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my history

Gino's mission statement is to offer service and accurate information to everyone who is willing to take the time and energy in understandingtrue acceptance social inclusion and equality and diversity. Among many achievementsto date Gino is proud in share some of these with you :-

  • Some of the people I have worked with you
  • Exclusive agreement with the National Trust in the UK and Scotland
  • Public speaker for conferences, events and training
  • The UK 's first Gay Wedding Show (Nov 2004). Raising awareness with the Gay Wedding Show in Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester and back to Brighton the day before the Civil Partnership became legal, The UK's official gay Wedding Show is now in its 4th year
  • Toured the UK with the first pre - Civil Partnership road show
  • Gay awareness programmes for the registration service
  • Bringing commitment ceremonies to Pride across the UK
  • Successfully campaigned for equal rights in the retail and goods sector, showing that people's and companies' perceptions of sexual orientation can be changed.
  • Launched a charity Gay Surrey, to help the community of Surrey
  • Launched stophatenow.org.co to encourage third party reporting to hate crime
  • Consult for the Registration Service, Police, County Councils and the NHS
  • Train on Equality and Diversity for a new market
  • Consulted on the new Human Rights framework for the NHS for Equality and Diversity
  • Changed rulings on Approved venue applications that discriminate
  • Speaker for numerous events, including Equality Matters, Registration Service, International Day Against Homophobia and Number 10
  • Took post as Chairman of the GBA (Gay Business Association) in 2007
  • Consulted on the Single Equality Bill and Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
  • Speaker for the Wedding Professionals Conference, Reading and London on Civil Partnerships and Gay Rights
  • Speaker at Surrey Schools Anti-bullying Event
  • Gino wins "Everybody Matters" award given by Surrey County Council 2008
  • Gino Meriano interviewed in ABTA magazine first and ground breaking gay and lesbian supplement
  • 2008 Gino launches GMJ Travel in the USA visit website part of the World Ventures Group
  • 2008 Leadership Forum - Diversity Yes, Stigma No - NHS
  • BBC Radio 5 Live - interview on Civil Partnerships
  • Speaker at EVENT UK 2008
  • IGLCC Summit - London
  • Community Correspondent with yourlocalguardian.co.uk
  • Pink Weddings LLC sponsors UnifiedVoice.org
  • Sponsors of Gay Rodeo, Road Runner Regional Rodeo
  • Surrey County Council policy and performance directorate
  • Book Launches 1st March 2009
  • 2009 Profile Photoshoot with top photographer Matt Pereira Photography
  • Supporters of Phoenix Pride 2009
  • Brooklands FM radio interview
  • International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - May 17
  • Gino Meriano launches TogetherTV, the channel for same sex couples, their familes and friends
  • BBC Radio Surrey interview on elderly people facing HIV questions
  • Swansea Life Magazine coverage of the Gay Wedding Show Front Cover / Feature
  • Pink Weddings in partnership with HelmsBriscoe
  • 2007 - 2009 news on Gino Meriano
  • SOfeminine feature 2010
  • Launches "The Social Marketing Automation approach (SMA)"
  • PinkApproved launches at the exclusive and brand new "Hotel Verta"
  • Pink Weddings The Magazine is announced
  • the LGBT Leadership Council Gala with keynote and guest of honor, President Barack Obama.
  • Pink Weddings Magazine now on iTunes
  • Gino speaks live on KNIX in Arizona
  • Gino speaks out about Civil Partnerships and Marriages on BBC Radio ahead of the religious change

 

Happy Anniversary
This day back in 2005 history was made and hundreds of couples celebrated the day they could enjoy a beautiful wedding recognized under the eyes of the law

For all you that held your Civil Partnership on this special day, have a great anniversary

BBC Radio Interview about Civil Partnerships
Thank you to the BBC for inviting Gino Meriano on air to speak about Civil Partnerships, our 6th year anniversary and what the future holds with the new bill being introduced next year.

The Gay Wedding Shows come to a stunning end in Brighton
Eight years ago the Gay Wedding Show was born in Brighton and every year it has proven a huge success.

