FAKA on their Versace fashion show and queer representation in South Africa
South Africa’s international music queer duo, FAKA, saw themselves attending the 2019 Versace Summer Spring fashion show in Milan about two weeks ago. Their track, Uyangikhumbula, played as the models, including Kendall Jenner, showed off the luxury label’s latest collection. Desire Marea and Fela Gucci, the two members of the group spoke to Mambaonline on […]
Opinion | The trouble with making LGBTIAQ people live on heterosexuals’ terms
Heteronormativity has become a familiar word in debates around gender and sexuality. It’s a concept developed by social theorist Michael Warner in 1991, and refers to the heterosexual experience being positioned as the only “normal” way to be or live. When that happens, it renders any experience that doesn’t fit that mould as “other”. This […]
Hungary | ‘Billy Elliot’ musical cancelled because “it’ll turn children gay”
The Hungarian production of the Elton John stage musical Billy Elliot has been cancelled after a homophobic newspaper article accused the show of being ‘gay propaganda’. The Hungarian State Opera announced last week that the Budapest run will be cut short because ticket sales had collapsed after the article was published. The award-winning musical, based […]
US Supreme court sends back anti-gay florist case
In the wake of its recent ruling in favour of a homophobic baker, the US Supreme Court has declined to look at a case concerning a florist who also refused to serve a same-sex couple. In 2013, Curt Freed and Robert Ingersoll were denied service by the flower shop, Arlene’s Flowers, while planning their wedding, […]
Omar Sharif Jr on coming out and Egypt’s LGBTQ crackdown
Since coming out as gay in 2012, actor Omar Sharif Jr, the grandson of legendary Egyptian film star Omar Sharif, has become an outspoken activist for his country’s beleaguered LGBTQ community. He is said to be one of the first public personalities to come out in the Arab world and he was vilified by the […]
Death threats after world’s first refugee camp Pride event
Members of the LGBT community in Kakuma, Kenya, who held the world’s first Pride parade in a refugee camp, have been threatened with death if they don’t leave. “Wraning. This is to inform all men and women (gays) living in Kakuma…” a note posted on one of the camp’s noticeboards reads. “Whatever you have been […]
New York City Pride 2018 (in pictures)
New York hosted the 49th New York City Pride parade in Manhattan on Sunday. The event took up a total of 16 streets, from Greenwich Village right up to the canyon of Fifth Avenue. Said to be the original Pride, the event was inspired by the 28 June 1969 Stonewall Inn riots that launched the modern […]
Hong Kong follows Gay Games bid win with hosting rights for Mr Gay World 2019
In an official statement, Mr Gay World™ has announced that Hong Kong has been chosen to host the 2019 contest. The news was first revealed at the recent Mr Gay World 2018 grand finale in Knysna, South Africa, but was formally confirmed on Friday by the event’s executive committee. The awarding of the hosting rights to […]
Zimbabwe | New hope as ruling party meets with LGBTI community
In a move described as an “important shift”, top officials from Zimbabwe’s governing party have met with activists about the rights of LGBTI people. The meeting came about after GALZ, the country’s leading LGBTI group, reached out to political parties ahead of the upcoming 30 July elections. Among the questions asked by the organisation were […]
Two lesbian activists attacked and injured in Cameroon
Two lesbian Cameroonian LGBT activists have been attacked for their sexual orientation, resulting in them sustaining serious injuries. Renee and Soltera are two leaders of Cameroon’s Women In Front, an organisation that advocates for the sexual and reproductive health of lesbian, bi, trans and queer women in Yaounde, the country’s capital city. According to the […]