DIVA brings you everything you need to know about lesbian life, every day. Sign up to receive all the latest news and updates from DIVA . Whether it’s news you're after, reviews of the stuff we love, or the choicest selection of lesbian events, you’ve come to the right place. And yes, a power-suited, glamourous descendant of Lois Lane writes all of this from an old school news room; that is when she's not filing her nails to regulation lesbian length or barking orders at her underlings.
Acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz has agreed a debt-busting deal with Colony Capital to clear bills of $24 million (£16 million).
The US private equity firm will become Leibovitz's sole creditor, in a deal that helps her retain the rights to her pictures, the Financial Times said.
The agreement means that Leibovitz, 60, will retain rights to more than 100,000 photographs and one million negatives.
Her most notorious pictures include the Vanity Fare cover of a pregnant Demi Moore and a semi-nude Miley Cyrus, plus the Rolling Stone cover of a naked John Lennon draped over a clothed Yoko Ono.
"We will be partners in managing her assets and her business so that Annie can spend her time and focus in pursuing her passion as only she can do," Tom Barrack, founder of Colony, was quoted in the FT.
Ms Leibovitz praised Colony - normally known for its property investments - as "a dedicated and creative team".
"We will be working on new projects and I will have the support and freedom necessary for nurturing my work and preserving my archive," she told the FT.
Two immediate projects Colony is considering are a travelling exhibition of her work and fine art books of her photographs.
Actress Gemma Atkinson enjoys a lesbian clinch with Jaime Winstone in their new film Boogie Woogie, DIVA can confirm.
Their characters, Charlotte and Elaine, strip to just some skimpy underwear for the flick after a steamy snogging session.
The film, due for UK release next month, also stars Gillian Anderson, Amanda Seyfried, Heather Graham and Joanna Lumley.
Based on the book by Danny Moynihan, it follows many characters in the art world including an adulterous collector's wife, a slippery dealer and an ambitious lesbian artist, played by Gemma.
Winstone, the 23-year-old daughter of acting legend Ray, told Zoo magazine: "I prefer sex scenes with women, they're a lot more relaxed and a lot more fun."
A West Yorkshire adoption agency Catholic Care will choose to close rather than place at-risk children with gay couples, a High Court judge heard.
Last year, the Charity Tribunal refused to allow the agency to change its criteria to restrict its services to heterosexual couples only. Now Catholic Care are in the High Court to appeal the decision.
On the first day of the appeal, Christopher McCall QC, for Catholic Care claimed the charity was 'inspired by the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church' and that this meant 'a family unit is made up of a man and woman whose lives together are fulfilled by the blessing of children'.
According to CEO Mark Wiggin, the agency which he runs has helped put 1,388 of the most vulnerable children in Yorkshire into 'loving' households since 1963.
Arguing against the Charity Tribunal's decision, he threatened that 'children would lose an effective and well respected resource in the Yorkshire region'. This comes after the Roman Catholic Church lost an earlier battle against the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which stated gay couples must be considered as adoptive parents the same way heterosexual parents are.
'It accepts that to carry on as before involves discrimination but says it is merely a justifiable means to a legitimate end, namely that of securing homes for children who could be expected not otherwise to find homes at all,' said McCall.
Despite being given 21 months to adjust and McCall admitting there were more children than suitable heterosexual homes for them to go to, Catholic Care are determined to seek exemption to equality legislation, and is the last such adoption agency to continue to fight the SORs.
Catholic Care's appeal is being opposed by the Charity Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The case will last two more days and the verdict will be given at an unspecified later date.
Homophobe Lillian Ladele may take her case against Islington Council to the European Court of Human Rights, she has announced.
The news comes just days after the High Court rejected her leave to appeal against an earlier ruling, which says she must perform civil partnerships as part of her role as a registrar.
A court document released on Thursday, responding to her application, stated that: “The court ordered that permission to appeal be refused because the application does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at this time, bearing in mind that the case has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal.”
Ladele refused to conduct civil partnerships when they were introduced in 2005 and claimed Islington council religiously discriminated against her as a result.
Ladele's original discrimination claims were upheld by an Employment Tribunal in 2007, but - twelve months ago - an Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned the decision.
Ladele, speaking via her lawyer, said: “I am naturally disappointed by the Supreme Court’s rejection of my application for appeal. I am actively discussing with my lawyers the possibility of an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
"When the rights of different groups clash, as they have in my case, surely there must be a proportionate attempt to balance those competing rights. In my case, one set of rights was trampled by another set of rights. That cannot be right in a free and democratic society. I believe my case raises important issues of liberty that deserve further consideration by the courts.”
Mike Judge, a spokesman for the Christian Institute, which helped fund Miss Ladele’s case, added: “Christians will feel let down by this decision. It will only serve to reinforce the impression that Christians are being pushed to the sidelines of public life.
“Our nation’s highest court has effectively told them their concerns are not of general public importance.”
It comes just days after senior bishops and peers warned that clergy could be sued if they refuse to perform civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples in church. These new events were approved by the House of Lords last week and are now under consideration by ministers.
Precious, the critically acclaimed film based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire, won two Oscars at last night's 82nd Academy Awards.
Mo'Nique was named the best actress in a supporting role, while Geoffrey Fletcher, who transformed the novella into a screenplay, won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
But just like when Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry took home Hollywood's most coveted prize, Mo'Nique's shining moment was celebrated throughout the hip-hop community.
"Go Mo go!!!" rapper P Diddy wrote on Twitter. "Congrats!!!! Let's go!" ."CONGRATULATIONS MoNIQUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nicki Minaj tweeted. "From Soul Plane to winning an Oscar!" radio personality Ed Lover marveled on Twitter. "Congrats Mo'Nique! We are soo proud of you!"
"I'm glad Mo'Nique won," Q-Tip added. "She's a cool down to earth woman."
