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.
A UK company which helps protect bespoke financial risks has launched a branch that specialises in lesbian and gay investments.
Galileo Capital Management - a Registered Financial Services Provider, approved and regulated by the Financial Services Board - this week announced the launch of LGBT Capital, a specialist Corporate Advisory and Investment Management Unit focused on the LGBT consumer market.
“LGBT-oriented business owners often have the desire to expand but also frequently lack the expertise, correct capital structure or know–how to access funding” said Paul Thompson, co-founder of LGBT Capital. “We believe there is a significant opportunity to provide the financial expertise typically found within an investment banking context to LGBT companies, which in turn would allow quality companies to secure funding”.
“A LGBT oriented resort was up for sale recently but despite many parties expressing interest, sufficient capital could not be raised by any one company or investor on their own” Paul Thompson said. “There is huge interest from investors to be part of the growth in the LGBT market but without concentrating risk in just one or two investments. The Fund we are preparing will provide a diversified portfolio of investments, both geographically and by business sector, in order to satisfy this investor demand”.
A survey commissioned by Galileo Capital Management in December 2009 and carried out by Iliad, the LGBT business networking organisation, among members of the London LGBT business community found that 80% of LGBT companies believe there is insufficient specialist advice on capital raising and structure as well as M&A.
The survey highlights significant suppressed and unmet demand for investment banking and business development advisory services to LGBT companies. Of the respondents, 80% of LGBT companies require capital for expansion, 100% of LGBT companies have expansion plans including expansion outside of their current scope/geography and 100% of LGBT companies would consider mergers, acquisition and third party investment.
The survey also found 100% of potential investors in LGBT companies did not proceed with their investments, with 80% citing inadequate funding and capital structure as the main reason.
A networking group for professional gay and bisexual women is set to launch this week.
MINT, which aims to unite a community of women wanting to connect and collaborate on a social and business level, will launch on 15 February at Willa’s, in London’s Mayfair.
The glamorous evening will mark the first in a long line of planned MINT social events, and will also mark the launch of the group’s accompanying website, which is expected to feature a discreet dating element.
MINT is founded by out professionals Nicola Chubb and Rebecca Paisis
25 percent of all ticket sales for the event will be donated to gay rights charity Stonewall. The evening kicks off at 6.30pm with a complimentary drink reception.
Prizes up for grabs on the night come courtesy of MINT sponsors including Girl Bar Dinah Shore, Daniel Hersheson Salon and Spa at Harvey Nichols plus J. Sheekey Oyster Bar. All are donated in aid of Stonewall.
Visit www.mint-network.com for full event and booking details.
Casey Johnson, daughter of Johnson and Johnson's Woody Johnson, died from a complication with her diabetes after possibly not taking her medication correctly, it's been announced.
The Los Angeles County coroner has revealed that the troubled heiress, 30, died of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is caused by a lack of insulin and very high blood sugar.
Casey was found dead at her LA mansion on January 4 and it's thought she had slipped into a diabetic coma before she passed away.
Associated Press reported that Dr Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner in New York City, said people can usually be resuscitated from that in the first 24 hours, but Casey had not been seen or head from for several days before she was found.
After over 400 years of giving free public lectures, London's historic Gresham College is giving its first lectures on the origins of homosexuality and civil partnerships in UK law.
The two lectures, Civil Partnerships by Baroness Ruth Deech on the 16th March, and Born Gay? The Origins Of Sexual Orientation, by Professor Glenn D. Wilson on the 19th April, are a ground-breaking move for the college which traditionally maintains conservative themes to its lectures.
James Franklin, Communications Manager at Gresham College said, “We’re very excited to be holding these lectures. For over 400 years, the College has been giving lectures on a variety of controversial topics, but this is the first time lectures will address being gay and gay issues in such a bold and open way.”
He also commented that “In no way is the exploration of these issues a conciliatory measure. Their inclusion is reflective of the today’s society. You can’t have a series on the modern family and ignore the influence of civil partnerships, it’s now a major part of 21st Century life and we want to keep up with that.”
Baroness Deech is head of the Bar Standards Board which regulates the work of barristers and is also one of Britain’s most senior family lawyers. She claims that the tax benefits of civil partnerships should extend to carers who live at home with their dependent. “The sensible reform would be grant deferral of inheritance tax to any two family members who are co-dependent and… the option of civil partnership or marriage is not open to them.” Her lecture is part of a series of six entitled “Family Relationships and the Law since the 1960’s”.
Professor Glenn D. Wilson is visiting Gresham professor of psychology. He is one of Britain’s best-known psychologists and has published more than 150 scientific articles and 33 books. His lecture is the third and final part of his series “The Psychology of Mating and Dating.” It will include discussion of the very latest scientific research concerning the origins of homosexuality, as well as his vast range of experience in psychiatry and studies of sexual behaviour. Not one to shy away from contention, his most recent books include: “Born Gay: The Psychobiology of Sex Orientation”, and “Psychology for Performing Artists”.
For more information on the free lectures check out www.gresham.ac.uk
The leader of the Conservative party, David Cameron, has said that no new legislation is needed to protect gay people - instead, there merely needs to be a cultural shift.
