Leeds: Police appeal over anti-gay assault at train station

Police want to trace these men

British Transport Police are appealing for information following a homophobic assault at Leeds train station.

Officers have released CCTV images of two men they are looking to trace in connection with the incident.

A 21-year-old man was attacked by four individuals after leaving a McDonald’s restaurant at 3.10am on Saturday 5 July.

The victim suffered swelling and bruising to his face and a cut lip.

PC Daniel Worthington said: “The victim, a 21-year-old man from Leeds, was in McDonald’s in the station when he was approached by four men. After chatting, the group followed him to the taxi rank where they shouted homophobic abuse. Two members of the group attacked the victim, punching him in the head and face before running off.

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Police appeal for help finding two men after Birkenhead homophobic attack

Merseyside Police have appealed for help finding two men

Police have appealed for help finding two men, after a homophobic attack on a teenager in Birkenhead.

The incident took place on June 29 at around 3am on Borough Road, when men on bikes yelled homophobic comments at a 19-year-old.

One of the offenders then approached the victim and assaulted him.

Police are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime.

Detectives have released footage of two men who they are seeking in connection with the incident, appealing for any help in identifying them.

A statement from Merseyside Police reads: “Detectives believe the men pictured may be able to help them with their enquiries and would urge them or anyone who recognises them him to contact the police.”

Detective Constable Tony Jones, said: “Merseyside Police is committed to tackling all forms of hate crime and specialist officers are investigating this incident.

“I am sure the local community would agree that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who recognised the two men pictured, to call police.

“The information you provide will be thoroughly investigated and could help us identify the people responsible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Wirral SIGMA Hate Crime Unit on 0151 777 2884, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Watch the CCTV footage below:

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US: Anti-gay marriage Pennsylvania clerk loses Supreme Court appeal

Theresa Santa-Gaffney lost her appeal at the Supreme Court Share on WhatsApp 6 reader comments

A Pennsylvania clerk who attempted to continue fighting for the state’s already-removed same-sex marriage ban has lost her US Supreme Court appeal.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Pennsylvania following a ruling by Judge John Jones on May 20, and was cemented as law when the state’s Governor, Tom Corbett, refused to appeal, alongside the Attorney General.

Despite the law already being in effect, Schuylkill County clerk Theresa Santai-Gaffney had earlier this month sought permission to file an appeal, claiming that she had standing to appeal as the ruling had made the scope of her duties unclear.

Her appeal had been previously rejected by both Judge Jones and an appeals court, but Santai-Gaffney since filed papers with the Supreme Court, arguing that she should be allowed to defend the ban.

Without comment, Justice Samuel Alito rejected the appeal today. Santai-Gaffney could now appeal to another justice, should she wish.

Santai-Gaffney argued that the Supreme Court had previously

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US: Pennsylvania clerk takes appeal against same-sex marriage to Supreme Court

Theresa Santai-Gaffney is attempting to appeal the ruling Share on WhatsApp 8 reader comments

A Pennsylvania clerk who is fighting for the right to defend the state’s already-removed same-sex marriage ban has taken her appeal to the Supreme Court.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Pennsylvania following a ruling by Judge John Jones on May 20, and was cemented as law when the state’s Governor, Tom Corbett, refused to appeal, alongside the Attorney General.

Despite the law already being in effect, Schuylkill County clerk Theresa Santai-Gaffney had earlier this month sought permission to file an appeal, claiming that she had standing to appeal as the ruling had made the scope of her duties unclear.

Her appeal has been rejected by both Judge Jones and an appeals court, but Santai-Gaffney has now filed papers with the Supreme Court, arguing that she should be allowed to defend the ban.

She filed the appeal with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who could either rule on his own or involve his colleagues.

She argues that the Supreme Court has previously “signaled to all lower federal courts” that they must act “to preserve the enforcement of man-woman marriage laws” until appeals are concluded, by staying a same-sex marriage ruling in Utah.

As the deadline for any potential appeals has now passed, Santai-Gaffney’s appeal is now the last stand of opponents of marriage equality in the state.

Judge Jones originally ruled that her “deep personal disagreement” with same-sex marriage did not give her any standing to act on behalf of the state.

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London: Police appeal for woman who filmed Vauxhall bar death

Adam Hird died following the incident

Police have appealed for a woman to come forward who filmed an incident outside a gay-friendly Vauxhall club in which a man died.

30-year-old Adam Hird died in the early hours of Sunday June 15 outside the No. 65 bar in Vauxhall – next door to a gay sauna – after an altercation in which he was reportedly restrained by security staff.

Four men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault.

Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Sharon Marman, said: “Obviously I am very keen to secure any footage of the incident as it could be very important to this investigation.

“I would like to reassure this woman that she is not in any trouble and that she can contact the police with the confidence that she will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”

A statement from Adam Hird’s family said: “Adam was full of life, he was kind, gentle and funny and the youngest member of our close family.

