News & Reports:

 

God Knows Us. God Loves Us.

Life on the margins in L.G.B.T. Africa. These days, our busy, digital lives leave us obsessed with what’s in front of us, and often ill equipped to reflect on what is larger than us. H.I.V. and AIDS advocacy forces us to think big: to consider the progress we have made — as a movement, and… Read more »

The UN’s LGBT expert has advocated for a global partnership to end violence

He advocated for unity in his keynote speech at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in Bangkok. Vitit Muntarbhorn said: “resolute action is required to stop the violence and discrimination affecting not only LGBT communities but also the human rights defenders working with them… “this goes hand in hand with the… Read more »

Homosexuality In Prehistoric Africa

Our knowledge of homosexuality in prehistoric African cultures is limited by the late-Middle Age European views of Africans, of homosexuality, and of course, the European reason for being in sub-Saharan Africa in the first place – the slave trade. Among the earliest references to it are some of the records of the Inquisition in Brazil.… Read more »

African Commission to promote LGBTI interests

The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights recently adopted a historic multilateral agreement, along with 25 nations, the EU, UNAIDS and the UNDP. Owing to its importance for Africa in particular, we are publishing the entire communique. This could well serve African and other LGBTI advocates well and be one more instrument to persuade… Read more »

African Homophobes Are Politicians, Not Lunatics, Writer Says

“To think that the Africans are doing something that has never been heard of — it’s not fair,” says the writer of new book about the impact of American anti-LGBT activists in Africa. Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, a Zambian priest, was instrumental in drawing attention to the connection between American anti-LGBT religious activists and the… Read more »

21 varieties of traditional African homosexuality

At least 21 cultural varieties of same-sex relationships have long been part of traditional African life, as demonstrated in a new report that is designed to dispel the confusion and lies surrounding Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The following discussion and the 21 examples are from that report, “Expanded Criminalisation of Homosexuality in Uganda: A Flawed Narrative… Read more »

Amnesty: Homophobia reaching ‘dangerous levels’ in Africa

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has published a new report titled “Making Love a Crime: Criminalisation of same-sex conduct in sub-Saharan Africa.” Governments are increasingly criminalising same-sex relationships by seeking to impose new laws and draconian penalties, it warns. The report states the situation is reaching “dangerous levels” in some parts of the continent. Amnesty… Read more »

Gay rights cases could trail Obama in Africa; high court’s rulings appear likely during trip

Washington — President Barack Obama’s trip to Africa next month may result in a stark juxtaposition between the growing power of the gay rights movement in the U.S. and the criminalization of homosexuality throughout the African continent. Obama is scheduled to be in Africa in late June and early July — the same period in… Read more »

RGOD2: Spirit of 76 delegate to AIDS conference faces horrendous retaliation back home in Africa

“They threw my clothes and furniture out from my home. I had nowhere to live but in my car and nothing to eat. My head was spinning – where to go, what to do?” Only 10 days after the Spirit of 76 initiative was celebrated in Washington, D.C., one of our bright and talented African… Read more »

European Parliament condemns violence against lesbians in Africa

The European Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution on violence against lesbian women and gay and transgender rights more generally in Africa. MEPs acted in response to increasing reports of arrests and violence against LGBTI people, and particularly lesbian women, on the continent. Recently, there has been increasing reports of arrests of lesbian women in Cameroon.… Read more »

Gay rights in Africa have ‘worsened’

Amnesty International global human rights report shows Europe lacks sufficient laws to combat LGBT persecution Amnesty International claims anti-gay discrimination has increased in Africa, while Europe lacks sufficient legislation to protect LGBT rights. In its 50th global human rights report, Amnesty described the situation in Africa as having ‘worsened’. It says politicians have failed to… Read more »

Hillary Clinton talks about promoting equality around the world

US Secretary of State says in parts of Africa and Asia, gay rights is ‘just a totally foreign concept Hillary Clinton has faced many challenges during her time as US Secretary of State and one of the biggest has been trying to promote LGBT equality around the world. Clinton said during an appearance at Syracuse… Read more »

