Police banned the British lesbian band Rockbitch from performing in Montreal November 6 due to reports its members have sex on stage.

Police Morality Squad Commander Andre Bouchard said the performance would violate "public order" laws, and that the nightclub the band was scheduled to play is not zoned for nudity or large audiences.

Rockbitch was banned from several cities in Germany earlier this year.

Cyprus' government November 4 begged the House Foreign Affairs Committee to vote to legalize gay-male sex.

"The government wants this law passed," said Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides.

Cyprus risks being ejected from the Council of Europe for continuing to ignore a 1993 European Court of Human Rights ruling that the ban violates European law.

Switzerland's two leading gay groups, Pink Cross and the Swiss Lesbian Organization, have presented the Federal Department of Police and Justice with two new partner measures.

One asks for legalization of gay marriage and the other seeks a registered-partnership law that grants the same rights as marriage.

"These detailed proposals are now introduced to the government," said correspondent David Haerry. "The responsible minister has to discuss with his six colleagues. The seven ministers will work out a bill which needs approval in the parliament."

Gay groups obtained the authority to force introduction of the measures by collecting 85,000 signatures in support of legal gay unions, Haerry said.