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PinkNews
PinkNews homepage, April 2012
Type of site
Online newspaper
Available inEnglish
Created byBenjamin Cohen
URLthepinknews.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationNo
LaunchedJuly 2005 (2005-07)
Current statusActive

PinkNews is a UK-based online newspaper marketed to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning community (LGBTQ+) in the UK and worldwide. It was founded by Benjamin Cohen in July 2005.

It closely follows political progress on LGBTQ+ rights around the world, and carries interviews with cultural figures and politicians. The news is split into different sections, with most recent, prominent and trending stories showing on the home page by default. People can filter news by the sections they have most interest in, including: entertainment, world, politics, and arts.

PinkNews pays special attention to the topic of religion and homosexuality. It became one of the few LGBTQ+ publications to have interviewed an incumbent Archbishop of Canterbury in 2014, when Justin Welby discussed the Church of England's approach to homosexuality.[1]

PinkNews runs the PinkNews Awards, which launched in 2013 and take place annually in Westminster. The awards, which are voted on by the public alongside a panel of judges,[2] honour the work of LGBTQ+ activists in the field as well as political speakers and businesses. Previous high-profile PinkNews Awards winners include John Bercow,[3] Nick Clegg,[4] Richard Branson,[5] Ed Miliband,[5] Alex Salmond[5] and David Cameron.[6]

History

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PinkNews was founded by Benjamin Cohen in July 2005.[7][8] A paper version, The PinkNews was officially launched in 2006.[9] However, PinkNews became an online-only publication when the print edition was dropped after six months.[10]

In 2018, PinkNews became the first LGBTQ+ publisher on Snapchat. It had an operating profit of £2million in 2021.[11] The website was redesigned in 2022. New filtering features were also added to its app in an attempt to counter news avoidance due to negative reporting.[7]

Sexual misconduct allegations

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On 11 December 2024, the BBC broadcast an investigation in which Anthony James and Benjamin Cohen were accused by more than 30 current and former members of staff of inappropriate touching, kissing, and bullying.[12][13] The staff members described a toxic workplace.[14] On 17 December, the couple released a statement describing the allegations of sexual misconduct as "false, inconsistent and malicious" and accused the BBC of misleading the public.[15]

Interviews with politicians

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To date PinkNews has published articles by six British Prime Ministers: John Major,[16] Tony Blair,[17] Gordon Brown,[18] David Cameron,[19] Theresa May,[20] and Boris Johnson. PinkNews has also interviewed other political figures in the United Kingdom, including Nick Clegg[18] and Jeremy Corbyn, who have also written for the paper.[21][22] On 2 January 2020, UK MP Layla Moran revealed in an interview with PinkNews that she is pansexual; she is believed to be the first UK parliamentarian to come out as pansexual.</ref>[23]

Editorial controversies

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News International (2006)

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In 2006, two tabloid newspapers, the News of the World and The Sun, published a false story about two Premiership footballers having a gay orgy with a DJ. Although the News of the World did not name any of them, it used a pixelated photograph of footballer Ashley Cole to illustrate the story. PinkNews published what it claimed to be the unpixelated original photograph. Cole, along with the DJ, Masterstepz, sued these tabloids' parent company News International and won at least £100,000 plus legal costs.[24] News International threatened to pursue PinkNews, under the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978, for a share in these costs, but did not in the end follow through.

Joanna Cherry (2019)

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In 2019 PinkNews apologised to Joanna Cherry, who at the time was the MP for Edinburgh South West for falsely stating that she was being investigated for homophobia.[25] In a correction published on their website, they "made a donation to the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group at Ms Cherry’s request in compensation for the damage done and we have paid Ms Cherry’s legal costs."