Yesterday the show was embraced at its new home the lavish De Vere Grand Hotel reaching a new level of style and status for our 2011 finale after the London, Cardiff and Manchester shows.

45 amazing exhibitors coloured the room with sights, sounds, tastes and fun.

Couples were presented with some WOW factors including honey, cookies, stylish cakes and designer rings.

On show were suppliers and venues that truly value and respect same-sex couples from stunning venues to photographers, from travel and cruises to beautiful clothes.

Gino Meriano founder of the Gay Wedding Show commented “Over 567 people graced the show between 12 and 4.30pm and were treated to a welcome glass of Lambrini bubbles, the new issue of our Pink Weddings Magazine and one of the most vibrant, colorful and exciting shows we have seen in Brighton to date."

Gino added, "The team including myself are very proud. We have a niche market and one that can no longer be ignored with the 2010 market being estimated at around £55 million of new wedding market. We're seeing the market grow and companies finally realising that it's not about jumping on the band-wagon for the so called pink pound but rather about demonstrating their true commitment to inclusivity for gay couples and their families."

The dressed and gorgeous ceremony room opened its doors to two stylish example ceremonies from Brighton & Hove Register Office, while Elvis Schmelvis rocked the couples' exit.

Our surprise magician amazed our couples and our hostess Fonda Cox was dressed for the day and created a VIBE like no other that made the Gay Wedding Show one of the most talked about wedding shows nationally.

The Gay Wedding Show were proud to have Lambrini and Co-operative Funeralcare as sponsors for the 2011 shows and The Grand Hotel as sponsor of the Brighton Show.

While the team may try to relax for a couple of weeks, believe it or not we're already seeing an increased  demand for our 2012 dates – visit our website for new dates www.gayweddingshow.co.uk   - Next stop London March 2012, see you there

Be sure to see some moments caught on camera and join the chatter on Face Book  http://www.facebook.com/GayWeddingShow

 

Pink Weddings Magazine - Autumn edition about to launch

Gino Meriano, Founder comments " Here is a sneak preview to the new front cover of the latest edition of the Pink Weddings Magazine - we really love the look and it will be packed with some great ideas, concepts and wow factors to plan your wedding, including real life stories and the chance to experience the rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls and the western lifestyle"

Take a look

Lift on gay blood donations a start, but not enough, Surrey campaigners say


Gino Meriano said: “It's discrimination in its purest form. They're saying you can give blood if you stop having sex, but what reaction would you get if you said that to opposite sex couples? “If there is such a huge need for blood, why are we stopping millions of people coming forward to help, just because they are gay?” Read the full story

KNIX live interview about Brad Paisley and Country Music

The unofficial / official UK correspondent for KNIX radio station in Arizona - its all about the music

Click here to listen to the interview

Pink Weddings Magazine is now available as an APP on iTunes

Going global is never easy but with the help of iTunes we are proud to announce the launch of our APP for the magazine, this is a first of many new APP's coming to the PinkApproved Family Group

Available to download anywhere, the APP gives people the chance to get easy access to the magazine. In addition for every APP downloaded you get one of our issues FREE to read now.

Gino Meriano Founder of PinkApproved comments “It's an important achievement for the group in our plans to continue to expand and promote same sex relationships around the globe. This APP marks the next phase of our endorsement program and ongoing  commitment to couples, venues and suppliers. The team are very excited about the APP and we hope you enjoy this as much as we had making it”.

View the APP - http://goo.gl/y7cC3

Gino Meriano interviewed by The Indepedent Newspaper
Gino Meriano, who runs the Gay Wedding Show, said the figures confirmed anecdotal evidence he had been observing in recent years. He said in the past year the value of the gay marriage market had increased from £44m to £51m.
Read the full story

2010 Civil Partnership Stats announced

The number of civil partnerships formed in the UK by same-sex couples was 6,385 in 2010 compared with 6,281 in 2009. This represents a very small increase of 1.7 per cent between 2009 and 2010.

