Cape venues: Screw the law, we don’t want your gay weddings here
Two Western Cape venues have joined a growing number of businesses that continue to flout the law by not allowing same-sex couples to marry on their premises. The anti-gay polices of the Schoongezicht restaurants and wedding venues in Paarl and in Brackenfell came to light when a lesbian couple attempted to arrange their nuptials at […]
Disturbing turn as SA Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia
South Africa’s Film and Publications Board (FPB) has told Mambaonline that it will not condemn its Kenyan counterpart’s persecution of LGBT people. Earlier this month, we reported that the FPB had signed an agreement with the homophobic Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) to collaborate in censoring content, specifically online material. The KFCB has a history […]
Lesbian & Gay Marriage in South Africa: Part 2 – Second Class Citizens
Despite being legally afforded equal rights in South Africa, same-sex couples continue to be treated like second-class citizens by our government. While we remain the only country in Africa to boast full marriage equality under the Civil Unions Act of 2006, how does this translate into everyday life for LGBT South Africans? In the first […]
SA’s Film and Publications Board gets in bed with Kenya’s homophobic censors
South Africa’s Film and Publications Board has seen it fit to align itself with Kenya’s homophobic publications board, which regularly attacks the LGBTI community and the right to freedom of speech. According to Daily Nation, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with South Africa’s Film and Publications Board (FPB) […]
Lesbian & Gay Marriage in South Africa: Part 1 – Love & Lobola
South Africa stands out on the continent as the only nation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. While our marriage equality law is a remarkable achievement, how does it translate into the everyday reality of our lives? Late last year, Vaivi and Sape Swartz, a lesbian couple of almost eight years, made headlines when their […]
Randy Berry: I am hopeful for LGBTI equality in Africa
Randy Berry, America’s first ever Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons, recently made an official visit to Southern Africa, meeting with officials, civil society activists and journalists in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa. Appointed to the historic position early last year by the Obama administration, Berry has already visited dozens of […]
SA hate crimes bill to be revealed soon
LGBTI activists have welcomed news that South Africa’s long-awaited hate crimes bill will finally be made public in a few months’ times. The bill is expected to propose making offences based on a person’s sexuality, gender identity, race, religion or any other trait, a uniquely classified crime. The intention is to not only make a […]
Will Anglican Church finally split over gay equality this week?
Anglican leaders from around the world are set for a showdown this week that could see the church split apart over the issues of gay clergy and same-sex unions. Thirty-eight Anglican primates are currently taking part in a critical summit in the English city of Canterbury. Conservative Anglicans, many of whom are from Africa, are […]
PrEP approved in SA: What does it mean for you?
South Africa’s Medicines Control Council (MCC) has finally approved the use of HIV prevention medication. But what does that mean for you as a gay or bi man? Best known under the brand name of Truvada (there are generics also), the medicine is a combination of two antiretroviral drugs, usually used in combination with other […]
Exit marks its 300th issue
South Africa’s longest running monthly LGBT publication has just released its ground breaking 300th issue. Exit newspaper has been informing the country’s LGBT community since it was founded in 1982 by GASA (the Gay Association of South Africa), with Editor Dawid Moolman at the helm. After about three years it became privately owned and was […]