Julie Bindel (2020)

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In July 2020, the writer and activist Julie Bindel sued PinkNews and its editor Benjamin Cohen for libel in relation to an article concerning gender-critical feminism that she argued defamed her.[26][27] In October 2021, the case was settled out of court with PinkNews publishing a joint statement with Bindel stating "The [original] article made a number of serious allegations of misconduct and PinkNews accepts that if the allegations were understood to refer to Julie, they would be wholly untrue."[28]

Relationship with Stonewall

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PinkNews reported heavily on the refusal of Stonewall, an LGBTQ+ rights group, to actively campaign for gay marriage.[29] Stonewall's then Chief Executive Ben Summerskill suggested "it would cost a staggering £5 billion to implement", a figure later seized upon by opponents of same-sex marriage despite its lack of factual basis. The rift came to a head at Liberal Democrats conference in 2010, where Summerskill argued that "there are lots of lesbians who actually don't want marriage". The event was attended by Lynne Featherstone, the minister for equality; Evan Harris, president of Liberal Democrat LGBT+ group DELGA; and Steve Gilbert, the Lib Dem MP, all of whom said they supported same-sex marriage. A poll commissioned by PinkNews and answered by more than 800 of their readership found 98% in support of marriage equality, with many comments calling for Summerskill's resignation.[29] Stonewall was also criticised by a former founder, Michael Cashman, MEP, over its policy.[29]

Summerskill later accused PinkNews of running an "unethical campaign" against Stonewall after asking every LGBT organisation and political group to outline their stance on the issue, with only Stonewall refusing to comment. In October 2010, Stonewall revised its policy and agreed to support same-sex marriage, stating "Stonewall is pleased to be widening its campaigning objectives to include extending the legal form of marriage to gay people".[30][31]

PinkNews also regularly reported on criticism of Stonewall for its refusal to campaign on transgender issues.[32] PinkNews has collaborated closely with Stonewall following the departure of Summerskill in 2014. A year later, under Chief Executive Ruth Hunt, Stonewall decided to begin campaigning on transgender issues.[33]

In 2017, Stonewall and PinkNews co-hosted an election hustings,[34] and Ruth Hunt has written for PinkNews on a number of occasions.[35]