But Mo'Nique's big night wasn't just about her win. Her emotional acceptance speech brought the audience at the Kodak Theatre to their feet.
"I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics," Mo'Nique said. "To my amazing husband, Sidney — thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forego doing what's popular, in order to do what's right."
Actress Sanra Bullock - who won the Best Actress Academy Award last night for her role in The Blind Side - is the film star most women want to date, according to an online survey designed to coincide with the Oscars.
The survey, conducted by gay-PARSHIP.co.uk, asked 500 UK based gay singletons which major film star they would most like a dream date with.
Bullock won first place with 33% of votes and was closely followed by Meryl Streep (31%). Dame Helen Mirren, 64, and Carey Mulligan, 24, both came in third with 17%, while Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for an Academy Award last month for her role in Precious, came in fourth with 3% of votes.
While the majority of lesbians pine over Bullock, 42% of gay men chose Colin Firth, 49, as their dream date. George Clooney is next in line with 40% of votes, followed by Jeremy Renner (11%), Morgan Freeman (10%) and Jeff Bridges (2%).
Gay-PARSHIP’s country manager, Bianca Mercer has said: “This survey shows that gay and straight tastes may be fairly similar when it comes to appreciating top screen talent. It also reminds the film industry of a very powerful, homosexual fan base.”
Actress Sara Shahi - who played Carmen in The L Word - has just confirmed her attendance at the 20th anniversary of America's lesbian getaway The Dinah Shore Week, this month.
The four day extravaganza, commencing on March 31 and based in Palm Springs, California, was first launched in 1990 and has since then been growing to become one of the largest lesbian-only events in the world.
As part of her attendance, Shahi, 30, will be meeting with VIP pass holders for autograph and photo sessions and is the most recent star to join the line-up.
Other live performers include Kesha, Kelly Rowland and DJs Sam Ronson as well as Hip Hop duo God-des and She. Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney will also be attending to perform the award-winning The Kathy and Mo Show.
Last year The Dinah Shore Week attracted over 15000 guests from around the world and featured performances by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Uh Huh Her and Indigo Girls.
When preparing for the event, organisers book out entire hotels in order to ensure an exclusively Sapphic gathering.
For more information visit: www.thedinah.com
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a personal message of support to everyone attending this weekend’s National Student Pride in Brighton.
In a written letter sent yesterday, he said he hopes everyone has “a fantastic weekend” before going on to confirm his support of gay students. Confirming his – and the Labour Party’s - belief in equality and LGBT rights he adds: “we’ve done a lot – but we can never be complacent and must always be vigilant to see that progress isn’t reversed.”
He will be joined in support by the Conservative leader David Cameron who is also sending a video message that will be played at the official opening by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove at Oceana tomorrow.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has also offered his support. “I’m delighted to be able to offer my support, and that of my party, to National Student Pride 2010. Despite the repeal of Section 28, the equalisation on the age of consent and same sex adoption, homophobia is still capable of rearing its ugly head in playgrounds, workplaces and even in the home. This is why the Liberal Democrats remain steadfast in our commitment to LGBT rights.
“Liberal Democrats believe it is an individual’s right to live their lives as they see fit, without discrimination, with personal privacy, with equal rights in front of the law. No one should be shackled by conformity, ignorance or intolerance. This applies to a person’s sexuality in the same way it does to their race, gender, religion or beliefs.
“I know how important student pride is to students up and down the country as a chance to celebrate the LGBT community, mark the progress which has already been made and focus on the challenges of the future.
“Unprecedented strides have been made in equal rights for LGBT people, but we still have more to do, from stamping out homophobic bullying in schools, ending the ban on gay men giving blood, to treating gay asylum seekers fairly.
“I’m really pleased that so many people are standing up to be counted today.”
It's not all about politics though - Girls Can't Catch and Erik Hassle will also perform, alongside an appearance by Student Pride's new patron: Dan Gillespie-Sells, lead singer of UK-based band The Feeling.
“Diversity is very important to me and after sitting on the Question Time Panel and hosting the club night at Student Pride 2009 I am delighted to put my name to the organisation,” said Gillespie-Sells. “It is vital that activism such as National Student Pride continues to ensure that equality continues to grow through our communities.”
To coincide with International Women’s Day the Women’s Tent from Brighton Pride are programming the Women’s room in association with DIVA at the daytime event, crammed with live music & performance.
The Green Party has launched its lesbian and gay Manifesto for the upcoming general election, DIVA can report.
The launch took place in Brighton, with keynote speakers Caroline Lucas Green MEP, and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. The Greens claim they are offering "the strongest, most comprehensive and radical LGBT equality policies of any party."
These are six core policies in the Greens LGBT General Election Manifesto:
(1) Open up civil marriages and civil partnerships, without discrimination, to both same-sex and opposite sex couples.
(2) Require all police forces to have LGBT Liaison Officers with paid time allocated within their work schedules to tackle homophobic and transphobic hate crime.
(3) End the blanket, lifetime ban on gay and bisexual blood donors.
(4) Amend the Equality Bill/Act to provide explicit protection against harassment to LGBT people.
(5) Refuse visas and work permits to "murder music" singers and others who incite homophobic and transphobic violence.
(6) Ensure safe haven and refugee status for LGBT people fleeing persecution in violently homophobic and transphobic counties.
Caroline Lucas, Leader of the Green Party, stated: "We believe that all police forces should have LGBT Liaison Officers with paid time allocated within their work schedules to tackle homophobic and transphobic hate crime. Labour's Equality Bill is wrong to deny protection against harassment to LGBT people.
"The Green Party proposes re-writing the Mental Health Act to remove trans people from the Psychiatric Disorder Register and we would ensure LGBT awareness training for all teachers to create a safe, supportive environment for LGBT staff and students."
