Africa
Liberian President backtracks on anti-gay comments
The President of Liberia, Nobel-laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has vowed to veto any legislation that would criminalise homosexual behaviour in the country, despite having defended the law during a joint interview with Tony Blair. The interview, during which Mr Blair appeared to evade questions concerning a legislation that would criminalise homosexual acts in Liberia, drew fierce… Read more »
Mr Gay World 2012 won by German man
The fourth Mr Gay World contest took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. This was the first time that the contest included black African participants, whose involvement brought its own fraught set of problems. The title was taken by Andreas Derleth, a German man who lives in New Zealand and who beat 21 other contestants.… Read more »
‘Fake gay’ man accused of ripping up Korans in Tunisia
LGBT campaigners in Tunisia claim a man accused of desecrating the Koran in Tunisia is a pawn used by radical Muslims to discredit gays and secularists A Tunisian man has been exposed on the internet claiming to be gay and to be responsible for ripping up copies of the Muslim holy book, the Koran. The… Read more »
Video: Risky Work in Kenya
Throughout our month in Kenya, Jenni and I ask ourselves, “Would we continue our activism if we received death threats?” Truthfully, we’re not sure. Almost everyone we interviewed in Kenya have had their physical safety threatened at one time or another, and yet they all choose to continue their work. Supergay David Kuria, Kenya’s first… Read more »
Cameroon: Authorities ‘shut down gay rights workshop’
A gay rights workshop in Cameroon’s capital city, Yaoundé, was shut down last week by authorities after it was discovered the human rights under discussion were relating to sexuality, Human Rights Watch said today. Activists had sought and secured permission to hold an event on human rights and health at the Yaoundé Hotel, but authorities… Read more »
New Senegalese president called on to protect gay rights
Macky Sall, the new president of Senegal who takes office this week, has been called on to improve the legal protection for gay and lesbian people in his country. The group Human Rights Watch wrote an open letter to the president congratulating him on his election victory and calling on him to address several rights… Read more »
Coming Out Story: We’re Not in Cairo Anymore
Egyptian multihyphenate Omar Sharif Jr., grandson of the screen legend, comes out both as gay and half Jewish — and worries that his country’s fledgling government will persecute others like him. I write this article in fear. Fear for my country, fear for my family, and fear for myself. My parents will be shocked to… Read more »
Protesters call for release of gay Ugandan refugee
Campaigners picketed Dutch embassy in London and handed over petition demanding asylum for gay man fleeing persecution in Uganda Campaigners demonstrated outside the Dutch embassy in London yesterday (2 April) demanding freedom and asylum for a gay Ugandan. Members of the Movement for Justice group called for the Netherlands to release Kalanzi Marvin Richard, who… Read more »
Hit List Issued on Gays in Liberia
An antigay group in Liberia has reportedly issued a hit list reminiscent of the one that preceded the death in Uganda of a prominent activist as that country debated its “kill the gays” bill. The Associated Press reports that a group called the “Movement Against Gay’s in Liberia” is distributing a list of people suspected… 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 »
Impassioned fighter for ‘the devil’s people’
“You Are HIV Positive” wrote the doctor who tested 36-year-old John Meletse in 2002. He spelt it out in enormous capitals and held the page right in front of Meletse’s eyes. Meletse, who was born deaf, covers his face with his hands as he tells his story of when he was tested for HIV. His… Read more »
New magazine and hope for gays in Sudan
Rainbow Sudan shines a light on gay and lesbian life in a country where homosexuality is still punishable by death A new online lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender magazine in Sudan, north Africa, is a first for the country where homosexuality is still punished by death and an opportunity for gay people to start discussing… Read more »
A future for gay Egypt?
