Gay adoption may soon be legal in Northern Ireland

by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Boston

A ban on adoption by unmarried couples has been reversed by the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, possibly opening the way to adoptions by gay couples.

As reported in a June 18 article by the Belfast Telegraph, a Northern Irish unmarried heterosexual couple had contested the ban, taking their challenge to the highest court in the United Kingdom, where, in a 4-1 decision, the ban on unmarried couples adopting children was struck down.

But some now worry that two men or two women will seek similar family consideration from the law.

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Homophobic abuse fails to disrupt gay football final

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk

The Gay Football Supporters' Network (GFSN) National League Cup final ended in victory for Village Manchester FC over Leicester Widecats, in what was described as another nail-biting game.

Homophobic abuse was shouted by some local people who had gained entrance to the ground.

Taunts were directed at players, management and supporters of both clubs – although with help from ground-staff the perpetrators were soon asked to leave the ground.

"Such attitudes are the very reason why sport can be a barrier for LGBT people and why the GFSN and its members will continue its hugely successful campaign to rid homophobia from the terraces, working with professional football clubs and The Football Association," said GFSN campaigns manager Chris Basiurski.

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Gay worker wins workplace sexual harassment case

A gay airport security guard could win up to £30,000 in compensation after a woman colleague sexually harassed him by pestering him for sex.

Allwyn Rondeau, 46, made it clear to Lucy Chilton that he was homosexual and not interested after she told his supervisor that she fancied him.

But Miss Chilton, 42, persistently tried to seduce him with inappropriate behaviour and mocked his sexuality.

Mr Rondeau was forced to complain after they argued and Chilton reported him for allegedly grabbing her from behind. He said: "It shocked and appalled me."

He made a counter-claim but was suspended in January 2007 until her claims were rejected by their firm G4S.

Mr Rondeau, of Feltham, South West London, has not returned to work since due to anxiety and depression.

Miss Chilton, of Staines, Surrey, denied harassing him but the Reading tribunal found she had "acted in a similar way towards other men." An employment lawyer from Equal Justice said he could be awarded up to £30,000.

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