January
Janet Jackson gets the gong! The singer’s infamous Superbowl ‘wardrobe malfunction’ was the number one item web surfers searched for in 2004.
February
Gay activists insist that penguins have a right to form gay couples after it is announced that Germany’s Bremerhaven Zoo plans to introduce four new females to six male penguins that appear to be homosexual.
A naked portrait of Sinéad O’Connor by Jim Fitzpatrick is sold at auction in Dublin for €15,000.
March
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stresses the importance of greater sexual and reproductive health rights for women in developing countries.
Canada’s religious leaders call for the right to perform same-sex marriages. Christian, Jewish, Muslim and hundreds of worshippers gather to demonstrate support for same-sex unions.
April
A survey reveals that 14 percent of the world’s mobile phone users have stopped in the middle of a sex act to answer a call.
May
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a ban on receiving sperm donations from gay men who have had sex within the previous five years. The FDA insists that gay men pose a higher than average risk of carrying HIV/AIDS.
June
The newly-elected pope, Benedict XVI condemns gay unions as “pseudo-matrimony” and reaffirms the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion.
July
Colin Farrell sues his ex-lover Nicole Narain for allegedly trying to distribute a sex tape they made together.
August
Mary Harney, Minister for Health, is in hot water for suggesting that sexually active girls under the age of consent should be given contraceptives.
Reports suggest that the true extent of Irish sexually transmitted diseases is unknown and that long waiting periods to be tested may be part of the problem.
September
The British government considers tough new laws to restrict access to violent Internet porn. According to the UK’s Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, possession of the banned material could be punishable by up to three years in prison.
October
Sex workers from the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE) hold a news conference at the European Parliament to ask the EU to end discrimination against sex work, afford workers legal rights and regulate the industry.
November
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reports that sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) have increased by 12% in Ireland since 2004. According to the HPSC 10,695 STD cases were reported in 2004.
December
The 17th World Aids Day is held on December 1st with a particular focus on women. According to a UN report, women are twice as likely as men to become infected with HIV/Aids through penetrative sex.