Speaking to The Independent's Johann Hari today, Cameron said that a Tory government would continue to support a number of key LGB issues, including: adoption, asylum and the blood ban, but - when asked whether he would make any legal changes to develop equality - said: "I think it's much more about culture than about law now."
The comments come just days after Cameron claimed that schools - including faith schools - needed to teach the spectrum of relationships; gay, bi and straight.
During the interview, Cameron also refused to brand his Polish allies in Europe as homophobic, despite Michal Kaminski, the Polish leader of Brussells' far-right Conservative coalition, going on record to describe gays as "faggots".
"I don't believe they are homophobic. I would not partner with parties that have racist or homophobic views."
A disgruntled Disney fan is asking the media giant to create their first-ever gay character via social networking site, Facebook.
Anna Temby, creator of the Disney Needs To Create A Lead Gay Character! group, already has the support of 500 people and is hoping that it eventually has similar clout to the infamous Rage Against The Machine forum, which saw the band beat X Factor's Joe McElderry to Number 1.
Temby's group comes as Disney release The Princess and The Frog - their first film with a lead black character.
"It's taken over 80 years for Disney to create a black princess protagonist, let's not wait another 80 years for a gay lead character," she said.
"There are already so many gay undertones in Disney films and characters who most definitely aren't straight (*cough*) like Ryan from High School Musical, let's not beat about the bush and openly have a film with a gay lead."
But not everyone supports it. One Facebook user, Matthew Power, wrote: "It's not equality, it's nit-picking. Disney films are great as they are, they are not there to deal with sexual themes or social problems (i'm not saying homosexuality is a social problem by the way) - I'm saying that they are there for the entertainment of very young children, not sexually aware teenagers or adults."
Hundreds of DIVA readers have taken part in an online poll to determine what issues political parties need to make an immediate priority, this decade.
Featured here on the DIVA website, over 600 women expressed their views as Britain gears up for a general election.
When asked: which LGB political issue should parties make an election issue? DIVA readers responded:
48% - Homophobic bullying in schools (291 votes)
29% - Marriage equality (178 votes)
11% - Overturning the ban on gay male blood donors (65 votes)
5% - More resources for lesbian health (28 votes)
4% - Specific policy on lesbophobia (25 votes)
3% - Quotas of lesbian/gay or women MPs (17 votes)
Thew news comes as DIVA, PinkPaper.com and GT combine to write a pink manifesto - created solely by readers - which will be presented to the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats when we interview them for our forthcoming election coverage.
To take part in the manifesto, email your suggestion to: peter@pinkpaper.com.
Seasoned actress Natalie Portman has confessed that she was "terrified" when she had to kiss fellow actrss Mila Kunis in her latest film, Black Swan.
Speaking about the kiss - which is part of a bigger sex scene - she said: “I was terrified. At the moment I lived in a state of inner terror.”
But the Leon star is also concerned that the same-sex kiss will eclipse the film's storyline - and her credibility within it.
She added: “Nudity is something absolutely natural and I’m not prudish – but in a film it can be distracting.
“Doing ‘Black Swan’ I couldn’t say no. The project is a huge opportunity for me to show a new me. I can’t always play the nice mothers. My other problem is that single pictures are being taken out of context and put on the internet.”
Harriet Harman, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has backed down against forcing religious leaders to implement equality on who they can employ via legislation.
The news comes just days after the Pope claimed the Equality Bill promotes discrimination against religious communities, by forcing them to hire gay, lesbian or bisexual staff in non-liturgical posts - despite being law since 2003.
His diatribe, coupled with recent opposition in the Lords, means that Harman - the Equalities Minister - will no longer fight our corner on the issue.
“We have never insisted on nondiscrimination legislation applying to religious jobs, such as being a vicar, a bishop, an imam or a rabbi,” she said today.
“Religious organisations can decide themselves how to do that. However, when it comes to non-religious jobs, those organisations must comply with the law. We thought that it would be helpful for everyone involved to clarify the law, and that is what the amendment ... aimed to do. That amendment was rejected, so the law remains as it was.”
Although Harman made no mention of the Pope’s visit to Britain this year, it is understood that the Government did not want the dispute to overshadow preparations.
Despite prompting outrage from the likes of Peter Tatchell, the Pope's comments have also gained support. Writing in The Times today, Lord Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, says: “There are times when human rights become human wrongs ... a political ideology, relentlessly trampling down everything in their path. This is happening increasingly in Britain, and it is why the Pope’s protest against the Equality Bill ... should be taken seriously.”
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, responded by stating that the gay rights organisation would support people who wanted to legally challenge discrimination by religious establishments. “If any church dismisses someone from a non-liturgical role, such as a youth worker or a press officer, we will support their case,” he said.
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Readers of DIVA are being asked to compile their own election manifesto this month - for presentation to the three main political parties ahead of the general election.
Together with PinkPaper.com and GT, the three leading gay lifestyle brands will unite to create a checklist of what matters most to gay, lesbian and bisexual voters - and highlight what the parties need to prioritise for our community.