Advertising and support

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  • PinkNews was an official supporter of the Coalition for Equal Marriage (C4EM), a counter-organisation to the Coalition for Marriage, and successfully petitioned for the introduction of same-sex marriage rights in England and Wales, while the Coalition for Marriage campaigned against it.[36]
  • PinkNews named 25 January as Peter Tatchell Day to celebrate the British political campaigner's 60th birthday, 45 years of human rights campaigning and 10 years since the launch of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.[37] PinkNews also published a prose poem written by Stephen Fry in honour of Tatchell's birthday on 24 January and frequently carries advertisements for the Peter Tatchell Foundation.[38]
  • On 25 April 2012 PinkNews began using a video for the Coalition for Equal Marriage in their advertising space, wrote articles in support of it and gave it their official backing, encouraging readers to respond to the government consultation to show their opinions.[39][40]
  • PinkNews regularly reported on the progress of the Out4Marriage campaign, which was started in May 2012 and launched by Mike Buonaiuto and PinkNews founder, Benjamin Cohen. The campaign used YouTube videos of people supporting equal marriage, including celebrities and Members of Parliament, finishing with the line "And that's why I'm out for marriage. Are you?". The Out4Marriage YouTube campaign reached 14 million views in just three weeks from launch.[41][42][43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brown, Andrew (14 May 2014). "Archbishop of Canterbury creates a stir with 'great' remark to gay magazine". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  2. ^ "The nominees for the fifth annual PinkNews Awards". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  3. ^ Kentish, Benjamin (16 October 2019). "Nancy Pelosi presents John Bercow with LGBT rights award". The Independent. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Nick Clegg receives a Pink News award for equal marriage - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "The PinkNews Awards Winners and Nominees in full". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. ^ Davies, Caroline (26 October 2016). "David Cameron gets award for introducing same-sex marriage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  7. ^ a b Tobitt, Charlotte (12 December 2022). "Pink News tackles news avoidance with positive news filter". Press Gazette. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  8. ^ Cohen, Benjamin (30 July 2007). "Comment: How PinkNews.co.uk changed the gay media". PinkNews. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  9. ^ Shoffman, Marc (29 June 2006). "The Pink News launches new gay era". PinkNews.
  10. ^ Luft, Oliver (28 July 2010). "Pink News five years on: 'revenue could rise ten-fold'". Press Gazette. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  11. ^ Tobbit, Charlotte (1 September 2022). "Pink News CEO on how £2m profit LGBTQ+ brand resonates with Gen Z". Press Gazette. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  12. ^ Tait, Albert (10 December 2024). "Couple behind PinkNews accused of slapping employee on bottom and kissing drunk staff". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  13. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (10 December 2024). "PinkNews bosses accused of sexual misconduct by former staff members". The Independent. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. ^ Parry, Josh (10 December 2024). "PinkNews bosses accused of sexual misconduct". BBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  15. ^ "PinkNews bosses deny 'malicious' sexual misconduct claims". BBC News. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Sir John Major: We should remember those who have fought for a more accepting Britain". PinkNews. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  17. ^ Blair, Tony (5 December 2005). "We are living in a new age of equality". PinkNews.
  18. ^ a b Luft, Oliver (28 July 2010). "Pink News five years on: 'revenue could rise ten-fold'". Press Gazette. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  19. ^ Cameron, David (23 June 2011). "Why It's vital to kick homophobia out of sport". PinkNews.
  20. ^ "Theresa May writes for PinkNews on the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act". PinkNews. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  21. ^ Roberts, Rachel (12 June 2017). "Theresa May appoints Justice Secretary opposed to LGBT rights". The Independent. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  22. ^ Jeremy Corbyn: Much more needs to be done to tackle homophobia in our society. PinkNews. Published 26 July 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Layla Moran: Lib Dem MP announces she is pansexual". BBC News. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  24. ^ Brook, Stephen (26 June 2006). "England star wins libel payout over sex slur". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  25. ^ Rhodes, Mandy (15 October 2019). "With a cherry on top: Exclusive interview with Joanna Cherry". Holyrood. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Judgment handed down in Julie Bindel's libel claim against Pink News". Matrix Chambers. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  27. ^ "In the High Court of Justics - Julie Bindel and (1) PinkNews Media Group Ltd (2) Benjamin Cohen" (PDF). Matrix Chambers. 7 July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Julie Bindel settles libel claim with PinkNews". 5RB. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Reeves, Andrew (28 September 2010). "What does Stonewall want if it isn't gay marriage?". LibDemVoice.org. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  30. ^ "Stonewall undermines campaign for gay marriage". Peter Tatchell. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  31. ^ Geen, Jessica (27 October 2010). "Stonewall says it will campaign for gay marriage". PinkNews.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  32. ^ "Celebs split over trans protest at Stonewall Awards". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  33. ^ "Stonewall announces it will now campaign for trans rights too". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  34. ^ "General Election 2017: Stonewall LGBT hustings sells out". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  35. ^ "Ruth Hunt · PinkNews". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  36. ^ "C4EM supporters". C4EM. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  37. ^ "Peter Tatchell Day declared". Rainbow Forum LGBT Group. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  38. ^ "Peter Tatchell Day poem". PinkNews. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  39. ^ Gray, Stephen. "Video: Coalition for Equal Marriage releases beautiful viral campaign film". PinkNews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  40. ^ "Comment: I hope my Equal Marriage film wakes us all up to support changing the law". PinkNews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  41. ^ "Out4Marriage". out4marriage.org. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  42. ^ Grice, Andrew (24 May 2012). "Home Secretary Theresa May records video declaring full support for gay marriage". The Independent. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  43. ^ Guardian, The (24 May 2012). "Theresa May records video in support of gay marriage – video". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
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