“You are taking our girls!” Lesbian activist bashed with a cricket bat in Pretoria
Sally*, a 24-year-old activist from Pretoria, is dedicated to combating the stigma of HIV and the scourge of hate crimes. With her focus on helping others, this confident and openly-lesbian woman didn’t expect to herself become a victim of violent hate because of her sexual orientation. On Saturday 28 January, Sally was returning to her […]
Albert Khoza: Pushing boundaries without exception or limits
Albert Silindokuhle Ibokwe Khoza is a proudly gay, black performance artist, dancer, activist and inyanga – and a total breath of fresh air. I recently met this 28-year-old, whose work is known for pushing buttons, and often while he performs naked. I’d read so much about him and was quite unsure of what to expect. He […]
Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys & other celebs denounce Texas anti-trans bills
A host of entertainers have backed a campaign opposing two discriminatory bills that will target transgender people in Texas. More than 140 stars signed an open letter calling on politicians in the US state to oppose bill SB 6 and bill HB 1362 and to speak out against LGBTQ hate. Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Janelle […]
Christian bigots frustrated as Trump keeps LGBT rights envoy
In a surprising move, the Trump administration has announced that it will retain openly gay diplomat Randy Berry as America’s first Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons. The position was created by the State Department under the Obama administration in February 2015 with the aim of moving “towards a world free from […]
Relief as Gambia’s new president says homosexuality “not an issue”
In the wake of former President Jammeh’s virulently homophobic rule, Gambia’s new leader appears far less concerned about the so-called “threat” of homosexuality. This week, President Adama Barrow spoke for the first time on the issue of LGBT rights. According to The Point, he said that that homosexuality is not an issue in Gambia. He […]
I am what I am! It’s time for Cape Town Pride 2017
The Mother City is gearing up for its annual Cape Town Pride festivities from the 24th of February, culminating with the parade and mardi gras on the 4th of March. This year’s theme is ‘I am what I am’. It, explain the organisers, “celebrates the individuality of every member of the community and says that […]
DA calls for suspension of homophobic KZN lecturers
The Democratic Alliance says that the two lecturers who allegedly verbally abused and threw out a gay student in Umlazi must be suspended. Last week, 20-year-old Bheka Khanyile revealed that he had been victimised at Coastal College in Umlazi because of his sexual orientation. Cllr Martin Meyer, DA EThekwini Councillor, said that he had met with […]
8 ways to open yourself up to love
February is celebrated worldwide as the month of love. We’re inundated with glossy, perfect and happy Valentine’s couples in the media, leaving those of us who’re single wondering, “What about me”? Now don’t get us wrong. Being single can certainly be a happy and healthy way to live, but many of us would like to […]
Churches are fuelling suicide among gays and lesbians
In the wake of the Grace Bible Church furore in South Africa, a new UK report has found that church teaching on same-sex relationships is making lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people more likely to contemplate suicide. The In the Name of Love: The Church, exclusion and LGB mental health issues report by the Oasis […]
No, a peaceful protest on church grounds does not infringe on religious grounds
After a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists recently held a “silent protest” outside Soweto’s Grace Bible Church, some people argued on social media and on radio talk shows that the protest violated the religious rights of the church and its congregants. This argument raises interesting questions about the right of […]