Africa
‘Anti-homosexuals apartheid’ in Cameroon says pro-gay lawyer
Alice Nkom, a Cameroonian lawyer who has defended gay men and women for the last decade, says the country is battling an ‘anti-homosexuals apartheid’, comparing the situation to slavery Alice Nkom, a pro-gay lawyer from Cameroon has spoken out about the treatment of gay people in her country, calling it an ‘anti-homosexuals apartheid’. She also… Read more »
Anglican leader James Tengatenga, free to speak, opens up on homophobia
Palm Springs, Calif. – “Hi, my name is James.” He looks like your typical tourist in the desert oasis that is Palm Springs, Calif., wearing white walking shorts and a casual shirt in a green-and-white plaid. No socks, no belt. No pretense. He flashes a friendly smile and extends his right hand, giving a warm… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Gay rights activists arrested in police raid at hotel
Two gay rights campaigners in Zimbabwe have been arrested for allegedly convening a public meeting without authorisation. Raids against activists are common in the country, which is notorious for its tough laws against same-sex sexuality activity and LGBT freedom of expression. In a statement on Thursday, Gay and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) said Natasha Dowell… Read more »
UNAIDS Is “Prepared” To Join Lawsuit Against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, Top Official Says
“We need to change the way we are doing business,” said Luiz Loures, UNAIDS deputy executive director and assistant secretary general of the United Nations. Washington — Luiz Loures, deputy director of UNAIDS and assistant secretary general of the United Nations, said Wednesday that UNAIDS is ready to join a lawsuit filed in a Ugandan… Read more »
Ugandan anti-gay strategy: The war has barely begun
Supporters of Uganda’s harsh new Anti-Homosexuality Act are preparing their next steps, according to a strategy document from anti-gay Pastor Stephen Langa. Langa, executive director of Uganda’s Family Life Network, organized the seminar in 2009 at which American anti-gay activist Scott Lively energized Uganda’s anti-homosexuality movement shortly before the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was introduced. Langa’s letter… Read more »
Gay law: Kazibwe warns Museveni
In a statement on Monday, former Vice President, Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe belatedly criticized the signing into law of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and urged for its repeal. She said the law would have negative public health implications and serious consequences for Uganda’s international reputation and support from donors. Kazibwe, a special envoy of the UN Secretary General… Read more »
Zimbabwe Police Again Raid LGBT Rights Meeting
Police in Zimbabwe today stormed a local hotel where human rights defenders were attending a media training workshop by Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). They arrested two of those at the meeting and brought the meeting to an end. About 20 participants were in the session, at the Bronte Hotel in Harare, when the… Read more »
Gay Ethiopian faces uncertainty, peril if deported
19-year-old was arrested in January Federal immigration officials in Boston are seeking to deport a man — who has posted online that he is gay — to a nation where same-sex relationships are illegal, just days after President Obama criticized a harsh new antigay law in Uganda. Officials arrested the 19-year-old man from Ethiopia in… Read more »
Congolese MP pushing to outlaw homosexuals and transgender people
An MP with the Parti Travailliste Congolais wants the Democratic Republic of Congo to jail homosexuals for up to 5 years and transgender people for up to 12 years – with minimum sentences of 3 years in jail for both Parti Travailliste Congolais (PTC) MP Steve Mbikayi is moving forward with a bill to criminalize… Read more »
Nigeria: 4 men charged with breaking anti-gay laws whipped in Islamic court
A human rights group says four men convicted of breaking anti-gay laws have been whipped publicly in an Islamic court in Bauchi, northern Nigeria. The Associated Press reports the men were among dozens arrested after Nigeria strengthened laws against same-sex sexual activity in January. Dorothy Aken’Ova of the Coalition for the Defence of Sexual Rights… Read more »
Growing Up Gay In Botswana
Botswanan trans-lesbian Prisca Mogapi knew he needed to come out to her family, but couldn’t find the right words. That all changed when a local newspaper outed him, thus jump starting his career as the African nation’s leading queer activist. Now Mogapi – who prefers to be called Skipper – works underground to fight Botswana’s… Read more »
A visit to prisoners held on ‘suspicion of homosexuality’
In The Nation, journalist Andy Kopsa reports on her trip last month to Cameroon with an American and African delegation from the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation. Some excerpts: The daily tally of prisoners in Yaoundé Central Prison, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, Cameroon, is on a chalkboard the size of a Ping-Pong table… Read more »
Nigerian Anglican Church requiring office holders to denounce homosexuality
The Anglican Church in Nigeria has banned homosexuals and bisexuals from all official roles within the church – forcing potential office holders to denounce homosexuality before God People seeking to hold official positions within the Anglican Church of Nigeria are being forced to swear that they are not gay before God – inviting God to… Read more »
Uganda threatens to cut ties with Church of England over gay rights
