Africa
Leading Ghana cleric: gay people are ‘Satan’s deadly agenda’
The head of Ghana’s Presbyterian Church, Emmanuel Martey, alleged that gays are plotting to have the country ‘destroyed’ by infiltrating its government The head of Ghana’s Presbyterian Church, Emmanuel Martey, alleged that gays are plotting to have the country ‘destroyed’ by infiltrating its government Emmanuel Martey, head of Ghana’s Presbyterian Church said that gays form… Read more »
Tunisia political leader found guilty of having gay sex
Mounir Baatour, Liberal Party leader, has been found guilty of sodomy after being jailed for nearly three months, human rights groups criticize the ruling saying anti-gay legislation is used as a moral and political weapon Mounir Baatour, a political party leader and lawyer was found guilty of ‘sodomy’ with a 20 year old man. Baatour… Read more »
Morocco told to decriminalize gay sex
The Council of Europe has called upon Morocco to repeal its law banning same-sex acts The Council of Europe (CoE) told Moroccan lawmakers to decriminalize a law banning and severely punishing gay sex. The statement came as part of CoE’s bi-annual resolution evaluating Morocco’s reforms law reforms as required by its status as a ‘partner… 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 »
Men who walk on the wild side
They are not gay, they are not bisexual. They are just men who like to experiment with other men. What does this mean for you? David says he is looking forward to married life. In fact, the 32-year-old banker has been in a serious relationship for two years with a woman he fondly describes as… Read more »
Poll: 92% of Nigerians support proposed bill to criminalise same-sex marriage
A new poll has found that 92% of Nigerians are in support of a proposed bill to make same-sex marriages punishable with 14 year prison sentences. Back in May, a bill to further criminalise same-sex marriages in Nigeria with prison terms of up to 14 years was passed by lawmakers in the country’s Parliament. Same-sex… Read more »
Q&A: Ugandan LGBT activist Frank Mugisha
Ottawa — Frank Mugisha is an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) activist from Uganda who was in Ottawa this week warning about the dangers of a new bill before his country’s parliament that has drawn international scorn. If passed, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill could, among other things, sentence gays and lesbians to death and jail those… Read more »
Two gay pride parades for Joburg this year
Johannesburg – After months of uncertainty about whether Joburg will host a gay pride parade after organisers quit, the city will now have two. This highlighted ingrained divisions within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that were unlikely to dissipate in the foreseeable future, activists said. Last year, members of the feminist anti-rape… Read more »
HRW: Tanzanian Police Abuses Block HIV Progress
Efforts to fight the spread of HIV in Tanzania have been stymied by discrimination against high-risk groups, according to a report published Tuesday by Human Rights Watch. According to the new findings, widespread police abuse against sex workers, drug users, and men who have sex with men is a major hindrance in tackling the spread… Read more »
Zimbabwe: Mugabe seeks life in prison for homosexuals
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has resume his verbal attacks on LGBT people, promising that he will make the country a “hell” for gays and lesbians if his Zanu PF party wins the July 31 election. He proposed life sentences for homosexual activity, saying that the current law, which provides for up to a year… Read more »
Tunisia jails rapper Weld El 15
Tunisian rap artist Weld El 15 lost his appeal on Thursday (June 13th). After three months on the run, the rapper hoped to overturn the conviction handed down for his song “Boulicia Kleb”. But the Ben Arous judge ruled that the rap song critical of the police merited a two-year prison sentence. “The sentence is… Read more »
Where Being Gay Is a Life-and-Death Struggle
Fighting Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill in ‘Call Me Kuchu’ As you listen to Ugandan politicians and preachers rant against homosexuality in the documentary “Call Me Kuchu,” a chilling sense of reliving the past sets in. “Kuchu” is a synonym for “queer” in Uganda. It is commonplace in many African countries nowadays for homosexuality to be denounced… Read more »
Attack on LGBT group in Zimbabwe; police to the rescue
A group of young men, apparently acting as a youth militia for an unidentified anti-gay organization, attacked the offices of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) today, threatened staff members with hammers, ransacked the offices and locked up the staff. In contrast to last year, when police raided the group’s offices and arrested GALZ members,… Read more »
Homosexuality at issue in 2 trials in Zambia this week
New Age Online published a preview of court action scheduled for this week in Zambia. Excerpts: Two high-profile cases involving a suspected gay couple and a [human rights] activist come back-to-back in Zambian courts this week raising concerns over growing homophobia. Rights activist Paul Kasonkomona, 38, returns to court Tuesday after his arrest in April… Read more »
