst, The Stranger’s Child
• Phillip Hensher, King of the Badgers
• Ali Smith, There but for the

 Politician of the Year

• Chris Bryant MP
• Nigel Evans MP
• Ruth Davidson MSP
• Helen Mary Jones
• Jeremy Browne MP

 Sportsperson of the Year

• Steven Davies
• Anton Hysen
• Lawn Tennis Association
• The Gay Outdoor Club
• Ben Cohen

The T-Shirt Row

What silliness! Pink News reports that CJ de Mooi, 'star' (if that's the word) of BBC 2′s Eggheads, has revealed that he was banned from presenting prizes to the winners of the British Chess Championship because he was wearing a Stonewall ‘Some people are gay. Get over it’ T-shirt.

My reaction was 'and?'. Had I been running the chess competition I would have done exactly the same, just as I would have done if someone was wearing a t-shirt about race, disability, religion, a political party or any other politicised slogan. It's not a political event and the message detracted from what it was about. It's not homophobia and getting carried away with silly incidents like this merely serves to diminish real homophobia. Get a grip folks.

Stonewall Top Employers

Stonewall published its annual 'Top 100 Employers' yesterday. A list of the great and good - and presumably, the people that gay men and women should hope to work for. As I say every year, I think the methodology is terribly flawed but the list should nonetheless be welcomed. It does throw the light on the issue of LGB (Not T -it's Stonewall) employment and that has to be a good thing. Some of those in the list, I know have moved beyond the ticking of boxes, and represent real efforts to address the LGB agenda. Gentoo - the North East based housing group comes a very well deserved 11th. A terrific group that have done much to transform not only housing but their policies towards LGB customers and employees. A number of the big law firms also feature, Simmons & Simmons coming highest at 19th. Hampshire Constabulary come an impressive 4th and the main news story is that the Home Office comes in first. Universities do terribly - just four make it, with the University of Salford taking the top spot at 60.

Read the full list here.

WTF is it with Stonewall?

You know, I want to like them. I want to praise them for the good work they do, but Stonewall seems increasingly demented. Like a blind Dalek directionless and unable to recognise friend or foe, it seems to spin increasingly out of control. As I write, Twitter is beginning to whirl into action reporting this story about a visit Ian McKellen made to a school - organised by Stonewall - and which Stonewall then attempted to censor. Moreover, their response to this cock-up, also fails to realise the severity of their error. Come on guys, you're better than this.

Read the story here.

Chris Grayling Shock: He is a Bigot (apparently...)

The Stonewall Awards have been announced with much, err well some fanfare. These events are important for fundraising and keeping organisations like Stonewall in the media. It's usually the category 'Bigot of the Year' that understandably gets the most media focus and this year's winner - Chris Grayling, is surely a winner few (anyone?) can question receiving the award. His outspoken remarks earlier in the year about B&B's. The full awards consisted of:

# Hero of the Year (supported by g3) - Gareth Thomas. Cing his first away game for Rugby League, resulting in an RFL fine for Castleford FC.

# Broadcast of the Year – Coronation Street.

# Entertainer of the Year – John Partridge.

# Journalist of the Year (supported by Herbert Smith) – Patrick Strudwick. I

# Politician of the Year (supported by www.hervia.com) – Rt Hon John Bercow MP.

# Publication of the Year (supported by Prudential) – The Times. ‘

# Stonewall Sports Award – Martina Navratilova.

# Writer of the Year – Stella Duffy and Rupert Smith.

# Stonewall Community Group of the Year (supported by Prudential) – MindOut, based in Brighton.

It Gets Better...Today

I blogged yesterday about the US 'It Gets Better' campaign which comes in the wake of a series of high-profile suicides among gay teenagers in the States. As is so often the way, England has followed suit with Stonewall launching a campaign called 'It Gets Better...Today'. It's actually a good idea but it might have been nice to more formally link it into the US campaign and try and get a global community (which YouTube does rather well anyway). Stonewall has filmed a series of professional films and the one I find the most compelling is from Lance Corporal James Wharton - an openly gay soldier. For all those in the US fearful of a world post DADT it is essential viewing. For all those seeking hope, it is equally compelling. You can view the video below and check out the Stonewall YouTube channel here.

