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The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
LGBT artists decry Supreme Court ruling at rainy London Pride parade
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan shouted 'happy pride' and thousands people started to walk through central London, led by a more than a dozen motorcyclists from LGBT groups. There were shouts for 'trans rights now' as the engines roared and rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon. American pop singer Chaka Khan is headlining the event that saw around 500 organisations file from Hyde Park Corner, through Piccadilly Circus, and on to Whitehall Place. Members of the public watch the the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Former Years And Years singer Alexander told the PA news agency: 'Trans people right now, they need our support and love more than ever, they're being villainised, demonised in the press, by a lot of the media, and trans people they're just like us… they're you, they're me. 'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why pride is so important this year.' The solo artist and Eurovision 2024 contestant added: 'There's been a real backlash against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies and that's been going on for years, and I think we're in a bit of a swing, that's going against where we were maybe five years ago. 'We've had the Supreme Court ruling and I feel like a lot of trans people are scared, rightfully scared, they don't understand… what their lives are going to look like.' In April the Supreme Court ruled the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Before the march began Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said 'we've just seen an unprecedented attack on queer rights and trans rights across the world'. She told PA: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, centre right, with his wife Saadiya Khan, centre left, attend the Pride in London 2025 parade (Alberto Pezzali/AP) Asked what she hoped would change, Faye said: 'I feel like it's not a one year change deal… movements move in generations, I think what we have to do now is accept the reality of the situation we're in and we have to work together with other groups, within the LGBT community and outside it, to really start forming strong coalitions in order to fight this stuff. 'I think where we're going in the UK, unfortunately this rightward turn is going to continue for some time. The people together are powerful.' She added: 'I think the reality is what some of these attacks are designed to do is exhaust us… we become very focused and frightened and then sometimes it's easier to retreat in and the reality is we need to do the opposite of that – we need to be willing to work with people who aren't necessarily like us'. Howard played Paris Lees in the BBC dramatisation of her memoir and, like Alexander and Faye, was supporting trans rights charity Not A Phase at the parade. He told PA that 'we're in an incredibly precarious political time' and said pride this year is 'more important than ever'. The actor added: 'I think it's so, so important that we show up as queers, as allies, and we celebrate. Joy is an act of resistance. 'I hope it shows queers of all ages that we stand with you, we are for you, and we love you'. A giant rainbow flag is displayed during the 2025 Pride Parade in London (Alberto Pezzali/AP) He added: 'The recent Supreme Court ruling concerns me, the lack of proper tangible support from our Government concerns me, the lack of funding to amazing organisations like Not A Phase really, really concerns me. 'But honestly, I look around, I see stuff like this, I see what grassroots activism can do, and the power that that can have'. Sir Sadiq said: 'It was an honour and a privilege to again walk at the front of London's world-famous Pride parade as huge crowds of Londoners and visitors joined together for an incredible show of love, unity and solidarity with our LGBTQI+ communities. 'The fantastic parade and celebrations across central London have shown once again that our capital is a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. 'This year's event was also a defiant reminder that we must keep fighting for equality and take a stand against those seeking to roll back hard-won rights. 'Together, we sent a powerful message to the world that in London you are free to be whoever you want to be and love whoever you want to love, as we continue to build a better, fairer London for everyone.' A YouGov poll released ahead of the event found 67% of people in the UK believe the country is inclusive to LGBTQ+ people, and 60% would not welcome a shift towards more negative attitudes. Simon Blake, chief executive of Stonewall, which commissioned the survey, said despite the findings 'we know many LGBTQ+ people do not feel this in their neighbourhoods and workplaces'. He added: 'In policy terms, the reality is different too. 'The UK has dropped sharply down the global leaderboard for LGBTQ+ rights.' This year the UK fell to its lowest-ever ranking for LGBTI human rights, an annual report found. This was because of the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance, said the ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, which has run since 2009.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in London court
Actor-comedian Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) LONDON — Actor and comedian Russell Brand pleaded not guilty in a London court Friday to rape and sexual assault charges involving four women dating back more than 25 years. Brand, who turns 50 next week, denied two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. His trial was scheduled for June 3, 2026. Prosecutors said the offenses took place between 1999 and 2005 — one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and the other three in London. Brand did not speak to reporters as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court wearing dark sunglasses, a suit jacket, a black collared shirt open below his chest and black jeans. The Associated Press