Gay activists fight for human rights in Africa

The world listened last week as Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf defended her country’s laws that discriminate against its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex population. In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, she spoke of preserving Liberia’s “traditional values” and said in part, “We like ourselves the way we are.” It’s a sad sentiment… Read more »

Sub-Saharan Africa: Problems with Male Circumcision and HIV Transmission

Important new article finds fault with recent male circumcision trials in Africa. Sub-Saharan African randomised clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodological, ethical and legal concerns In 2007, WHO/UNAIDS recommended male circumcision as an HIV- preventive measure based on three sub-Saharan African randomised clinical trials (RCTs) into female-to-male sexual transmission. A related RCT… Read more »

UN secretary general: African governments must respect gay rights

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has told African leaders that they must respect gay rights in an unusually outspoken declaration made at an African Union summit in Ethiopia. Mr Ban told delegates at the event held in Addis Ababa: “One form of discrimination ignored or even sanctioned by many states for too long… Read more »

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Fellow Activists and Human Rights Defenders

Today, one year ago, a few of us were hanging out having a lovely new year connection full of hope for possibilities for our activism here 3 kms from the CAL office.  Victor received a call [almost to the minute as we put out this note]… David Kato had been murdered and our celebration in… Read more »

The Crime of Being Gay (and Having to Hide It)

The dream of the AIDS-free generation will never be realized as long as there remain countries in the world that kill and imprison people for being gay. Same goes for countries that won’t even acknowledge homosexuality exists within their national boundaries and therefore fail to provide targeted HIV prevention and treatment services. Such are the… Read more »

Africa reacts to Obama’s pro-gay rights foreign policy

Most of Africa’s 54 nations ban homosexuality, so President Obama’s promotion of gay rights as a human right draws quick ire from African governments.

Togo’s MSM Community Hold Transvestite Beauty Pageant

The MSM community in Togo recently organised and held its annual Mr and Miss MSM Togo event in the capital, Lomé. The event is an initiative of the Club of Seven Days, the first LGBTI organisation in Togo, with the sponsorship of PSI (Population Services International) via RAS+ (the network of people living with HIV/Aids… Read more »

Confusing Rebuttal of a Rebuttal Regarding Male Circumcision in Africa Males; Effectiveness of Circumcision Questioned

Introduction In 2007, WHO/UNAIDS recommended male circumcision as an HIV- preventive measure based on three sub-Saharan African randomised clinical trials (RCTs) into female-to-male sexual transmission. A related RCT investigated male-to-female transmission. However, the trials were compromised by inadequate equipoise; selection bias; inadequate blinding; problematic randomisation; trials stopped early with exaggerated treatment effects; and not investigating… Read more »

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 2011

Useful websites for LGBT Africa: (1) Behind the Mask (2) More All Africa News Africa is Dying from AIDS (1998 BBC) New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) See books review: Gay City News 1 Winds of Change 1/11 2 Transgender Rights… Read more »

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 2010

Useful websites for LGBT Africa: Behind the Mask More All Africa News Africa is Dying from AIDS (1998 BBC) 2007 Book: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) See books review: Gay City News 1 Stigma driving AIDS crisis among African gays 1/10 2 Black,… Read more »

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 2008-09

Useful websites for LGBT Africa: (1) Behind the Mask (2) More All Africa News Africa is Dying from AIDS (1998 BBC) New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) See books review: Gay City News 1 Gay Africans and Arabs come out online… Read more »

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 2007

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 2007 Also see: Gay Africa News & Reports 1999-2006 Gay Africa News & Reports 2008 Useful websites for LGBT Africa: (1) Behind the Mask (2) More All Africa News Africa is Dying from AIDS (1998 BBC) New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael… Read more »

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 1999-2006

Gay Africa News & Reports (All Africa) 1999-2006 Useful websites for LGBT Africa: (1) Behind the Mask (2) More All Africa News Africa is Dying from AIDS (1998 BBC) New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) See books review: Gay City News… Read more »