Phelim Mac Cafferty, National Spokesperson for LGBT Greens, added: "Our launch consciously coincided with the Conservatives' Spring conference as we want to highlight the Tories' continuous failure to commit to LGBT equality, whether that's over the Shadow Cabinet's votes against access to fertility treatment for lesbian and bi women or David Cameron's own vote against gay adoption.[1] 85 per cent of those eligible in the Conservative Shadow Cabinet voted for the hated homophobic Section 28[2] while 90% voted against an equal age of consent and today Tories continue to oppose the Equalities Bill in the House of Lords.
"While the Conservatives voted against Clause 61 of the Coroners & Justice Bill, (outlawing homophobic hate speech),[3] Greens are using the general election period and our specific LGBT manifesto to send out a clear call that homophobic and transphobic crimes need, urgently, to be dealt with on a par with racist crimes.
"We believe that we offer the strongest, most comprehensive and radical LGBT equality policies of any party," he said.
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What is the Green Party Equalities Manifesto? They aim to:
* Amend the Equalities Bill/Act to provide explicit protection against harassment of LGBTI people.
* Require all police forces to have equality and diversity liaison officers whose remit is to tackle, and take preventive action on crimes against LGBTI people, people from ethnic minorities including refugees and asylum seekers, disabled people and on the grounds of faith or belief.
* Legally target incitement of hatred on the grounds of gender identity and amend the Equality Bill/Act to provide explicit protection against harassment of LGBTI people.
* Open up civil marriages and civil partnerships, without discrimination, to both same-sex and opposite sex couples.
* End the blanket, lifetime ban on gay and bisexual blood donors.
* Campaign for homophobic, transphobic and crimes against disabled people, including people with learning difficulties, to be dealt with effectively and on a par with racist crimes.
* Ensure legal parity for parents and those wishing to become parents regardless of sexual orientation, and equality of provision of maternity services; lobby for widely available, affordable state-funded crèches.
* Push for the rewriting of the Mental Health Act to remove trans people from the Psychiatric Disorder Register.
* Campaign against any reduction in the AIDS/HIV budget and target health promotion work to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
* Ensure safe haven and refugee status for LGBTI people fleeing persecution in line with other social groups according to the Geneva Convention.
* Ensure safe haven and refugee status from women fleeing domestic violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation where there is no adequate protection by the authorities in their own country.
* Refuse visas and work permits to "murder music" singers and others who incite homophobic and transphobic violence.
* Oppose all opt-outs from equality and anti-discrimination laws by religious organisations and remove special treatment allowing faith schools to promote homophobia on the grounds of religion.
* Comprehensive training for teachers and educational staff on all diversity and inclusion issues; schools to promote equal opportunities in their anti-bullying procedures; equalities issues to be monitored in teaching recruitment.
* Implement a UK wide strategy to tackle violence against women including domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse and trafficking.
* Ensure that effective action is taken to prevent discrimination against disabled people.
* Work towards ending stigma against people with mental health problems including discrimination in employment.
* Enforce penalties against employers who continue to implement unequal pay
* Work vigorously towards ensuring that all levels of government are representative of the diversity of the populations for whom they work.
* Support human rights and democracy struggles including those of LGBTI and women's movements in oppressive states, such as Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Iran
Downing Street states commitment to diversity following complaints that ethnic minority representation was poor at a recent LGBT History Month event.
Earlier this month, at the official residence of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown hosted an evening for notable lesbians, gay men and members of the trans community to celebrate LGBT history month.
Guests included some serving personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, celebrating a decade since Britain lifted its ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people serving in the Armed Forces.
During a speech at the reception, Gordon Brown said the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a full range of gay rights.
But DIVA magazine learned of complaints over a lack of representation from Britain's black and ethnic gay community.
Speaking to DIVA, a Downing Street spokesperson said: 'We always strive to have a diverse range of guests at Downing Street events and are continually working to improve the range of people invited across a number of diversity strands.
"We hope that next year's event will be even better and include more BAME people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans so that we can continue to celebrate the full diversity of the community as we mark both LGBT History month and the contribution that LGBT people make to Britain."
This week, UK Ovarian Cancer charity, Ovacome, launched a new campaign to educate women on the symptoms of the disease - and to promote awareness amongst their own communities.
The awareness drive, entitled the BEAT campaign, directly targets GP practices as well as individual women and is two-fold; also encouraging recipients to print off details of the disease and circulate them in their neighbourhoods.
According to a recent survey carried out by Ovacome, 87% of women diagnosed weren’t aware of the symptoms to look out for and one third had never heard of it. This, they say, is due to a lack of awareness as well as GPs’ attitude to dismiss “common” symptoms, which could be linked to ovarian cancer.
“A typical GP will only see one case in every five years and most of these will be from women at the time of their menopause or later- it’s easy to understand why they want to dismiss other, less serious causes of symptoms such as IBS, bloating, weight gain before thinking the worse- particularly in a younger woman.” Says Ovacome’s chief executive Louise Bayne.
Bayne hopes that BEAT, which stands for Bloating, Eating less, Abdominal and pelvic pain and Talk to your GP, will help women “recognise and remember the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer”.
“It is unlikely that these symptoms are caused by the disease, but it’s important to get ovarian cancer ruled out”, she added.
More information on Ovacome and ovarian cancer can be found on www.ovacome.org.uk/beat
The Mayor of Turin, Sergio Chiamparino, became the first Italian politician to formalise a same-sex commitment in a symbolic ceremony, last week.
The couple, Antonella D’Annibale and Deborah Galbiati Ventrella, contacted the Mayor and requested his participation in the ceremony, hoping it would help raise awareness on the political issues gay couples face in Italy.
The women, who have been together for nine years, are - under current domestic law - not permitted to marry. “This event has a great deal of symbolic and political value, but most importantly, it’s our wedding,” they announced.
