Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel v X, Y (Hoog Commissariaat van de Verenigde Naties voor de Vluchtelingen intervening); Z v Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel (Joined Cases C-199/12 to C-201/12) – WLR Daily

Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel v X, Y (Hoog Commissariaat van de Verenigde Naties voor de Vluchtelingen intervening); Z v Minister voor Immigratie en Asiel (Joined Cases C-199/12 to C-201/12);  [2013] WLR (D)  427

“The existence of criminal laws which specifically targeted homosexuals, supported the finding that those persons had to be regarded as forming a ‘particular social group’ within the meaning of Council Directive 2004/83/EC. A term of imprisonment which sanctioned homosexual acts and which was actually applied in the country of origin which adopted such legislation had to be regarded as being a punishment which was disproportionate or discriminatory and thus constituted an act of persecution. When assessing an application for refugee status, the competent authorities could not reasonably expect, in order to avoid the risk of persecution, the applicant for asylum to conceal his homosexuality in his country of origin or to exercise reserve in the expression of his sexual orientation.”

WLR Daily, 7th November 2013

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Man wrongly charged in Crown Prosecution Service’s ‘homophobic witch-hunt’ – The Independent

“A man whose life was ruined when he was charged with child sex offences after looking at legal gay pornography in a hotel room has accused the police and Crown Prosecution Service of a ‘homophobic witch-hunt’ after his case was finally thrown out. The defendant endured a ‘two-year nightmare’ after being arrested in front of his family, charged with 10 offences almost a year later and repeatedly bailed, before every charge was dropped. If convicted he would have faced jail and been forced to sign the sex offenders’ register. His father died while he was awaiting trial.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st November 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New legal battle over gay adverts on London buses – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 17th, 2013 in advertising, homosexuality, news, transport by sally

“Transport chiefs in London have been accused of reopening a bitter row over homosexuality which saw Boris Johnson step in to ban advertisements on London buses promoting the idea that gay people could be ‘cured’.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th October 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Most gay hate crimes go unreported, Stonewall survey finds – The Independent

“More than three-quarters of gay, bisexual and lesbian victims of hate crime did not report it to the police, a survey found.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th October 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Christian owners of Chymorvah Hotel who refused to allow gay couple to stay in double room take legal fight to Supreme Court – The Independent

“The Christian owners of a guesthouse who refused to allow a gay couple to stay in a double-bedded room have said they want to avoid a ‘collision’ between two different lifestyles as they prepare to take their case to the Supreme Court.”

Full story

The Independent, 8th October 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 – Shared Buildings Regulations – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 4th, 2013 in homosexuality, marriage, news, regulations by sally

“The Consultation seeks views on draft Regulations which provide arrangements for the registration of shared religious buildings to solemnize marriages of same sex couples.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 3rd October 2013

Source: www.consult.justice.gov.uk

Prisoners who have sex in jail face separation, commission finds – The Guardian

“Prisoners who have consensual sex while inside jail face being separated and possibly disciplined, prison governors have told the first review of sex behind bars in England and Wales.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th September 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Schools accused of reviving section 28 in sex education policies – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 20th, 2013 in Christianity, education, homosexuality, news by sally

“Ministers have ordered an immediate investigation into evidence suggesting schools have been enforcing a bitterly controversial rule banning the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, 10 years after it was abolished.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 19th August 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

WordPress pulls interview with anti-gay group Straight Pride UK – The Guardian

Posted August 14th, 2013 in copyright, freedom of expression, homosexuality, internet, news by sally

“Campaign group for ‘heterosexual equal rights’ uses US copyright law to issue a takedown notice.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th August 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 – Top Ten guide to the new act by Marisa Allman – Zenith Chambers

Posted July 31st, 2013 in civil partnerships, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“This is an Act to make provision for same sex couples in England and Wales and about gender change for married persons and civil partners. It does not;

– Change the law relating to marriage for couples of the opposite sex
– Abolish civil partnership or repeal the Civil Partnership Act 2004
– Extend civil partnership to couples of the opposite sex”