Stonewall and Those Darn Feet of Clay Strike Again

Jane Fae, the writer and sexual rights activist is on the warpath and rightly so. Stonewall (the gay rights charity) has once again demonstrated its remarkable ability to piss off the trans community. For those new to this whole subject, Stonewall is a gay rights charity in England and Wales but north of the border, Stonewall Scotland also encompasses the trans agenda. You can make arguments either way on whether that's right or not but the trouble is, Stonewall keep managing to upset the trans community by apparently taking steps that offend.

Whether this is part of some conspiracy or (as I suspect) an example of Stonewall's lack of understanding of trans issues, it doesn't really matter. What matters is Stonewall continues to irritate and dismiss people who should be key supporters of the aims of Stonewall (although heaven knows what they are these days).

The latest upset follows Stonewall’s decision to nominate yet another apparently transphobic journalist for one of their awards, Jane has stated in a press release: "First it was Julie Bindel, whose personal statements on transgender issues have caused great upset within the transgender community, and who they nominated in 2008 . Now it is Bill Leckie."

Interestingly, Fae locates this stance within a wider narrative: "Stonewall, along with various bodies such as the EHRC, is locked into a view of equalities that is based on the idea that special rights should accrue to individuals possessing ‘protected characteristics’.

"Their continued trampling over the sensitivities of other minority groups, perhaps in the mistaken belief that as minorities themselves, they can do no wrong, is the inevitable result."

Of particular interest to British law readers is the fact the award Fae is upset about is sponsored by a law firm - Herbert Smith. This might not be the publicity they had hoped for.

You can read the other categories, candidates and details of the awards on the Stonewall site here.

Stonewall Bites Back

*REVISED 14.06, 22/9/10*

Stonewall have hit back at the PinkNews story which spread via Twitter and blogs like wild-fire. I posted my take on it last night (the post below) and as I said then, PinkNews still seem to be standing by the story. The Stonewall press release can be viewed in full here. The trouble is, this statement from Stonewall doesn't seem to clarify things. Whilst it certainly adds a bit more detail - Stonewall were opposed to a specific motion at the Lib Dem marriage rather than the whole concept of same-sex marriage - the statement then re-states the point that caused the confusion in the first place by revisiting the issue of cost. The central criticism - that cost trumps principal is a fair enough comment from a Government but not from a pressure group fighting for a cause. There are of course questions about that cost of any form of relationship recognition- and the state benefits that go with marriage but that is not the sort of reason to trump equality. That's a reason to look at those costs.

You can examine those cost aspects and thus reduce the 'cost' of marriage whilst still promoting the principal of equality. The introduction of Civil Partnerships meant additional costs on training, additional pressures on administration and delivery of partnership ceremonies and services. Imagine if the leading gay rights campaign group had said then "hang on guys, it's gonna cost too much". Yet, that is - even with this clarifying statement - what they still seem to be saying about same-sex marriage.

Stonewall does not appear (although I'm sure they must) to recognise that you can support the right to marry whilst also rejecting marriage yourself. You can (and I would argue should) argue for a diverse and flexible range of relationship recognition options that move beyond the narrow choices that exist today.

They are right to highlight that this is a complex area and real debate needs to take place about relationship structures but I'm still far from clear that Ben Summerskill was doing that. Rather, it seems he made a cack-handed intervention that sadly chimed with many people's existing perceptions about the failings of Stonewall.

Nonetheless, I hate all this Stonewall bashing. They do some great work but as I keep saying, they need to listen and re-engage with their stakeholders beyond the narrow metropolitan elites. If they do that, they will return to being the appreciated and much valued service and campaigning organisation so many of us want them to be.

