[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/nationalcomingoutday.jpg[/img2]Bisexual people should use National Coming Out Day as a way of coming out of the closet, a group has said.

The Bisexual Index, a network of activists, says that the 'B' in LGBT is too often silent and that bisexual people are often faced with prejudice.

It has created a badge that can be posted on web pages and is urging people to use them on blogs and social networking sites on October 12th, which is National Coming Out Day.

Marcus Morgan, co-ordinator of the Bisexual Index and chair of next year's International Conference on Bisexuality, told PinkNews.co.uk: "When I came out, I came out as a gay teenager – it was a huge shock to my parents and family, although most of my friends were struggling with the decision of whether or not to come out themselves. I got a lot of support from them, and the local gay community.

"Years later when I realised I was bisexual it was different. My gay friends accused me of being 'straight all along', despite the fact that at that point I'd had boyfriends but no girlfriends.

"When I rang the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard and asked if there were any bisexual groups I was told by the volunteer that before he'd give me details of such things he felt 'obliged' to ask me if I was sure that was what I wanted. We get a lot of calls from bisexuals, he said, and apparently he always asked them if it wouldn't be easier to come out as gay, "without all the pretence".

"When I explained that I had come out as gay to my parents and that I wasn't trying to ease myself out of that closet, his response was that I was presumably making the reverse journey – I was doing this as a precursor to becoming straight!"

Morgan added that these kind of myths can make coming out as bisexual harder than coming out as gay.

He said: "Coming out as bisexual is harder for many people – because of these sort of attitudes towards the validity of bisexuality, the lack of information for bisexuals and the assumptions that get made, it's like the closet door faces uphill."

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/spiritbar.jpg[/img2]Spirit Bar in Canal Street was packed to its 650-person capacity on Tuesday night as the Tories held their first-ever official gay event.

The event was attended by many high-profile Conservative MPs and shadow cabinet ministers including shadow equalities minister Theresa May and party chairman Eric Pickles.

The event drew protests from Christian groups who held a protest along the entrance of Canal Street. Andrew Clarke, national campaign manager for Christian Watch, was among them:

"We are here this evening because we want the people to go back to biblical principles, we want to save peoples souls," he said.

"I’ve actually had a really enjoyable evening and we have had a lot of interesting conversations with people this evening.

"I don’t think that we are going to have any effect on the choices that gay people make, but our priority is to save people's souls, which is why we felt we had to come here today."

The event also drew lively protests from members of the gay community, fearful of what a Conservative government might mean for them.

Local resident Mathew Helbert told PinkNews.co.uk: "I find it offensive that the Tories are here today, we fought for so many years for equality which they tried to stop and now they’re here. I’m worried that if the Tories get back in to power then all of the good work that we have done will have been for nothing.

"The gay village wouldn’t have existed if they had their way."

Party chairman Eric Pickles told partygoers: "We’re very, very proud of this event tonight and I think that this has shown just how far the Conservatives have come.

"Next year I want to see another official gay pride night and I hope to see you all there!"

Openly gay shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert told the crowd he was "living proof" of the fact the party had changed.

He said: "I am lucky enough to be in David Cameron's shadow cabinet as an out gay man, I was elected as an out gay man, I have never experienced any prejudice or obstacle along the way."

Herbert added that the party was proof that "gay people are not the property of the left."

Party host and Conservative blogger Iain Dale told PinkNews.co.uk: "I’m really pleased that so many people have come and that people are having such a great time, I think that it is really important that we have events like this."

There was much speculation at the non-attendance of Ben Summerskill who was expected to speak at the event. Summerskill pulled out at the last minute, citing concerns over Tory allies in Europe.

"It’s a shame that he has made the decision not to come," Dale commented. "He’s behaved in a disgraceful way."

Also in attendance were Shailesh Vara, shadow deputy leader of the house, Margot James, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge, Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate and shadow immigration minister Damian Green.

