A report presented updated research on the the portrayal of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people on the BBC. Many lesbian, gay, and bisexual people felt that they were still under-represented by all broadcasters. Experts who were consulted called for more mainstream inclusion in news and existing affairs, and more creative and realistic depictions in factual and drama television.
Source: Portrayal of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People on the BBC: Research Update, BBC
Links: Report | Experts report | BBC Trust press release | LGF press release | Daily Mail report | PinkNews report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Dec
A new book examined the different philosophical and legal theories that had dealt with the gender category, highlighting the conceptual premises and the arguments of the most influential theories in the debate (with reference to intersexuality, transsexualism, transgender, and homosexuality).
Source: Laura Palazzani, Gender in Philosophy and Law, Springer
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Dec
The government announced (following consultation) plans to allow same-sex couples in England and Wales to marry in civil ceremonies. It would remain illegal for the established churches (the Church of England and the Church in Wales) to marry same-sex couples.
Source: Equal Marriage: The Government's Response, Government Equalities Office
Links: Consultation response | GEO press release | BHA press release | Brook/FPA press release | Evangelical Alliance press release | Fawcett Society press release | Labour Party press release | LGF press release | Liberty press release | Methodist Church press release | SPUC press release | Stonewall press release | TUC press release | BBC report | Ekklesia report | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2) | Telegraph report
Notes: Consultation document
Date: 2012-Dec
A report examined the everyday experiences of people with disabilities who identified as lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender in Northern Ireland.
Source: Simon McClenahan, Multiple Identity; Multiple Exclusions and Human Rights: The experiences of people with disabilities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people living in Northern Ireland, Disability Action/Rainbow Project
Links: Report | ECNI press release
Date: 2012-Nov
A study examined what the concept of 'community' meant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) people.
Source: Eleanor Formby, Solidarity but not Similarity? LGBT communities in the twenty-first century, Centre for Education and Inclusion Research (Sheffield Hallam University)
Date: 2012-Nov
A paper made a series of recommendations designed to tackle the multiple discrimination suffered by older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersexual people in Europe.
Source: Equality for Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe, AGE Platform Europe/European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Nov
A report said that hate crime in the EU was increasing, despite the 'best efforts' of member states to root it out. Verbal abuse, physical attacks, and murders motivated by prejudice affected a wide range of groups, including visible minorities to those with disabilities. A linked report examined victims' experiences.
Source: Making Hate Crime Visible in the European Union: Acknowledging victims rights, European Agency for Fundamental Rights | Minorities as Victims of Crime, European Agency for Fundamental Rights
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | FRA press release
Date: 2012-Nov
A paper said that the coalition government's proposal to introduce same-sex marriage seemed to rest on reasons of equality, stability, and convenience: but on closer inspection, these were respectively incomplete, speculative, and negligible. As currently defined, marriage secured the equal value of men and women, and also promoted the welfare of children. By contrast, the new definition of marriage would unavoidably call into question its exclusivity, its permanence, and even its sexual nature. Such an unravelling of marriage was too high a price to pay for a proposal that fulfilled no practical legal need.
Source: Julian Rivers, Redefining Marriage: The Case for Caution, Cambridge Papers Volume 21 Number 3, Jubilee Centre
Links: Paper
Date: 2012-Oct
A study presented an overview of problems faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersexual people as identified in European Union studies, along with EU actions taken in this area to date. It made recommendations with a timeline that could be included in a roadmap for equality on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Source: Vanessa Leigh, Levent Altan, and Jordan Long (with Evelyne Paradis), Towards an EU Roadmap for Equality on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, European Parliament
Links: Report | European Parliament press release
Date: 2012-Oct
An article examined the interrelationship of rights related to religion and sexuality, in the context of Church of England guidance on appointing bishops. The precedence in the Equality Act 2010 for religion rights over sexuality rights implied by the discrimination exemptions for organized religions, and the Act's definition of religious conviction, amounted to a de-prioritization of sexuality rights reflecting the 'prevailing structural inequalities of heteronormative secular and religious social worlds'.
Source: Rob Clucas, 'Religion, sexual orientation and the Equality Act 2010: gay bishops in the Church of England negotiating rights against discrimination', Sociology, Volume 46 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Oct
A new book examined the decisions and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights since 1955 in respect of sexual orientation. The Court's judgments had frequently forged and advanced new social conditions in respect of homosexuality.
