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In the News

  • NY Times: Babies From Skin Cells? Prospect Is Unsettling to Some Experts
    May 16th, 2017

    Nearly 40 years after the world was jolted by the birth of the first test-tube baby, a new revolution in reproductive technology is on the horizon — and it promises to be far more controversial than in vitro fertilization ever was.

    Within a decade or two, researchers say, scientists will likely be able to create a baby from human skin cells that have been coaxed to grow into eggs and sperm and used to create embryos to implant in a womb.

    The process, in vitro gametogenesis, or I.V.G., so far has been used only in mice. But stem cell biologists say it is only a matter of time before it could be used in human reproduction — opening up mind-boggling possibilities.

    Read more.

  • Lancaster Telegraph: First same sex couple marry at Padiham church
    May 15th, 2017

    TWO women made history over the weekend when they became the first same sex couple to get married at a church in Padiham.

    Elizabeth Pulleyn, 21, and Kimberley Mcphillips, 22, tied the knot at the Unitarian Chapel, Church Street, Padiham, in front of around 100 family, friends and Unitarian congregation members.

    Kimberley Pulleyn-Mcphillips wore a suit for the wedding, while Elizabeth Pulleyn-Mcphillips, a former Oakhill College student, wore a white dress.

    Read more.

  • Reuters: Fewer countries ban same-sex relations, but homophobic violence common - report
    May 15th, 2017

    Fewer countries ban same-sex relations than a decade ago and more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people have legal protection from discrimination, but homophobic violence and abuse is rife, a global rights group said on Monday.

    The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) said same-sex sexual activity was a crime in 72 countries, a drop from 92 in 2006, when the global rights group began documenting laws regarding LGBT people.

    Gay marriage is now legal in 23 countries, and 43 states have banned hate crimes, including on the basis of race and sexual orientation, according to the ILGA report.

    Read more.

  • Times (£): Gender neutral uniforms 'will make pupils happier'
    May 15th, 2017

    One of London's leading private schools is considering the introduction of gender neutral uniforms.

    Highgate School in north London is consulting pupils on a mix-and-match design that would not be called girls' or boys' dress.

    It comes as head teachers say they are having to change school rules to deal with growing numbers of children questioning their identity.

    Read more.

  • New Now Next: Know Someone Who’s Transitioning? There's A Hallmark Card For That
    May 14th, 2017

    Been searching for that perfect card to send a friend who's transitioning?

    After discovering it at a CVS drugstore, Renata Sancken recently tweeted photos of a new Hallmark card supporting trans loved ones.

    Filed under the section "Encouragement: Transgender/Transitioning," the card features a butterfly on the front with the words "You're becoming who you've always been." Inside, the card reads, "How wonderful is that?”

    Read more.

  • Telegraph: Skirts for boys at private Highgate School under plans for gender-neutral uniform
    May 14th, 2017

    A north London private school has drawn up plans to introduce gender-neutral uniforms in response to a growing number of pupils questioning their gender identity.

    Highgate school currently has an option for girls to wear a grey pleated skirt, but the school is consulting on a mix-and-match uniform policy which will not specify a different requirement for boys and girls.

    Girls can currently wear grey trousers or skirts as well as the dark blue jackets and ties which make up the rest of the uniform. Boys may not wear a skirt and also have to wait until they are 16 to wear earrings.

    Read more. 

  • Gatestone Institute: The Great Price of 'Blaspheming' against Muhammad by Raymond Ibrahim
    May 14th, 2017

    A few days ago in Pakistan, a Christian pastor who has been "tortured every day in prison" since 2012 when he was first incarcerated, was sentenced to life in prison. Zafar Bhatti, 51, is accused of sending "blasphemous" text messages from his mobile phone; but human rights activists contend that the charge "was fabricated to remove him from his role as a Pastor."

    Read more.

  • Guardian: Nearly 50% are of no religion – but has UK hit 'peak secular'?
    May 14th, 2017

    The secularisation of Britain has been thrown into sharp focus by new research showing that for every person brought up in a non-religious household who becomes a churchgoer, 26 people raised as Christians now identify as non-believers.

    The study also shows that inner London is the most religious area of the country, mainly because of its large Muslim and migrant communities. The least religious areas are the south-east of England, Scotland and Wales. People identifying as non-religious are typically young, white and male – and increasingly working class.

    Analysis of data from the annual British Social Attitudes survey and the biennial European Social Survey was carried out by Stephen Bullivant, professor of theology and the sociology of religion at St Mary's University, Twickenham. "The rise of the non-religious is arguably the story of British religious history over the past half-century or so," he says in the introduction to his report, The 'No Religion' Population of Britain.

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  • Times (£): Abortion for health reasons backed by 75%
    May 14th, 2017

    Three out of four voters support abortion in cases where a pregnancy could damage a woman’s future health, according to a survey by Behaviour & Attitudes for The Sunday Times.

    The new poll finds continued backing for abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and rape, as well as where the mother’s health could be compromised by continuing a pregnancy. However, there is strong opposition to unrestricted abortion or abortion on socioeconomic grounds.

    Read more. 

  • Times (£): Trans children in their own words
    May 14th, 2017

    'I was the tallest girl at the prom'
    I first came across the idea when I was 10. I was online. For the next five years I had my head in the computer, doing research and finding people online to talk to. I had not realised people could change their gender.

    I grew up on a farm in the country. I would go to school with Bratz dolls and did not understand why that would be a problem. I was bullied at my first secondary school, so after about a year and a half I changed to Penglais comprehensive, just outside Aberystwyth.

    I was 15 when I told my closest friend and my mum and dad that I wanted to be a girl. Dad did not know how to react. He had never come across this before. But he was very supportive all the way. I have been very close to my parents.

    Read more.