UN LGBTI watchdog who SA tried to block and then supported resigns
In a shock announcement, Vitit Muntarbhorn, the first UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, has resigned. In a letter sent to the president of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Muntarbhorn said he was resigning for illness and family reasons, effective from 31 October. “I have been unwell for the past few […]
Seychelles LGBTI group seeks acceptance by society
A local group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI Sey) is seeking to be accepted by society in Seychelles and respected for their sexual orientation, said the vice chair of the organisation. The group was set up two years ago and was officially registered last year, but members are yet to be accepted, […]
LGBT star Toya Delazy becomes the fourth Powerpuff Girl
South African LGBT music artist Toya Delazy has been named the African voice of a new Powerpuff Girls character who will debut on the Cartoon Network later this month. The star, who is now based in London, has voiced the role for the African-broadcast version of a five-episode special of The Powerpuff Girls. “Cartoon Network has joined forces with 15 […]
Thandiswa Mazwai praises Inxeba (The Wound), defends gay African stories
Singer and musician Thandiswa Mazwai has made clear her views on the controversial film Inxeba (The Wound), defending it against a slew of homophobes on social media. Mazwai tweeted last week that she had seen the award winning movie, commenting: “Very good film! It’s about a gay love story entabeni. Beautifully made and delicately placed.” Not […]
US same-sex marriage champion Edith Windsor dies
Lesbian activist Edith Windsor, who became an icon for marriage equality in the US, has passed away in New York at the age of 88. Windsor’s huge impact on LGBTQ Americans followed a 44-year-long romance with psychologist Thea Spyer, which began in 1965 and included the couple marrying in Canada in 2007. After Spyer died […]
It’s Rainbow Day – A year since gay hate preacher was barred from South Africa
It’s been exactly one year since the historic day the South African government barred American gay hate pastor Steven Anderson from entering the country. On 13 September, 2016, the then Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba announced in Parliament that he had declared Steven Anderson “a prohibited person in South Africa”. Gigaba cited the protection […]
Tom Ford: A man sleeping with a man doesn’t make him gay
Fashion designer and film director Tom Ford says that sexuality is far more complex and fluid than it’s made out to be. In an interview with The Telegraph, the openly gay Ford ruminated on concepts of gender and masculinity in the 21st century and how they influence his creations. “What’s great about this new generation […]
Armie Hammer and James Woods feud over new gay film
Ouch! Armie Hammer has pointed out fellow actor James Woods’ hypocrisy over his comments about the new gay romance Call Me By Your Name. Hammer (The Lone Ranger, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) stars in the movie as Oliver, a 24-year-old American academic who goes to Italy and develops a relationship with a 17-year-old youth named […]
Will the ANC back the formation of an LGBTI League?
A group of LGBTI ANC supporters will march to Luthuli House on Friday to call on the ruling party to embrace the formation of an ANC LGBTI Forum. The collective intends to deliver a request to the office of Secretary General Gwede Mantashe to formalise the structure that would become a “safe space and platform […]
Miracle HIV cure man visits SA
Timothy Ray Brown is one in 70 million – the only person in the world who has been cured of HIV. The slight man with a dry sense of humour addressed students at the University of Cape Town yesterday – and his story is laden with suffering. “I have had two life sentences,” 51-year-old Brown […]