Topics could include removing faith school exemptions from the Equality Bill, tackling homophobic bullying in schools, legalisation of gay marriage, scrapping the blood ban and providing tax breaks for united couples - or any other live issue which we may face in the next decade.
Jane Czyzselska, Editor of DIVA, said: "Although we've won legal parity in many more areas than we had at the last election, there are still some outstanding issues that need addressing. These include the right of religious gays to marry in faith centres, trans rights and the current loophole that allows homophobic faith schools to legally discriminate against gay pupils and teachers.
"What's more, many LGBT members care passionately about eradicating poverty, ending tax cuts for the rich and the environment. We want to hear from readers what they would like us to ask the country's future leaders, so get writing to us!"
If you'd like to contribute, please send an email entitled ELECTION MANIFESTO with your list of suggestions to: peter@pinkpaper.com by Friday 12 February.
A legal challenge on the ban of same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships is being prepared by gay human rights group OutRage!, this week.
It comes after heterosexual couple Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle filed an application for a civil partnership at Islington registry office last November. They were rejected because, under UK law, civil partnerships are open to only same-sex couples. This legal exclusion mirrors the way civil marriage is available solely to heterosexual partners.
They say the decision is "discriminatory and perpetuates legal inequality."
Now, Outrage! has the support of legal expert, Professor Robert Wintemute, Professor of Human Rights Law at Kings College in London, who has agreed to take on the case.
"Our plan is for several gay and straight couples to file a joint application to the European Court of Human Rights, to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships. The aim is to secure full equality in civil marriage and civil partnership law. We want both systems open to all couples, gay and straight, so that everyone has a free choice, without discrimination," said Peter Tatchell, spokesperson for OutRage!
"Denying couples the right to civil marriage and civil partnership on the basis of their sexual orientation is wrong and has to go.
"We plan to take these cases to the European Court of Human Rights, in a bid to secure marriage equality and civil partnership equality for all couples, regardless of their sexuality." Tatchell added.
Freeman added: "If we cannot have a civil partnership, we will not get married. On a point of principle, we will remain unmarried until opposite sex couples can have a civil partnership and same-sex couples can have a civil marriage.
"We are taking this stand against discrimination and in support of legal equality for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
"The 'separate but equal' system which segregates couples according to their sexuality is not equal at all. All loving couples should have access to the same institutions, regardless of sexuality. There should be parity of respect and rights," he said.
Pope Benedict XVI has claimed that Harriet Harman's Equality Bill will discriminate against religious communities.
In an open letter to the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, he suggested that legislation protecting the rights of gay couples are a violation of natural law and will ultimately undermine freedom.
"The effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs. In some respects it actually violates the natural law upon which the equality of all human beings is grounded and by which it is guaranteed," he wrote.
The comments come just six months before the head of the Catholic church will visit the UK - at a cost of £20 million for the British tax payer.
Naturally, the comments angered both non-religious groups and equality activists. The National Secular Society have launched an online petition which asks the Catholic church to fund the visit, rather than the British taxpayer.
So far, over 2,000 have signed the notion, which can be read here: http://www.secularism.org.uk/petition-the-pm.html
The Pink Triangle Trust's secretary, George Broadhead, said: "This is a thinly veiled attack on the anti-discrimination legislation concerning LGBT people. His claim that our equality laws undermine religious freedom suggests that he supports
the right of churches to discriminate in accordance with their religious ethos. He seems to be defending discrimination by religious institutions and demanding that they should be above the law.
"This pope has shown himself to be paranoid about homosexuality. His opposition to LGBT rights knows no bounds. He has declared that saving humanity from homosexual behaviour was as important as saving the rainforest
from destruction. This must be the most outrageous and bizarre claim yet made by someone who has already got a well-deserved reputation as one of the most viciously homophobic world leaders on a par with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe."
Stonewall’s Ben Summerskill has claimed that a new film for schools is one of the achievements he is most proud of.
Speaking at the glittering London launch of FIT the ground-breaking film was praised for its powerful message and original production. Using hip-hop, humour, and lively writing similar to Channel 4’s Skins FIT looks set to communicate with pupils in a way that makes it easy for them to engage with the issues raised.
Director Rikki Beadle Blair told DIVA, ‘I want to make people laugh and cry and think . To encourage kids to recognise our shared humanity regardless of labels or identities - to have equality become a given and to make bigotry history.’
The launch followed a recent announcement that Stonewall will send every secondary school in Britain a copy of its DVD FIT - the first feature film for schools to tackle homophobic bullying.
An adaptation of Stonewall’s highly successful play for schools, which has been seen by 20,000 pupils, FIT was devised to tackle homophobic bullying and encourage pupils to challenge their widespread use of the word ‘gay’ to mean anything rubbish or inadequate. It gives further support to teachers who have recently reported being extremely under-resourced in tackling homophobic bullying in their schools. But what effect has the production had on the gay cast and director?
