Watch South Africa sell out LGBTI people at the UN
South Africa shocked LGBTI activists around the world last week when it refused to support a landmark resolution on LGBTI rights at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. On Thursday, the council voted to adopt a resolution on the “Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)” that establishes […]
South Africa’s Oelof de Meyer embroiled in Mr Gay World controversy
Oelof de Meyer has joined a number of 2016 Mr Gay World contestants who have slammed the running of the recent contest in Malta. De Meyer represented South Africa in the international event in April, in which around 20 men vied for the title; ultimately won by Spain’s Roger Gosalbez Pitaluga. Now, a raft of […]
Actor Oros Mampofu admits fears about his gay TV kiss
South African actor Oros Mampofu has revealed that he was afraid of how his first on-screen gay kiss would be received by others. Mampofu, who plays the character of Phila on the Mzansi Magic series Igazi, exchanged the sizzling smooch with his on-screen boyfriend in last weekend’s episode. Speaking to Soweto Live, Mampofu said that […]
Activists on Gauteng hate stats: Homophobia must become a priority
The Love Not Hate campaign has reacted with shock at new statistics that show a sharp increase in homophobia in South Africa’s most populous province. On Tuesday, the 2015 Gauteng City-Region Observatory Quality of Life Survey revealed that 14% of Gautengers agree that it’s acceptable to be violent to gay and lesbian people. That represents […]
AfriQueer to shine light on gender-based hatred at National Arts Festival
As the world reels from the Orlando shootings and the African LGBTI community continues to face violent repression, the Drama for Life production AfriQueer promises to strike a timely and resonant note at this year’s National Arts Festival. This powerful site-specific work will have two performances daily – at 4pm and 8pm – at the […]
Shameful! South Africa abstains in key UN LGBTI vote
South Africa has betrayed its human rights values by abstaining in a landmark vote at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to appoint a global LGBTI watchdog. On Thursday, the council voted in Geneva to establish the first Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Similar experts […]
Gay men beaten in Ivory Coast after supporting Orlando nightclub victims
A group of gay men in Ivory Coast have been attacked, beaten and verbally abused after they signed a condolence book for victims of the Orlando massacre. The men took part in the ceremony at the US Embassy in the capital Abidjan two weeks ago, on the same day that the country’s Prime Minister Daniel […]
Watch: 49 Hollywood stars pay tribute to Orlando massacre victims
A remarkable tribute to the 49 victims of the Orlando gay nightclub massacre has been released by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The 18-minute video – directed by Emmy Award-winning Ryan Murphy and Ned Martel – features a star-studded cast of 49 entertainers who recount individual stories of the people killed in America’s deadliest mass […]
India’s Supreme Court rejects latest bid to repeal gay sex ban
In another blow to India’s LGBT community, the country’s Supreme Court has refused to hear a new petition to end the ban on gay sex. The petition was filed by five well known LGBT Indians: journalist Sunil Mehra, dancer N.S. Johar, chef Ritu Dalmia, hotelier Aman Nath and business executive Ayesha Kapur. They asked that the […]
Chinese fans and government turn on Lady Gaga
There are reports that the Chinese government has banned Lady Gaga after she shared pictures of a meeting with the Dalai Lama. The star, who self-identifies as bisexual, met the Tibetan Buddhist leader for a panel discussion on kindness at a conference in Indianapolis on Sunday. She posted photos on Instagram of the meeting, with […]