World mourns shock Christmas Day death of George Michael
As many around the globe sang along to his festive season classic Last Christmas this weekend, few were aware that George Michael died on Christmas Day. News emerged on Boxing Day that Michael, one of the world’s most influential gay songwriters and pop stars, died at the age of 53, apparently from a heart attack. […]
Deal to repeal anti-LGBT North Carolina law collapses at last minute
North Carolina’s LGBT community is infuriated after a deal between Republican and Democratic lawmakers to scrap the state’s anti-LGBT law fell apart at the last minute. On Wednesday, the North Carolina General Assembly failed to repeal the deeply discriminatory HB2 law which has bedeviled the state since it was enacted in March by former Republican […]
Relief as Vovo’s alleged killer to stay behind bars
The man accused of murdering young lesbian woman Noluvo Swelindawo (also known as Vovo) has abandoned his bail application in Cape Town. On Wednesday, the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court was packed with activists, community members and Swelindawo’s friends and family for Signine Mdani’s bail application hearing. There was some confusion when the 24-year-old murder suspect […]
MCQP The Musical gallery
This year’s MCQP (Mother City Queer Project) – Africa’s biggest annual costume party – was held at the Zip Zap Circus in the Cape Town CBD. The theme, The Musical, had everyone dressing up according to various popular musicals; from Cats to Hairspray. There were a range of dancefloors, performers, live acts, Queen’s VIP area […]
Tunisia youths to face homosexuality trial next year
Two young men in Tunisia face imprisonment after they were arrested and charged with homosexuality. The men, Achref, a 20-year-old student, and Sabri, 22, were apparently stopped by police as they walked down a street in the city of Sousse earlier this month. According to L’Express, they were asked if they were gay and were accused […]
Second attempt to block UN’s LGBTI expert thwarted
Yet another attempt to block the United Nations’ Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) has failed. In a tight vote on Monday at the UN General Assembly in New York City, states refused to support an attempt to “defer consideration of and action on” the new expert position. The move targeted the […]
Gay people far more likely to be victims of “revenge porn”
A new study on the phenomenon of so called “revenge porn” has found that lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) Americans are more likely to be victims. The report from the Data & Society Research Institute and the Center for Innovative Public Health Research revealed that 4% of US internet users —roughly 10.4 million Americans — […]
A step backward: Chad votes to make homosexuality illegal
In a regressive step, Chad has decided to criminalise homosexuality for the first time; adding to Africa’s homophobia hall of shame. Last week, the country’s lawmakers approved revisions to the penal code. Some changes were positive, including abolishing the death penalty (except in cases of terrorism) and raising the age at which people can marry […]
Why Vovo’s alleged killer should be denied bail
Activists are calling on the National Director of Public Prosecutions to oppose bail for the man accused of murdering openly lesbian Noluvo Swelindawo (also known as Vovo). Signice Mdani, 24, is accused of being part of a mob that attacked and abducted Swelindawo, 22, from her home in Driftsands, near Khayelitsha. It is alleged that […]
Close, but no cigar – Finding intimacy again when you’re newly single
I was lucky. Our break-up was sad and emotional, but we both emerged from the severing with a lot of love and mutual respect. We didn’t have the drama of grudges and anger and campaigning against one another to our mutual friends about what “actually” happened. We both knew that the relationship was no longer […]