An estimated 40,000 people joined Liverpool Pride on Saturday - double the number who turned up last year. The festival, now in its second year, was held at the city's waterfront, where it is thought around 35,000 people joined the celebrations.

The national transgender festival, Sparkle, has begun in Manchester. The festival, now in its seventh year, is the biggest event on the trans calendar and is billed as a "celebration of gender diversity".

The national transgender festival, Sparkle, has begun in Manchester. The festival, now in its seventh year, is the biggest event on the trans calendar and is billed as a "celebration of gender diversity".

The national transgender festival, Sparkle, has begun in Manchester. The festival, now in its seventh year, is the biggest event on the trans calendar and is billed as a "celebration of gender diversity".

An MP has asked Home Secretary Theresa May why an anti-gay US preacher is being allowed into the UK. Labour MP Richard Burden said people would question why Pastor John Hagee is allowed into the country while other hate preachers, such as Muslim speaker Sheikh Raed Salah, are banned.

An MP has asked Home Secretary Theresa May why an anti-gay US preacher is being allowed into the UK. Labour MP Richard Burden said people would question why Pastor John Hagee is allowed into the country while other hate preachers, such as Muslim speaker Sheikh Raed Salah, are banned.

An MP has asked Home Secretary Theresa May why an anti-gay US preacher is being allowed into the UK. Labour MP Richard Burden said people would question why Pastor John Hagee is allowed into the country while other hate preachers, such as Muslim speaker Sheikh Raed Salah, are banned.

An MP has asked Home Secretary Theresa May why an anti-gay US preacher is being allowed into the UK. Labour MP Richard Burden said people would question why Pastor John Hagee is allowed into the country while other hate preachers, such as Muslim speaker Sheikh Raed Salah, are banned.

A 74-year-old gay rights supporter has been charged with assault for kissing an anti-gay preacher during a pride event in North Carolina. Joan Parker, who attended last Saturday's event with her husband, says she kissed the preacher on the cheek while he screamed that gay people would go to hell.

A 74-year-old gay rights supporter has been charged with assault for kissing an anti-gay preacher during a pride event in North Carolina. Joan Parker, who attended last Saturday's event with her husband, says she kissed the preacher on the cheek while he screamed that gay people would go to hell.