Gay Today: World

Right Wing British
Politician Admits Gay Past

British Anti-Homophobia
Campaign Launched

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

Right Wing British Politician Admits Gay Past

Saying he was tired of dodging rumors, former British Defense Secretary Michael Portillo, 46, admitted September 9 that he had gay relationships in college at Cambridge University.

"When I was in public life I was dogged by rumors," Portillo said. "If I go back to public life, I am not going to have all that again."

Michael Portillo

He added: "I think if I read this about someone else, my reaction would be 'so what'. I hope that will be other people's reactions."

A hardline ultra-patriotic rightwinger, Portillo is running in a parliamentary by-election to fill the seat of London MP Alan Clark, who died September 5. He also has been considered a strong contender to unseat William Hague as leader of the Tory party.

British Anti-Homophobia Campaign Launched

The large British AIDS organization Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) launched what it said is Europe's first national anti-homophobia campaign September 3.

Ads will target teachers, parents and the general public via the media, public transportation and movie theaters.

The "It's Prejudice That's Queer" campaign includes confrontational slogans such as "Homophobes shouldn't be left alone with kids."

Surveys have found that up to two-thirds of Brits have homophobic opinions and 25 percent think gays shouldn't be allowed to work with children.

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"Homophobia is a serious, widespread problem which must be tackled," said THT's Nick Partridge.

"The consequences are as far-reaching as they are damaging. Homophobia harms the health of gay people physically, mentally and emotionally. In particular, it can affect their confidence and ability to negotiate safer sex which is a key concern in preventing the spread of HIV."