Category Archives: Freedom

If you have followed news about the many, many clashes between the emerging doctrines of sexual liberty and the First Amendment's "free exercise" of religion clause, you know this isn't a tidy, simple story with two sides and that's that.

Coverage of Sam Brownback's nomination to a key global religious freedom post is the latest fight.

Yes, there are LGBTQ activists in these debates and there are cultural conservatives. But there are also economic and libertarian conservatives who embrace gay-rights arguments and old-style liberals (Andrew Sullivan leaps to mind) who back gay rights and the defense of religious liberty, free speech and the freedom of association. There are Catholics on both sides. There are self-identified evangelicals on both sides.

In the mainstream press, this conflict has put extra pressure on journalists, with some striving to accurately and fairly cover voices on all sides, while others have thrown in the editorial towel and embraced open advocacy in their coverage. BuzzFeed remains the most candid newsroom on this front, with its "News Standards and Ethics Guide" that states:

Leaders at the New York Times have not been that candid, at least while in power. There was, of course, that 2011 talk by former editor Bill Keller (days after he retired) in which he said America's most powerful newsroom never slants its news coverage "aside from" issues -- such as gay rights -- that were part of the "liberal values, sort of social values thing" that went with the Times being a "tolerant, urban" institution.

Is this "Kellerism" ethic, or doctrine, still being used? Let's take a look at a key chunk of a recent Times news story that ran with this headline: "In One Day, Trump Administration Lands 3 Punches Against Gay Rights." The overture paints the big picture:

The usual Trump-ian chaos surrounded two of these stories, which led some cultural and moral conservatives to note that there were times when it was hard for anyone to defend this president's tweet-zap approach to policy decisions.

What interests me is the part of this report covering the nomination of Brownback to the international religious freedom post.

Now, it's clear that Brownback -- an evangelical convert to Catholicism -- is a controversial figure for the cultural, religious and political left, for a variety of reasons. Any well-researched and balanced news story about his nomination to this post would have to cover the views of LGBTQ and abortion-rights activists who oppose him. Is that clear?

Thus, the Times piece ends with this summary material:

That was that. End of story. Apparently, there was no need to mention Brownback's years of work on religious freedom issues or the views of those supporting his nomination.

Over at The Economist, the editors sided with the Brownback critics. However, the story made sure that readers knew there were multiple issues linked to his nomination and that he had supporters, as well as critics.

The headline: "Americas point-man on religious liberty is contentious: Why Sam Brownback divides religion-watchers." The word "divides" certainly implies that this is a debate in which there are multiple points of view. The story also includes this:

If readers want to know the views of people who support Brownback, they can -- naturally -- turn to coverage in conservative and religious publications.

But note the implication here. It would appear that one-side, pro-Brownback coverage is "religious" and "conservative."

So, if that is the standard, what is the coverage in the Times, which frames his nomination totally in the reactions of LGBTQ activists and offers zero information that would be cited by his defenders? Is this mainstream journalism these days or a less-candid form of advocacy?

Who could Times journalists have called, seeking input about Brownback's work on religious freedom? Lots of names leap to mind, but this man -- featured in a Christianity Today piece -- would head the list, in my opinion.

Last time I checked, Georgetown University is not a mecca for the Religious Right or right-wing Catholicism.

In conclusion, let me repeat: It was essential for reporters to note the strong liberal opposition to Brownback's nomination to this post.

It was also essential, if the goal was to help readers understand the dynamics at play here, to include the views of those familiar with his years of work in causes linked to religious freedom, including those who strongly support his nomination.

So what happened here? What journalism doctrines were in play?

More here:

Brownback has critics and supporters: All these voices matter in religious freedom debates - GetReligion (blog)

A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region.

CHINA SLAMS UK PLAN TO SEND CARRIERS TO SOUTH CHINA SEA

China's foreign ministry criticized plans by Britain to send its new aircraft carriers on freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea to challenge Beijing's expansive territorial claims in the strategic waterway.

Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters Friday in response to a question on statements by British officials that "some countries" from outside the region "insist on stirring up trouble while the situation is trending toward calm in the South China Sea."

"Regardless of what banner these countries or individuals fly under, or what excuses they may peddle, their record of the same kind of sanctimonious interference in the affairs of other regions, leaving behind chaos and humanitarian disaster, prompts countries in this region to maintain a high degree of vigilance," Lu said.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson confirmed following a high-level meeting in Sydney with his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, that missions to the South China Sea would be near the top of deployment plans for the new carriers, the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

"One of the first things we will do with the two new colossal aircraft carriers that we have just built is send them on a freedom of navigation operation to this area to vindicate our belief in the rules-based international system and in the freedom of navigation through those waterways which are absolutely vital for world trade," Johnson said.

British Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon later said exact plans for the deployments had not yet been finalized.

"But, yes, you would expect to see these carriers in the India Pacific Ocean, this part of the world because it is in this part of the world we see increasing tension, increasing challenges," Fallon said.

China has strongly objected to repeated freedom of navigation missions carried by the U.S. Navy along with the presence of the navies of Japan, Australia and others in the waterway, through which an estimated $5 trillion in annual trade passes each year.

OFFICIAL CHINESE MAGAZINE LAUDS PRESIDENT XI FOR 'PERSONALLY' LEADING SOUTH CHINA SEA EXPANSION

An official Chinese magazine says President Xi Jinping personally directed the enlargement of China's presence in the South China Sea through the construction of man-made islands and other measures, crediting him with constructing a "maritime Great Wall."

Xi "personally led and directed a series of great struggles to expand strategic advantages and safeguard national interests," the Study Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's central training academy, said in an article published Friday.

The president's policies, including the building of islands and administrative changes elevating the status of China's claims in the disputed Paracel island group, have "altered the basic direction of the South China Sea strategic situation."

They have "created a solid strategic foundation for the winning final victory in the struggle for upholding rights in the South China Sea, the equivalent of building a maritime Great Wall," the magazine said, referencing the centuries-old defensive structure built to protect China from invasions by Mongols and tribes from the north.

Under Xi, China has constructed seven man-made islands in the highly contested Spratly group by piling sand and cement atop coral reefs, later adding runways, aircraft hangers and other infrastructure with defensive uses. Islands in the Paracel islands and elsewhere have also been expanded and similarly augmented.

China claims the construction is mainly to improve safety for shipping and fishermen, although the Study Times article again appeared to underscore its military purpose.

The article also cited Xi's involvement in policy regarding uninhabited Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea that China claims.

Giving "measures for measure," China unilaterally declared control over a large swath of airspace in the East China Sea a move declared illegitimate and ignored by the U.S. and others and patrols the area on a regular basis, the article said.

It said Xi's moves have "in one fell swoop, shattered Japan's many years of maintaining 'actual control'" over the islands, known in Chinese as Diaoyu and in Japanese as Senkaku.

Read the rest here:

China criticizes British freedom of navigation mission plans - ABC News

Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical, playing Theatre Rows Acorn Theatre August 1-5 as part of the 2017 New York Musical Festival, bridges a significant sliver of American social historyseven months and six days in 1961, to be precise, when civil rights activists rode interstate buses into the stubbornly segregated South. They did this to challenge the non-enforcement of the Supreme Courts decision that segregated public buses were unconstitutional.

Somebody had to do it, and on May 4, 1961, 13 brave souls (seven black, six white) ventured forth from D.C. to Dixie via Greyhound and Trailways. They were followed by 423 others in at least 60 other Freedom Ride forays into the inhospitable South.

These turbulent times have been heavily documented, but Richard Allen is the first to see the makings of a musical. To that end, he wrote the book and, with Taran Gray, songs for Freedom Riders.

In the history textbooks that Allen and Gray grew up on, the freedom rides were little more than a fleeting blur between Rosa Parks memorable stance and Martin Luther King Jrs I Have a Dream speech. Allens real interest in it got piqued much later by an Oprah Winfred special, then I just couldnt get enough of it, so I watched a PBS special and an American Experience special--and then I started reading. Two summers ago, he began adapting this freedom-riders protest into a stage piece.

You can see in these specials how singing gave activists courage, Allen says. That, to me, made the material musical. Music was so key to the ordeal that it felt natural to tell the story that way. Within the black community, music is hugely important.

Eighteen songs were written for the show, and Grays research into the sounds of the 60s shows. Theres a lot of Motown and a lot of gospel, appropriately, he says. What we tried to do is to match the music with the story arch. Toward the end, the music gets more modernand, by modern, I mean 2017 musical-theatre modern.

I think we did something really interesting with the music, Gray continues. We broke a bit of a rule with a few of the musical-theatre songs that dont progress the storylinewhere the music suspends the moment, and theres a pause in the story.

