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 […]
South Africa’s shame: Votes against human rights in UN
South Africa has shamefully joined 13 mostly anti-gay countries in voting against an important UN resolution supporting human rights activists around the world. On Wednesday, countries at the UN voted 117 in favour and 14 against, with 40 abstentions, to send the Draft Resolution on Human Rights Defenders to the General Assembly. The resolution condemns […]
Third Joburg People’s Pride honours LGBTI activists
The Joburg People’s Pride movement held its third annual march through Hillbrow and Braamfontein on Saturday, remembering the activists who started South Africa’s LGBTI rights movement. The event was marred by a last minute cancellation of its post-march concert due to “unforeseen technical difficulties,” but nevertheless saw a spirited crowd of around 400 people taking […]
Constitutional Court throws out fired lesbian minister’s case
The Constitutional Court has refused to rule on fired lesbian minister Ecclesia De Lange’s claim that she was discriminated against by the Methodist Church. While the dismissal of De Lange’s appeal was largely based on technicalities, it was also a sign of the courts’ continued reticence in issuing a definitive ruling on if religious beliefs […]
South Africa’s defiant gay hate pastor: “Lock me up!”
Despite having signed a court order not to make anti-gay comments, Cape Town’s Pastor Oscar Bougardt shows no sign of letting up on his appalling homophobia. Over the last few months the cleric has contributed a host of shockingly hateful comments on Mambaonline articles. These include writing: “I won’t be surprised if Pope Francis is […]
NG Kerk decision: Gay people could still face rejection
The recent decision by the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) or NG Kerk to accept same-sex relationships has been met with a mix of praise and condemnation. Last week, the church’s General Synod voted in favour of allowing individual church councils and local pastors to choose to recognise same-sex relationships and non-celibate gay ministers. The decision, […]