“Adam was a qualified private pilot and loved to fly, he was just finishing his aerobatic qualification and hoped one day to be a commercial pilot.

“We never imagined that this could happen, right here, so close to where we live, where he should have been safe. We are deeply shocked and distraught at what has happened to Adam.

“We understand that a young blonde woman and possibly others may have recorded the incident on their cell phones. We sincerely ask that anyone who witnessed or recorded the incident please contact the police so we can secure the footage.

“We wish to offer a reward of

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US: Federal court rejects attempt to appeal against equal marriage in Pennsylvania

Theresa Santai-Gaffney is attempting to appeal the ruling Get the latest LGBT headlines in your inbox with our free daily newsletter! Join Share on WhatsApp 3 reader comments

An appeals court has rejected a county clerk’s attempt to appeal against same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Pennsylvania following a ruling by Judge John Jones on May 20.

It was cemented as law when the state’s Governor, Tom Corbett, refused to appeal, alongside the Attorney General.

Despite the law already being in effect, Schuylkill County clerk Theresa Santai-Gaffney had earlier this month sought permission to file an appeal, claiming that she had standing to appeal as the ruling had made the scope of her duties unclear.

As the deadline for any potential appeals has now passed, Santai-Gaffney’s appeal is now the last stand of opponents of marriage equality in the state.

Judge Jones found against her last month, ruling that her

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US: Federal appeals court rejects appeal attempt by county clerk against same-sex marriage

The request was rejected by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Share on WhatsApp 0 reader comments

A federal appeals court has rejected an attempt by a county clerk to appeal a ruling which made same-sex marriage possible in Pennsylvania.

Same-sex marriage was legalised in Pennsylvania following a ruling by Judge John Jones on May 20.

It was cemented as law when the state’s Governor, Tom Corbett, refused to appeal, alongside the Attorney General.

A Pennsylvania judge in June rejected an attempt by Schuylkill County Orphans Court Clerk Theresa Santai-Gaffney to appeal against the ruling.

Now the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals has also rejected the request to appeal.

Santai-Gaffney now says she intends to appeal to the US Supreme Court.

In his original ruling striking down the same-sex marriage ban, Judge Jones wrote:

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Human rights group objects to Indiana appeal for stay on same-sex marriage ruling

The ACLU objected to the request for a stay 0 reader comments

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the state of Indiana has objected to the state’s request for an emergency stay to stop same-sex couples from marrying in the state.

US District Judge Richard Young declared that the Indiana Defence of Marriage Act unconstitutional, striking it down.

As the judge did not stay his ruling, couples were able to immediately apply for marriage licenses.

A stay has been sought by Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who wants to stop gay couples from marrying, so the state can appeal.

The petition by the ACLU says “the public interest strongly weighs against the stay.”

“Ultimately the question is what interest does the public in Indiana have in maintaining what this court recognises is profound ‘injustice’?… The Hoosier public has no such interest.”

In its request for a stay, the state notes that other stays have been granted in similar cases while an appeal is started.

Bryan Corbin, spokesman for the Attorney General, said the stay request “is intended to prevent confusion and inconsistency between county clerk’s offices regarding license issuance, while the appeal is pending.”

“Until the United States Supreme Court determines that traditional marriage laws such as Indiana’s are unconstitutional, it is premature to require Indiana to change its definition of marriage and abide by this court’s conception of marriage,”wrote the attorney general in the request.

“Nonetheless, marriages in violation of Indiana’s existing law have taken place, are taking place, and will continue to take place pursuant to this court’s order.”

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Pastor sacked for performing gay son’s wedding reinstated after appeal

Frank Schaefer was reinstated by today’s decision 0 reader comments

The defrocking of a pastor who officiated at his gay son’s wedding has been overturned at appeal.

After gaining international attention for his campaign to keep his job as a United Methodist Church Minister, Frank Schaefer, 52, had already said he would like to work as a minister again for the church. He began an appeal on Friday in Baltimore.

The nine-person panel on Tuesday issued an opinion reversing the lower church court decision.

Schaefer will now get back pay, and his punishment was reverted to a 30-day suspension, which he has already served.

The Pennsylvania pastor was put on

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Defrocked pastor who performed gay son’s wedding begins appeal

Frank Schaefer begins his appeal today 0 reader comments

A pastor who was defrocked by his church for officiating at his gay son’s wedding begins an appeal to get his job back today.

After gaining international attention for his campaign to keep his job as a United Methodist Church Minister, Frank Schaefer, 52, has already said he would like to work as a minister again for the church.

He begins an appeal on Friday in Baltimore, and said he was nervous to go before the panel.

Schaefer said: “It’s been a long, long journey… I’ve seen the ugly side of the church. I’ve seen the reconciling side of the church, the beautiful church.”

Speaking earlier this week, he said:

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