Davina Dewrance (Darcy) who was present at the launch told DIVA: “I first worked with Rikki when I was 15 on a short film. I knew I was gay at this point but was following the crowd and didn't have the guts to come out. But after a day filming with him I felt more confident about who I was and although I never told anyone, I felt good about myself and I knew I had to keep in touch with him. I heard about the idea for Fit the movie whilst acting for Rikki at the Stonewall "Gay youth Day" back in June. I told Rikki that I simply had to be part of this and luckily he agreed. We even helped him write it. We met every Sunday through the summer exchanging our gay stories and learning the dance routine. It was by far my best summer ever.
"I teach drama at the weekends to kids aged between 4 and 18 and I'm very open about the film and when I tell them about it they all thing its cool. It's the adults who have had more of an opinion; someone quite close to me said they were worried it would turn kids gay. At first I got annoyed, but after calming down I realised that this kind of comment is fine, and gentle explaining, not shouting helps. Not everyone will love this film, but if it changes one person’s life that’s pretty good if you ask me."
Write/director of FIT Rikki Beadle-Blair said: ‘When on tour I would ask the kids how many people thought homosexuality was wrong. Most said they thought it was but many didn’t. One 14 yr old girl announced that she had entered the room as someone who could never have a lesbian friend but that she was leaving the room changed. I had a 15 year old girl write to me that she felt stronger for knowing that we were out there fighting her corner and that she was going to write a lesbian play. That’s brilliant."
Sasha Frost (Karmel) who is heterosexual decided she too wanted to play a part in the seminal production. “The role attracted me because I'd never been given the opportunity to play a gay character. That was important to me because I wanted to show gay people come in every shape, size and colour. I’m so glad I did because it opened my eyes to a problem I didn't really think existed. It grounded me and made me get over myself!
“I'm not gay but having to listen to the abuse and hatred in some of the schools we visited was hard. I just can't imagine a lifetime of having to put up with that. Don't get me wrong many times the kids were positive and continually amazed me.”
But Beadle –Blair believes there is still much to achieve. “The journey is just beginning; there's a world to embrace with this film. I can't wait to see what challenges we meet - as a company and as a family.”
Says Davina: “Our next stop is Manchester. I'm so excited about another screening and live chat. I will follow the film wherever it goes and speak to as many people as I can. FIT has made me a better person. Coming out was OK for me but many don't share my story.”
Voting records sourced from public info website theyworkforyou.com has revealed a major disparity of LGBT voting records between the Conservative and Labour party.
The Liberal Democrat report concluded that 30% of Cameron's cabinet had voted against gay rights in the past, including the leader himself.
The news comes after the Conservative leader claimed that sex education should include the subject of gay couples, possibly even in faith schools.
It showed that Christ Grayling, William Hague and Dvaid Cameron voted against a repeal of Section 28, while MPs Mark Francios, Andrew Mitchell, David Willets, Theresa May, Owen Paterson Patrick McCloughlin, Liam Fox and Caroline Spellman all voted against gay parents adopting children.
As if that wasn't enough, Frances Maude, Sir George Young, Dr Liam Fox, plus McCloughlin, Paterson, Fox and May also voted against lowering the age of consent for gay people from 18 to 16.
In contrast, no Labour MPs voted against gay people's rights for the above laws.
A new study by the NHS has claimed that Scotland is home to “deeply rooted prejudice based on fear of difference” and says that it's directly linked to mental health problems.
The Dimensions of Diversity report, by NHS Health Scotland, showed a pattern of poorer mental health among different sections of society including gay people, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.
The report said: “There is a repeated finding of diminished mental health because of the pervasive and insidious effects upon well-being of experiencing personal prejudice.”
Dr David Gordon, lead author of the report said: “This report captures how diverse Scotland really is and emphasises how everyone is made up of multiple characteristics.
“It brings together, for the first time, existing data about many of the components of people’s identity and background including their age, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability and so on.
“We hope it will contribute to a better understanding of the complex causes of disadvantage and how they can affect our health in many different ways.
“It is important that those working to reduce health inequalities are able to consider more carefully what impact diversity may have on people’s health and their health needs. We hope this report will help them do that.”
The report also made some recommendations for undermining prejudice including responsible healthcare.
Past research has shown that queer people tend to experience “significant health problems” including mental ill-health as well as illnesses related to drug and alcohol abuse.
Gay and bisexual men are six to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
The LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing in Edinburgh says that these problems are linked to social exclusion, prejudice, discrimination and ignorance.
The Centre is the only healthy living centre dedicated to queer people in the UK and aims to address these inequalities through events, workshops and courses.
A lesbian mother, who lost custody of her child even though she was "doing well" in her care, has won the right appeal against the decision.
The move comes after Lord Justice Ward said he had a "sense of disquiet" after hearing how the girl was placed with her father.
He claimed that the mother had not had a "fair crack of the whip" during the original hearing but warned that it was essential for proceedings to move quickly, the Daily Telegraph report.
Experts said that judgement in that case reflected the increasing emphasis courts were now putting on the role of fathers and on the need for children to have contact with both parents.
The mother's barrister, Gerald Wilson, said the dispute began after the unmarried parents, who are both academics, separated early on in their child's life. He explained that until last year the little girl had lived with her mother and her civil partner with the father having access merely on alternate weekends.