With Friends Like Stonewall...

Sometimes I think I'm being a little unfair on Stonewall. Maybe I should give them a break; cut them some slack. Then they provide me a reminder for why I shouldn't and why I despair at a bunch of well meaning folks who have simply well and truly lost touch with the people they supposedly represent.

It seems that Ben Summerskill has spoken at a fringe meeting during the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool and come out against gay marriage. "Why" I hear you ask? Is it a careful appraisal of the issues? A complex analysis drawing upon queer and feminist arguments? Noooo. It's because it would cost too much. Now then, Summerskill is apparently denying this version of events but Pink News is standing by their story (and as I wasn't there I can only go off the bloggers, tweeters and reporters who were there).

What I find particularly powerful is regardless of whether it did or did not happen. It is believable. It is believable that the political giant that is Stonewall could argue against gay marriage. I don't react "oh no, that report is wrong". I react "here they go again". That alone should be an indicator of how completely lost Stonewall seem to be these days. As I've said, this is not to say they don't do some great work - they do. Yet, they also seem to have lost touch with the people they represent.

Read the Pink news story here.

The University Challenge

Stonewall have launched a new online guide on their site 'gaybydegree.org.uk'. Check out the site here. The 'University Guide' is, according to Stonewall 'aimed at lesbian, gay and bisexual 16 and 17 year olds who are choosing which university to study at'.

Luke Tryl, Stonewall’s Education Officer, said: ‘With the introduction of tuition fees, students are increasingly consumers and as such expect universities to cater to their needs. For the first time, students can now compare how gay-friendly every UK university is by browsing this groundbreaking new guide.’

Stonewall claims that the site measures how gay-friendly each university is based on a range of factors, including whether there is a student LGB Society, if LGB specific careers advice is offered, membership of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme, policies and practices that counter homophobic bullying and specific events for LGB students.

You can pull up institutions by region or A-Z but there's no 'league table' as such. You simply have info on each institution reduced to a tick or cross. I've reproduced the criteria in full below - including the explanations (which do not appear on the institutions bit). I think it's a useful worthy guide. I do have some concerns though. Institutions are increasingly focusing on meeting this criteria (I know my own is) but this can be a mixed blessing. It means you can get more support for somethings but it also means the institution becomes focused on ticking the boxes. It's no good having all of this if staff are homophobic which on the basis of this criteria can still happen.

Let's take one example. Universities employ vast amounts of overseas staff in their academic ranks. many of whom still subscribe to very different cultural values. The challenge for universities is to address these. Universities are pretty good these days at providing spaces for worship (less good at broader spirituality) but what happens when those values clash with sexuality? Should a university confront a devout Christian and tell them they are wrong to hold homophobic attitudes? My view is "absolutely" but an institution that runs away from these issues could stills core very highly on Stonewalls system.

It's an important starting point - more than that actually, it's an important framework and Stonewall have taken an impressive lead on this issue, but Universities must come under pressure to do more, and make addressing issues of sexuality a deep policy, not just a box ticking exercise.

Here's the Stonewall criteria:

• A policy that protects lesbian, gay and bisexual students from bullying: Does the university have a harassment policy which makes explicit reference to homophobia? Does it indicate that there are appropriate sanctions for those who are homophobic? Is there protection for those who are victims of such bullying?

• Compulsory staff training on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues: Does the university train its teaching and support staff on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues as part of their diversity training? Is this training mandatory?

• Lesbian, gay and bisexual staff network: Is there a network group for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff which is supported by the university? Is this publicised so prospective students will know about it?

• Student lesbian, gay and bisexual society: Is there a specific student society for lesbian, gay and bisexual students which is active and provides a meeting point for lesbian, gay and bisexual students?

• Info for students on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues: Does the university or the student union provide specific information for LGB students, for instance in the form of a handbook or a DVD?

• Events for lesbian, gay and bisexual students: Does the university run specific events for lesbian, gay and bisexual students, for instance events during history month or social events for students?