Case-in-point is an emotional highpoint for the central character, John Lewis, who is now the U.S. Representative for Georgias 5th congressional district. In the show, as played by Anthony Chatmon II, he is a 21-year-old firebrand on the racial front lines.

That moment occurs, says Gray, after Lewis brutalizing first confrontation with violence as a nonviolent protester. He says to the other riders, Give me a second, and, at that moment, we have this suspension where we get to hear Johns heart. Its our I want song, and we really get to hear his passion for a world of true equality.

Dr. King, Robert Kennedy, and James Farmer are subsidiary characters in the musical, which focuses primarily on three civil rights icons: Lewis, Diane Nash (played by Brynn Williams), and John Seigenthaler (played by Ciaran McCarthy).

Director Whitney White arranged for the real Diane Nash to phone in her feedback to the cast. In our show, we deal with her rise, says Allen. The freedom rides put Diane on the map with the other civil rights leaders, who were all men at the time.

Seigenthalers two-year involvement in the fray (19601962), as RFKs administrative assistant in the thick of the freedom-rides fights, punctuated his career at The Nashville Tennesseanfrom police-beat reporter to editor-in-chief.

I got some pushback having Seigenthaler in the show, Allen admits. A lot of people believe that the Civil Rights Movement belongs only to blacks, and it doesnt. Sometimes, its jarring to see a white character playing an important part here.

But, for this movement, Seigenthaler did. Robert Kennedy sent him into the trenches to represent the Justice Department and protect these freedom riders.

Growing up with the Gores and Kennedys, he was liberal, so he really believed in this idea of freedom and equality. I thought he was a natural character for our show because he represents a lot of peoplepeople who believe the same liberal things he does but arent in the action of it. At some point, thats the big turn for him. He realizes hes got to make a choice. Now Im no longer the newspaperman Ive been all my life. Im now in the action of it. Im now an activist, fighting for these people.

All three main characters mature into their own moment of truth, says Allen. Thats been our struggleto really show where they come from and where they finish.

What we wanted to do, adds Gray, was bring humanity to these characters. They are real people with real struggles and conflicts. We wanted that to show. And, secondly, we wanted to show that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Thats so important because today we look at all the things going on and we go, Oh, my gosh! Its so overwhelming. We dont feel we can get involved or do anything. In the 60s, that wasnt the case. You went out, and you kinda did what you could.

LOVE THE THEATRE? CHECK OUT THE PLAYBILL STORE FOR MERCHANDISE!

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How the Real-Life Freedom Riders Inspired a New Musical - Playbill.com

SALT LAKE CITY The United States may soon have a new ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, after the White House announced Wednesday that Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback would be put forward for confirmation.

The news pleased the many religious freedom advocates calling for the position to be filled, but left others confused about the Trump administration's priorities.

"It will interest you to know that, at the moment, the United States has no ambassador to South Korea. Other marginally important nations in which the country has no official representative include Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. But, as of Wednesday night, we have a nominee to be the ambassador to an unknown land called religious freedom," wrote Charles P. Pierce for Esquire.

Irreverent responses didn't surprise those who work at the intersection of foreign policy and religion. For years, people have questioned America's efforts to support conscience rights around the world, said Chris Seiple, president emeritus of the Institute for Global Engagement, an organization founded by Seiple's father, Bob Seiple, the first international religious freedom ambassador.

"Sometimes people receive our concern about human rights and religious freedom as cultural imperialism," he said. "Sometimes it's received as looking out for Christians only."

Sean Casey, who previously served as the director of the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs, said it's fair to wonder about the value of this ambassadorship, since past leaders have struggled to have a measurable impact.

"Politics gets in the way of American diplomacy. We should be advocating for the right of any human being to practice their religion," he said.

However, improvements to the country's international religious freedom work can only be made if there's someone in place to direct them, said Katrina Lantos Swett, who previously served as chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

"All government work seems like you're drinking water out of a fire hose. There's always more coming at you than you can handle," she said. "But having leadership for the (international religious freedom) office is going to make a big difference."

Shifting job description

The position of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, a bill that Brownback, who was raised Methodist and converted to Catholicism in 2002, helped pass while in the Senate.

The legislation called for annual tracking of religion-related human rights violations and urged the State Department to wed foreign policy initiatives with faith-based outreach. The ambassador was to be a champion of conscience rights, helping government officials in the U.S. and abroad recognize the link between religious freedom and peace.