But a row developed after the mother said she was planning to take their daughter to stay with relatives in Scotland while she was abroad on a business trip. The father then issued an emergency application to the court at which Judge Pearlman awarded him a residence order.
Granting permission to appeal, Lord Justice Ward said it was arguable that "no real consideration was given to the status quo" of leaving the little girl with her mother.
He said: "I am a little troubled about this case. This little girl appears to have been at least doing well, if not thriving, in her mother's care. All in all, I am left with a sense of disquiet sufficient to allow this application to proceed."
But he added: "I do so inevitably with a high degree of reluctance, because the clock ticks."
He told Mr Wilson: "By the time you get this matter heard, and it goes before the full court, this child will have been with her father for over a year. But the mother has not had a fair crack of the whip and, for that reason, I am giving permission."
No date was set for the full hearing of the mother's appeal.
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will host the poetry equivalent of Live Aid for victims of the Haiti earthquake, it has been announced.
21 other notable spoken word figures, including Andrew Motion, Jo Shapcott, John Agard and Roger McGough, will also take part.
The event, Poetry Live for Haiti, is expected to raise £20,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee's Haiti Earthquake Appeal on Saturday.
"Like everyone else, I was very deeply affected by reports from Haiti about the earthquake and its aftermath, and I just thought to myself 'this is going to take years to put right'. These people will need support for a long, long time to come," she told the BBC.
"It didn't seem enough to do the usual thing and get my credit card out, and I wondered if we could do something bigger than that, and being a poet, a poetry reading was the only thing I could think of."
Duffy said all the poets who were able to take part immediately agreed, and she was able to organise the London event without delay.
Duffy added that Gillian Clark and Elaine Lament had both written "strong" poems about the disaster, which they will read at the event.
"We turn to poetry at intense moments in our lives," Duffy added. "When we lose people, or are bereaved, we look for a piece of music or poem to read at the funeral, or when we fall in love we turn to poetry, or when children are born.
"And I think that can happen at moments of public grief too, as well as personal. It is so close to prayer, it is the most intense use of language that there is.
"It is the perfect art form for public or private grief."
Poetry Live for Haiti will be held at Central Hall, Westminster on Saturday, from 1430 GMT.
Conservative leader David Cameron has claimed that teaching children about gay relationship is essential for the future of well-rounded education, DIVA can report.
Speaking at an event with LGBTory activists earlier this week, he made the comment just days after Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg put pressure on him to equalise an inclusive curriculum across all schools, including faith schools.
“We do need good sex and relationship education. That education should teach people about equality, that we treat people the same whether they are gay or straight,” he said. “I think that is really important that we embed that in the ethos of our education.
He added: “Should we teach children about relationships? Yes we should.”
“Should we teach them about the importance of equality, whether you’re heterosexual or homosexual? Yes we should.”
“Should we teach them about civil partnerships being a way of same-sex couples showing commitment just as married couples show commitment? Yes we should.”
However, he did not make a specific reference to faith schools, arguing that a national curriculum should not be set by the government - a move that convinces Labour MEP Michael Cashman that Cameron’s words were “window-dressing.”
He told Progress magazine: “You see the Tories, the party, their think tanks and advisers and it's clear nothing's changed. It's a bit like Oxford Street – they've changed the window dressing but it's the same old party behind.”
Online dating service eHarmony has agreed to settle a lawsuit that claimed it discriminated against gays and lesbians.
The company, based in Pasadena, California, did not admit liability by offering a proposed settlement of the case, which was filed in 2007 on behalf of a class of gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals in California who alleged they were unable to use the website to be matched with same-sex partners.
From now on the company will link its straight and gay sites and allow people to use both without paying double fees.
Plaintiff's attorney Todd Schneider says the company also agreed to pay about $500,000 (£300,000) to an estimated 150 Californians to settle the class-action suit, plus around $1.5 million (£1 million) in court and attorney's fees.
A judge must approve the settlement, which is expected to take place on 3 February.
Glee actress and forthcoming DIVA cover star Jane Lynch is engaged to her longtime girlfriend, psychologist Lara Embry, the actress told The New York Times.
The couple, who attended last week’s Golden Globes together, are planning a walk down the aisle in May.
Lynch is currently the toast of critics for her role in the smash-hit musical show.
Last year, Embry made headlines when she was honored with the National Center For Lesbian Rights' Justice Award in recognition of her triumph in a landmark same-sex custody case in Florida.
The new issue of DIVA, which features an interview with Lynch, is available from 11 February.
Public attitudes to homosexuality are becoming more liberal, according to a new government-backed survey released today.
The British Social Attitudes survey - carried out by the National Centre for Social Research - found that 36% thought homosexual acts were "always" or "mostly" wrong, down from 62% in 1983.
But the public is taking a tougher line on cannabis, the survey of 4,486 adults, conducted in 2008, found.
Likewise, more people see themselves as Tory rather than Labour supporters for the first time since the 1980s, it adds. The survey also suggested the number of people who felt a pressing need to vote in general elections was declining.
Some 56% of those questioned thought it was "everyone's duty to vote" - down from 68% in 1991. This fell to 41% among the under-35s. Meanwhile, 32% of people said they had "not much" or "no interest" in politics.
