Johannesburg Pride slams “manhood” circumcision & ‘Inxeba’ ban
Johannesburg Pride has criticised the decision to classify Inxeba (The Wound) as a porn film, saying that this upholds “heteronormative” and “cisnormative” values. On Wednesday, in response to complaints from traditional leaders about its inclusion of sacred Xhosa initiation rituals, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) Appeal Tribunal re-rated Inxeba as an X18 hardcore adult film. […]
Malaysia’s gay checklist could have deadly consequences
A newspaper in Malaysia has sparked outrage after publishing an absurd checklist to help its readers “identify” gay people. The article, published by Sinar Harian, is not only based on ridiculous stereotypes and traits but also fuels dangerous homophobia in a country where homosexuality is outlawed. According to the newspaper, gay men can be identified […]
Britney Spears to be honoured for supporting LGBTQ community
Pop icon Britney Spears is set to be honoured for being an LGBTQ supporter and ally at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The multi-platinum, Grammy-winning star will receive the LGBTQ media lobby group’s Vanguard Award on Thursday, 12 April in Los Angeles. The award is presented to media professionals “who have made a significant […]
Top Joburg school refuses to allow male pupil to wear dress
A private school in Johannesburg has been criticised after it barred a male school pupil from wearing a dress at a fashion show. David Joffe-Hunter, a 17-year-old Grade 11 pupil, participated in the event at Reddam House in Bedfordview last week – but not how he wanted, reports the Sunday Times. The fashion show is put […]
Homophobia wins as ‘Inxeba (The Wound)’ effectively banned in SA
In a devastating blow against freedom of speech, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) Appeal Tribunal has re-rated Inxeba (The Wound) as a hardcore adult film. The gay love story was originally released with a 16 LS (language and sex) rating but in a move that kowtows to homophobic pressure from culture traditionalists, it has […]
What’s love got to do with it?
Love makes the world go round, they say. We all feel it, hope for it and often miss it deeply when it’s gone. Here are ten things you probably never knew about love… 1: Love is diverse and gay. Contrary to what bigots claim, love is not ‘naturally’ heterosexual. Homosexuality has been found in all […]
Vovo’s lesbian hating killer gets 18 years, but is that enough?
The man found guilty of killing 22-year-old Noluvo Swelindawo in 2016 for being a lesbian is to spend close to two decades behind bars. On Monday, 26-year-old Sigcine Mdani was sentenced to a total of 18 years in jail in the Western Cape High Court. He received 3 years for assault with the intention of […]
This is the first openly gay man to win gold at the Winter Olympics
Canadian figure skater Eric Radford has become the first openly gay man to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games. On Sunday, the victorious Radford and his skating partner Meagan Duhamel took the top spot in the free skate programme at the Gangneung Ice Arena in South Korea. “This is amazing! I literally […]
Uganda | human rights group attacked in machete break-in
Assailants have attacked a Ugandan group that works to protect the rights of the LGBTI community in a violent break-in, reports Human Rights Watch. On the night of 8 February, the offices of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) were targeted by unidentified individuals. They disabled parts of the security system, and slashed two guards […]
Report: Transgender woman murdered in Free State
A transgender woman has been murdered in the mining town of Welkom – the second known trans killing this year. According to Thabiso Mogapi wa Tsotetsi, Chairperson of Action For Social Justice International, the body of “Rose” Papi Mogoera Elias Malebatso was discovered in the early hours of Sunday, 4 February. Tsotetsi, who has spoken […]