"The position is necessary for two reasons: first, to maintain America's leadership in assisting the millions of individuals and religious minorities suffering religious persecution around the world and, second, to enhance U.S. national security at home and abroad at a very low cost," said Tom Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute and former director of the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom.

Four people have held the post since 1998, and each has had to be responsive to a daunting political climate and changing global landscape.

"All of these people who take this position go through the tsunami of learning the bizarre culture" of the State Department, Casey said, noting that it takes more than a passion for religious freedom to get things done.

The ambassador must listen to the needs and concerns of world leaders and then connect them to America's foreign policy goals, Seiple said.

"If we can't relate to people in their own context and then bring that (understanding) back to the context of American values and interest, it's a total waste of time," he said.

The most recent religious freedom ambassador, Rabbi David Saperstein, who left the post in January, was widely praised for his political savvy and activism. As rates of religious persecution rose around the world, he pushed to get prisoners of conscience released, blasphemy laws repealed and the Islamic State's actions in Iraq and Syria classified as genocide.

"Studies tell us that three-quarters of the world's population live in countries with significant restrictions on religious freedom or social hostilities because the majority population is intolerant and often acts violently against minority religious populations. There's a lot of work to be done, and country by country we do make improvements," Rabbi Saperstein told the Deseret News in November.

Under the leadership of a religion-friendly secretary of state, John Kerry, Saperstein was able to expand his office and join with Casey to boost religious awareness within the State Department.

"In the 22 months that I've been honored to hold this position, the size of my office has nearly doubled and our program money has increased five-fold to $20 million," Saperstein said.

Although only six months have passed since Rabbi Saperstein led the department, the new religious freedom ambassador may struggle to pick up where he left off, said Casey, who is now the director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University.

The Trump administration has discussed cuts at the State Department, which could dismantle religion-related projects. It's also pushed policies like a ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority countries, an approach that hurts America's international reputation, he added.

"I think the biggest challenge Brownback or whoever sits in that chair will face is the out-of-step religious freedom action this administration has taken," Casey said.

Religious freedom moving forward

Casey's comments point to the fact that the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom must overcome political roadblocks in order to make meaningful progress. In the past, the State Department has often failed to follow up its report on religious tolerance with new sanctions or initiatives.

"Generally, the effectiveness of this position has been marginal in that sense that what it's been reduced to is naming and shaming," Casey said. "There's not a lot of evidence that a foot stomp and annual report (of religious freedom violations) has any diplomatic impact at all."

Swett offered a more generous analysis, highlighting the importance of having the ambassador call attention to egregious human rights violations.

"Public naming, shaming and blaming tends to turn up the heat on the abusers," she said.

Even if public press conferences fall flat, the international religious freedom ambassador is in a position to convince the secretary of state and president to take religious violence seriously, Swett added.

"There's always a risk when it comes to human rights issues that they'll get lost in the shuffle," she said.

Swett and other religious freedom advocates said Brownback, who served in the House and Senate for 16 years before becoming governor, could be effective in the role because of his past government experience. He would be the first elected official to hold the ambassador-at-large position.

"Having the stature of a former senator may allow him to knock on doors that some appointees might not have been able to. That can be a plus," Seiple said.

While in the Senate, Brownback was an outspoken supporter of conscience rights. He was "an early advocate of U.S. action to stop genocide in Sudan's Darfur region, and visited Congo and Rwanda to decry humanitarian crises and call for better coordination in foreign aid programs," The Associated Press reported.

Brownback has to be confirmed by the Senate before he can begin his work, but he's already shared his excitement on Twitter and with the media.

"I'm doing this job because of my interest and passion in the field," Brownback told World Magazine.

Email: kdallas@deseretnews.com Twitter: @kelsey_dallas

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What does the international religious freedom ambassador do? - Deseret News

The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, took an eleventh-inning lead and fought off a Joliet rally in the bottom half to win the rubber game of the series, 7-6, on Sunday at Slammers Stadium.

With the score tied at 4-4, Andrew Godbold began the top of the eleventh on second base for the Freedom (42-24) as the International Tiebreaker Rule runner and advanced to third on an infield single by Austin Wobrock. Daniel Fraga delivered a RBI-single to give Florence the lead, and after a walk, Jose Brizuela grounded a double down the right field line to score two off reliever Brian McKenna (0-1).

