[img2=left]images/news/anitaroddick.jpg[/img2]Dame Anita Roddick, who built a retail empire while taking an ethical approach to business, has revealed she contracted the Hepatitis C virus and is now suffering liver damage.

A blood transfusion she received in 1971 while giving birth to her youngest child was the source of the infection.

Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976 and sold her stake in the 2000-store chain to cosmetics giant L’Oreal for £652m last year.

The "Hep C" virus can cause liver damage and cancer, and gay men have become increasingly infected.

The virus, which is transmitted through bodily fluids, displays few symptoms.

"I want to blow the whistle on the fact that Hep C must be taken seriously as a public health challenge and must get the attention and resources that it needs," Dame Anita wrote on her blog.

Will Nutland, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

"Hepatitis C is an increasing problem for gay men.

"It can be the most damaging type of hepatitis and even though it can have no symptoms for many years, in the longer term it can also cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer and death.

"Until recently hepatitis C was thought only to be transmitted through blood, and rarely through sex.

"However, many more gay men have been diagnosed with the disease recently and it is now thought that unprotected anal sex and fisting also transmit the virus."

There is no preventative vaccine for Hepatitis C infection, but some treatments can be effective in around 50% of cases.

Dame Anita was critical of the British government's approach, and urged people to get tested:

"Hep C has been called a 'silent killer' because you can go for years with no symptoms. It is also a silent killer because it's just not being diagnosed and dealt with in an effective way," she wrote.

"Nine out of ten of us who have hep C simply don't know they've got it. The Government in this country doesn't seem to have had a very vigorous response to hep C.

"If you look at somewhere like France, half the people with the virus have already been diagnosed. But in this country we’re way behind; only 1 in 10 people with hepatitis C have been diagnosed."

Drag performer DQ will represent Denmark at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

He won the Danish Melodi Grand Prix, which decides who will represent the country the contest, on Saturday night.

Televised in this country by the BBC, it will be held Helsinki, Finland, on the 12th of May.

Due to the large number of European nations now wanting to take part, some countries, among them Denmark, have to go through a semi-final knock-out the previous Thursday.

DQ's selection as the Danish entry is not the first time that a member of the LGBT community has taken part in contest, which is watched by hundreds of millions across the world.

In 1998, a transsexual pop singer, Dana International, won the contest for Israel.

Last year Eurovision was rocked by political voting and a shock win by Finnish heavy metal band Lordi.

The group, in monster masks and chains, won the contest in Athens with 292 points for their controversial entry, Hard Rock Hallelujah.

None of the "big four" countries made the top ten and Eastern European, Balkan, Baltic and Scandinavian countries all voted for their neighbours.

The UK do not have to qualify through the semi-final as they are a major contributor to the European Broadcasting Union, which runs the contest, now in its 51st year.

Denmark has won twice, in 1963 and 2000. For over a decade in the 1960's and 70's they declined to take part as they thought the contest too low-brow.

Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, which is the current record, though they have not done so since 1996.

The UK has won five times and have achieved the best cumulative points record of any country by coming second a total of fifteen times.

The 2007 British entry will be chosen by phone vote later this year.

Gary Frisch, the co-founder of website Gaydar, fell to his death from the balcony of his eight-floor apartment.

The 38-year-old may have fallen accidentally or jumped from the balcony in Battersea on Saturday afternoon, reports yourlocalguardian.co.uk

Mr Frisch co-founded Gaydar in 1999, and it has grown into arguably the most influential gay site in the world. Their network of sites serves more than 300 million page impressions per month

Recently police forces have been using the site as a way to allow gay people to report hate crimes.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating Mr Frisch's death but are not treating it as suspicious.

QSoft publishing, who own the Gaydar brand released a statement earlier today:

"Gary was a highly regarded leader and colleague who cared first and foremost about the gay and lesbian community that we serve. He was an accomplished entrepreneur and a very generous man who also cared deeply about the people who worked for and with him.

"Gary's legacy as a co-founder of the Gaydar phenomenon is immense and it is one that we shall both celebrate and continue into the future. Gary will never be forgotten and is deeply missed by us all."

QSoft said that an event planned this Thursday, February 15 in London to mark the fifth birthday of GaydarRadio would go ahead as planned.

(London) A UK drug store chain will begin test marketing over the counter Viagra beginning on Valentine's Day. Until now the drug was available only by prescription.

Boots Chemist Stores announced Sunday that the pilot program will be launched in Manchester and is expected to last six months. After that time Boots will consider whether to expand it to other pharmacies.

Men between 30 and 65 wishing to buy the drug will be required to undergo a meeting with a pharmacist that would last about about an hour and cover medical history and tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

The men would also be counseled on potential side effects of the drug.

