Progress at last? Minister promises to make Home Affairs LGBTI friendly
Malusi Gigaba, the Minister of Home Affairs, has admitted that his department has often failed LGBTI South Africans, but says he is finally taking steps to ensure that they are treated as equal citizens. As we’ve regularly reported over the years, Home Affairs has been slated for some of its officials’ discriminatory refusal to marry […]
Namibia’s Swakopmund celebrates its first Pride march
The Namibian coastal city of Swakopmund marked its first LGBT Pride last weekend, only the second such event in the country’s history. Around 150 people turned out for the inaugural Swakop Pride, described as “a celebration of the LGBT and queer community,” on Saturday the 4th of June. The event included a festive midday procession through the […]
New York City launches first transgender bathroom campaign
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has launched a groundbreaking campaign to educate citizens about bathroom use and gender identity. It’s believed to be the first citywide ad campaign affirming the right of people to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. “No one deserves to […]
Surprise as former Nigerian president says anti-gay law should be dropped
The former Nigerian president who signed one of Africa’s harshest anti-gay laws says the time may have come to review it. In January 2014, despite global outrage and condemnation, then-President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act. The law prohibits same-sex marriage and relationships with up to 14 years in prison. It also stipulates 10 years […]
Mr Gay Europe 2016 to take place in Sweden and Norway
The 10th Mr Gay Europe finale will take place in the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Sweden this July and August. The main theme, as it has been since 2005, is Unity through Diversity. This year, the competition also takes a new turn; with a focus on environmental issues, self-development and networking. The event will […]
Watch: Here’s South Africa’s first LGBT animated series
South Africa’s first LGBT animated TV series, about two gay squirrels, is being made in Cape Town. Squeers, an edgy comedy animated series, is aimed at both local and international audiences. A trailer (featuring a pigeon that’s into BDSM, nogal) was released this week to mark Pride Month, celebrated in many countries in June. Squeers takes a satirical […]
Miss Gay Jozi 2016 gallery
Roxy Msizi, a 21-year-old logistics student from Chiawelo, Soweto, walked away with the coveted Miss Gay Jozi 2016 title at the historic City Hall on Saturday 28 May. The 1st Princess was Boene Ntshilo, a twenty-something diva from Northcliff, and 2nd Princess was Davy Daveria Nantsuky, a 26-year old Customer Service Team Member for Anova Health and […]
ASA tells gay kiss TV ad homophobes to jump
South Africa’s advertising regulator has ruled against homophobes who complained about an advert depicting two men kissing. Five people – Karin Thompson, Claude Madell, Theodore Barkley, Wiekus Meyers and Thelma Tomasicchio – protested to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the advert for the WeTheBrave safer sex campaign aired on television. The ad shows two […]
Zizipho Pae’s at it again, now attacks gay Christians
If you thought that homophobic former UCT student leader Zizipho Pae might have warmed up to LGBT people since her last controversy, think again. The strident young woman has once more lashed out at gays and lesbians on her Facebook page, this time attacking the idea that someone can be both gay and Christian. On […]
Updated! Pretoria Spur accused of homophobia against kissing gay couple
Update: Spur head office has responded with an official statement, which we have published in full at the end of the story. A Pretoria branch of the Spur restaurant chain threw out and even detained a gay couple for kissing – but was it a case of discrimination? The Pretoria East Rekord newspaper reports that […]