The Australian Senate today rejected a bill to give equal marriage rights to gay citizens. The bill was introduced by the Greens but was defeated 45-5, just days before the world's biggest gay celebration, Sydney Mardi Gras.

The Australian Senate today rejected a bill to give equal marriage rights to gay citizens. The bill was introduced by the Greens but was defeated 45-5, just days before the world's biggest gay celebration, Sydney Mardi Gras.

Schools secretary Ed Balls has denied watering down sex education laws for faith schools. Last Friday, the government was accused of performing a U-turn over an amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill allowing faith schools to teach about homosexuality in line with their "religious character".

Schools secretary Ed Balls has denied watering down sex education laws for faith schools. Last Friday, the government was accused of performing a U-turn over an amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill allowing faith schools to teach about homosexuality in line with their "religious character".

Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

Senior clergy in the Church of England called today to lift the ban on gay couples having civil partnerships in church. They said that it was inconsistent and discriminatory to ban gay couples having their ceremonies in churches willing to accommodate them.

The Isle of Man's House of Keys will debate whether to introduce civil partnerships for gay couples on the island. The Civil Partnerships Bill will have its first reading tomorrow and, if passed into law, will give gay and lesbian couples the same rights afforded to straight married couples.

The Isle of Man's House of Keys will debate whether to introduce civil partnerships for gay couples on the island. The Civil Partnerships Bill will have its first reading tomorrow and, if passed into law, will give gay and lesbian couples the same rights afforded to straight married couples.

The Isle of Man's House of Keys will debate whether to introduce civil partnerships for gay couples on the island. The Civil Partnerships Bill will have its first reading tomorrow and, if passed into law, will give gay and lesbian couples the same rights afforded to straight married couples.

US Senator Joe Lieberman is to introduce a bill next week to repeal the ban on out gays and lesbians serving in the US military. Mr Lieberman is independent but conservative and is a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.