COURT ACCEPTS GAY TORTURE TESTS
A Zambian court has allowed anal medical tests forced on two men accused of homosexuality to remain in evidence in their trial. James Mwape and Philip Mubiana, both in their early twenties, are charged with having ‘carnal knowledge against the order of nature’. They have been in detention since May 2013 while their trial has […]
GERMAN PRESIDENT BOYCOTTS SOCHI
Germany’s president has become the first national leader to boycott Russia’s controversial Winter Olympic Games. According to Der Spiegel, President Joachim Gauck informed Russia last week of his decision not to attend the Games in Sochi next year. The Guardian said that Gauck’s boycott is believed to be in response to Russia’s deteriorating human rights […]
NIGERIAN STATE TO JAIL GAYS
Local lawmakers in the Nigerian state of Katsina have passed a new state law that will imprison convicted gays and lesbians for 14 years, reports The Daily Post. Under the law, those found guilty of “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal” will be punished with a mandatory 14 years […]
NAMIBIA CELEBRATES PRIDE
What’s been billed as Namibia’s first LGBT Pride march took place without incident in Windhoek on Saturday morning. The event was held in the city’s township of Katutura and saw about 100 people taking to the streets to proudly express their pride. The marchers held up placards calling for LGBT equality, with messages such as […]
MCQP TO HONOUR MANDELA
The largest gay and lesbian party on the continent will pay tribute to Nelson Mandela this weekend. The 20th Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) costume bash will take place at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, 14 December. Organisers announced on Monday that a special commemorative area in honour of Tata Madiba will be created […]
CT PINK MEMORIAL FOR MADIBA
Cape Town’s gay community will have an opportunity to honour the late Nelson Mandela at a candlelight memorial this evening in Greenpoint. Zackie Achmat will speak at the event with a personal tribute to Madiba. Opening prayers will be by Imam Mushin Hendricks and Beulah from the Good Hope Community Church. Local artists Odidi and […]
ELTON SLAMS ANTI GAY LAW
Elton John has used this weekend’s concerts in Russia to condemn state homophobia in the country. John is the first major star to perform in Russia since the federal “gay propaganda” law came into effect in June. At his sold out show on Friday in Moscow, he faced being arrested and deported after he criticised […]
HATE CHURCH: MANDELA IN HELL
The notoriously anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church says that Nelson Mandela is in hell and that it plans to picket his funeral. The radical Kansas-based church stated on Twitter that it was booking flights to South Africa, tweeting: “Pres. Zuma: Nelson Mandela’s funeral Dec 15. Set up our picket spot, Mr.President! #Warn S Africa”. It went on to […]
CT GAY TOURISM INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
The recently launched Pink Summer Passport campaign is aiming to boost gay tourism in the Mother City. The brainchild of Grant Eglin from Beefcakes and Ian McMahon from MCQP and Crew, the campaign will promote pink-interest events in cape Town over the holiday season to the LGBT community. These include theatre shows, a picnic in […]
OIA CALLS FOR DIRECTORS
Out in Africa (OIA) is calling for film and television directors to apply for the opportunity to direct a new R6 million LGBT feature film. OIA, which produces the South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, earlier this year received funding from the National Lottery to make the full-length film. Three writers have been selected […]