Chiamparino's involvement comes just weeks away from the Court’s decision on whether councils have the right to refuse to recognise same-sex unions. Speaking after the ceremony, he declared: “I think it’s time for Italy to create an institution beside that of marriage so as to grant us with a law that puts us on the same level with more evolved European countries.”
He went on to say: “These are two people who love each other and only wish to have their commitment recognised, but in Italy this is cannot be done in full or in the face of the public. That’s not acceptable. No, you are not second class citizens. If it helps, I am happy to be here: it is the duty of those holding public responsibilities.”
A new law banning the media and schools from promoting homosexuality, as well as violence and suicide, took effect in Lithuania on Monday.
The law also restricts Pride marches in the Baltic nation.
The Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, passed the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information in June 2009. The law prohibits the dissemination of "information recognised to have a negative effect on the mental, intellectual, and moral development of youth."
A previous version of the law specifically forbade the spreading of information to youth that "agitates for homosexual, bisexual relations, or polygamy."
It also prohibits the spreading of information that “denigrates family values” or “encourages a concept of marriage and family other than stipulated in the Constitution and the Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania.”
Since Lithuania’s civil law defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman, this means that anybody promoting or requesting gay marriage would be breaking the law.
However, the law does not specify any serious penalties for violations. Parliamentarians had debated, but narrowly rejected an amendment that would have fined or imprisoned violators up to three years.
Hundreds of gay and lesbian dancers competed against each other at the Pink Jukebox Trophy, the only international Latin and ballroom dance competition for same-sex couples in the UK, last week.
Now in its 13th year, the annual event attracted partnerships from countries around the world, including America, Denmark, France, Greece, Holland and Austria.
The sporting spectacle held on 20 February at the Rivoli Ballroom, one of the last remaining purpose built ballrooms in London also marked the 14th birthday of the group behind the event, the Pink Jukebox Dance club.
A considerable number of new partnerships entered the Open Championships this year with an international panel of judges including Strictly Come Dancing’s professional, Hanna Haraala.
David Valcuha and Milan Hradecky from Czech Republic won the men’s Latin competition, whilst Kirsten Nilssen and Katrina Kilgard from Denmark secured first place in the Women’s Latin.
The Men’s Ballroom title went to Csaba Csetneki and Balasz Gati from Hungary and Caroline Privou and Petra Zimmerman from Germany were the final winners, taking home the Women’s Ballroom title.
The Prizes were awarded by Trevor Burchick MBE who is the chair of Pride Sports in Manchester.
Jacky Logan, a spokesperson for the competition, told Pink Paper: “We are incredibly proud of the fact that this competition is now one of the well attended and well established competitions in Europe.
“Personally, I feel the same-sex competitive dancing is such an obvious and open expression of gay love and sexuality, I think it makes a significant political contribution to the wider world in terms of tolerance of the LGBT community. This year the competition will have significant coverage, along with all the other very heterosexual competitions in Dance Today, one of the major dance magazines.”
The Pink Jukebox dance club offers sessions and social dancing every second and fourth Sunday of the month at London’s La Cantina venue. Beginners are welcome. See www.pinkjukebox.co.uk for further information.
Gay people can now marry in churches, following an amendment to the Equality Bill last night, which was passed in the House of Lords by a majority of 74.
The amendment, tabled by Lord Alli, was supported by peers across parties, including former Conservative Party Chairman Lord Fowler and Lord Harries, the former Bishop of Oxford.
"This further step towards equality is a real victory for religious reason over those Church of England and Roman Catholic bishops who’ve tried to bully other denominations in recent weeks," said Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill. Quakers and Liberal Jews were among those denominations which supported the amendment.
During the debate Lord Alli, the only openly-gay peer, said: "Religious freedom cannot begin and end with what one religion wants. It has to apply equally to the Quakers as it does to the Church of England and to the Liberal Jews as it does to the Catholic Church."
The Government opposed the amendment although it permitted its backbenchers a free vote after the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had offered the same. The proposal was passed by 95 votes to 21 shortly before 11pm, after a lengthy debate.
Ben Summerskill said: "We’ve argued throughout that this is an important matter of religious freedom. Ministers have known for some months that we intended to table this measure and we regret that the Government didn’t stand up to the bullying it faced from some churches on this issue. We’ll now work closely with ministers to ensure that we secure implementation of this further step towards equality.
"This vote is hugely important to those gay people of faith who wish to celebrate their civil partnerships in their own place of worship."
Over 5,000 naked men and women came together for photographer Spencer Tunick’s homage to an equal Australian society, yesterday.
Organisers originally expected 2,000 people for the shoot, which took place outside the world-famous Opera House, but more than twice that amount showed up and stripped down.
The installation, named Mardi Gras: The Base, is the artist’s first Australia-based project and was commissioned by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. People of all shapes, sizes, colours and backgrounds came together to encourage diversity and freedom.
Tunick, who lead the crowd into a series of poses until asking them to embrace one another, noted that heterosexuals were reticent to touch their gay peers. “Gay men and women lay naked next to their straight neighbours and this delivered a very strong message to the world that Australians embrace a free and equal society.
“It was difficult to get the straight people to embrace the gay participants ... I was happy we got it in the second set-up,” he added.
One participant, student Art Rush, 19, told The Sydney Morning Herald: “It doesn’t feel sexual, it just feels tribal - a gathering of humanity.”
Four women detained at Yarl Wood immigration removal centre are being defended by UK solicitors this week, who claim their incarcerations breach human rights.
The four women - who remain anonymous - have been on hunger strike for four weeks, protesting against their refused entry to Britain.
Yarl's Wood, situated on the outskirts of Clapham, Bedfordshire, was originally opened in November 2001 and houses immigrants who are due to be deported. In February 2002 half of the building was damaged by fire - the undamaged half was re-opened in September 2003. In December 2006, the contract for operating the Centre was awarded to Serco Ltd, who took over the management, operation and maintencance of Yarl's Wood in April 2007. Yarl's Wood has become the main removal centre for women and families.
Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers - the organisation who are bringing the action - submitted an application for judicial review at London's high court yesterday, claiming that the conditions the unnamed women are experiencing breach articles 3, 5 and 8 of the European convention on human rights.
He is asking for a judge to look at the case within 24 hours and begin a new hearing within a month.
"This disgraceful policy will now be the subject of legal challenge," he told The Guardian. "It is unlawful and we are calling, on behalf of our clients, for the policy to be struck down and for there to be an independent investigation."
But Serco, the private company that runs Yarl's Wood, has described allegations of inhumane and degrading treatment as "unfounded and untrue".
But, recently, Home Office minister Meg Hillier sent a letter to MPs denying claims by women at Yarl's Wood that they have been on hunger strike for three weeks. Hillier said that, although there are "a small number of detainees … refusing formal meals from the canteen, they are buying food from the centre's shop and vending machines and having food delivered by visitors".
In her letter, Hillier said the women's health had been checked and there was no cause for concern. She also denied claims by detainees that they had been racially abused and assaulted during a protest last month. She said: "All the detainees are treated with dignity and respect ... I can assure you that there was no such behaviour by our staff."
However, detainees, campaigners and some MPs have reacted angrily to her letter. On Friday, 34 women at Yarl's Wood issued a statement through the Black Women's Rape Action Project insisting they were still on hunger strike. The strike enters its fourth week today.
"At no particular point in time have we gone to eat in the dining room, got food from the vending machines or at the shop," the women's statement said.
They also stand by their claims that some of them were assaulted during the protest on 8 February and that others were called "black monkeys".
To mark the hunger strikes, Black Women's Rape Action Progress Group has organised a protest outside North London's Holloway Prison, which will take place from 6.30pm tomorrow.
This week's legal challenge follows a report by the children's commissioner last month that said children held at the centre faced "extremely distressing" arrest and transportation procedures and were subjected to prolonged and sometimes repeated periods of detention.
In addition, senior Home Office officials will also be questioned this week over allegations that women inside Yarl's Wood were assaulted by staff using riot shields, following an expose by The Observer, which included pictures taken covertly by an inmate.
Homeless charity the Albert Kennedy Trust has paid tribute to their patron Kristian Digby, who was found dead at his home yesterday.
Speaking to DIVA, Chief Executive Tim Sigwsworth said: "All of us at the Albert Kennedy Trust are saddened to hear the news that our patron Kristian Digby has died.
"Kristian was an incredible supporter of our work and had genuine empathy for our young people and the work we do. It is thanks to Kristian’s talent as a performer that we were able to raise much needed funds at our events where he played the role of both ambassador and auctioneer. At our last fundraiser hosted by Simmons & Simmons & InterLaw, we remember Kristian talking to as many people as possible about our work and thanking them for attending. This was the Kristian we knew and loved: always passionate and supportive of AKT.
"He will be missed by all at AKT and our thoughts and sympathy goes out to his friends and family."
AKT was set up to help homeless LGBT’s after Albert Kennedy fell to his death 20 years ago from a Manchester multi storey car park, after being chased by a group of homophobic youths.
A group of schoolgirls involved in same-sex relationships have reportedly been expelled from a school in South Africa.
According to the Star newspaper, two girls were found kissing and - when caught - claimed others were involved in relationships.
The dormitory at the unnamed girls’ boarding school, in KwaZulu-Natal, has been closed, pending an investigation.
However, education department spokesman, Sihle Miotshwa, told the paper that schools are not allowed to expel students for being gay.
The South African constitution, adopted in 1994, was the first in the world to outlaw discrinmination based on sexual orientation. Despite this, outside of major urban areas, discrimination can still be rife.
London's leading academic institution, King’s College, hosted a talk by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdullah Hakim Quick, last Thursday - despite calls for it to have been cancelled.
Sheikh Quick was invited to speak as part of the University of London Union’s Green Week campaign, on Islamic solutions to environmental issues.
However, in the past, he has stated that AIDS is caused by the “filthy practices” of homosexuals and that the Islamic position on homosexuality is “death”.
A college spokesman said that they only became aware of any controversy surrounding the talk at the last minute, when details of his phobic views came to light.
After discussions between KCL, King’s College London Students Union and King’s LGBT, it was agreed that the event would go ahead under certain conditions - despite vocal opposition from Peter Tatchell and his peers.
The conditions were that representatives from KCL, KCLSU, King’s LGBT and the Jewish Society would be present; Sheikh Quick would only discuss Islam and the environment, and if he strayed away from the agreed subject matter then the discussion would be ended immediately - an agreement that was apparently met, according to an internal source.
However, the event has sparked criticism for its poor management.
Human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, said: “King’s College’s decision to bar entry to Sheikh Quick’s meeting to journalists and independent human rights observers smacks of secrecy. It suggests that they had something hide.
"Closed meetings violate the principle of free and open debate.”
BBC television presenter Kristian Digby has been found dead at his London home.
Digby, who was openly gay, was pronounced dead at the scene when ambulance services arrived at his flat in Richford Road, Newham, at 7.45am today.
Police sources described the circumstances surrounding his death as "unexplained". His next of kin have been informed.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called to reports of a body of a man in his 30s found at an address in Richford Road, E15.
"Ambulance services attended and life was pronounced extinct."
Just two weeks ago, Pinkpaper.com was with a buoyant Digby alongside Sir Ian McKellen at a fundraiser for the Albert Kennedy Trust, for whom they were both patrons.
A spokesman for the BBC said: "Kristian was a much-loved and talented presenter for BBC Daytime.
"He brought a real sense of energy and warmth to all the shows he presented for us and will be sorely missed.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."
Digby's agent, Jo Wander, said: "I am devastated by the loss. He was a lovely guy and a very talented presenter and director.
