For the second time in a fortnight, a gay festival has been cancelled. Leicester Pride was due to take place on June 23rd but has suffered funding and staffing issues. However organisers hope the festival, which costs £20,000 will go ahead in 2008.

Traditionally a colourful parade of floats, dancers and musical performers, the event attracts an estimated 10,000 visitors with free entry. Corin Desborough, Festival Director, told the local Leicester Mecury that the event had been cancelled for several reasons.

How can Britains only Lesbian and Gay bookshop be under threat from closure? Rising rents and falling sales are threatening this small but significant outlet which has been the inspiration for many writers. Established in 1979, Gay's The Word is losing custom and fast, partly due to trade drop-offs after the 7/7 London Bombings. In addition, rising competition from the likes of Amazon isn't helping either. It is hoping to secure its future by raising £20,000 to pay the rent, build a strong internet presence and by beefing up community activities.

This year will see the revival of the Miss Gay UK competition. Organiser Leah Shafik and her partner Nina, will be holding regional heats throughout the year before a final to decide the overall winner in Novemeber 2007.

Speaking about the idea for the competition Leah said, "Our idea to organise the Miss GayUK competition came from a discussion we had, raising the question, are you a woman who is gay or are you a gay woman? The difference is slight but significant."

This week the 18th GLADD media awards were held in New York. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

Channel Four is not commissioning another series of the award-winning drama series about young lesbians in Brighton. Sugar Rush, made by production company Shine, will not continue on the channel despite its popularity with viewers and critics alike. Last November Sugar Rush won an International Emmy in America and two Stonewall Award for Broadcaster of the Year.

Speaking exclusively to LoveGirls Johnny Capps, Sugar Rush producer and co-creator, said: "We were surprised and disappointed at Channel 4's decision not to recommission Sugar Rush, especially after its ratings and critical success. We certainly had lots of ideas of where to take the next series and it was sad not to be able to finish Kim and Sugar's story properly." He added the reason Channel 4 gave for failing to recommission the series was because the broadcaster "did not have a scheduling slot for it".

You wake up in the morning and your girlfriend is still sleeping next to you. She looks gorgeous, but what is she wearing? A cute pair of girl boxers? Perhaps the sexy little black number from last night ... or nothing at all!? We want to know what YOU prefer your girlfriend in!

Read the full article to win signed merchandise and DVD's!

On Thursday 22nd March, the Ninth annual Stonewall Equality Dinner was held at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, London. Lovegirls were there to see the stars arrive for the event which raised over £230,000 for ongoing campaigns against homophobia.

A recent survey carried out by Stonewall has shown that sexual health is a very real issue for lesbian women. The survey, carried out in gay capital Brighton, has indicated that lesbian women are 20% less likely to have a smear test than women in the wider population.

According to a tabloid newspaper, so dont take this as gospel, ex Babewatch babe Carmen Electra has been linked with lesbian rocker Joan Jett. Carmen, 34, has apparently been seen kissing with Joan backstage after a concert in the US. Reports claim that Carmen had a childhood crush on 48-year-old Joan when she had an eighties hit with I Love Rock'n' Roll. It is claimed they have been secretly dating for four months.