• Explicit Welfare Provision for lesbian, gay and bisexual students: Does the university or the Student Union offer specific welfare support for lesbian, gay and bisexual students. This may be in the form of counsellors who are specifically trained in lesbian, gay and bisexual issues or in the form of LGBT society welfare reps.

• Consultation with lesbian, gay and bisexual students: Does the University ensure that it talks to lesbian, gay and bisexual students about their needs and include them in the decision making process within the University.

• Specific Career Advice for lesbian, gay and bisexual students: Does the University actively promote lesbian, gay and bisexual recruitment guides such as Stonewalls Starting Out? Or does it offer specific career advice for lesbian, gay and bisexual students either on their websites or through promotional events?

Judicial Culture and LGB Lawyers

I mentioned the other week that I was down in London for a Stonewall event at the Law Society looking at sexuality and the judiciary/legal profession. I'm really pleased to see it was picked up by the Guardian yesterday and you can read a great piece that flags up the work Les Moran and Interlaw have been doing. Read the story here.

9th Stonewall Lecture

Next month sees the 9th Stonewall Lecture delivered in London at the Law Society. The title for the seminar is Sexual Diversity and Gender Identity in the Judiciary: Judicial experiences, institutionalised prejudice and recommendations for change, and it's delivered by the brilliant Les Moran - who I'm sure many of you will be familiar with.

The lecture will take palce in the Common Room, Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL, Thursday 24 June 2010, 6pm. The lecture will be delivered by Professor Leslie J Moran, Birkbeck College, University of London and chaired by the Rt Hon. Lord Justice Etherton. Daniel Winterfeldt of the InterLaw Diversity Forum will also discuss the recent LGBT judicial diversity report after the lecture. This will be followed by a reception in the Reading Room. RSVP Bimla Safka who can be contacted at bimlas@stonewall.org.uk Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

I'll be attending so do give me a shout if you'll be going along and fancy meeting up. You might also be interested to know that Les has just written an article on this subject for a special issue of Sexualities that I'm editing (on Law and Sexuality) and which should be coming out in a few months time.

Stonewall, 'Gay' Parliamentary Votes and a Question of Stakeholders

A former student of mine from back in the day, and now all round good guy has put together an interesting piece on his new blog in response to a Stonewall press release that seeks to highlight how MPs have noted on 'gay issues'. Check out his full blog post here as it includes a useful graph he's put together. Mygayvote does a similar sort of thing with the data and represents them as party stats. Check that out here.

The trouble with this sort of thing is that it is always going to be a broad brush approach. Vote against the Equality Bill? Well you must be against equality. Debates about specific clauses are then lost on the vast majority of the public but to be fair to Stonewall, they do spell out on their webpage the specific votes they looked at and why. They were as follows:

• Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2009
  19 March 2007
  The final key vote to approve important anti-discrimination protections covering businesses and public services.
  
  
• Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill - Amendment 21
  20 May 2008
  On the issue of removing the ‘need for a father’ requirement in fertility clinics. It treated lesbian couples unfairly.
  
  
• Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill - Amendment 12
  20 May 2008
  A second vote on the issue of removing the ‘need for a father’ requirement in fertility clinics. It treated lesbian couples unfairly.
  
  
• Criminal Justice & Immigration Bill - Incitement to Hatred
  9 January 2008
  On the recently introduced incitement to hatred offence on grounds of sexual orientation.
  
  
• Coroners and Justice Bill - Incitement to Hatred
  24 March 2009
  A second vote on the recently introduced incitement to hatred offence on grounds of sexual orientation.
  
  
• Equality Bill - Third Reading
  2 December 2009
  The final House of Commons vote on the Equality Bill.
  
  
• Equality Bill - Division 12 – Religious employers
  2 December 2009
  A vote on the extent of exemptions for religious employers.

They then awarded points to each MP on the basis of:

2 points if they voted in support of Stonewall’s position – for example, in support of the ‘goods and services’ protections.