"I will miss him hugely and my thoughts at this time are with his family and his many friends. He will be sorely missed."
Artists and activists are meeting at the weekend to try to work out how they can help gays and lesbians in Africa.
High profile lesbians including playwright and actor Mojisola Adebayo and artist Campbell X are among those who will speak at the Gay Africa event on Sunday.
In Uganda gays face execution, in Malawi gays who marry are sent to prison and in Nigeria queer meetings and support groups are banned. Do activists and the media in the West help or hinder African lesbians and gays? These are just some of the issues that are likely to be discussed at the free meeting being held at the Free Word Centre in Farringdon Road, London, between 4 and 8pm.
Adebayo took her play Moj of the Antarctic – which explores the relationship between a black slave who disguises herself as a white man to escape and her female lover – on tour in Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa. She says it was “well received despite Botswana and Malawi being homophobic countries”.
She told Diva magazine: “I am going to be one of the many people there talking about the plight of gay and lesbian people across the African continent and what gay Africans living outside the continent – like myself – can do about raising awareness of those issues and being in solidarity with people there and what we can do from here. I guess we will be discussing different strategies.
‘It’s a real opportunity for us to get together and share ideas and encourage each other. I’m hoping to come away from the day with ideas about what I can do.”
Anyone is welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.freewordonline.com
Rugby ace Gareth Thomas is the latest big name to get behind The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Aim High Campaign for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas, who famously came out in December 2009, and whose story was made all the more remarkable due to him coming out in the traditionally homophobic world of professional sport, has said that he wants to be a “positive role model” for gay kids.
Thomas’ story will feature alongside those of Sir Ian McKellen's, Beth Ditto's, Russell T Davies' and 16 other high profile lesbian, gay and bisexual figures, in the LGF’s inspirational Aim High guide for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people, which highlights that sexuality doesn’t have to be a barrier to success.
In Aim High, Gareth talks about coming out, being a role model and supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual young people.
He says: “I hope my experiences of coming out will have a positive message, and that other people in a similar position with feelings like mine will think “he did it and is respected - Gareth who plays rugby in this macho world and is very much a man’s man - then maybe I could do it.”
I just feel having come out now it's up to me to be a positive role model for kids and adults who are maybe in the same situation as I was.
I will certainly do my damnedest to do that and be that positive role model to help those who maybe are struggling to deal with their sexuality."
Chief Executive of the Lesbian & Gay Foundation Paul Martin said: “We are honoured that Gareth Thomas has chosen to get involved in Aim High, not only is he a great role model and sportsman, but his story highlights that the turmoil and confusion that sometimes goes hand in hand with coming out can affect anyone, from rugby heroes to teenagers questioning their sexuality.”
Aim High is being distributed to schools and young peoples' settings to give much needed support to lesbian, gay and bisexual young people and to highlight that sexuality doesn’t have to be a barrier to success.
New legislation that will protect queer people in Scotland will pass into law next month, making Scotland the first country in Europe to implement hate crime law which covers transphobic hate crime.
The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009, also known as the hate crimes bill, will extend protection for victims of violent crime because of race or religion to cover sexuality, gender identity and disability.
It will mean that when someone does something that’s already a crime such as assault right through to murder and they were motivated by homophobic or transphobic reasons, sheriffs and judges will have to take this into account when sentencing.
The Equality Network is inviting people to the National LGBT Forum and Scottish Transgender Alliance Forum in Glasgow on March 20 to find out what exactly the changes will mean.
There will be contributions from Police forces across the country and victims of hate crime, discussions about how the law will be implemented and the best ways of ensuring gay people across Scotland know their rights.
Nearly one in four people in Scotland have been physcially assaulted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Police forces, councils and organisations across the country are planning campaigns and events to co-incide with the new law.
If you would like to register for the event, contact scott@equality-network.org.uk
Scotland’s first online travel site specialising in tailor-made holidays and civil partnerships launched this month, promising to take care of all those “awkward travel moments” experienced by gay couples.
Lovescotland.com aims to promote Scotland as a friendly, progressive destination for couples to enjoy romantic holidays and celebrations.
Lee Beattie from Lovescotland said: “As a gay-owned company, we understand all of the awkward travel moments experienced by same sex couples, such as being offered the twin room when checking into a hotel.
“And we know that the traditional wedding planning route is often an uncomfortable experience for same-sex couples.
“Love Scotland will take care of these moments by ensuring that all of our partners are gay-friendly, and by offering a bespoke service to ensure couples feel comfortable and relaxed about each stage of their wedding or holiday planning.”
Company owner Ruth Cochrane, who is planning her own Scottish wedding, said: “Scotland’s rights for same-sex couples make it one of the most progressive countries in the world.
“As we approach the fifth anniversary of civil partnerships on this country, it seemed fitting to launch a quality gay-friendly holiday experience and first specialist gay wedding service in Scotland.”
Many gay couples who have been made to feel unwelcome or turned away from accommodation will welcome the introduction of gay-friendly holiday packages.
Stephen Nock and his partner were refused a double room at a guest house in the Highlands in 2004, when the hotelier refusing to condone their “sexual deviance” and many other couples have had similar experiences.
Two convicted criminals have married in the UK's first lesbian prison wedding, it has emerged.
Murderer Sara Crane - who was jailed for life for stabbing a dad of two to death in 2003 - and Joanne Davies, banged up for intending to supply drugs, got permission from jail governor Ian Murray for the secret ceremony, according to The Sun.
The service was conducted by an official from Guildford Register Office at Send Prison in Surrey.
The pair, both 31, paid £250 for the service, which was followed by a party for inmates.
The couple are allowed two hours' "association" time in the evening.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Offenders are entitled to apply to register a civil partnership in prison."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised gays in Britain’s armed forces and criticised the US’s policy which stops out troops serving in the military.