Lesbian and gay Egyptians express their concerns for the future and suggest a way forwards The Gay Star News feature on the future for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people in Egypt, which we ran in January, attracted both criticism and praise. Much of the most vociferous praise came from LGBT people actually living… Read more »
Vigilantes threaten to kill Liberian gay activist’s family
Joe Wiah reportedly hunted by armed men in Liberia over support for gay rights Armed men in Liberia threatened to kill a gay activist’s children if his wife didn’t hand him over, reported the country’s Daily Observer newspaper. The attackers stormed the Congo Town home of Joe Wiah in the early hours of 18 May,… Read more »
Trans In Kenya: A Woman Tells Her Story
It’s hard enough to survive as a gay or lesbian in Kenya. Living as a transperson in Kenya and trying to access medical care brings a different complexity. n Kenya public hospitals deny medical care to transgender people, and government offices refuse to change their identification. Jenni and I spend an afternoon with one pioneering… Read more »
Kenyan Superallies: Reverends on a Mission
Would you be willing to stand up for a minority group that you weren’t a part of? What if it cost you your reputation? Your job? Maybe even your life? In Nairobi we met with two extraordinary individuals, Reverend Michael Kimindu, and Reverend John Makokha who run Other Sheep Africa and Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya, respectively.… Read more »
HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment for Men who have Sex with Men in Africa
From February 14 to 16, 2012, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR) most-at-risk populations technical working group, with additional support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), conducted a regional workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa on HIV Prevention among Men Who… Read more »
Kenya slum fires demonstrate need to ensure housing rights- non-gay background story
The fires that swept through the Nairobi slums of Kibera and Mathare reportedly destroying up to 700 homes, were a sharp reminder to African housing ministers meeting in the city of the need to ensure slum dwellers have access to proper services. Kibera is one of Africa’s largest informal settlements and the blaze, which started… Read more »
Nobel Peace Prize winner defends anti-gay laws
As traditional African society lurches its way slowly into a halting embrace with the modern world, few arenas create more tension than gay rights. Across the continent, being gay doesn’t just mean a constant struggle for acceptance. It usually means a constant struggle to stay out of jail or away from the lynch mob. While… Read more »
European Parliament calls on Nigeria to reverse anti-gay laws
Following violence and economic concerns in the African state, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Nigeria which condemns in part the current legal threats to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Nigeria’s Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill was proposed in 2011, and has since been amended by the Nigerian Senate to punish those… Read more »
Rainbow Icentity Association In Presentation To University Students
The Rainbow Identity Association (RIA) on Wednesday March 14 made a presentation to Masters students at the University of Botswana about sexual orientation and gender identity. The Rainbow Identity Association logo Rainbow Identity were at the university as invited guests of the Communication for Development Masters programme and the dialogue was aimed at raising awareness… Read more »
What is Gay and Lesbian Life Like in Kenya?
In November 2010 the Kenyan Prime Minister condemned homosexuality saying “If found, the homosexuals should be arrested and taken to relevant authorities.” Under international pressure, he retracted his statements days later, saying he only meant that same-sex marriages are illegal in Kenya. The Kenyan penal code criminalizes homosexual behavior with up to 14 years imprisonment… Read more »
Tunisian gay magazine hacked
Yesterday, homophobic hackers attacked Tunisia’s main LGBT title, Gayday Magazine, taking over its email, Twitter and Facebook accounts. This comes after several previous attacks which hacked Gmail, Twitter and the main site, renaming account titles to ‘Garbage Day Magazine’. These attacks take place at the height of an international campaign of which Gayday Magazine is… Read more »
Ugandan Gay Rights Group Sues U.S. Evangelist
A Ugandan gay rights group filed suit against an American evangelist, Scott Lively, in federal court in Massachusetts on Wednesday, accusing him of violating international law by inciting the persecution of gay men and lesbians in Uganda. The lawsuit maintains that beginning in 2002, Mr. Lively conspired with religious and political leaders in Uganda to… Read more »
Supergay David Kuria: Kenya’s First Openly Gay Political Candidate
In a country where homosexual acts are illegal, you would never believe that an openly gay man could run for public office. And yet, David Kuria has never backed down from standing for his beliefs. He’s been Kenya’s most visible activist beginning with his work as Chairman of the Kenya Gay and Lesbian Coalition of… Read more »
omen who have made a mark
Note: this list is notable for the absence of any lesbian human rights activists. However, Prof. Sylvia Tamale, listed, is very pro-gay and has co-authored a book about homosexuality in Uganda: ‘Homosexuality: Perspectives from Uganda’. Ugandan women have steadily come of age, claiming a comfortable place at the high tables of governance, politics, business, sport… Read more »