The report's co-author, Sarah Butt, told the BBC: "Low turnout has been a feature of recent elections with just 61% of people turning out to vote in 2005.
"The decline in civic duty means it is possible that, regardless of whether the next election provides voters with a clear choice between parties or a more closely fought contest, we could again see large sections of the population remaining at home on election day."
The survey, funded by the government and various charities, also suggests 32% of people see themselves as Conservative supporters, compared with 27% for Labour.
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More than 5,000 athletes from across Europe and the world have so far signed up to take part in this summer’s Gay Games which will take place in Cologne, Germany from 31 July – 7 August.
Registrations for the quadrennial sports and cultural event have more than doubled organisers’ expectations with competitors signed from 49 different nationalities including those countries as far away as Japan, Afghanistan, and Madagascar.
Out of the 35 different sports and five cultural events, swimming, football and volleyball are the favourites with the largest groups of participants registered from the US and the host country Germany.
The annual Gay Games is now in its eighth year and organisers expect around 12,000 participants together with 34,000 visitors at the event, making it a similar size to the Olympic Games.
Sports Coordinator, Dagmar Ziege is especially pleased with the huge interest in the Games.
She commented: “The feasibility of such an event needs strong partners. I want to express my appreciation towards the City Council of Cologne, especially the sports department, the Cologne Natatorium Ltd, and the German Sport University. I want to thank all of them for the amazing team work. The competitions are mainly taking place in their facilities. The cooperation amongst the different departments will prove the image of Cologne as the place to be for any kind of sport for more than 10,000 active sportsmen and women.”
For more information or to sign-up see www.gaygamescologne.com
Earlier today the BBC announced that it has commissioned a major new piece of research to understand how successfully the lesbian, gay and bisexual community is portrayed by the broadcaster.
During a press conference in central London, Tim Davie, Head of Audio and Music, explained that the research will be comprised of three parts - firstly, talking with groups (both gay and straight) to establish the opinions of viewers across all ages, races and faiths.
Then they will produce a quantative report detailing the opinions discovered before, thirdly, discussing the results with senior editorial staff.
The work- which is being conducted by research agency 2CV who have experience in in-depth audience research - will be supported by an online questionnaire which you will find at http://www.perceptor.com/perceplive/survey/bbc_lgb_portrayal. This questionnaire is open for anyone to answer and we are actively encouraging as many people as possible to participate and have their views recorded.
The news follows a damning report by Stonewall last year, which criticised the BBC's programming for gay viewers.
During the press conference, DIVA magazine asked the panel - which also included the BBC's Head of Diversity, Amanda Rice and Adrian Ruth, Head of BBC Pride - whether they thought that current lesbian, gay and bisexual programming was credible. Ruth admitted he didn't.
Justin Bairamian, who was also on the panel and heads up audiences planning in the BBC Vision division, said: "We want to provoke discussion – about people getting angry about what they see, as well as liking what they see."
The results of the study, which are expected later this year, will also be shared with other broadcasters, including ITV and Channel 4.
Amanda Rice, the BBC head of diversity, said today that Moyles would get a copy of the report.
Singer Kylie Minogue is attracted to women and men, according to her latest magazine interview.
The 41-year-old singer told Spanish-language mag Max Mexico: "I have been attracted to some women."
"I am a sexual exhibitionist and part of me is a natural flirt. Although I have been attracted to women, I have never done anything with them."
British tabloids went crazy for the admission, with The Sun reporting that three weeks ago she visited the 7th Heaven lapdancing club in the chic French Alpine resort of Chamonix, where Brit pole-dancers Faye O'Neill, 27, and Katrina Redfern, 20, told how the Aussie was "transfixed" as "they writhed around together."
In 2009 Minogue claimed to have had a crush on the late American actress Tallulah Bankhead.
She said: "I'd go gay for her. She was a fascinating and exotic woman. There was so much to admire about her.
"She lived life to the full, maybe a little too fully. I want to release the inner Tallulah in me. God knows I can't get a man - so maybe I should cross over."
Brighton Pride will definitely go ahead in 2010 following confirmation of a £20,000 loan from Brighton and Hove City Council.
The short-term bridging loan is designed to make up the remaining shortfall following Pride’s announcement of a £50,000 hole in their finances after the 2009 event. An on-going fundraising campaign has netted over £14,000 while cost cutting measures including one staff redundancy have saved around £11,000. A commitment from one of the 2009 sponsors to pay the full amount promised means that the loan now covers the shortfall completely and that both the Pride parade and park event will go ahead this summer.
Acting Chair of Brighton Pride, Robert Clothier said:
“With our financial position secured, any uncertainty about this year’s Pride that there may have been is now over. We are committed to working with our new production company, Fisher Productions, all our other contractors, local LGBT businesses and community groups to make this year’s Pride festival better than ever before.
“We have exciting plans for the Pride Parade and the main park event on Saturday 7th August, which will be announced very shortly.”
The appointment of Fisher Productions as a brand new production company has provoked a certain amount of local controversy, with some vocal opponents calling for the previous production contractors to be reinstated. An on-going poll on local website realbrighton.com has shown, however, a majority of the local community throwing their support behind the Brighton Pride organisation and Fisher Productions.