The £15-a-head party was held outside the conference secure zone, allowing non-party members to attend.

"The interest in the Conference Pride party has been phenomenal," said party organiser Scott Seaman-Digby. "It has become the event to be seen at."

The bar served a number of cocktails specially created for the evening including one called ‘The Cameron PM'.

"There has always be an unofficial gay event at Conservative Conference," one reveller said, "but I think that having an official event and having such a large amount of support from leading people in the party means a lot to us and should mean a lot to the Conservatives."

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/georgemichaelkennygoss.jpg[/img2]Singer George Michael has said there is no truth in reports that he and long-term partner Kenny Goss have split up.

Reports claimed this week that Goss had become sick of Michael's brushes with the law for drug use.

It was said that he left in December after the star was arrested for drug possession in a public toilet on Hampstead Heath.

However, Michael is now claiming that Goss is away preparing for an exhibition in Dallas.

A spokesperson for the star said: "There is no truth in the matter at all. Kenny has been away in Dallas where he owns a gallery but is scheduled to return home this Friday. They are planning a lovely weekend together."

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/gayparents.jpg[/img2]A study of adoptive parents has found "no significant difference" in emotional problems experienced by children brought up by gay adoptive parents.

The US research, published in this month's Adoption Quarterly, surveyed 1,384 couples, 155 of whom were gay.

All were asked about their family structures, the child's history before being adopted, his or her current emotional state and family interactions.

While sexual orientation of parents was not found to be a factor in emotional problems, age and pre-adoptive sexual abuse were found to be the most likely indicators of distress.

The research was authored by Scott Ryan, the new dean of the University of Texas School of Social Work, and Paige Averett and Blace Nalavany, assistant professors of social work at East Carolina University.

Ryan commented: "Our research shows that there is no difference in children raised by gay or lesbian parents and heterosexual parents. People are people."

He added that Florida has the only adoption system that specifically prohibits gay and lesbian persons from adopting children and asks all adoptive parents to sign an affidavit stating they are not gay. Yet gay and lesbian couples can be foster parents there, he said.

Texas allows gay and lesbian couples to adopt.

Averett said: "There are implications for social work educators, adoption professionals, and policy makers in this and other recent studies.

"We must pay attention to the data indicating that gay and lesbian parents are as fit as heterosexual parents to adopt, because at least 130,000 children are depending on us to act as informed advocates on their behalf."

The factors which were found to increase a child's happiness were a rise in annual income and parental satisfaction with the help received during the adoption process.

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/terrencehigginstrust.jpg[/img2]Sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is now offering an HIV test which can be used four weeks after infection.

Usually, tests can only be carried out three months after the date of suspected transmission.

Those at highest risk of HIV infection are gay men and Africans.

The blood test, which involve a finger prick, will be used at THT’s Fastest clinics and results are normally available in approximately 20 minutes. If the test result is positive, staff will advise another test is taken to confirm the diagnosis.

Dr Michael Brady, medical director at THT, said "If you’re worried you’ve been exposed to HIV waiting three months for an accurate test result can be agonising. Technology has now moved on, so we’re able to offer reliable tests earlier. If you think you’ve been at risk or you’re in a high risk group you should consider getting a test. It’s quick, confidential and could put your mind at rest."

To find out if there is a Fastest clinic near you visit [SIZE=2]www.tht.org.uk/fastest[/SIZE] or call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/gaymarine.jpg[/img2]A billboard advertisement in Memphis featuring a former US marine and the tagline "I'm gay and I protected your freedom" has been torn down by vandals.

The ad was part of a series of five put up by Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Centre (MGLCC) as part of National Coming Out Day, in which gays and lesbians are encouraged to tell someone about their sexuality.

According to reports, the poster was completely removed on Friday night.

It featured Tim Smith, a former US marine, in full uniform.

Police have not said whether they have any suspects in custody.