At a reception last night at Number 10 Downing Street to celebrate February’s LGBT History Month, Brown singled out the lesbians, gays and bisexuals from the Army, Navy and Air Force who attended the event in uniform.
He told them: “You are the pride of our country and we thank you very much. We know this debate continues in America today. I would say to people who still favour ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, look at our experience in Britain.”
US President Barack Obama has promised to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” which stops gays serving openly in the American military.
Brown also pointed out James Parks, a PC who was attacked in Liverpool in a homophobic crime last year and has spent months recovering from his injuries.
He said: “We all went into shock and morning as a spate of homophobic and transphobic attacks happened and as James Parks was hospitalised our thoughts were with him.”
But he was able to announce that Parks was at the reception along with his newly-wed civil partner, Tom.
And Brown promised gay people that he stood by them in the struggle for equality, saying: “I will not give up on the fight for justice until justice is achieved.”
It was the second year that the Prime Minister has hosted a reception for History Month, last year Brown slammed the newly imposed ban on gay marriage in California in his speech.
Among the guests of Brown and his wife Sarah, were Paul O’Grady, actor Antony Cotton, artist Maggi Hambling,comedians Sandi Toksvig, Zoe Lyons, Jen Brister and broadcaster Amy Lamé, author Jeanette Winterson and TV doctor Christian Jessen. There were also a number of openly gay politicians invited including Chris Bryant MP, Ben Bradshaw MP, Lord Chris Smith and Michael Cashman MEP.
DIVA editor Jane Czyzselska who was also at the event said: "I talked to Angela Eagle about the Faith Schools sex education opt-out and she told me she felt it was important to get the Equality Bill passed by the House of Lords and that a directive for Faith Schools to teach pupils about homosexual relations and contraception was likely to scupper the Bill. Personally I feel that this is a nonsense and a green light for homophobes. It was great to see so many queers taking over at Number 10 but disappointing that so few queers of colour seem to have been invited. I will be taking this up with the civil servants who put the list together and hope that next year, people like Rikki Beadle Blair and Prathiba Parmar will be among the guests."
Lindsay Lohan is emigrating to Britain, according to reports.
"Moving to the UK is in my near future," she wrote on her Twitter, explaining the move being inspired by "better dj's/music and Paris is just a Chunnel away!"
Earlier this week Lohan described her lesbian relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson as 'really scary' but said she still loves her and hopes they will reconcile.
In a rare account of her and Ronson's stormy 18-month relationship, Lindsay told The Sun newspaper that Ronson, 32, was the only woman she had ever been attracted to.
'It was a big deal for me because I've never had a relationship as public as that, especially being with a girl for the first time. That was really scary for me. But I didn't care because I love her.
'If I wasn't with Samantha, I would probably be with a boy next. She's the only woman I've been attracted to.
'We love each other. We might reconcile the relationship, maybe. I don't know.'
The pair split in April 2009. Lohan said they broke up because Ronson's family and friends did not approve of her and the paparazzi her life attracts, but that they live in the same apartment building in Los Angeles and were still in touch.
A Downing Street petition has been launched, urging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to “disassociate the British government from the Pope's intolerant views.”
The petition - which can be signed by pasting the following link into your browser: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ProtestthePope/ - has been launched ahead of the Papal visit to Britain in September this year. It has been submitted by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and has already attracted over 4,800 signatures.
A petition by Tatchell on the same subject last year was refused inclusion on the Downing Street website.
“The Pope opposes universal human rights. He rejects equality for women and gay people, condemns the use of life-saving condoms, colludes with Holocaust appeasers and he is implicated in the cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic priests,” said Tatchell.
“A man with such objectionable views should not be honoured with an official State Visit. If he wants to come to Britain, he should pay his own way. The public should not be expected to cover the estimated £20 million cost. This money would be far better spent on schools and hospitals,”
The petition reads: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to disassociate the
British government from the Pope's intolerant views ahead of the Papal visit to Britain in September 2010. We urge the Prime Minister to make it clear that his government disagrees with the Pope's opposition to women's reproductive rights, gay equality, embryonic stem cell research and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV.
"We ask the Prime Minister to express his disagreement with the Pope’s role in the cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy, his rehabilitation of the Holocaust-denying bishop Richard Williamson, and his decree paving the way for the beatification and sainthood of the war-time Pope, Pius XII, who stands accused of failing to speak out against the Holocaust. We also request the Prime Minister to assure us that the Pope’s visit will not be financed by the British taxpayer.”
Peter Tatchell has criticised at length the Pope Benedict XVI’s “illiberal” and “often extreme” stance on key social issues:
“The Pope is an opponent of women’s rights. He not only opposes the right of women to choose to have an abortion but also their right to contraception, which can help reduce the abortion rate,” said Tatchell.
“He opposes women’s access to IVF fertility treatment, to give childless couples the chance of parenthood.
“The Pope supports gender discrimination, including a ban on women priests and bishops, and he wants the Catholic Church to be exempt from equality and anti-discrimination laws that apply to everyone else.
“He has sought to block potentially life-saving embryonic stem cell research, and he rejects the right of suffering, terminally ill people to die with dignity at a moment of the their own free choice.
“Pope Benedict denounces the use of condoms, even to stop the spread of HIV, and he has falsely claimed that condom usage 'increases' the rate of HIV infection. His teachings put millions of lives at risk.
“Pope Benedict is complicit with human rights abuses and should not be accorded the honour of a State Visit to Britain,” said Tatchell.
A heterosexual woman who sexually assaulted another woman has been jailed for 12 months, this week.
35 year-old Teresa Cottingham, a former NHS manager from East Sussex, momentarily disabled another woman with a martial arts move in a hotel room before forcing a sex act on her, last January.
Blackfriars Crown Court heard how she became "almost senseless" with alcohol following a conference in central London.
The victim, who was known to her, escorted her back to the hotel in a taxi, according to the Daily Mail.
