Listen to interviews with MSP Patrick Harvie (Scottish Greens) and Tim Hopkins (Equality Network) by Ashley Toner

MSP Patrick Harvie

The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill is currently going through the Scottish Parliament. If successful, it will create provisions in the law which will formally recognise homophobia and transphobia as aggravations for hate crime.

The Justice Committee will meet next week to hear evidence including research prepared by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations throughout the country.

The bill was introduced in parliament by Patrick Harvie MSP on the 19^th May 2008. He gave an exclusive interview to Dunedin Napier News expressing his hopes for the bill.

Most couples in the UK don’t have to fight to be considered mums and dads in the eyes of the law. But many same-sex couples do. Stonewall Scotland have worked tirelessly to change the adoption and fostering regulations in Britain.

What if a gay couple decide to plan for a child together?

And can lesbian couples access safe, legal fertility treatment?

Click here to listen to the full story, including an interview with Stonewall Scotland, by Ashley Toner.

Following a recent disagreement between the two largest gay pride organisations in Scotland, Pride Scotia (Glasgow) Ltd has now broken away from Pride Scotia to form its own entity as Pride Glasgow Ltd. Both cities will now no longer co-operate to organise gay pride events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, traditionally rotating city each year. Pride Scotia, now only operating in the capital, have promised to maintain their commitment to the community through co-ordinating the parade and other festivities every two years. The next pride even in Edinburgh is due to take place in the summer of 2009, with a provisional date of July 27th.

The Glasgow branch plan to begin the festivities this year in George’s Square at 10 a.m. on a sunny day in August. The date has yet to be confirmed.

At present, the new organisation has gained the support of three sponsors for this years pride event. QS Mag, Glasgow’s LGBT Centre and the Pink Paperhave all committed to sponsoring the company for Pride 2008. They are however still in need of more sponsors to ensure the day is as successful as possible. Pride Glasgow’s website details ways in which companies, LGBT organisations and individuals can get involved to make Pride 2008 the most memorable yet.

Female Gay Quarters? I think not.

So, word on the street is that GHQ are opening up a new ‘lesbian’ quarter. ‘Furburger‘ is to launch in the new female section of the club on Friday 13th of June. They’ve even gone to the lengths of naming it: FHQ. God, we’ve all worked out the acronym by now, guys. Feelings are mixed. Being such a ’secluded’ sector of the community, does it really make sense to start segregating ourselves? I mean, is it just me or was everyone else under the impression that GHQ was the new gay club in town for men and women alike? The launch of FHQ has now thrown everything up in the air… Surely, this will not be good for business? The only other ‘ladies’ night on the scene is Velvet which, the last time I checked, wasn’t too happenin’. And when was the last time the old faithful lesbian hang-out, Planet Out, turned away the boys? Er, never?

Although, auld CC’s died a death when GHQ opened last year. So maybe the new laydee’s club will attract the lonely looking girlies from the dark corners of Planet and the Regent.  

Hmm, this seems all too much like a bad move for both business and community in my view. Nothing beats a good night out with the boys, right?

I for one will certainly not be rushing to check out ‘Furburger’ at FHQ. I’m sure I’m not alone in complaining that I’ll have no one decent to dance with if I can’t drag along my male dancing parter to shake my ass with on the dance floor.

FHQ? No thanks.

But in case you are interested, Check out their Bebo for regular updates.