Africa: Few Programmes Target Gay Men, Other MSM and Transgendered in Southern Africa, Study Says
Analysis Despite the Global Fund’s progressive policies on the inclusion of gay men, other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals (GMT) in programmes supported by the Fund, only a tiny fraction of the money spent by the Fund in six countries in Southern Africa has targeted this population. This is one of… Read more »
Gay Egyptians come out of the closet
Cairo – Being gay in Egypt used to be a closely-guarded secret. Yet thanks to more widespread Internet use by Egyptians and the demonstrations of the Arab Spring calling for freedom, many gays are more open about their sexuality. Social media groups have been created to discuss gays’ problems, religious fatwas (legal pronouncements) regarding homosexuality… Read more »
Egypt blocks inclusion of gay health in World Health Organization’s agenda
Egypt’s Health Minister, Mohamed Mostafa Hamed, boasted that he ‘succeeded’ in deleting an item on improving the health of LGBT people from the agenda of the World Health Organization (WHO) LGBT health issues were removed from the agenda of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) board meeting, after Egypt and other member states of the Eastern… 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 »
Nigeria one step away from banning gay marriage
President yet to sign bill that would jail same-sex couples for up to 14 years amid pressure from UK and US over foreign aid Nigeria has passed a bill banning gay marriage, outlawing organisations supporting gay rights and setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders. The bill, passed by Nigeria’s House of… Read more »
Nigeria Lawmakers Pass Anti-Gay Marriage Bill
Abuja, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s House of Representatives voted Thursday to ban gay marriage and outlaw any groups actively supporting gay rights, endorsing a measure that also calls for 10-year prison sentences for any “public show” of affection by a same-sex couple. Representatives appeared to unanimously approve the proposal in a voice vote, sending it… Read more »
Peaceful celebration in Cameroon a year after mob attack
Three associations in Cameroon’s capital city organized a week’s activities to commemorate this year’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). Unlike last year, the activities were not disrupted by anti-gay violence. IDAHO 2013 In Cameroon Time: around 6 p.m., May 17. Location: The Bastos Roundabout residential area of Yaounde, where most embassies are located, within walking… Read more »
‘Gays Can Go To Hell’ Acting Zambia President Says He Is Vindicated
Lusaka, Zambia – Acting President Edgar Lungu says he feels vindicated over his recent anti-gay remarks following the protests that were held in Paris, France over same sex marriages. Mr Lungu, who is also Minister of Home Affairs, says the clashes against gay marriages in France are a testimonythat Zambia made the right decision in… Read more »
Tunisian film tops Cannes
Tunis-born director Abdellatif Kechiche topped the 2013 Cannes festival “Palme d’Or” for his controversial film “La Vie d’Adele”. After receiving the award from US filmmaker Steven Spielberg at the French festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday (May 26th), Kechiche dedicated his win to youths of the Tunisian revolution, who “have the aspiration to be free, to… Read more »
French lesbian love story wins top prize at Cannes
An intimate lesbian love story by French director Abdellatif Kechiche won the top prize in Cannes on Sunday, and the film festival’s director immediately urged the large crowds protesting against gay marriage in Paris to go and see it. Cannes(Reuters) – “La Vie d’Adele – Chapitre 1 & 2” (Blue is the Warmest Colour) was… Read more »
Uganda LGBT Activists Warn Against False Fund Raising
The Ugandan LGBT community is expressing concerns about rogue organizations and individuals soliciting funds from the West through false or exaggerated stories presented on social media. What follows is a plea and announcement by LGBT human rights defender Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera, Founder & Executive Director of the Ugandan organization Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG,) for… Read more »
Sierra Leone gay activist escapes broken glass murder attempt
George Reginald Freeman, a Sierra Leone LGBT activist narrowly escaped a murder attempt after a local tabloid outed him, which he blames for inciting violence A Sierra Leonean gay rights activist narrowly escaped death when two unidentified assailants attacked him in his car. George Reginald Freeman, executive director of Pride Equality, had his car destroyed… Read more »
Living a Double Life: HIV and Men Who Have Sex with Men
HIV has a devastating impact on men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria. “Because of stigma, discrimination, homophobia, and criminalization that MSM face in the course of their lives in many African countries, many are reluctant to access health care services and participate in research thus heightening their vulnerability to HIV infection,” says… Read more »
Zambia: Stop Prosecuting People for Homosexuality
