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 […]
Cape Town’s The Westin hotel apologises for hosting anti-gay conference
Following a flood of outrage from the LGBTI community, Cape Town’s The Westin hotel has apologised for hosting an international conference of homophobes. The event for the World Congress of Families, an offshoot of an LGBTI hate group, took place on Saturday at the hotel. At the conference, delegates from around the world and South […]
Massive rally for marriage equality in Taiwan’s capital
In a remarkable show of support, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Taiwan’s capital, Tapei, to call for marriage equality. On Saturday (10 Dec), which was marked internationally as Human Rights Day, up to 250,000 people gathered along Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office for a huge pop […]
Clinicians trained to deliver HIV services to African gay and bisexual men
A training initiative for clinicians and community workers who deliver life-saving HIV services to communities facing hostility and prejudice, was launched last week. The Afya Academy is a partnership between the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (Alliance) and Anova Health Institute (Anova). It trains clinicians and community activists who work with sex workers, gay men and other […]
Constitutional Court rules on Qwelane case, trial to resume in March
In a mixed ruling, the Constitutional Court has found that it was procedurally unfair for the Jon Qwelane hate speech case to have been postponed. According to the court, the South Gauteng High Court should not have postponed the matter without having first considered the objections to the move by the SA Human Rights Commission […]
Local and global homophobes gather in Cape Town to attack same-sex families
Anti-gay zealots from around the world have met in South Africa to issue a declaration opposing same-sex marriage and families. The World Congress of Families Regional Conference took place last week at The Westin hotel in Cape Town; the city that’s often dubbed Africa’s gay capital. The event was hosted by the recently formed International Organisation […]