Heidi Williams, the presudent of MGLCC, told WMC-TV: "I know that they intended to silence us with hate. However, we are choosing to unite and come over that with a stronger voice, and a message that we are here – and we deserve equality as well as everyone else."

The organisation is urging police to conduct a full investigation and is planning to hold a rally next weekend over the incident.

Nation Coming Out Day takes place on October 11th.

If true, this is indeed good news ...

HIV breakthrough as scientists discover new vaccine to prevent infection | World news | guardian.co.uk

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/baby.jpg[/img2]Gay couples in Scotland will be permitted to adopt children together from next week.

Currently, a gay person can adopt a child but their partner has no legal rights or responsibilities as a parent.

The new provision will come into law on Monday September 28th and will bring Scotland in line with England and Wales on gay adoptions.

It was welcomed by Carl Watt, the director of Stonewall Scotland, who said: "What all children need and deserve most of all is a safe, secure, loving and stable home environment and same sex couples are equally able to provide this as opposite sex couples.

"This legislation also means that there will be hopefully fewer children in care homes and more with homes and families of their own."

Adoptions by gay individuals in Scotland are thought to be rare, with only two cases in Edinburgh.

The Catholic church in Scotland has already criticised the new rights, saying that gay relationships are not stable enough to care for children.

Spokesman Peter Kearney told the Herald: "Children need security and stability and civil partnerships and same-sex relationships are profoundly unstable.

"This change is unlikely to have an effect on the shortage of adoptive parents because there are very few same-sex couples interested in adoption.

"It would have been better if the government had launched a campaign to encourage heterosexual married couples to consider adopting."

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/touristoffice.jpg[/img2]Plans have been unveiled which will provide LGBT tourists and London's community with its first ever purpose built LGBT tourist information office.

The office, which will open later this year, will be the first time that tourists and the gay community will have an information centre specifically tailored LGBT needs.

The idea is the brainchild of Ku Bar owner Gary Henshaw and project manager Shaun Newport. Shaun said:

"The majority of the time LGBT travellers have the same needs as straight travellers, what we want to do is provide that extra bit of inside knowledge that can help LGBT people when in another country.

"You may be Gay, Spanish and Catholic and looking for a gay friendly Catholic Church, we would be able to help you in a way that many more mainstream tourist offices wouldn't."

The tourist office is also aimed at members of the London gay community who may want advice on everything from what art exhibitions to advice on where to go for health check ups.

"London gay scene is massive and as it grows it can become increasingly difficult to find something that is gay AND relevant to you. Not every gay man wants to go to the same sort of bar."

The office will also link up with local businesses offering discounts and promotions to popular places for gay travellers.

The Gay Tourist Office will be situated above Ku Bar Lisle Street, situated a stones throw away from Londons Leicester Square.

If you would like to get involved in the Gay Tourist Office email Shaun Newport at [email protected]

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/eltonandbaby.jpg[/img2]A Ukrainian minister said today that gay pop star Elton John will not be allowed to adopt a child from the country because he is not married and is too old.

The star visited an orphanage last week and said the experience had changed his mind about adopting. He added that one little boy, whose parents had died of AIDS, had "stolen my heart".

Although Sir Elton and his partner David Furnish are in a civil partnership, Ukraine does not recognise this as marriage.

In addition, family, youth and sports minister Yuriy Pavlenko told Associated Press that at 62, the star is too old as there cannot be more than a 45-year age gap between a child and an adoptive parent.

Sir Elton and Furnish have already come under fire from various adoption charities.

Save the Children UK said that international adopting can set a dangerous precedent in encouraging poor parents to give up their children in the hope of a better life for them.

In July, Ukraine hit the gay press for banning the film Bruno, which features a gay journalist.

The country's culture ministry said that the film included an "artistically unjustified exhibition of sexual organs and sexual relations, homosexual acts in a blatantly graphic form, obscene language, sadism [and] anti-social behaviour which could damage the moral upbringing of our citizens."