Adam Davis, prosecuting, said: "In the hotel room the defendant collapsed onto the bed. She started to get undressed. Ms Cottingham asked the victim to make a cup of tea.
"The victim had her back to the defendant and it seems the defendant tried to pull her back onto the bed by the waistband of her shorts. She refers to the defendant as keeping on trying to pull her onto the bed."
The young woman warned her: "Look Teresa, you'll regret this in the morning' and finished making the bedtime drink."
But Cottingham shouted "You know you want it, you've been parading your arse in front of me."
"The defendant then pulled her onto the bed and there was a struggle," added the prosecutor. As she tried to subdue her victim, she bragged: "I know what I'm doing - I'm better than a man."
Then Cottingham floored her with a martial arts move, causing her to hit her head on a cupboard.
The barrister said: "There was a certain amount of wrestling, with the complainant making it perfectly clear she didn't want to participate. Cottingham got more aggressive and forceful."
The woman, who cannot be identified, took advantage of a pause to hoist herself onto the bed and away from Cottingham, who demanded to know: "What do you want?" and was told: "Get off me."
"The victim's shorts and underwear had been taken off by this point," said the prosecutor, who added that the victim was grabbed by the throat.
"She was pushed back and every time she tried to move, her throat was squeezed harder."
It was then that she performed the sex act on her victim.
The court heard that Cottingham eventually said: "If you're not comfortable with this, I'll stop', but the victim told her it was 'too late for that."
Cottingham then fell asleep, leaving the woman alone.
When Cottingham was arrested on February 5 she claimed the drunken incident was between "two consenting adults" but later changed her plea to guilty.
Sharon Bailey, defending, urged Judge Ian Karsten QC to suspend any prison sentence because Cottingham, who acted 'completely out-of-character' has already suffered enough.
The court was told the mother-of-one has been sacked from her position with Sussex Partnership, a mental health trust, over the "devastating" scandal.
"She had a professional position with a good salary," said Bailey. "She is no longer able to keep up with her outgoings and this may result in her being made bankrupt."
The barrister added that Cottingham had married a man - who wept in the public gallery - just last week.
But the judge said: 'If this had been a man doing this, everyone would say "he has got to go down".' He added: 'This was a horrid attack. I accept you were drunk and that had you not been, you would not have done anything like that.
"It was a violent assault and humiliating for the victim. The impact statement shows it's really had long-term serious effects on her. As sex assaults go I have to say it really is a bad case."
Acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz has agreed a debt-busting deal with Colony Capital to clear bills of $24 million (£16 million).
Actress Gemma Atkinson enjoys a lesbian clinch with Jaime Winstone in their new film Boogie Woogie, DIVA can confirm.
A West Yorkshire adoption agency Catholic Care will choose to close rather than place at-risk children with gay couples, a High Court judge heard.
Homophobe Lillian Ladele may take her case against Islington Council to the European Court of Human Rights, she has announced.
Precious, the critically acclaimed film based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire, won two Oscars at last night's 82nd Academy Awards.
Actress Sanra Bullock - who won the Best Actress Academy Award last night for her role in The Blind Side - is the film star most women want to date, according to an online survey designed to coincide with the Oscars.
Actress Sara Shahi - who played Carmen in The L Word - has just confirmed her attendance at the 20th anniversary of America's lesbian getaway The Dinah Shore Week, this month.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a personal message of support to everyone attending this weekend’s National Student Pride in Brighton.
The Green Party has launched its lesbian and gay Manifesto for the upcoming general election, DIVA can report.
Downing Street states commitment to diversity following complaints that ethnic minority representation was poor at a recent LGBT History Month event.
This week, UK Ovarian Cancer charity, Ovacome, launched a new campaign to educate women on the symptoms of the disease - and to promote awareness amongst their own communities.
The Mayor of Turin, Sergio Chiamparino, became the first Italian politician to formalise a same-sex commitment in a symbolic ceremony, last week. 
A new law banning the media and schools from promoting homosexuality, as well as violence and suicide, took effect in Lithuania on Monday. 
Hundreds of gay and lesbian dancers competed against each other at the Pink Jukebox Trophy, the only international Latin and ballroom dance competition for same-sex couples in the UK, last week.
Gay people can now marry in churches, following an amendment to the Equality Bill last night, which was passed in the House of Lords by a majority of 74.
Over 5,000 naked men and women came together for photographer Spencer Tunick’s homage to an equal Australian society, yesterday. 
Four women detained at Yarl Wood immigration removal centre are being defended by UK solicitors this week, who claim their incarcerations breach human rights. 
Homeless charity the Albert Kennedy Trust has paid tribute to their patron Kristian Digby, who was found dead at his home yesterday.
A group of schoolgirls involved in same-sex relationships have reportedly been expelled from a school in South Africa.
London's leading academic institution, King’s College, hosted a talk by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdullah Hakim Quick, last Thursday - despite calls for it to have been cancelled. 
BBC television presenter Kristian Digby has been found dead at his London home.
Artists and activists are meeting at the weekend to try to work out how they can help gays and lesbians in Africa.
Rugby ace Gareth Thomas is the latest big name to get behind The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Aim High Campaign for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
New legislation that will protect queer people in Scotland will pass into law next month, making Scotland the first country in Europe to implement hate crime law which covers transphobic hate crime.
Scotland’s first online travel site specialising in tailor-made holidays and civil partnerships launched this month, promising to take care of all those “awkward travel moments” experienced by gay couples.
Two convicted criminals have married in the UK's first lesbian prison wedding, it has emerged.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has praised gays in Britain’s armed forces and criticised the US’s policy which stops out troops serving in the military.
Lindsay Lohan is emigrating to Britain, according to reports.
A Downing Street petition has been launched, urging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to “disassociate the British government from the Pope's intolerant views.”
A heterosexual woman who sexually assaulted another woman has been jailed for 12 months, this week. 