Stanley Ntagali, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, has accused the Anglican Church of being ‘spiritually blind’ on the issue of homosexuality Uganda is threatening to break away from the Church of England over gay rights. Stanley Ntagali, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, has said the head of the Anglican Church has… Read more »
Sierra Leone president wades into Uganda aid cut debate
President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone has urged the West to consider ‘culture, tradition [and] religious beliefs’ in Uganda before cutting aid money following the country’s new anti-gay law Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma has added his voice to the Uganda aid cut debate, saying ‘it is not right for issues to be imposed lock,… Read more »
Ghana Needs A Clear Policy On Homosexuality – MP
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alex Afenyo-Markin is urging government to declare its position on homosexuality. He made this point after Health Minister; Sherry Ayittey read a statement on the floor of Parliament on healthy living. Although some Legislators suggested a different platform for the discussion of the matter, Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that a… Read more »
World Bank suspends $90 million loan to Uganda over anti-gay law as currency dips
Uganda is seeing further financial consequences over the passing of its notorious Anti-Homosexuality Bill that jails gays for life with the World Bank suspending a major development loan The World Bank has suspended a $90million (€65million) loan to Uganda over its passing of the notorious Anti-Homosexuality Act which gives life imprisonment for anyone convicted of… Read more »
Pope will fly to Uganda to worship martyrs who rejected gay sex
Catholic martyrs were canonized after an African king had them executed for not sleeping with him Pope Francis will be flying to Uganda in order to praise Uganda martyrs who rejected gay sex from the country’s former king. The head of the Catholic Church will visit Uganda in October, which has recently enacted one of… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Head of gay rights group faces court over accusations of unregistered operation
The chair of gay rights group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, faced court on Monday as the organisation is accused of failing to register itself. Martha Tholanah, also a co-director of GALZ, was accused of operating the organisation without registering it under the Private and Voluntary Organisations Act. She appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei, and… Read more »
Zambia: Gay rights activist acquitted of immorality charges
A Zambian magistrate has acquitted a gay rights activist charged with an offence against public morality over pro-gay comments he made on television.Zambia: Gay rights activist acquitted of immorality charges A magistrate in Zambia on Tuesday acquitted a gay rights activist charged with an offence against public morality over comments he made on television in… Read more »
UN Secretary-General demands revision or repeal of Uganda homosexuality law
Kampala, Uganda – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is demanding the revision or repeal of Uganda’s law imposing life sentences for homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The U.N. chief warned Tuesday that the law could fuel prejudice and encourage harassment against gays, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said. Ban urged the Ugandan government to protect all people from violence and… Read more »
Ugandan newspaper prints list of ‘200 top’ gays
Kampala, Uganda — A Ugandan newspaper published a list Tuesday of what it called the country’s “200 top” gays, outing some Ugandans and raising fears of violence against those named just a day after the president enacted a severe anti-gay law. Many on the list “are scared and they need help,” said Pepe Julian Onziema,… Read more »
Uganda’s anti-gay bill refocuses attention on US evangelical influence
Uganda’s President Museveni signed into law Monday a bill that criminalizes homosexuality with life sentences and punishes efforts to raise or discuss gay issues. Nairobi, Kenya – A day after Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed into law a punitive bill that criminalizes homosexuality with life sentences and punishes efforts to raise or discuss gay issues, the… Read more »
Uganda politicians celebrate passing of anti-gay laws
President Museveni’s supporters revel in new anti-gay laws passed despite pressure from US, EU, western donors and rights groups Uganda’s president hassigned a controversial law allowing those convicted of homosexuality to be imprisoned for life, defying international disapproval from western donor nations. At a public ceremony in a packed room at the State House in… Read more »
Reaction to Uganda Antigay Law
As my colleague Alan Cowell reported, the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, significantly strengthened Africa’s antigay movement, signing into law a bill imposing harsh sentences for homosexual acts, including life imprisonment in some cases. Rights groups and activists condemned the law, with some pointing to the promotion of antigay sentiment by Western Christian evangelical groups.… Read more »
Eight suicide attempts in Uganda in last two weeks over anti-gay law
While some have remained resolute and will continue to fight against homophobia, others have fled the country and have attempted suicide Eight people have attempted suicide in the last two weeks over the anti-gay law, gay rights activists have told GSN. President Yoweri Museveni has signed the anti-gay bill into law today (24 February), one… Read more »