Gino Meriano Gay Rights Campaigner and founder of Pink Weddings comments “We have been seeing growth since 2009 and our Gay Wedding Shows have seen more women attend than men which has been reflected in the 2010 stats. The turnover for this new wedding market has proved a bigger success with an estimated £51 million for 2010 alone”

The total number of civil partnerships formed in the UK since the Civil Partnership Act came into force in December 2005, up to the end of 2010, is 46,622.

The number of civil partnership formations increased in all countries of the UK between 2009 and 2010, except Scotland where the number of civil partnerships fell by 6.6 per cent to 465. There was an increase of 1.7 per cent in England (5,536 partnerships in 2010), 9.8 per cent in Wales (268 partnerships in 2010) and 21 per cent in Northern Ireland (116 partnerships in 2010).

The number of civil partnerships in the UK peaked in the first quarter of 2006 at 4,869. The high numbers for 2006 reflected the fact that many same-sex couples in long-standing relationships took advantage of the opportunity to formalise their relationship as soon as the legislation was implemented. The number of civil partnerships has since fallen to an average of 1,596 per quarter in 2010

Pink Weddings will be announcing full stats shortly

LGBT Leadership Council Gala with keynote and guest of honor, President Barack Obama
PinkApproved are proud to introduce what is likely to become one of the key LGBT happenings in New York for 2011 - the LGBT Leadership Council Gala with keynote and guest of honor, President Barack Obama.

Gino Meriano comments "This prestigious event is the first time a sitting President will address the LGBT Leadership Council Gala and a chance for invited guests to hear firsthand President Obama's words, along with celebrity host Neil Patrick Harris"

The evening event is on June 23, 2011 and will make a great way to start your plans for New York City's Gay Pride thru to the 26th

www.pinkapproved.com/obama2012-nycgaypride

The PinkApproved team have selected a range of the very best hotels New York has to offer for this amazing and historic gala and NYC Gay Pride weekend

This is sure to be a sell-out event and space and rooms are limited, bookings open now to enable you to secure your place and the chance to hear history in the making.

Hotels on offer www.pinkapproved.com/obama2012-nycgaypride-preferredhotels

Shared by Gino Meriano, Founder of PinkApproved

Gay church 'marriages' set to get the go-ahead

Ministers are expected to publish plans to enable same-sex couples to "marry" in church, the BBC has learned. Gino Meriano comments "Small steps leads to a bigger picture, the campaigning over the years has been amazing and proves to the world that with the right structure in place and time we will obtain full legal rights the right way".

Read more

Nice Day for a Green Wedding. Ireland Okays Same-Sex Unions.
On December 23, Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern signed the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, legislation recognizing gay couples and allowing civil unions in the Irish Republic. Read more



VISIT WEBSITE

Pink Weddings, The Magazine a fun and informative, brand new gay wedding magazine for those wanting to plan the perfect civil partnership. This will be your handbag/manbag sized guide to the latest news, trends and advice for planning your big day.

The magazine will be launching in March 2011, along with the Designer Civil Partnership Show, brought to you by The Pink Weddings Group and publishers, CJ Wellings .

Gino Meriano comments "Pink Weddings, The Magazine will showcase the most innovative and exciting ideas for your civil partnership, review the latest offerings from suppliers and venues, and offer advice on suggested etiquette and legal requirements that are now in place, both in the UK and abroad".

If you are planning a civil partnership, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone's day is unique, but by showcasing your style and choices, your featured wedding might just inspire someone else... and, it's a chance to show off your impeccable taste too!

If you are a wedding supplier, don't miss out on this opportunity to promote yourself to the thousands of couples making their civil partnership official, year on year * .

The magazine will be available to read free, online here at www.pinkwedddingsmagazine.com, every quarter and also available as a printed copy at all pink Weddings group events.

Editorial enquiries: Please email claire@cjwellings.com

To advertise: Please email faye@cjwellings.com

* In the UK alone, between 2005-2009, there were 40,237 Civil Partnerships that were worth nearly £282 million of new market money. 2009 saw 6,281 Civil Partnerships, worth over £44 million.