Security High As GALCK Offices Broken Into
Thieves also attack two other offices This morning, thieves broke into the GALCK offices and made away with goods and computer monitors. In what is described as a robbery, the thieves also broke into a clinic located on the first floor building where GALCK offices are also located. They also made away with unknown items… Read more »
Expert Explains Why There Is Little Research On Kenyan LGBTI
Nguru Karugu is a Kenyan public health consultant. He recently spoke about why there is very little research on LGBTI except the MSM in Kenya’s National Aids Programmes. Nguru Karugu, a public health consultant on LGBTI healthcare needs Below are his remarks as told to Behind the Mask’s Melissa Wainaina: “The HIV pandemic in the… Read more »
Cameroon delays appeal of man serving three years for gay sex
Amnesty International says Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, jailed for homosexuality, is prisoner of conscience and anti-gay laws should be lifted Cameroon’s courts have again delayed an appeal hearing for a gay man sentenced to three years jail for homosexuality in April 2011. Jean-Claude Roger Mbede expected to have his case heard today but was not brought… Read more »
Namibia: Sex Workers Mark Their Day in City
Sex workers in Namibia face violence, discrimination and stigma on a daily basis from those who are expected to uphold the rule of law, namely police officers, and say that they too have human rights and should enjoy the protection of the Constitution. Saturday was International Sex Worker Rights Day, and the occasion was commemorated… Read more »
Ethiopian Mr Gay World Contestnat May Have Difficulty Returning Home After Show
There are reports that Ethiopia’s Mr Gay World contestant may have difficulties returning home after the contest as a result of receiving death threats he has received. The news of Robel Gizaw Hailu’s probable forced exile was revealed by Mr Gay World’s Africa director, Coenie Kukkuk in an interview with the Gay Star News website… Read more »
Interview: Gays and the Libyan revolution, before and after (part two)
There is hope for the future among Libyans after the revolution, including LGBT people, but a recognition that progress towards a freer society may be slow. In a previous interview we spoke with Khaleed, a 31-year-old gay activist from the east of Libya about his experiences under the Gadaffi regime. Now, in this second part,… Read more »
My life as a gay man in post-Gaddafi Libya
In our second interview with Libyan LGBT activist Khaleed, he talks about his life after the revolution in Libya The revolution changed life for all Libyans, including LGBT citizens, and there is optimism for the future. There is hope for the future among Libyans after the revolution, including LGBT people, but a recognition that progress… Read more »
Liberia considers 2 anti-gay proposals
Monrovia, Liberia—Two new bills introduced into Liberia’s legislature would make the country the latest on the African continent to punish homosexuality with possible jail time. Liberian law currently does not explicitly address homosexuality. “Voluntary sodomy” is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, but there have been no recent convictions, according to… Read more »
Former diplomat contests Tunisian leader on gay rights
A former top Tunisian diplomat has sent an unprecedented open letter to Rashid Ghannouchi, founder and spiritual leader of the Islamist Ennahda party that now rules post-revolutionary Tunisia, about the direction the country is going. Farhat Othaman is a researcher and author. He was a senior diplomat who was unfairly dismissed by the administration of… Read more »
Africa’s ‘first gay billboard’ unveiled
The organisers of Mr Gay World believe they had unveiled the first ever gay-themed billboard in Africa. The placard went up near Melrose Arch on M1 South in Johannesburg yesterday and is not the competition’s second ‘first’. Mr Gay World had been celebrating having its first ever black contestants in the 2012 event. Representatives had… Read more »
Morocco 4th in Africa for Facebook use
The number of Facebook users in Morocco reached 4.1 million in January, making the country 39th in the world and 4th in Africa, ANSA reported on Tuesday (February 28th). Egypt ranked first in Africa, followed by South Africa and Nigeria. Sixty-three percent of Moroccan Facebook users are under the age of 24 and 65% are… Read more »
Ex diplomat quizzes Tunisian leader on gay rights
Farhat Othman questions spiritual leader Rashid Ghannouchi over new Tunisia’s commitment to human and LGBT rights A former top Tunisian diplomat has sent an unprecedented open letter to Rashid Ghannouchi, founder and spiritual leader of the Islamist Ennahda party that now rules post-revolutionary Tunisia, about the direction the country is going. Farhat Othman is a… Read more »
Resentment Toward the West Bolsters Uganda’s New Anti-Gay Bill
Kampala, Uganda — At first, it was a fiery contempt for homosexuality that led a Ugandan lawmaker to introduce a bill in 2009 that carried the death penalty for a “serial offender” of the “offense of homosexuality.” The bill’s failure amid a blitz of international criticism was viewed by many as evidence of power politics,… Read more »
Zambia: Gay Rights Impossible in Country – LAZ
LAZ vice-president Martin Musaluke said yesterday that it was unattainable to respect gay rights because homosexuality is prohibited in the country and that people convicted of the offence were liable to face stiff punishment. He was reacting to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s statement on his recent visit to Zambia that people should… Read more »
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