Latest Petition about Alan Turing

There are two new petitions concerning Alan Turing: one to get his face on the £10 note, one to erect a plinth in Trafalgar Square.

“The latest petition to honour the memory of Alan Turing – the man who invented the modern computer and cracked the Enigma Machine in WWII – calls for his face to be featured on the reverse of the next £10 note.”

Tony Blair is back!

The Liberian president prepares to usher in anti-gay laws, and Tony Blair’s charity Africa Governance Initiative looks the other way.

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back into international waters, the devious fin of Tony Blair appears on the horizon, and his unique brand of opportunistic insincerity threatens to pull you under.”

LLGFF 2012.

The London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 23 March 23 – April 1, 2012, is one of the most important events in the LGBT arts and culture calendar.

“As part of the LLGFF, the BFI is screening four key films from The Celluloid Closet: Queen Christina (1933), Morocco (1930), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), and Spartacus (1960). This is a great chance to see these classic films as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen.”

Sex Toys for all inmates!

Zimbabwe senator Sithembile Mlotshwa recommends sex toys in prison to prevent homosexuality and claims this is more important than feeding prisoners.

“Right now Mlotshwa is deeply troubled by homosexual behaviour in prisons, and she is determined to root it out, at any cost. After many a troubled night, no doubt, she has reached a conclusion: her solution is to furnish prisons with sex toys.”

Wallis Bird, Alp Haydar and Weekend

The second Polari Magazine podcast features interviews with Alp Haydar, Andrew Haigh, the director of Weekend, and Chris New, one of the film’s two main characters. With music by Wallis Bird.

US Preacher Sued For Incitement

The US Preacher Scott Lively Sued For Incitement by the group Sexual Minorities Uganda.

“Lively is the author of, among other fruity titles, a book called ‘The Pink Swastika’ (1996). This argues that a certain amount of Nazis were gay, and that the gay man is a natural fascist who would take away your rights if you give him half a chance, that sort of thing..”

Homophobia Goes Wild in the Twittersphere

On the trending #ToMyUnbornChild, and how hundreds of Twitter users said they’d kill their own child if it turned out to be gay.

“It’s all decidedly mediaeval, and rather like a virtual witch burning. But like so many music videos, it’s about displaying attitude, and not actually doing and/or being anything.”

700 miles for Diversity Role Models

The organisation Diversity Role Models tackles homophobic bullying in schools. Andrew Makin is cycling 700 miles to raise money to support this essential charity.

“Not only does Diversity Role Models help the young, it is changing the standing of all LGBT people for the better. By educating schoolchildren, and challenging the remnants of homophobia in popular culture, it breaks down barriers by showing LGBT individuals as real people.”

Born this way video goes viral

Jessica Romani posted a video to YouTube of her father showing her brother Dylan his “born this way” tattoo. Wipeout Homophobia on Facebook posted the link and it went viral.

“This video humanises what is all too often dehumanised by bigotry. It shows a father expressing his love for his son; it shows what the ‘issues’ mean to real people.”

Sign the Coalition for Equal Marriage Petition

There is no reason not to sign this petition if you stand for LGBT equality. It is not just about marriage, after all.

“The marriage debate has generated much hot air, especially from those who oppose it, but the issue is a simple one. It is about equal rights. You either believe in equality, or you do not.”