Happy Anniversary : Civil Partnerships

The team at PinkWeddings, PinkApproved and the Gay Wedding Show would like to wish every couple that had a Civil Partnership on the first day (Today), marking the start of history and the chance to celebrate our united love, under the eyes of law”- 21st December 2005

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

PinkApproved News
Hilton, becomes global front runner for PinkApproved

In one of the biggest moves for Equality, PinkApproved and Hilton Worldwide have been negotiating the most proactive way to present a range of their hotels globally to the LGBT community.

The PinkApproved team are proud and honoured to announce that Hilton Worldwide have become the global front runner for diversity and equality when it comes to offering the community some of the best hotels around the world.

Over the next 12 months PinkApproved will present some of the best hotels the group has to offer, in our biggest move yet to expand the endorsement programme to the next level.

The range will offer some of the best names in the hotel industry from the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.

The vast range will be available on the WIKI soon and on the brand page http://wiki.pinkapproved.com/index.php/Hilton_Worldwide

Gino Meriano, founder comments “To say WIKI, has gone wild is an understatement. Over the coming weeks we will announce some established and new concepts into the LGBT Business world from on and offline publications, PinkApproved Travel, iTunes Apps to name but a few. When we launched PinkApproved into the market we never thought after 7 years this innovative endorsement would become one of the most avant-garde concepts of its time”.

Elmbridge Council praised for embracing gay issues
Elmbridge Council is one of the most gay-friendly councils in Surrey, according to an online poll by a leading gay charity. Gay Surrey put up the poll as part of its mission for equality and will publish the results in full on the international day against homophobia. Read more

PinkApproved becomes Global Sponsor of the OMA Awards 2010 in New York
The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA) will celebrate 20 years of LGBT Music History at the 2010 OUTMUSIC Awards on December 1st, also known as World AIDS Day. Come find out more

The main provisions of the Equality Act 2010 came into force today.

The Act consolidates the old discrimination laws and introduces some very important changes. The key ones to note are:

  1. rules limiting the use of pre-employment health questions and checks;
  2. new and broader forms of disability discrimination;
  3. new and broader definitions of victimisation, harassment and indirect discrimination;
  4. potential liability for third party harassment of employees;
  5. prohibitions on discrimination on the grounds of association and perception
  6. ban on pay secrecy clauses;
  7. new Employment Tribunal powers in relation to remedies.

As of now the prohibitions on discrimination are significantly wider than before and employers need to familiarise themselves with them

PinkApproved launches at Hotel Verta

Last night, the team at PinkWeddings officially launched PinkApproved.com at the brand new Hotel Verta

The backdrop to the launch was one of the most stunning in London, with 360 degree views of London and a heliport for the added wow factor, PinkApproved launched in style and set in a place a new bench mark for business to business in the LGB and T community.

The evening sponsored by H2O Markets and A City Law Firm presented a fantastic twist of new and old, with the latest technology from the PinkApproved WIKI to the 1940's style and decor of the hotel.

Gino Meriano, founder launched his plans for 2011 including new style Gay Wedding Shows, the new home for the Designer Civil Partnership Show at the Hotel Verta, PinkApproved, Wiki, Out Music Awards 2009 and plans for 2012 and the new and exciting plans for the “European Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce” which launches on the 1st January 2011 and hosts its first annual B2B event in London in 2012.

Exciting times are ahead with all the changes made and the future is looking set to change the way we do business in the LGB and T market

Court blocks California gay marriage
LOS ANGELES — A US court has blocked same-sex marriages in California until at least December while an appeal of a landmark decision to overturn a state ban is considered.

The decision by the federal court of appeals came hours after gay marriage opponents urged the ban on the unions to be maintained in the West Coast state.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the motion for a stay and scheduled further proceedings on the appeal to take place the week of December 6 in San Francisco.

The ruling halted an anticipated rush of gay marriages after Judge Vaughn Walker last week authorized same-sex weddings to begin again on August 18 in order to permit the court of appeals to consider the issue.

Opponents of gay marriage argued in their appeal that most of the United States and the majority of countries worldwide do not allow gay marriage because the institution of marriage serves a societal interest.