Brighton and Hove City council refused to comment on the terms of the loan, which were described by one Pride source as ‘very good – we don’t have to pay it back next year’.
In February, Stonewall will send every secondary school in Britain a copy of its DVD FIT - the first feature film for schools to tackle homophobic bullying.
FIT – Stonewall’s film for schools - is an intelligent, powerful and entertaining film. The storyline uses hip-hop, humour, colourful Adidas tracksuits and lively writing similar to Channel 4’s Skins to communicate with pupils in a way that makes it easy for them to engage with the issues raised.
The interactive DVD has been devised to tackle homophobic bullying and encourage pupils to challenge their widespread use of the word ‘gay’ to mean anything rubbish or inadequate. It gives further support to teachers who have recently reported being extremely under-resourced in tackling homophobic bullying in their schools.
Recent YouGov research for Stonewall found that nine in ten secondary school teachers said pupils currently experience homophobic bullying in their schools. Yet nine in ten teachers have never received any specific training on how to tackle the problem. One in five secondary school teachers said they would not feel comfortable addressing gay issues in the classroom and one in six said they would not feel confident responding if a pupil were to ask questions regarding gay issues.
FIT is an adaptation of Stonewall’s highly successful play for schools, which was seen on tour by 20,000 pupils in Britain in 2008-9. Pupil reactions to the play demonstrate how effective it has been in encouraging them to reassess their prejudices. Navdeep, a year 8 pupil at a south London school, said: ‘After watching FIT, we realised it was wrong to use the word gay as a cuss word. You shouldn’t outcast your friend if they’re gay.’
Chris Gibbons, Stonewall’s Senior Education Officer, said: ‘Overwhelming positive response to FIT as a touring play – from pupils and teachers alike – convinced us that a feature film would help every secondary school in Britain to challenge homophobic bullying. Teachers are still ill-equipped and unsure of how to deal with gay issues in their classrooms. Stonewall’s film for schools will help plug this gap.’
Writer / director of FIT Rikki Beadle-Blair said: ‘When on tour I would ask the kids how many people thought homosexuality was wrong. In every single school the vast majority, about 80%, would put their hands up. But kids would come up after the performance and say quite openly “I walked into this room homophobic and will leave it a changed person.”’
Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy has admitted that she left the BBC soap after her character became involved in a lesbian affair.
The 26-year-old actress - who has most recently been seen on Strictly Come Dancing - left the soap in 2007, following a decade of playing Sonia Jackson.
She told Reveal magazine she was uncomfortable with the lesbian affair her character had with her nursing colleague Naomi. "One of the reasons I left was because of the lesbian storyline I had - I felt that is wasn't right for Sonia," she said.
"Sometimes in soaps, people are so keen to get a shocking story that the character gets forgotten."
But the actress- who is returning to Albert Square on February 8 when Sonia is asked to be a bridesmaid at sister Bianca's wedding - said if she was to come back for good, she'd like a dramatic storyline, report PA.
Natalie said: "It would depend. I'd only do it if I had an exciting storyline. I'd hate to go back and dwindle in the background - I'd like Sonia to cause a stir!"
Officials at Sweden's sexual health organisation have been left open-mouthed after two newspapers refused to print their latest ad campaign - because it featured three naked women.
“We are really surprised because we don’t think it’s controversial,” Mikael Andersson of the Skåne-based affiliate of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, told the advertising trade magazine Resumé.
Both Sydsvenskan and City - two of the biggest papers in southern Sweden - refused to run the advertisement, one of four in a campaign entitled “Kärleken har många ansikten” (‘Love has many faces’).
The campaign, which includes both print and television ads, was part of an effort by local branch RFSL Rådgivning Skåne to strengthen the identity of homosexual, bisexual, and transgender people living in the region, report The Local.
According to Sydsvenskan editor-in-chief Daniel Sandström, the ad was wholly unacceptable because it recreated "a cliché-filled image of lesbian love.”
“I have no problem with printing provocative images; we had pictures from, among others, artist Andres Serrano,” he told Resumé, referring to the American artist behind controversial works such as “Piss Christ” and the “Blood and Semen” series.
But RFSL’s Andersson refuted the editor’s assertion, arguing instead that the picture was not a cliché image.
“They aren’t thought of as stereotypical images meant to tempt the viewer,” he explained in a statement. Rather it’s the models who are doing something between themselves.”
The Human Papilloma Virus - which is present in almost 100% of cervical cancer cases - can be transmitted in same sex relationships, according to a new report.
The report was published by Dr Julie Fish from De Montfort University in Leicester and has been used as part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme 2009 Annual Review.
Historically it was believed that the HPV virus could only be transmitted through heterosexual relationships, leading to the incorrect assumption that lesbians are not at risk from cervical cancer and do not need to be screened.
Although some lesbians may never have had a relationship with a man, there is a strong chance a partner may have.
Research shows that 80 per cent of lesbians have had a sexual relationship with a man at some stage in their life
Any exchange of bodily fluids can pass the HPV between two people, so a woman could contract the infection from her partner.