Drop Charges, Cease Invasive Exams, Protect Rights of Accused (Nairobi) – Zambian authorities should dismiss all charges and release two men arrested for engaging in homosexual acts, Human Rights Watch said. The police should immediately cease forensic anal examinations, which are intrusive, invasive and constitute cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in violation of international law.… Read more »
Police shut down IDAHO gay march in Kenya
Police stop LGBT community from holding procession aimed at stopping homosexuality being a criminal offence Police in Kenya have stopped people marching through the capital Nairobi today (17 May) to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). A permit had been issued to allow Kenyan LGBTs and supporters to procession. But this morning police… Read more »
Cameroon: Drop Charges Against 2 Transgender Youth
Prosecution Based Solely on Bias, Not Evidence (Yaoundé) – The Cameroonian authorities should drop the charges against two transgender youth rather than appealing their case to the Supreme Court, five human rights organizations said today. Jonas K. and Franky D. are being prosecuted on what the appeals court has already ruled were trumped-up charges of… Read more »
Egypt’s homosexuals struggle for freedom
Fifty-two men were arrested on May 11, 2001, on Queen Boat, a gay nightclub on the Nile in Cairo, in one of the most publicized police raids against homosexuals in Egypt. Out of the accused, many of whom were tortured and raped while detained, 23 were convicted for debauchery and defaming Islam and sentenced to… Read more »
Zambia gay couple tortured, jailed without food and water
Rights groups slam Zambia for jailing gay couple based on rumours and forcing them to undergo anal probe tests Zambia police have arrested a gay couple forcing them to undergo anal probe test, denying them legal representation on the charges of having sex ‘against the order of nature’. Phil Mubiyana and James Mwape have been… Read more »
Uganda’s Donors Ride Sexy New Bandwagon – Gay Activist
Opinion Why have gay rights become booming business in Uganda? According to our blogger, foreign donors are desperate to be associated with the world’s coolest cause and some Ugandan activists can’t help but exploit all the cash coming in. You know the age-old adage. Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day;… Read more »
Tough Times for LGBTI in Namibia Too
One thing is for sure. It is still not easy to be gay in Africa. Even against the background of growing acceptance and acknowledgement of human rights across the continent, the topic of homosexuality remains beyond the pale. And when it is discussed, it inevitably gets the political blood pressure boiling. In southern Africa, the… Read more »
HIV risk practices and access to prevention in a men’s prison in Burkina Faso.
Abstract The aim of this survey was to assess the HIV risk practices of male prisoners and their access to prevention. This descriptive study took place at the House of Detention and Corrections in Ouagadougou from June through August 2012. In all, 165 prisoners (median age: 28 years, range: 18-65) were interviewed. A low proportion… Read more »
UN Human Rights Council Pressures Cameroon Over LGBT Persecution
“Please accept the idea that we are not ready to accept what other countries accept today,” said Foreign Minister Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo. United Nations (TRNS) – During Cameroon’s regularly scheduled Universal Periodic Review (UPR) today in Geneva, 16 members of the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva pressured the country to take steps to improve… Read more »
Why such silence amid Zambians’ anti-gay storm?
Sowing poisonous seeds in Zambia Human rights worker Chivuli Ukwimi has harsh words for human rights organizations that stood silently by as a “storm of homophobic bigotry and hate-speech” broke out in Zambia this month shortly after the European Union invited proposals for grants to support human rights there. He is similarly critical of religious… Read more »
A day in the field with Sindiswa
Challenging homophobia and improving the health and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Cape Town Sindiswa works as a senior field worker for Bridging the Gaps partner organization Triangle Project in Cape Town, South Africa. Every day she is driven to do what she can to improve the health and rights… Read more »
Two Ghana schools expel 53 students for being gay
Leading Ghanaian high schools kick out pupils, claiming they formed a society and were recruiting others into being gay Fifty three students have been expelled from two of the leading high schools in Ghana for being gay. The events have erupted into an anti-gay media frenzy in Ghana. Ninteen pupils at Opoku Ware Secondary High… Read more »
Mixed feelings among LGBTs as Zimbabwe turns 33
Zimbabwean LGBT people across the world have expressed mixed feelings on the country’s Independence Day celebrations as Zimbabwe turned 33 today. For some LGBT Zimbabweans who fled from the country because of its widespread homophobia, Independence Day was a time for grieving and for remembering what they had lost. During the day’s celebrations in Harare,… Read more »
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