“California, 44 other states, and the vast majority of countries throughout the world continue to draw the line at marriage because it continues to serve a vital societal interest,” the appeal said.

The purpose of marriage is between members of the opposite sex “to channel potentially procreative sexual relationships into enduring, stable unions for the sake of responsibly producing and raising the next generation,” it said.

Some 18,000 gay and lesbian couples tied the knot between May and November 2008 when gay marriage was briefly allowed by the state of California.

Currently only the states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as the US capital Washington, recognize gay marriage.

Both California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Attorney General Jerry Brown had filed motions last Friday demanding same-sex marriages be allowed to resume immediately.

Walker had last week found in favor of activists who argued that the California referendum which barred same-sex marriage was discriminatory and therefore violated the US Constitution.

The referendum, known as Proposition 8, was passed by a 52 percent majority in November 2008, only six months after California's Supreme Court overturned a previous ban on same-sex weddings, sending gays and lesbians flocking to marry.

Legal experts believe the case is almost certain to end up before the US Supreme Court in around two years, once appeals hearings in lower courts have run their course

Gino Meriano comments "This is the time to take a step back and realise its about fighting for legal rights and not a word, if the challenge was presented then more states would offer legal rights faster than fighting for the word "Marriage".

Gino Meriano speaks with Anne Diamond on BBC about stereotypes
In the interview Gino talks about how gay stereotypes are not portrayed well, if it's about education then researchers should follow the advice from the professionals to ensure the correct message is sent out to the viewers rather than over blown assumptions that the community bases itself around sex, camp and outlandish story lines. Read more

Gino Meriano interview with BBC Radio
Earlier this morning Gino Meriano was interviewed about Civil Partnerships and the possible introduction of religious attachments and buildings to take the act one step further.

Gino commented “This was a great move forward but we must see this from both sides and while the current legislation allows for Civil Partnerships to be held in churches and religious buildings, there is still an opt out clause. The next step is to give them legal rights to sign the documentation making same sex couples ceremonies in a church or religious building, legal"

Over London Pride weekend Liberal Democrat MP and equality minister Lynne Featherstone has said that the government will consult with a range of stakeholders on progressing civil partnerships and gay marriage.

Gino comments "again a great move but why "Gay Marriage" its either "Marriage" or "Equal Marriage" there seems to be a constant move to keeping the LGB and T community boxed and labelled when there is no need. These people including Ms Featherstone need to understand the terms correctly for true equality to happen"

There are interesting times ahead of us and only continued campaigning will see change in legislation for the future generation.

Gino Meriano, Chair of Gay Business Association resigns
The Chair of the Gay business Association - often considered the gay Chamber of Commerce - has resigned, it was announced today. Read the full story

An interview with Gino Meriano of Pink Weddings – Part One
The Gay Wedding Organizer : Gino Meriano has been campaigning for gay rights for many years and aside from running Pink Weddings also organises fabulous Gay Wedding Shows. This is the first part of our interview with him, enjoy! - Read full feature

The Equality Bill Timetable
The ping-pong stage has been scheduled for Tuesday 6 April.

The conciliatory tone of the House of Lords Third Reading debate suggests that the Government will not try to overturn Lord Alli's civil partnership amendments

In addition :
Amendments have been added to the Equality Bill to reassure clergy that they will not be sued if they refuse to hold religious civil partnerships for gay couples.

Gino Meriano plans to launch a new 2010 campaign in April.

Gay rights campaigner calls for churches to allow civil partnership ceremonies
A gay rights campaigner has called on churches in Surrey to “embrace modern society” and allow civil partnership ceremonies to be held in their premises.

Gino Meriano has fought for the rights of same sex couples most of his adult life, welcomed a House of Lords vote this month to lift the ban on civil partnership ceremonies in churches and other religious venues, but said the gay community still faced a fight to attain equal rights. Read more

"The Social Marketing Automation approach (SMA)"
Introducing SMA, my Social Marketing Automation approach to business and lifestyle. Over the coming months I will share some of my insights, experiences, new and old concepts that are changing the way we do business in this ever changing world of Social Media.