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
'Absolute astonishment' The strict immigration plans announced by Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says all areas of immigration will be tightened up. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sir Keir Starmer says his government will 'finally take back control of our borders', as he unveiled stricter immigration regulations. The Prime Minister has unveiled his white paper to overhaul the 'broken' immigration. He said without controls 'we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The proposals will see every area of immigration tightened up, which the Prime Minister says will result in a 'significant' drop in net migration. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks on the phone to US President Donald Trump during a visit to the West Midlands. Photo: Alberto Pezzali/PA Wire | Alberto Pezzali/Press Association Have migration levels gone up? This comes after net migration 'quadrupled' under the previous Conservative government between 2019 and 2023, reaching a record high of almost one million in 2023. Sir Keir said: 'That's not control, it's chaos.' He branded the previous government's handling of immigration as a 'one nation experiment' on open borders, adding: 'You can't do something like that by accident, it was a choice.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Prime Minister said: 'We are shutting down the lab - the experiment is over.' The immigration changes announced Proposals on this include raising skill requirements to degree level, introducing an English language requirement for all immigrants including dependents, and extending the time to apply for citizenship from five years to ten years. Over the weekend, UK home secretary Yvette Cooper said her government would be offering 50,000 less low-skilled worker visas and ending care worker visas. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Those who are in the UK on a care worker visa can have this extended, but Ms Cooper argued employers should be recruiting from this pool rather than looking overseas. The white paper has already been condemned by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who said she listened with 'absolute astonishment' to the proposals. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes | PA She told the BBC: 'With a small population of about five million people, Scotland needs a distinct immigration system, a distinct approach to the immigration system - we have shared that with the UK government. 'But you talk about restrictions to care workers, which I think is absolutely baffling to anybody currently working in the care sector, talking about restrictions for university students being able to stay on after their degrees, when we know so much of Scotland's economic growth has come from international students that have chosen to be based in Scotland.
Toronto Sun
02-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Prince Harry not improperly denied UK-funded security detail after stepping down, court says
Published May 02, 2025 • 1 minute read Prince Harry waves as he leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Photo by Alberto Pezzali / AP Prince Harry lost his appeal Friday challenging the U.K. government's decision to strip him of his publicly funded security after he stepped away from royal family duties and moved to the U.S. The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that a committee hadn't treated Harry unfairly when it decided to review his protection on a case-by-case basis each time he visits the U.K. The ruling is likely to leave the Duke of Sussex with a large bill to pay the U.K. government's legal fees — in addition to his own lawyers' costs. It wasn't immediately clear if he would try to appeal to the U.K. Supreme Court. The ruling upheld a High Court judge's decision last year that found a 'bespoke' plan for the Duke of Sussex's security wasn't unlawful, irrational or unjustified. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Ontario Toronto & GTA
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wimbledon plans to upgrade the fans' favorite hill for 150th anniversary
FILE - People watch the big screen on Henman Hill on day three of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File) LONDON (AP) — The spectator-friendly hill next to No. 1 Court at Wimbledon has a facelift planned in time for the grass-court Grand Slam's 150th anniversary. The grassy slope is an iconic and coveted area at the All England Club, where thousands of fans without tickets to the main stadiums often gather to watch the action on a giant video screen. When a British player has done particularly well the hill has been dubbed Henman Hill and Murray Mound. Advertisement The club said on Thursday it planned enhancement works to begin after next year's tournament, and the new-look hill should be ready to welcome guests in 2027, when Wimbledon will mark its 150th anniversary. Consultation with local residents is scheduled next week before the planning application is submitted, the club added. The works aim to improve wheelchair access, provide more seating, and improve visibility. 'These changes will allow for an expanded capacity with a 20% increase in guests enjoying use of the space,' the club said. 'The environment in and around the Hill will be enhanced by removing existing paths and replacing them with permeable pathways, as well as introducing sun shading and rain cover via a new pergola." Advertisement The area was nicknamed Henman Hill for Tim Henman while he was reaching four semifinals. The nickname shifted to Andy Murray, who ended the country's 77-year wait for a homegrown men's winner when he took the 2013 title. ___ AP tennis:
