Italy, Politics and the Church

Dino Buffo the editor of Italy's newspaper of the Italian Bishops Conference Avvenire has resigned after "defamatory" media attacks which claimed he was gay. He had criticised Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for his "immoral" lifestyle.

In recent months Berlusconi has been alleged to have had extra-marital affairs which followed his wife Veronica Lario filing for divorce. He also was criticised for not upholding traditional marriage values. His party has also been criticised for holding fascist views.

In a front-page campaign, Il Giornale, editor Vittorio Feltri, claimed Buffo was gay and had been involved in a scandal involving an alleged male lover in 2004.
According to the newspaper owned by the Berlusconi family, Buffo paid a fine for allegedly harassing a woman over the telephone who it claimed was the life of his male lover. Buffo has admitted being fined in the case but denied he was sexually involved with the man.

Buffo has rebutted the claims but resigned to 'protect his family'. He has been backed by the Vatican, which issued an immediate statement supporting him.

Berlusconi is currently suing at least two Italian and two foreign newspapers for their coverage of the scandals surrounding him

Putting her Straight!

Iris Robinson DUP MP who is Chair of the Stormont Health Committee has said that with help gay people can be "turned around". She said on Radio Ulster that "I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in," and "I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."

The Rainbow Project have asked to meet with Ms Robinson to try and turn her around. Sinn Féin's Education Minister Catríona Ruane said politicians should be guided by equality legislation. "There are equality laws in the north of Ireland," she said. "I think it is really important that politicians play a leadership role and that leadership role should be not to say anything that could possibly inflame the situation or cause further distress." In a statement the Royal College of Psychiatrists reiterated that homosexuality was not a psychiatric disorder.

Jamaican Gay Activist Seeks Asylum

Gareth Henry, a leading Jamaican gay activist and member of J-FLAG, has gone to Canada claiming refugee status. Henry says 13 of his friends have been killed in Jamaica since 2004. One 22-year-old friend who was suspected of being gay was chased by a mob, Henry told CBC News. The only place he could run to was the harbour. He couldn't swim."Everyone," said Henry, "stood and watched him drown." Full story

Pink Potter

Dumbledore is Gay announces Harry Potter author J.K Rowling. Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts school in her famous series of books loved by children and adults alike which have also been encapsulated on film.

Rowling made her revelation to a packed house in New York's Carnegie Hall on Friday, as part of her US book tour. and during audience questions, was asked if Dumbledore found "true love". She responded by saying "Dumbledore is gay," adding he was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, who he beat in a battle between good and bad wizards long ago. The audience gasped, then applauded. "I would have told you earlier if I knew it would make you so happy," she said. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," she added, saying Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down" and his love for Grindelwald was his "great tragedy".

Fan sites have long speculated on Dumbledore's sexuality as he was known for having a mysterious, troubled past. Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, she saw the script carried a reference to a girl who was once of interest to Dumbledore. She said she ensured director David Yates was made aware of the truth about her character.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the news about Dumbledore and said: "It's good that children's literature includes the reality of gay people, since we exist in every society.
"But I am disappointed that she did not make Dumbledore's sexuality explicit in the Harry Potter book. Making it obvious would have sent a much more powerful message of understanding and acceptance." And a spokesman for gay rights group Stonewall added: "It's great that JK has said this. It shows that there's no limit to what gay and lesbian people can do, even being a wizard headmaster."

She said she regarded her novels as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority". But she added that not everyone likes her work. Christian groups have alleged the books promote witchcraft. The author said her revelation about Dumbledore's sexual orientation would give them one more reason.