Full story

Zenith Chambers, 24th July 2013

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Not equal everywhere: legal problems for gay couples who emigrate – Daily Telegraph

“Same-sex couples face continued uncertainty over their legal rights abroad that could leave them vulnerable. Family lawyer Fiona Wood explains more.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Second Christian B&B case headed for the Supreme Court – UK Human Rights Blog

“Black and Morgan v. Wilkinson [2013] EWCA Civ 820. The Court of Appeal recently dismissed an appeal by a Christian bed and breakfast owner, upholding the decision that she unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple by refusing to provide them with a double bedroom. However, the Master of the Rolls (head of the civil justice system) Lord Dyson expressed doubt about whether the previous binding decision of the Court of Appeal in the very similar case of Hall and Preddy v. Bull and Bull [2012] EWCA Civ 83, was correct, and the Court granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 23rd July 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Alan Turing: the stain should not be erased – Head of Legal

Posted July 23rd, 2013 in bills, homosexuality, news, pardons by sally

“The government has said it will support Lord Sharkey’s bill aimed at giving a posthumous statutory pardon to Alan Turing for an offence under section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885. I need say nothing about Turing’s achievements and greatness, which are beyond dispute. He was treated with disgraceful cruelty and ingratitude by this country, and in particular by its law and criminal justice system, when he was convicted and sentenced for that offence, after which he took his own life. But I’m opposed to this bill and this pardon.”

Full story

Head of Legal, 22nd July 2013

Source: www.headoflegal.com

Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing to receive posthumous pardon for homosexuality conviction – The Independent

Posted July 22nd, 2013 in bills, homosexuality, news, pardons, parliament, retrospectivity, sexual offences by sally

“The Government says it will not oppose a parliamentary bill that would quash the 1952 ‘gross indecency’ conviction.”

Full story

The Independent, 20th July 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Gay marriage: freedom of speech and conscience – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“At the beginning of 2013 11 countries allowed gay marriage to be performed. By the middle of the year that number had increased to 15 with more to come. Some states in the US and Mexico also allow gay marriages to take place and some jurisdictions recognise same-sex marriages conducted elsewhere but do not perform them. While civil partnerships were introduced throughout the UK in 2004, England and Wales and Scotland look likely to be the next jurisdictions to allow same-sex marriage. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14 regarding England and Wales is already in the House of Lords and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill has just been introduced. Northern Ireland, by contrast, looks set to stick solely with civil partnerships (and will recognise the other jurisdictions same-sex marriages as such).”

Full story

Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 16th July 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Gay marriage set to enter law with first wedding ceremonies to take place by next summer – The Independent

Posted July 17th, 2013 in bills, equality, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“Legislation to introduce same-sex marriage has completed its passage through the House of Commons, paving the way for the first gay weddings in England and Wales next summer.”

Full story

The Independent, 16th July 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Gay marriage: Peers approve legislation – BBC News

Posted July 16th, 2013 in bills, homosexuality, marriage, news, parliament by sally

“Same-sex marriage in England and Wales is a step closer to becoming law after the House of Lords approved the change.”

Full story

BBC News, 15th July 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

B&B owner who turned away gay couple loses appeal – The Guardian

“The Christian owner of a bed and breakfast has lost her appeal against a ruling that she unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple when she refused to let them stay in a double room.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th July 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina ((JB) (Jamaica)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department – WLR Daily

Regina ((JB) (Jamaica)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: [2013] EWCA Civ 666;   [2013] WLR (D)  252

“Since the undisputed evidence was that homosexuals were routinely persecuted in Jamaica, the Secretary of State had acted unlawfully in designating Jamaica, under section 94(5)(a) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, as a state where there was ‘in general no serious risk of persecution of persons entitled to reside in that state.’ ”

WLR Daily, 12th June 2013

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Hate Crime: The Case for Extending the Existing Offences – Law Commission

“This project came to the Law Commission by a reference from the Ministry of Justice, following the Government’s publication of its three-year hate crime action plan in 2012.”

Full story

Law Commission, 27th June 2013

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk