Africa
Kenya’s refugee camp Pride will be back despite violence and death threats
For security reasons they’ll keep the location of the Pride parade secret until the last minute Organizers of the first Pride parade in a refugee camp will defiantly return despite violence after the inaugural event. Mbazira Moses and his organization, Refugee Flag Kenya, put together the 2018 Pride at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.… Read more »
Selly Thiam’s Digital Media Organization Is Committed To Documenting Stories of Queer Africans
In 2004, Selly Thiam was working as a teacher in Chicago when she read about the murder of Sierra Leonean lesbian activist FannyAnn Eddy. Thiam, a Senegalese-American, was shaken by the news and also by how little she knew about LGBT activism in Africa. Harsh anti-LGBT laws across the African continent have kept many LGBT… Read more »
Kenyan gay man wants to change minds with new collection of LGBTI stories
Gay activist Denis Nzioka finds way around Kenyan anti-LGBTI discrimination in new anthology book #RafikiZetu: Kenyan LGBTIQ Stories, As Told By Allies is an anthology book aimed to promote acceptance of the LGBTI community in Kenya. Same-sex sexual acts are illegal per Section 162 of the Kenyan Penal Code and punishable by 5 to 14… Read more »
Botswana’s High Court postpones decision in gay sex case
Garborone (Reuters) – Botswana’s High Court on Thursday postponed its ruling on a case challenging the criminalisation of gay sex, which is being scrutinised by campaigners hoping the law could be overturned. Judge Abednico Tafa told a packed courtroom in Botswana’s capital Gaborone that a decision would be handed down on June 11 after a… Read more »
Botswana is set to decriminalize homosexuality, here’s everything you need to know
‘There’s nothing at this point that can completely break us’ Botswana’s resilient LGBTI community is hopeful their years long fight to decriminalize same-sex relations will be successful soon. On Thursday (14 March) the High Court in Gaborone – Botswana’s capital city – will hear arguments on the law criminalizing ‘unnatural offences’. Section 164 of Botswana’s… Read more »
Tunisia: Effort to Shut Down LGBT Group
Move Comes after Court Upheld Group’s Legality (Tunis) – The Tunisian government should halt its attempt to fight a court ruling that gave an LGBT association the right to operate, Human Rights Watch said today. The Tunis-based Shams association has vocally advocated the repeal of Tunisia’s anti-sodomy law and has defended many victims prosecuted on… Read more »
Tunisian government is fighting to shut down an LGBTI rights group
They fight anti-LGBTI laws in the country The Human Rights Watch is calling on the Tunisian government to cease their efforts of shutting down an LGBTI rights group within the country. According to HRW, Tunisia is fighting a court ruling which granted the LGBTI group Shams the right to operate. The government is arguing that… Read more »
Kenya is close to legalizing homosexuality. What about the rest of Africa?
Nairobi — Across Africa and the world, LGBT communities are anxiously watching a court case in Kenya’s capital. The court is expected to either retain a colonial-era law that criminalizes homosexuality, or scrap it, which would put Kenya in a small group of African nations that give LGBT people equal legal rights. A ruling in… Read more »
Cameroon: Crowd kills ‘man of God’ caught in the act
A pious shopkeeper in northern Cameroon was caught having sex with his 17-year-old male lover. Outraged, his neighbors killed him in the town’s central marketplace, local activists report. Diallo (a pseudonym), a human rights activist in Maroua, reports: A homosexual couple was surprised in the midst of love-making one morning last October in a shop… Read more »
Angola decriminalizes homosexuality, bans anti-gay discrimination
Lawmakers in Angola last week approved a new penal code that decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations in the African country. The Angolan Parliament on Jan. 23 scrapped the law that had been in place since Portugal colonized the country. Lawmakers also banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. Associação Íris Angola, an Angolan LGBTI advocacy group,… Read more »
Angola Has Decriminalized Gay Sex, Human Rights Watch Says
According to rights group Human Rights Watch, Angola has decriminalized gay sex. “Angola has finally shed the divisive ‘vices against nature’ provision in its law, widely interpreted to be a ban on homosexual conduct,” the group wrote. Human Rights Watch said that the provision prohibiting same-sex relations was a holdover from its Portuguese colonizers. On… Read more »
Angola Decriminalizes Same-Sex Conduct
Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Banned Angola has finally shed the divisive “vices against nature” provision in its law, widely interpreted to be a ban on homosexual conduct. Taking things one step further, the government has also prohibited discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation. And so anyone refusing to employ or provide… Read more »
Botswana president speaks up for LGBTI rights
There is new hope for LGBTI persons in Botswana because the south African country’s new president is advocating for LGBTI rights. In November, when Botswana‘s new president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, gave a speech against violence on women and children, he also emphasized the rights of LGBTI people. He made it clear that LGBTI people should have… Read more »
Egyptian TV host jailed for interviewing gay man on his show
TV host Mohamed al-Gheiti has expressed his own anti-gay views in the past An Egyptian TV host has been jailed for one year for interviewing a gay man on his TV show. Host Mohamed al-Gheiti, who has expressed his own anti-gay views in the past, was sentenced on Sunday. He was also fined 3,000 Egyptian… Read more »
The Cape Town schools learning from transgender students
As an increasing number of young South Africans reveal that their gender identities differ from their sex at birth, schools are learning about the challenges these students face, writes the BBC’s Mohammed Allie from Cape Town. Three years ago, Alex* transitioned from a boy to a girl. Now eight years old, she wears her blonde… Read more »
Attacks Prompt Push to Relocate LGBTQ Refugees in Kenya
Massive camp housing hundreds of thousands of dispossessed Africans now unsafe Advocacy groups in Kenya are rushing to relocate LGBTQ refugees who are facing brutal retaliation from local communities and authorities after they protested a spike in homophobic attacks at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in the northwestern region of the East African nation. Refugees, fed… Read more »
Tanzania Says Tolerating LGBT Community Would Be ‘Intolerable,’ As Donors Pull Funding
Tanzania said Friday that it would not comply with demands from donors to soften its opposition to LGBT rights. According to NBC News, Finance Minister Philip Mpango told officials that Tanzania could not comply with demands from donors to tolerate the LGBT community as a condition for aid. “[T]here is no way,” he said, calling… Read more »
UN moves LGBTI refugees to safe houses in Nairobi after Kenyan camp attacks
About 30 LGBTI refugees received injuries in a vicious attack after trying to rally for improved conditions at Kakuma Refugee Camp The UN has transferred LGBTI refugees to a safe house in Nairobi after they experienced violence from fellow refugees. About 30 LGBTI refugees received injuries in a vicious attack after trying to rally for… Read more »
End of mission – Visit to Mozambique
Excellencies, The mandate of UN Independent Expert on the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution 32/2 in 2016. The mandate answers to the concern of the community of nations about the intolerance, discrimination and particularly egregious abuses against persons… Read more »
Africa’s first ever LGBTI games is happening this weekend
We’re promised the opening ceremony will be ‘extravagant’ and ‘colorful’ It took three years to turn from an idea into reality, but this weekend the first ever LGBTI AfroGames are happening in Durban, South Africa. Hlengiwe Buthelezi wanted to bring a Gay Games style event to Africa to help promote LGBTI rights across the continent.… Read more »
Gays, Lesbians look up to Masisi
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans-gender and intersex persons (LGBTI) want President Mokgweetsi Masisi to allow same sex relationships which to date, are deemed unlawful in Botswana. Masisi had recently called for the respect and protection of LGBTI persons’ rights at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children last week.… Read more »
Tanzania Police Arrest Grooms and Guests in Homosexual Marriage
Tanzanian police invaded a homosexual marriage in Pongwe Beach on the island of Tanzania and arrested 10 people, along with the couple, because of their sexual orientation. According to Amnesty International, the policemen entered the place where the party took place and took all the men who were sitting in pairs, already assuming that they… Read more »
South Africa passes historic vote to protect civil unions from homophobes
More than half of South Africa’s marriage officers are exempted from performing same-sex marriages based on conscious or religious exemption The lower house of parliament (National Assembly) in South Africa has voted for a historic change to civil union laws. South Africa has recognized civil unions since 2006 but today’s changes will mean that officials… Read more »
Botswana High Court sets new date to consider decriminalising homosexuality
After a long delay, the Botswana High Court has announced that it will finally hear a case on the decriminalisation of homosexuality next year. A full bench of the court ordered that a hearing challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code, which criminalise same-sex sexual activities in Botswana, be… Read more »
South Africa still hasn’t won LGBTQ+ equality. Here are 5 reasons why
In the fight for LGBTQ+ rights on the African continent, South Africa leads the way for marriage equality and legal protection against discrimination. In fact it was the first country in the world to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and the fifth to legalize same-sex marriage. On paper, this country is a haven… Read more »
Rights groups condemn ‘brutal and humiliating’ tests on gay men in Tunisia
Men suspected of sodomy are being subjected to anal examinations and confiscation of phones by police, with more than 70 gay men jailed last year More than 70 gay men were jailed by Tunisian authorities last year, according to activists, who warn anal tests and phone searches are being used to identify suspects. Mounir Baatour,… Read more »
This UK gay guy went to Swaziland’s 1st Pride: his story is shocking and inspiring
Interview: ‘Are there going to be petrol bombs? Rubber bullets?’ Riyadh Khalaf on tense journey making latest film ‘”We need kidnapping random insurance.’” That’s what Riyadh Khalaf’s director of photography told him right before they and their six-person crew set off to make documentary ‘Fighting For Pride: Swaziland’, about the country’s first-ever Pride parade this… Read more »
Men arrested on suspicion of ‘being gay’ in Zanzibar released on bail
The incident is still being investigated and the men could be charged in the future, police said Ten men arrested last weekend for ‘being gay’ in the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar have been released. On 3 November, police raided a beach resort following a tip-off that a same-sex marriage was taking place on Pongwe Beach.… Read more »
Tunisia: Privacy Threatened by ‘Homosexuality’ Arrests
Government Using Personal Data, Anal ‘Tests’ for Prosecutions (Tunis) – Tunisian authorities are confiscating and searching the phones of men they suspect of being gay and pressuring them to take anal tests and to confess to homosexual activity, Human Rights Watch said today. Prosecutors then use information collected in this fashion to prosecute them for… Read more »
US warns its citizens in Tanzania before anti-gay crackdown
Dar Es Salaam: The United States has warned its citizens in Tanzania to be cautious after the commercial capital Dar es Salaam announced a crackdown on homosexuality, a criminal offence in the country. In an alert on its website late on Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania advised Americans to review their social media profiles… Read more »
Tanzanian Leader Launches Anti-Gay Crackdown, Expects to Round Up Hundreds
The Regional Commissioner of Tanzania’s largest city announced the creation of an anti-gay surveillance squad that is expected to begin a roundup as early as Monday. In an interview with Dizzim TV on Monday, Paul Makonda ordered residents throughout Dar es Salaam to report gay people to a phone hotline in advance of the widespread… Read more »
Tanzanian governor asks for names as he launches new social media squad to arrest gay people
Tanzanian authorities are set to track down and arrest gay people — who face at least 30 years in prison — after the announcement of an anti-gay surveillance squad. Paul Makonda, governor of the country’s largest city Dar es Salaam, issued the directive in a news conference delivered on Monday. The 17-member squad will seek… Read more »
AfroQueerPodcasts
Click here to listen to uncensored audio blogs Source – Sound Cloud
Dar es Salaam governor launches anti-gay clampdown
The governor of Tanzania’s economic capital Dar es Salaam on Monday launched an anti-gay clampdown, threatening to arrest people suspected of being homosexuals. “I have information about the presence of many homosexuals in our province,” Paul Makonda told reporters on Monday, calling on citizens to begin reporting homosexuals for round-ups to begin next week. Under… Read more »
Gay sex ban in Malawi fuels anti-LGBTI violence
The southeast African country’s LGBTI population faces horrific discrimination and violence, often at the hands of police and healthcare professionals Malawi’s laws criminalizing same-sex relations continue to create violence and discrimination in the southeast African country. The repressive legislation and social stigma allow police to abuse the LGBTI community unchecked, according to a report by… Read more »
Gay sex ban in Malawi fuels anti-LGBTI violence
The southeast African country’s LGBTI population faces horrific discrimination and violence, often at the hands of police and healthcare professionals Malawi’s laws criminalizing same-sex relations continue to create violence and discrimination in the southeast African country. The repressive legislation and social stigma allow police to abuse the LGBTI community unchecked, according to a report by… Read more »
Kenya High Court to rule on decriminalizing gay sex in February
The court heard arguments on how India’s landmark ruling this year affected Kenya’s court case Kenya’s High Court will rule on whether to repeal Section 162 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes gay sex, on 22 February 2019. On Thursday (25 October), judges heard final arguments relating to India’s decriminalization before making the announcement. Kenya’s… Read more »
‘Kill the Gays’ Uganda MP receives award at Britain’s Parliament
Despite her notorious homophobic views, Rebecca Kadaga received the award for being one of only a few female leaders in Africa A British thinktank has defended giving an award to the politician from Uganda behind the infamous ‘Kill the Gays’ bill. Rebecca Kadaga is the House Speaker in the Ugandan parliament and was recently award… Read more »
Nigerian man comes out as gay via Instagram poll, receives death threats
One person responded: ‘You will not live to see another day here in Nigeria’ A Nigerian man publicly came out as gay via an Instagram poll and then people sent him death threats. 27-year-old Daniel ‘Yomi Asaya was born in Benin City in Nigeria but moved to the UK in 2014. He works as a… Read more »
What it’s really like to be a young gay man in Egypt
Same-sex sex in Egypt is punishable by up to 17 years in prison under certain morality laws There are other people like me in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, which is why I choose to live here. We know how to be. It’s like an algorithm. For example, this year I had an argument about… Read more »
ADS