Welcome to my world of digital marketing, consumer led media, no control PR and a time for you to change to evolve. 2010 starts a new digital era of social media Read more

Tea and biscuits improve police's 'cruising' site work
AROUND £120 has been spent by Surrey Police on refreshments for people visiting a well-known ‘cruising' spot between Guildford and Farnham, Get Surrey speaks to Gino Meriano - read more

When the Civil Partnership Bill becomes law, with it will come a whole new wedding market — Irish same sex couples, says Suzanne Harrington
Speaking to Gino Meriano he comments “Fighting for the word ‘marriage’ is missing the point. What we need is the same legal rights as opposite sex couples. That would be a giant leap.” Read the full story

Gay couples flock to manor houses as wedding venues
Same-sex couples are still opting to hold their weddings in cottages, private manor houses and Tudor houses – with the trend showing little sign of declining any time soon.

This is according to Gay Wedding Show founder Gino Meriano, who says that gay couples are increasingly renting out entire manor houses for convenience reasons. Read the full story

Radical Honesty and Digital Body Language
Later this year Gino Meriano and his team will be introducing training sessions around the UK on the Radical Honesty and Digital Body Language concepts, presenting ways to become more visible in this ever changing market on the web.

The series of training will highlight key business and personal aspects that may well have been overlooked in your every day routine, how to get better time management and understand the visitors to your website from active to nurturing. To find out more just drop a line - we are always happy to say hello

Same-sex marriages ‘could boost the island's economy'
HUNDREDS of couple could flood to Cyprus every year if Cyprus legalises same-sex marriages, boosting the economy in the process, a gay rights campaigner said yesterday.

Gino Meriano, owner of same sex wedding firm, Pinkweddings.biz said that, "the UK's civil partnership industry is worth around ten million pounds a year, with at least 11 per cent of that money going to foreign countries. It could be even bigger if it is opened to non-residents."

Mardi Gras Party at the Scottsdale Country Club as seen in Arizona Foothills Magazine
Gino Meriano seen supporting the charity MelonHead at the recent fund raising event in Scottsdale Arizona - read the full article by "Arizona Foothills Magazine" Arizona's luxury magazine for affluent desert living and see the pictures - click here

Gay civil partnerships approved for parliament
The Houses of Parliament will be opened for civil partnerships and marriages for both MPs and members of the public. Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families comments “It's a lovely gesture and I am sure one that some couples will enjoy as their backdrop to their memorable day. One can only hope this is done out of respect for the gay community and not a simple tick box to push aside pressing issues such as the Equalities legislation that still need to be addressed by Government”. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI criticises gay rights in Equality Bill
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families' comments” What gives the Pope the right to interfere in our countries democratic society, yes we have a strong foundation in equality and diversity. We are also as a nation taking some steps towards inclusivity for the LGBT community and his desire to stir up division and Homophobia should be tolerated byt our government and paid for by tax payers. The government have banned other religious leaders coming into the UK because of their Homophobia so why is the Pope being treated differently. Surely, its time YET AGAIN to remind the government the separation of church and state”. Read the full story

SOfeminine feature on Gino Meriano and his gay rights work over the past 8 years
Gino Meriano is something of an expert on how to plan a big gay wedding. Or a small one. Or even one without a venue.

His motto, always: think outside the box. With gay weddings, says Meriano, ‘there are no rules or regulations.' He encourages couples to find something unique to them, ‘to add a wow factor to your wedding.'

Take the lesbian couple who, instead of having a guest book, brought in a five-foot cherry tree, and asked each guest write their thoughts and wishes on a note card and tie it to one of the tree's branches.