Source: Paul Johnson, Homosexuality and the European Court of Human Rights, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Sep
An article examined the key demographic, institutional, and cultural arguments found in the literature on the legalization of gay marriage – especially as these pertained to cross-national comparison – and raised questions about assumptions regarding the extent to which there was variation on these variables across western countries. Institutional and cultural explanations were only meaningful in explaining legalization when their combinations were specified in order to shed light on favourable (or unfavourable) circumstances for policy outcomes.
Source: David Pettinicchio, 'Current explanations for the variation in same-sex marriage policies in western countries', Comparative Sociology, Volume 11 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Aug
A report highlighted 'serious failings' by public services in meeting the needs of black/minority-ethnic lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. There was a widespread assumption that black people were heterosexual, with little effort being made to correct this view. This perception often led to inappropriate and poor-quality responses from public services. Survey respondents also expressed frustration with the near invisibility of black gay people in public life.
Source: April Guasp and Hannah Kibirige, One Minority at a Time: Being black and gay, Stonewall/Runnymede Trust
Links: Report | Stonewall press release | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Aug
A report said that 55 per cent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual pupils in Britain s secondary schools experienced homophobic bullying.
Source: April Guasp, The School Report: The experiences of gay young people in Britain's schools in 2012, Stonewall
Links: Report | Stonewall press release | Accord Coalition press release | BHA press release | NAHT press release | BBC report
Date: 2012-Jul
The Scottish Government announced (following consultation) that it intended to legislate to allow same-sex marriage.
Source: Press release 25 July 2012, Scottish Government | Lucy Robertson, Registration of Civil Partnerships Same Sex Marriage: Consultation Analysis, Scottish Government
Links: Scottish Government press release | Consultation analysis | Amnesty press release | CARE press release | SEC press release | STUC press release | BBC report | Christian Institute report | Guardian report | PinkNews report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Jul
A think-tank report examined the social, historic, and legal arguments for and against gay marriage. It recommended that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and be given the same benefits of marriage as heterosexual couples. Religious bodies or institutions should not be forced to carry out same-sex marriages on their premises: but they should be allowed to 'opt in'. A fast track should be provided for existing civil partners who wished to transfer to full marriage. Once equal marriage had been introduced, no new civil partnerships should be created.
Source: David Skelton and Robert Flint, What s In A Name? Is there a case for equal marriage?, Policy Exchange
Links: Report | Policy Exchange press release
Date: 2012-Jul
A report examined discrimination in Europe on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression. Discrimination against trans and intersex people remained widespread and took many forms. At the same time, the legal means to combat it were limited: but there were promising approaches in the laws of some member states, which could and should serve as a model for others to follow.
Source: Silvan Agius and Christa Tobler, Trans and Intersex People: Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression, European Network of Legal Experts in the Non-Discrimination Field (European Commission)
Links: Report
Date: 2012-Jun
A new book brought together the stories of minority sexual identity from people employed in organizations in a range of different sectors.
Source: James Ward, Sexualities, Work and Organizations, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Jun
A report examined national and international evidence on bisexual inclusion. Bisexual people were often invisible in policy and practice despite evidence that they experienced discrimination in education and in the workplace and were more at risk of mental health problems than lesbian, gay, or heterosexual people. Bisexual people were subject to a specific form of discrimination – 'biphobia' – because they did not fit a problematic gay/straight model of sexuality.
Source: Meg Barker, Christina Richards, Rebecca Jones, Helen Bowes-Catton, and Tracey Plowman (with Jen Yockney and Marcus Morgan), The Bisexuality Report: Bisexual inclusion in LGBT equality and diversity, Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance (Open University)
Links: Report | Open University press release
Date: 2012-May
A new book examined recent theoretical and methodological debates, shifts in law and policy, and social and cultural changes around sexuality. It identified gaps between theory, research methods and practice, and lived experiences across time and place. It considered recent interdisciplinary work, setting out new ways of conceptualizing and researching sexuality. It explored persistently marginalized, re-traditionalized, and normative sexual practices, subjectivities, and identities.
Source: Sally Hines and Yvette Taylor (eds.), Sexualities: Past Reflections, Future Directions, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-May
A report examined the human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people in Europe. It said that no country could claim to provide full legal equality for LGBTI people – though the United Kingdom had the best record.