Then for about £50 ($100 US) they will receive a pack of four pills. If they want a refill, they would be required to see a doctor.

But in the US there is growing concern among some AIDS care workers that Viagra is being used as a party drug and is helping fuel rising rates of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men.

Last month one of the nation's largest HIV/AIDS healthcare providers filed suit against Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra accusing it of encouraging the recreational use of the drug and in doing so contributing to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.

Healthcare Foundation's lawsuit alleges that Pfizer engaged in "unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices" in violation of California Business and Professions Code.

The lawsuit wants the court to direct the company to begin a public education program primarily aimed at men who have sex with men "about the increased risks of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases associated with using Pfizer's Viagra."

The suit has the backing of Dr. Jeffrey D. Klausner, the Director, STD Prevention at the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

"Several of our studies and those I reviewed for my research showed strong independent associations between the use of Viagra and increased sexual risk behavior, including an increased risk for diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV infection," said Klausner when the lawsuit was announced.

"The promotion of Viagra for what some have called 'recreational use' must be stopped. Why the FDA has not acted on this is unclear to me," Klausner said.

Pfizer has denied any wrongdoing and has said it will fight the lawsuit in court.

These ads were recently withdrawn after complaints from various gay civil rights groups in the US.

They feature two comically stupid guys in a workshop. As one eats a Snickers bar, the other starts eating the other end, as in the ‘spaghetti scene’ in Disney’s ‘Lady and the Tramp’.

They inadvertently wind up kissing, albeit very briefly. Horrified at this seemingly horrific turn of events, the two attempt to erase the incident by ‘doing something manly’. They chose to rip hair from their chests to re-establish their masculinity.

This is the main ad...


and this is one of the alternate endings they made...

After much spin, threats of blackmail and swirling cassocks, it seems that for now, the Catholic church will have to accept gay adoptions.

Despite the Anglicans joining the fray, the education secretary, Alan Johnson, today confirmed reports that the Catholic church has lost its battle for special treatment over gay adoption rules.

The no-frills statement brings to an end weeks of speculation over the issue, fuelled by the idea that Tony Blair and the communities secretary, Ruth Kelly - were sympathetic to the concerns of the Catholic church. It seems that the apparent Catholic fringe have been forced to back down at the prospect a full-blown cabinet revolt.

Asked this morning on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether he thought the government would resist calls for an exemption, Mr Johnson, who is also the minister for adoption, said: "Yes, I do."

The government asserted there was no case for an exemption when consultation began last year, he said.

"The primary concern, of course, has to be the children concerned in the adoption process and I very much hope the Catholic church does continue to provide the important service that they do.

"But if they don't, I think we can ensure that children are not disadvantaged by that. "And I cannot see a case for introducing legislation that protects gays and lesbians from discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation and then allowing in terms, as part of public policy, that discrimination to continue."

Asked whether Mr Blair's view was the same, he said: "Yes, I think it is."

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has welcomed the Government's reported promise not to grant religious exemptions to the Sexual Orientation Regulations, but predicts a lengthy skirmish.

GALHA's secretary George Broadhead said: "The new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) will soon begin operating. It is an umbrella organisation trying to protect the rights of all minorities. It has religion and belief as well as sexual orientation within its remit, and this latest battle over adoption agencies shows just how difficult it is going to be to reconcile the two."

Mr Broadhead said: "This problem of religious homophobia is not going to go away. As individual discrimination cases arise, Trevor Phillips, the head of the new commission, will have to try to decide whose rights are paramount.

“In the area of equality, there can be no compromise - gay people must be given complete protection from aggressive religious homophobia. There must be no conscience clauses, exemptions or special arrangements anywhere in law that allow religious groups to discriminate where no-one else can."

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall said: "As you know, we’ve faced an exceptionally hateful and inflammatory campaign against our new ‘goods and services’ protections. This outcome is a huge success and we’re absolutely delighted at the government’s decision. The exemptions which Catholic bishops and others were demanding would have denied some of Britain’s most vulnerable young people a loving home, as well as stigmatising lesbian and gay parents and the many children they raise in stable, loving families.

"Today’s news is a real triumph for 21st century tolerance over 19th century prejudice. It is also a real tribute to the professionalism and dedication of so many staff at Stonewall. However, it would simply not have been possible without the support of so many people across Britain too."

Russia's president, asked Thursday about the Moscow mayor's shocking description of gay parades as 'Satanic', sidestepped a direct answer, and didn't use the opportunity to critisise the mayor.

Putin told a Kremlin news conference he respects human freedoms, but obliquely joked that issue of sexual minorities is linked to the demographic problem in the country.

