by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
The president of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights was prevented by local officials from addressing an International Day Against Homophobia rally May 9 in Birmingham, England.
UK Gay News said the Birmingham City Council determined that Michael Cashman could not speak at the event because he is seeking re-election as a member of the European Parliament in June's elections. Cashman's West Midlands district includes Birmingham.
The speech Cashman planned to give was instead read by a local activist as Cashman stood at her side.
Derek Lennard, the UK coordinator of IDAHO, denounced the ban, saying politicians were involved in IDAHO events arranged by local councils in several cities across the country.
"This rally was called to mark the International Day Against Homophobia – it has nothing to do with the Euro election campaign," Lennard told UK Gay News.
The report suggested the Conservative-run City Council had mistaken the anti-homophobia rally for a political event or had deliberately chosen to interfere with the gathering, at which Cashman was the featured speaker, because of anti-gay animus.