Award winning Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie slams anti-gay laws
Award winning Nigerian author and poet Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has spoken out about the further criminalization of homosexuality in her homeland – calling it a victimless crime Nigerian author and poet Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has criticized legislative efforts to further suppress the LGBTI community in Nigeria in an opinion piece for News Wire Nigeria published… Read more »
Mozambique’s former president calls for gay rights in Africa
Joaquim Chissano has called on African leaders to remember the immortal words of Nelson Mandela and to fight for equality Joaquim Chissano, who served as the country’s second president from 1986 to 2005, has reacted to Nigeria introducing one of the most draconic homophobic laws in the world. Not only does the law ban gay… Read more »
Uganda: Anti-Homosexuality Law Will Come at a Serious Cost
US Should Temporarily Recall Ambassador for Consultations (Nairobi) – Uganda’s pending Anti-Homosexuality bill violates the country’s human rights obligations and is a barrier to advancing critical public health goals.Uganda’s international donor partners should clearly and publicly specify the consequences for relations with Uganda if the Anti-Homosexuality bill becomes law. Uganda’s parliament passed the bill on… Read more »
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh: Gays are ‘vermin’ and should be treated worse than mosquitoes
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has referred to gay people as “vermin”, saying they should be dealt with in the same way as mosquitoes which “cause” malaria. President Jammeh made the comments on Tuesday. He has in the past referred to gays as a threat to humanity, saying a year ago that gay rights were a… Read more »
Tanzania Foreign Minister advises Commonwealth to move slow on gay rights in Africa
Tanzania’s Foreign Minister has warned that efforts to impose equal rights for LGBTI people in Africa may fail if imposed from outside Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Mbembe has advised that the Commonwealth should only try to make progress on LGBTI rights in member countries slowly as trying to impose them from outside may fail. Mbembe… Read more »
Wielding Whip and a Hard New Law, Nigeria Tries to ‘Sanitize’ Itself of Gays
Bauchi, Nigeria — The young man cried out as he was being whipped on the courtroom bench. The bailiff’s leather whip struck him 20 times, and when it was over, the man’s side and back were covered with bruises. Still, the large crowd outside was disappointed, the judge recalled: The penalty for gay sex under… Read more »
Nigerian gay people being hunted down
In northern Nigeria, gay men are being hunted down. In front of Bauchi state’s Sharia Commission, a white-walled two-storey building, men in dark green uniforms are awaiting orders from their boss. The man in charge of the Islamic police, or Hisbah, says the hunt began when the Hausa Leadership newspaper reported last year that homosexuals… Read more »
GALZ Statement On The Court Judgement Of Ricky Nathanson
We welcome the acquittal of Ricky Nathanson on a charge of “Criminal Nuisance” on Tuesday 4 February by a Bulawayo Magistrate. The unfortunatearrest of Ricky and the subsequent judgement by Magistrate AbednicoNdebele proves that the Police continue to use knee-jerk reactions to casesinvolving the LGBTI community. It would seem that the officer investigatingRicky Nathanson’s case… Read more »
4 men arrested over gay bashings in Senegal
Senegalese police have arrested 4 men over a spate of vigilante attacks on alleged homosexuals last Thursday but local Muslims have marched calling for their release Four Senegalese men have been arrested after they attacked five men they alleged were homosexuals with stones and batons on Thursday but protests have been held urging authorities to… Read more »
African Conference on Sexual Health and Rights
LGBT Cameroonians cannot fully receive HIV/health services, so local and global organizations see the African Confer. on Sexual Health/Rights as an opportunity. This campaign is raising funds on behalf of Saint Pauls Foundation For International Reconciliation Inc, a verified nonprofit. The campaign does not necessarily reflect the views of the nonprofit or have any formal… Read more »
African Anglican bishops warn Church of England to back off on gay issue
The leaders of the Anglican Church in Uganda and Kenya have warned the Church of England to back off on LGBTI issues after the Archbishop of Canterbury reminded them of their responsibility to support and care for gay people African bishops have reacted to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s letter reminding them of their duty… 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 »
Nigeria: Trial of men accused of being gay suspended due to ‘mob justice’ fears
Two Islamic courts in Nigeria have suspended the trials of 10 men accused of breaking laws against homosexuality over fears stones will once again be thrown at the defendants. An angry crowd last Wednesday pelted stones at several men suspected of breaking Islamic law banning homosexuality after their hearing was adjourned at the Upper Sharia… Read more »
Anti-gay mobs loot offices of LGBTI rights group in Ivory Coast
The offices of LGBTI rights group Alternative Cote d’Ivoire were ransacked by around 200 homophobic thugs on Saturday – smashing windows and stealing computers The most prominent LGBTI rights group in the West African nation of Ivory Coast has had its offices looted, with rocks and garbage hurled into the building and computers and other… Read more »
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