Source: Cailin Mackenzie, Evelyne Paradis, Silvan Agius, and Juris Lavrikovs, Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe 2011, ILGA-Europe
Links: Report | ILGA press release
Date: 2012-May
A new book examined the changing nature of masculinities in secondary school settings. It said that heterosexual male pupils were inclusive of their gay peers, and proud of their pro-gay attitudes: being gay did not negatively affect a boy's popularity, whereas being homophobic did.
Source: Mark McCormack, The Declining Significance of Homophobia: How teenage boys are redefining masculinity and heterosexuality, Oxford University Press
Links: Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2012-Apr
A report expressed concerns that a significant proportion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people were not accessing appropriate care when they were dying because of their sexuality or gender identity.
Source: Open to All? Meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people nearing the end of life, National Council for Palliative Care/Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Voluntary and Community Organisations
Links: Community Care report
Date: 2012-Mar
A new book examined contemporary same-sex marriage debates in several jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. It offered a critical analysis of the institution of marriage itself (as well as separate forms of relationship recognition, such as civil partnership) and asked whether and how feminist critiques of marriage might be applied specifically to same-sex marriage.
Source: Nicola Barker, Not The Marrying Kind: A feminist critique of same-sex marriage, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Mar
The Court of Appeal ruled that a man who had acted as a sperm donor for a lesbian couple was entitled to contact arrangements in respect of the child.
Source: A v B and C, Court of Appeal 14 March 2012
Links: Judgement | Family Law Week report
Date: 2012-Mar
The coalition government published an action plan for tackling hate crime. It identified three key objectives: preventing hate crime – by challenging the attitudes that underpinned it, and intervening early to prevent it escalating; increasing reporting and access to support – by building victim confidence and supporting local partnerships; and improving the operational response to hate crimes – by better identifying and managing cases, and dealing effectively with offenders.
Source: Challenge it, Report it, Stop it: The government s plan to tackle hate crime, Home Office
Links: Action plan | Hansard | Home Office press release | ACPO press release
Date: 2012-Mar
A new book examined social work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual people, including an overview of the policy and legislative context.
Source: Julie Fish, Social Work with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People: Making a difference, Policy Press
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Mar
The government began consultation on proposals to remove the ban on same-sex couples having a civil marriage.
Source: Equal Civil Marriage: A Consultation, Home Office
Links: Consultation document | Impact assessment | Hansard | Home Office press release | HOC research brief | Church of England press release | Evangelical Alliance press release | Labour Party press release | LGF press release | Stonewall press release | TUC press release | Ekklesia report | Guardian report | PinkNews report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Mar
A new textbook brought together critical perspectives and original research on the themes of sexuality, equality, and diversity. It looked at how equality policy was developed and put into practice, what had been achieved by legislation so far, and the challenges to overcome.
Source: Diane Richardson and Surya Monro, Sexuality, Equality and Diversity, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Feb
The Court of Appeal ruled that two guesthouse owners had been guilty of discrimination under the Equality Act 2006 when they cancelled a booking made by a gay couple on the grounds that if conflicted with their Christian faith.
Source: Bull and Bull v Hall and Preddy, Court of Appeal 10 February 2012
Links: Judgement | BBC report | PinkNews report
Date: 2012-Feb
A new book examined lesbians' and gay men's first-hand experiences of homophobia in Northern Ireland.
Source: Marian Duggan, Queering Conflict: Examining lesbian and gay experiences of homophobia in Northern Ireland, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary | Sheffield Hallam press release
Date: 2012-Feb
An article examined the meaning of equality being elaborated in Europe with respect to legal protection from discrimination related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Some interpretations entailed little challenge to the general social order, in particular where equality was understood to mean formal equal treatment of individuals in comparable situations. In contrast, more radical readings of equality posed a challenge to established social conventions around gender or the family.
Source: Mark Bell, 'Gender identity and sexual orientation: alternative pathways in EU equality law', American Journal of Comparative Law, Volume 60 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Feb
A new book examined homophobia in Europe, focusing on 4 European Union member states: Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. It provided a legal analysis of how homophobia was reproduced 'in law' and how it was confronted 'with law'.
Source: Luca Trappolin, Alessandro Gasparini, and Robert Wintemute (eds.), Confronting Homophobia in Europe: Social and legal perspectives, Hart Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Jan
A new book examined the Conservative Party's attitude towards homosexual law reform and gay rights, from the 1950s to the present day.
Source: Michael McManus, Tory Pride and Prejudice: The Conservative Party and homosexual law reform, Biteback Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Jan