"I link this issue to the performance of my duties and one of the main problems in the country - demography," Vladimir Putin told a news conference in the Kremlin, in reply to a question on whether he agreed with Mayor Luzhkov that gay parades are "Satanic."

Quite what that means is anybody's guess, but it sounds like he's been taking lessons at the New Labour School of Circuitous Claptrap.

The cranky 70-year-old mayor, who has been in office since 1992, had said on Monday he would never allow a gay parade to take place in Moscow despite pressure from the West.

Luzhkov said, "Last year, Moscow came under unprecedented pressure to sanction the gay parade, which can be described in no other way than as Satanic. We did not let the parade take place then, and we are not going to allow it in the future."

This is the second time Moscow authorities have banned a gay parade in Moscow. On May 26, 2006, a Moscow district court upheld a Moscow government resolution prohibiting a gay march, which was scheduled for the next day, as opposition to the planned event was strong in Russia, especially from the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious leaders.

About 200 people ignored the ban and took to the streets in a proud protest and to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Russia.

Unfortunately, this brave demonstration was met by vicious anti-gay protestors from the Orothodox church and right-wing skinhead youths. Arrests were made on both sides, but the gay marchers claimed the police allowed homophobic violence to occur unchecked.

The Australian government has announced new legislation which would block gay and lesbian couples from adopting foreign children.

The bill, prohibiting recognition of foreign adoptions, will be introduced in the next session Parliament, which begins next week.

Queensland Democrat senator Guy Bartlett has slammed the legislation, warning it as an example of the government's "wedge politics", intentionally divisive prior to this year’s election.

"It won't even prevent an adoption; it will just leave children who have been adopted with reduced legal and social recognition and protection, and a less stable family environment," Senator Bartlett wrote on website.

"As soon as the family walks through Australian customs, the child will cease to have two legal parents and one of the parents will cease to have any legal rights or responsibilities for their child."

Gay groups have also expressed dismay wth Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson Rodney Croome saying the bill "threatens to legally sunder existing families."

While many Australian states have legalised rights for gay couples, the federal government firmly defines marriage between a man and a woman. Prime Minister John Howard has confirmed opposition to gay marriage despite an ongoing Human Rights and Equal Opportunity's investigation into the inequalities faced by same-sex couples.

The UK Government is considering installing X-ray cameras on lampposts to spot armed terrorists and other criminals.

According to a leaked memo seen by The Sun, "detection of weapons and explosives will become easier" if the scheme drawn up by Home Office officials is adopted.

However, officials acknowledged that it would be highly controversial as the cameras can "see" through clothing.

"The social acceptability of routine intrusive detection measures and the operational response required

in the event of an alarm are likely to be limiting factors," the memo warned.
"Privacy is an issue because the machines see through clothing."

The Sun reported that the memo, dated January 17, was drawn up by the Home Office for the Prime Minister's working group on security crime and justice.

It noted that some technologies used for airport security had already been used in police operations searching for drugs and weapons in nightclubs.

"These and other could be developed for a much more widespread use in public places," it said.

"Street furniture could routinely house detection systems that would indicate the likely presence of a gun for example."

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We don't comment on leaked documents".

this is terrible. what a terrible thing to happen. i'd hate to be nearly swallowed by a shark. anyone else got any good swallowing stories??

FROM BBC NEWS:
Diver escapes from shark's jaws

An Australian diver has escaped from the jaws of a Great White shark which had grabbed him by the head.

Eric Nerhus, 41, was diving off Cape Howe on Australia's south-east coast when he was attacked. A fellow diver said the three-metre (10-foot) shark bit Mr Nerhus from the head down, crushing his face mask inwards and breaking his nose.

He managed to break free and was hauled aboard a waiting boat. His condition is described as serious but stable. "Eric is a tough boy, he's super-fit," his friend and fellow diver Dennis Luobikis told reporters.

"But I would say that would test anyone's resolve, being a fish lunch." Mr Luobikis, Mr Nerhus and his son - as well as other friends - were fishing for abalone off the coast, some 400km (249 miles) south of Sydney, when the attack happened.

"He was actually bitten by the head down, the shark swallowed his head," Mr Luobikis said. The shark then took a second bite, this time seizing Mr Nerhus by the body and biting into his torso.

Mr Luobikis said his friend "pushed his abalone chisel" into the shark's head, managing to wrestle himself free before the shark swam away. He was hauled aboard the boat by his 25-year-old son, and taken to hospital where doctors said he was suffering from blood loss and shock.

Shark attacks are not uncommon in Australian waters, the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says. There are around 15 a year - one of the highest rates in the world. An average of one a year is fatal.