But with Pete Perez pitching in the bottom of the inning and tiebreaker runner Melvin Rodriguez on second for the Slammers (30-34), Spencer Navin and Rock Shoulders each drew walks around a strikeout of Danny Zardon. After a popout, Luis Diaz drove a pitch to the wall in left field. Taylor Oldham fielded the carom off the wall, and after two runs scored, Austin Wobrock delivered a strong relay throw home, allowing Garrett Vail to make the tag on Shoulders, the would-be tying run, for the games final out.

Until the eleventh, the game had been tied since the sixth, when a 4-2 Freedom lead dissolved on a Diaz RBI-double and an unearned run on a misplayed groundball by Wobrock. Joliet had scored two runs off Jordan Kraus in the first inning, but Florence got a RBI-single from Daniel Fraga in the third inning, a go-ahead two-run double by Jordan Brower in the fourth and a Brizuela RBI-single in the fifth to add to the lead.

The resulting series win was the fifth straight for the Freedom. Fraga led the team with five hits, while Brizuela paced Florence with three runs batted in.

Keivan Berges (3-1) picked up the win in relief, pitching a scoreless tenth inning. Jamal Wilson held Joliet scoreless in the eighth and ninth, following a shutout seventh inning by Mike Anthony, who was helped out of a jam by a Brizuela diving catch at third base that resulted in Navin being doubled off of second base.

The Freedom next travel to OFallon, Missouri to open a three-game series against the River City Rascals on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at CarShield Field.

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.

Florence Freedom

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Freedom plate three in 11th inning, hang on to take game, series, from Slammers in Joliet - User-generated content (press release) (registration)

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A bill allowing freedom of religious expression in public schools became effective on July 1.

Senate Bill 436, also known as the "Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act," prohibits a school district from discriminating based on religion.

The bill is separate from House Bill 7069, which covers an array of items including mandated 20 minute recess for public schools.

The bill also prohibits penalty or reward for a student's religious expression in assignments.

Lee Stafford, the Director of Student Services for Bay District Schools, said this bill will not greatly impact practices in the district because it already allows freedom of religious expression.

"I know that Bay District Schools has always allowed that so, there is, with this new bill, there is very little change for our practice, because it has been allowed in Bay District Schools," said Stafford.

She also said the bill allows students to use free time in school to pray.

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Florida bill allows freedom of religious expression in public schools - WJHG-TV

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SEVILLE, Ohio -- If you, or someone you know or love, have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, today is a special chance to better understand your services and sacrifices.

A traveling memorial to pay tribute to all who have answered our Nation's call will be staged at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Rawiga Road in Seville.

It's called About the Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial. The exhibit consists of life-size portraits depicting the fallen Lima Company 3/25, one of the hardest hit units in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Organizers will hold a short program at noon at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, before a motorcycle escort leads the traveling memorial to the Medina County fairgrounds, where it will be on display for the whole week.

Please note, the portraits will not be on display until the Medina County Fair's opening on Monday.

*Watch above for live video of a portion of the event.

For more information on The Eyes of Freedom, click here.

41.003371 -81.814552

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Eyes of Freedom: Traveling memorial depicts sacrifices of Lima Company 3/25 - fox8.com

Despite an eight-run lead dwindling to a two-run advantage, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, won an offensive skirmish, 10-7, over the Joliet Slammers on Saturday at Slammers Stadium.

The two teams traded blows early, as the Freedom (41-24) fell behind 1-0 on a first-inning RBI-single by Melvin Rodriguez. Garrett Vail, however, tied the score in the second with a RBI-single off his own.

Florence broke the game open in the fourth inning against Slammers (30-33) starter Skylar Janisse (4-2), loading the bases on a Collins Cuthrell single, a Jordan Brower walk and a dropped flyball in right field off the bat of Andrew Godbold. Austin Wobrock plated the go-ahead run with a groundout to second, and Vail padded the lead with a two-run single to left field. Taylor Oldham and Jose Brizuela would also contribute RBI-singles in the inning for a 6-1 lead. The Freedom sent 11 men to the plate in the inning, and Janisse was removed after the ninth batter.

With Gibson Russ on the mound in relief, the Freedom added three more runs in the fifth inning on three hits, a Brizuela sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

But the Slammers whittled away at the Freedom lead in the bottom of the fifth. With two out, Tony Vocca (6-4) issued a hit-by-pitch and a walk ahead of a Spencer Navin three-run homer to left field. Joliet followed by loading the bases on three singles, and Rock Shoulders drew a walk to force home a run, making the score 9-5.