1 point if they didn’t vote. They abstained or ‘double voted’ – voting both for and against.

0 points for a vote against Stonewall’s position – for example, they voted against the Equality Bill

Shock horror, the Tories bombed. Stonewall have already demonstrated their worth, or I would argue, potential worth, by producing a list of questions that they suggest you should ask of your MP or PPC and a set of (very short) demands for the political parties. Crucially, these are something they have previously shared with the aprties so it's a good example of how Stonewall can affect change rather than simply position itself. That said, the 'demands' - their word - are to put it mildly, tame. The final one: 'Beacon to the World' is vomit inducing New Labour twaddle. Do I want Britain to be the most progressive nation when it comes to the law and our attitudes towards sexuality? You bet, but I find the lack of ambition by Stonewall depressing at times.

It would be fair to throw the question back to me - "so what should they talk about?". Well, why not advocate a debate about the nature and form of marriage, the role of religion and the state in partnership rights? Massive themes to be sure, huge cans of worms but let's not fear debate, let's embrace it. Let's also have an open debate about the huge variances in policing towards sexuality up and down the country - an issue that affects gay men and women every day. Let's revisit the gay blood ban. Let's also seek to re-connect politicians and groups like Stonewall with the needs and desires of ordinary gay men and women rather than a political and academic elite (which I am inevitably part of). That should get you started...

Tories, Europe and Trouble on Canal Street

Apologies - another post about the Tories! Earlier in the week I blogged about the Tory Pride event tonight. Ben Summerskill, head honcho at Stonewall was supposed to be appearing alongside Tory blogger Iain Dale but has now pulled out. So far, no word from Dale on his popular blog about this story but I suspect he'll say something later/tomorrow on this and the event in general so you might want to take a look here a bit later on.

Channel 4 ran the story with a fair bit of detail. Summerskill has apparently pulled out because of the presence today at the Tory conference of the new MEP allies from Poland and Latvia. Now, I consider the new Tory grouping a barmy decision and a coalition with some rather unpleasant guys but this whole story has the smack of a Labour stunt about it. Stephen Fry has added his name to a open letter from Labour MEP Michael Cashman and others to Cameron condemning the alliance. Sure, unpleasant guys, but it was known publicly last week that these MEP's would be showing up so why did Summerskill announce it at the last minute tonight? I've previously criticised Stonewall as being too close to Labour - you're really not helping your defence guys! Far better to have shown up, criticised the group to the Tories there on Canal Street tonight and who might have paid attention. Fat chance now.

After the show Fry tweeted: 'I just want it known that when I put that shirt on this morning I had no idea I'd be on C4 News 5 hours later.Was I too nice about Tories?'

You can watch Summerskill on Channel 4 news here and watch the interview with Stephen Fry here.

Stonewall Invite

Stonewall is inviting students to the launch of their Recruitment Guide on 29 October in London. Stonewall says: 'The launch event is open to students, graduates, jobseekers and Diversity Champion members and is a chance to informally network with potential employers and employees. You will also be able to pick up a free copy of the new Guide and enjoy a glass of wine with us. To get a place at the launch email us at recruitmentguide09@stonewall.org.uk or call 020 7593 1864.' More info here.

Stonewall goes on to say:

'The 2009/10 edition of Stonewall’s lesbian, gay & bisexual recruitment guide is filled with interview tips, advice for jobseekers and 400 gay-friendly employers. Designed for discerning graduates and job-seekers, it’s targeted at the 150,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual students in Britain.'

Students/graduates in the London area or able to travel should take a look.

Stonewall Equality Index

The Guardian reports today on the publication by Stonewall of their Equality Index. Lloyds TSB tops the league as the most gay-friendly employer whilst the Home Office wins the award for Employee Network Group of the Year and law firm Simmons & Simmons is named Most Improved Employer. The Stonewall press release can be viewed here. The top 100 can be viewed here.