Or that aforementioned wedding with no venue, where a gay couple hired a number of posh vehicles including four limos and a Daimler and then proceeded to drive all over London with their guests, stopping at different sites and restaurants for photos and general revelry. Visit website for the full story

Civil Partnership : A guide to the perfect day - turns into a series for TogetherTV
Gino Meriano founder of the Pink Weddings Group announces his next project for TogetherTV

I am really excited to announce we will be producing a series for my channel TogetherTV about our book, all our ideas, thoughts, advise and special moments will be turned into a series for TogetherTV

Pre production ideas starts on the 1st Feb 2010 for filming in April onwards

We will be looking for a great range of venues, suppliers and vendors from across the globe to join us in the filming and will provide a great platform for additional exposure in the Civil Partnership market and some amazing rates for commercials like no channel has ever offered before

The book : http://www.pinkweddings.biz/thebook/

TV commercials are in planning stage and rates can be found on http://www.pinkweddings.biz/goodies/togethertv.htm

The day I decided to stop being gay, By Patrick Muirhead
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families speaks out on the BBC about Patrick Muirhead and his decision to stop being gay “I never judge anyone's decision when it comes to their sexuality. The point here is you can have a stable relationship and family and still be gay. Mr Muirhead's inappropriateness is reinforcing the misconception that you can only have a family if you happen to call yourself “straight”

The Times : A minor incident in a barber's shop last week has helped me to realise that I may no longer be gay. Not a fully fledged homo, anyway; perhaps not even a part-timer who helps the team out when it's busy. It appears I may be going straight.

I was in Tenterden, the Kentish village where I was brought up and to which I have lately returned, working at a nearby aerodrome as a helicopter pilot. I was waiting my turn for a chatty Latvian to apply the hot towels and razor.

A handsome young dad entered with a small, fair-haired boy at his side. The man took a seat and hoisted the wide-eyed child proudly on to his knee. The first haircut, I speculated inwardly, as an unfamiliar fatherly glow and feeling of mild envy swept over me. I could not tear my attention away from the mirrored reflections.

Full story here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article6990013.ece

Religious civil partnerships amendment tabled in Lords
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families comments “Since the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act it was clear from the figures that over 35,000 couples believe the Act gave them their long awaited legal rights. While some may believe this is second class it is very clear that while couples can enjoy the full benefits of legal protection, actions like above become easier to push forward in parliament, one step at a time. Ongoing campaigning for any grey area in our the community is strong and there will always be pockets that will need to be addressed, but while all of this continues to be fought for it is reassuring to know that is has no impact on couples legal protection. Unlike other countries it is better to have legal rights in place and never removed than an ongoing unstable battle of equal marriage that continues to cause upset to couples around the globe”. Read the full story

Gay hate crime play performed in Walton
A thought-provoking play about hate crime will be performed at the Playhouse in Walton next month.

Esher based drama troupe, The Ember Players have been rehearsing for The Laramie Project, an American play which is based on the real life killing of 21 year student Matthew Shepard at the hands of homophobic murderers in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998.

Gino Meriano of the charity and support service Gay Surrey, said: “It's a good move by the Ember Players as it is very difficult to get the production performed in Surrey. There were talks about bringing into schools, but that basically turned out to be a big no no. Anything that actively promotes this message is a really good idea.” Read the full story

Latest news on the Equality Bill
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner comments “Over the coming months we will see a potential new bill come into affect that will add additional protection to our community. It has been one of the most talked about Bill's over the last year and no doubt still be challenged if/when passed. For those interested the strands will move from 7 to 9 and include marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. We have a long way to go even with this bill but it would seem 2010 is going to present itself as a good start for social inclusion”. Read more

New Jersey Senate defeats same-sex marriage bill
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families comments “It's a real shame the bill failed, it's an ongoing uphill struggle for every state fighting for marriage, its time all states stood united in their fight and focus on the White House for overall impact and to finally gain long awaited legal rights and protect our community while the battle continues for equal marriage. Its traumatic being told same sex couples have the right to enter into a marriage only to have their rights removed again, this has to stop now”. Read the full story

Catholic Portugal set to legalize gay marriage
Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner for same sex families comments “this is a great move forward for Portugal and an ongoing campaign to raise awareness around the world for equality. We must continue to fight hard to a ultimate goal where all forms of legal weddings are regognised around the world, the same as opposite sex couples” Read the full story