Dr Fish’s research also unveiled evidence of lesbians feeling discouraged from cervical screening by GPs and practice nurses.
“Some lesbian women have said they feel discouraged from being screened because they are asked questions such as how regularly they have sex with their husband or boyfriend or whether they use contraception with them,” Dr. Fish said.
“Such discourse conveys the assumption that cervical screening is only necessary for heterosexual women.”
Samantha Days, services manager for the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, said: “We take quite a few inquiries about cervical cancer, particularly since Jade Goody’s battle with the disease.
“We always encourage callers to go and be screened, and also suggest they challenge doctors or nurses who imply that it isn’t necessary.”
As a result of these findings Dr Fish is now calling for much clearer information to be made available to lesbians and healthcare staff to help dispel these myths.
“This report represents an important and very useful step in our efforts to tackle inequalities in screening uptake,” commented Professor Julietta Patnick CBE, director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programme.
“A clearer understanding of the transmission routes of HPV is crucial in helping to encourage all eligible women to accept screening invitations, enabling the programme to continue and improve its valuable work in detecting cancer early.
“As a result of Dr Fish’s work the NHS Cancer Screening Programme has now produced the first national screening leaflet for lesbians.”
Dr Fish added: “I am very pleased to have worked with the NHS Cancer Screening Programme on such an important issue. Results from last year’s National Cancer Equalities Initiatives survey made it apparent that lesbians have been a poorly represented group.
“It is a very important issue because lesbian women have died from cervical cancer in the past but I now hope that now this group of women will receive the information and care they need,” she concluded.
Dr Julie Fish has extensive experience as a researcher and has recently conducted a national project with Stonewall, the UK Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual lobbying organisation, which looked at lesbian and bisexual women’s health and social care needs.
A UK company which helps protect bespoke financial risks has launched a branch that specialises in lesbian and gay investments.
A networking group for professional gay and bisexual women is set to launch this week.
Casey Johnson, daughter of Johnson and Johnson's Woody Johnson, died from a complication with her diabetes after possibly not taking her medication correctly, it's been announced.
After over 400 years of giving free public lectures, London's historic Gresham College is giving its first lectures on the origins of homosexuality and civil partnerships in UK law.
The leader of the Conservative party, David Cameron, has said that no new legislation is needed to protect gay people - instead, there merely needs to be a cultural shift.
A disgruntled Disney fan is asking the media giant to create their first-ever gay character via social networking site, Facebook.
Hundreds of DIVA readers have taken part in an online poll to determine what issues political parties need to make an immediate priority, this decade.
Seasoned actress Natalie Portman has confessed that she was "terrified" when she had to kiss fellow actrss Mila Kunis in her latest film, Black Swan.
Harriet Harman, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has backed down against forcing religious leaders to implement equality on who they can employ via legislation.
Readers of DIVA are being asked to compile their own election manifesto this month - for presentation to the three main political parties ahead of the general election.
A pair of female royal albatrosses have become parents to a chick in New Zealand's Otago Peninsula, today.
A legal challenge on the ban of same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships is being prepared by gay human rights group OutRage!, this week.
Pope Benedict XVI has claimed that Harriet Harman's Equality Bill will discriminate against religious communities. 
Stonewall’s Ben Summerskill has claimed that a new film for schools is one of the achievements he is most proud of.
Voting records sourced from public info website theyworkforyou.com has revealed a major disparity of LGBT voting records between the Conservative and Labour party.
A new study by the NHS has claimed that Scotland is home to “deeply rooted prejudice based on fear of difference” and says that it's directly linked to mental health problems.
A lesbian mother, who lost custody of her child even though she was "doing well" in her care, has won the right appeal against the decision. 
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will host the poetry equivalent of Live Aid for victims of the Haiti earthquake, it has been announced.
Conservative leader David Cameron has claimed that teaching children about gay relationship is essential for the future of well-rounded education, DIVA can report.
Online dating service eHarmony has agreed to settle a lawsuit that claimed it discriminated against gays and lesbians. 
Public attitudes to homosexuality are becoming more liberal, according to a new government-backed survey released today.
More than 5,000 athletes from across Europe and the world have so far signed up to take part in this summer’s Gay Games which will take place in Cologne, Germany from 31 July – 7 August.
Earlier today the BBC announced that it has commissioned a major new piece of research to understand how successfully the lesbian, gay and bisexual community is portrayed by the broadcaster.
Singer Kylie Minogue is attracted to women and men, according to her latest magazine interview.
Brighton Pride will definitely go ahead in 2010 following confirmation of a £20,000 loan from Brighton and Hove City Council.
In February, Stonewall will send every secondary school in Britain a copy of its DVD FIT - the first feature film for schools to tackle homophobic bullying.
Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy has admitted that she left the BBC soap after her character became involved in a lesbian affair.
Officials at Sweden's sexual health organisation have been left open-mouthed after two newspapers refused to print their latest ad campaign - because it featured three naked women.
The Human Papilloma Virus - which is present in almost 100% of cervical cancer cases - can be transmitted in same sex relationships, according to a new report.
