SA called out for playing “double game” in anti-LGBTI moves at UN
Human rights experts have questioned the South African government’s claim that it did not support other African country’s demand that the UN’s LGBTI watchdog be suspended. Last week Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) spokesperson Clayson Monyela told Mambaonline that South Africa would not vote in favour of blocking the recently appointed Independent Expert on Protection […]
Major LGBT rights court victory in Uganda
The Constitutional Court of Uganda has scrapped a section of the law that blocked LGBT people from fighting against discrimination. On Thursday, the court ruled that a blatantly unjust provision in the Equal Opportunities Commission Act was unconstitutional. The provision effectively barred the commission from investigating “any matter involving behaviour which is considered to be […]
Same-sex couples more likely to have a fulfilling sex life
New research suggests that same-sex couples are more likely use strategies that allow their sex lives to remain fresh. According to the study, the secret to a happy sex life in long-term relationships is the belief that it takes hard work and effort, instead of expecting sexual satisfaction to simply happen if you are true […]
President’s marriage equality bid fails in Mexico
An attempt by Mexico’s president to legalise same-sex marriage has been thwarted by conservative lawmakers. On Wednesday, a congressional committee voted to reject the proposed legislation which would have made marriage equality a reality across the nation. President Enrique Peña Nieto had introduced the bill in May to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. Same-sex marriage […]
NG Kerk backs away from same-sex unions in “disgusting” decision
The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC), or NG Kerk has formally reversed its lauded vote last year to allow the recognition of same-sex unions. At an extraordinary meeting of the General Synod this week, the DRC decided to no longer accept same-sex relationships, even if they are legal civil unions. In a statement, the church proclaimed […]
Breaking: South Africa will NOT support move to block UN LGBTI watchdog
South Africa’s Department of International Relations has categorically denied that it supports efforts to suspend the recently appointed UN LGBTI watchdog. Earlier this week, human rights groups expressed alarm at reports that the Africa Group at the UN had issued a statement and planned a UN General Assembly resolution to reverse the UN Human Rights […]
14% of LGBT Americans voted for Donald Trump
Despite his proposing a number of anti-LGBT policies, a surprising number of LGBT Americans voted to elect Donald Trump as president. According to exit poll results published by The New York Times, 14% of those who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender said they’d cast their vote for the controversial candidate. This compares to […]
Orlando to turn Pulse gay nightclub into a museum
The city of Orlando in Florida is planning to buy the Pulse gay nightclub and turn it into a memorial. The venue, which has continued to operate as a club, was the site of the cold-blooded massacre of 49 LGBTQ people by 29-year-old Omar Mateen on June 12. “This location is now a permanent part […]
Brakpan restaurant threatens legal action over anti-gay date night claims
An Ekurhuleni restaurant has threatened to sue the lesbian woman accusing it of discrimination over the venue’s opposite-sex-only date nights. Mia Agrela claimed on Facebook and in the media that the Lake Restaurant’s “date night” events are exclusively for heterosexual couples and that this amounts to discrimination. She discovered this when she she booked to […]
New “revolutionary” political party attacks gays and lesbians
Just what we need in South Africa; a new political party that’s out to diminish and reject gays and lesbians. The Daily Sun reports that the KwaZulu-Natal-based People’s Revolutionary Movement (PRM) had its launch in Durban on Sunday, where it expounded on its anti-LGBT views. “As a movement we are 100 percent against same-sex marriages. […]