Pitching his second inning in relief of Vocca, Enrique Zamora yielded a bases-loaded, two-run single to Travis Bolin in the seventh, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate before the right-hander retired David Gonzalez on a groundout.

Following a scoreless bottom of the eighth in which Mike Anthony struck out the side, the Freedom entered the ninth with a meager two-run lead. Jordan Brower led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored an insurance run on a Jordan Wellander wild pitch. Pete Perez allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom half before recording the final three outs and earning his fifth save.

Each Florence player collected at least one hit in the game, while Vail led the club with three runs batted in.

The two teams will play the rubber game of the series Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Slammers Stadium. Jordan Kraus (8-4) will pitch for the Freedom against Joliet right-hander Duke von Schamman (4-5).

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.

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Freedom come out on top in Joliet slugfest, go for series win against Slammers today - User-generated content (press release) (registration)

Smooth operator Will Young at the I Feel Love concert in Hull. Photograph: James Stack/BBC

Headlined by Will Young, Marc Almond and Alison Moyet, this concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of sexual freedom simultaneously broadcast on Radio 2 - doesnt lack party atmosphere. There are ticker-tape explosions and massed singalongs of the Village Peoples YMCA and Donna Summers I Feel Love, led by the Gay Abandon choir. The celebratory piece de resistance is surely the guy in the crowd singing along with a ventriloquists dummy, which has been glammed up in a silver wig. Yet for all the outbreaks of joy, the most effective moments are more downbeat. Presenter Ana Matronic from the Scissor Sisters reminds us that in the 1967 so-called Summer of Love, a section of society could be dragged before a magistrate for holding hands in the street. Actor Allan Corduner reads from Oscar Wildes De Profundis, written while the literary giant served two years hard labour for indecency. He dreamed of a quiet life by the seaside but was dead within three years.

The format of spoken word alternating with stars performing one song per appearance probably works better on the radio. Despite a slightly disjointed feel, however, the performances are often very moving. Marc Almond draws deep for What Makes a Man a Man and Lavender, an impassioned tale of hiding his sexuality as a teen and finding escape through David Bowie. Opera singer Noah Stewarts Youll Never Walk Alone and Nessun Dorma are obvious choices, but he brings down the house. Will Youngs breezy, jazzy renditions of Sades Smooth Operator and Terence Trent DArbys Wishing Well feel lightweight, but Moyet is surely singing better now than in her 80s commercial heyday.

Corduner describes how the great John Gielgud returned to the stage after his 1953 court appearance for cottaging and was cheered to the rafters, as the public and the arts led pressure for legal change. And who knew that Tom Robinsons hit, 2-4-6-8 Motorway, was inspired by an old gay lib chant (2-4-6-8, gay is twice as good as straight)? The BBC once banned his song Glad to Be Gay; now they employ him as DJ. To mark how far weve come he sings the 1978 song queer insults, police brutality and all every bit as furiously as he did then. Its a spine-tingling reminder that, for the 74 countries where LGBT relationships remain illegal, there is a very long way to go.

On BBC iPlayer until 27 August.

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I Feel Love review a moving celebration of sexual freedom and LGBT rights - The Guardian

The 105-year-old former freedom fighter and Gandhian, Vidyadhar Guruji, passed away in Kalaburagi at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology Unit in Kalaburagi government hospital on Saturday night.

He was admitted to hospital following a massive heart attack on Friday. However, Mr Guruji failed to respond to treatment and passed away on Saturday night around 9.30 pm.

The centenarian had always followed Gandhian principles and became active in the freedom movement as a college student. He also won assembly elections from Swatantra party against Mallappa Lingappa Kollur from Gurumitkal constituency. In 1984, Mr Guruji had contested the Parliament elections from Gulbarga constituency as a candidate of Janata Party and lost with a huge margin of 95,490 votes against the former Chief Minister Veerendra Patil of the Congress party.

Mr Guruji had donated his collection of books worth Rs 3 lakh to Hindi Prachar Sabha, for which he was Chairman for a period. The freedom fighter is survived by his wife Savitadevi, three sons and a daughter.

His body has been shifted to the Hindi Prachar Sabha for Public viewing from Saturday night to till Sunday noon. Peoples from different walks of life and Leaders of various political parties paid their last respects to Mr Guruji at the Hindi Prachar Sabha. Gurujis body will be handed over to the Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College as per his wish and be embalmed and used for teaching medical students.

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Freedom fighter Vidyadhar Guruji dies aged 105 - The Hindu