No league yet, but ANC agrees to launch LGBTI desk in Johannesburg
Discussions between a collective of LGBTI members of the ANC and the party’s Johannesburg region have borne some fruit. On Friday, the ANC LGBTI Forum announced that the ANC Johannesburg Region had agreed to start the party’s very first LGBTI Desk, which will represent the interests of LGBTI members. The ANC LGBTI Forum, which is […]
Australia | Church cancels straight couple’s wedding because bride supports same-sex marriage
An Australian bride is in shock after her church cancelled her heterosexual wedding because she supports marriage equality. The country is in the midst of a controversial postal survey on same-sex marriage, the results of which the government intends to use to decide on whether or not to change the law. Fairfax Media reports that […]
The French Orlando? | Minister says Paris gay club attacks thwarted
The French government has revealed that the authorities successfully blocked a series of terror attacks against gay nightclubs in Paris. Gérard Collomb, the Minister of the Interior, announced in the National Assembly on Tuesday that the attacks were planned to take place on 22 August. He said that, “this project of violent action” targeted “Paris […]
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 […]