Supergirl star tries to save cousin from “gay cure” school
Actor Jeremy Jordan, who plays the role of Schott, Jr on the TV series Supergirl, is raising funds in a desperate bid to save his lesbian cousin Sarah from a Christian “gay cure” school. Jordan says that the 17-year-old is being forced by her parents to go to an East Texas Christian boarding facility for […]
Blood on their hands: Russia blocks LGBT rights from historic UN Aids resolution
A number of countries have succeeded in removing support for LGBT equality from Wednesday’s landmark resolution to end the Aids epidemic. Russia, along with Iran, Poland, and a number of Gulf States removed language that called for an end to laws criminalising LGBT people and injecting drug users from the document, which was adopted by […]
Singapore: Foreign companies told to stop sponsoring LGBT event
The Singapore government has moved to block foreign companies from supporting the country’s annual Pink Dot LGBT rights event. In a statement, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs warned multinationals that they “should not interfere in our domestic issues, especially political issues or controversial social issues with political overtones”. The ministry explained that organisers of the […]
Spur alleged homophobic fracas reported as a hate crime
At least one of the five people involved in an alleged homophobic incident at a Pretoria Spur is taking the matter further. They’re also outraged that Spur has painted them as violent drunks. The group claim that on the morning of Sunday 29 May they were told they were “disgusting” by a manager at the […]
Progress at last? Minister promises to make Home Affairs LGBTI friendly
Malusi Gigaba, the Minister of Home Affairs, has admitted that his department has often failed LGBTI South Africans, but says he is finally taking steps to ensure that they are treated as equal citizens. As we’ve regularly reported over the years, Home Affairs has been slated for some of its officials’ discriminatory refusal to marry […]
Namibia’s Swakopmund celebrates its first Pride march
The Namibian coastal city of Swakopmund marked its first LGBT Pride last weekend, only the second such event in the country’s history. Around 150 people turned out for the inaugural Swakop Pride, described as “a celebration of the LGBT and queer community,” on Saturday the 4th of June. The event included a festive midday procession through the […]
New York City launches first transgender bathroom campaign
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has launched a groundbreaking campaign to educate citizens about bathroom use and gender identity. It’s believed to be the first citywide ad campaign affirming the right of people to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, regardless of their sex assigned at birth. “No one deserves to […]
Surprise as former Nigerian president says anti-gay law should be dropped
The former Nigerian president who signed one of Africa’s harshest anti-gay laws says the time may have come to review it. In January 2014, despite global outrage and condemnation, then-President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act. The law prohibits same-sex marriage and relationships with up to 14 years in prison. It also stipulates 10 years […]
Mr Gay Europe 2016 to take place in Sweden and Norway
The 10th Mr Gay Europe finale will take place in the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Sweden this July and August. The main theme, as it has been since 2005, is Unity through Diversity. This year, the competition also takes a new turn; with a focus on environmental issues, self-development and networking. The event will […]
Watch: Here’s South Africa’s first LGBT animated series
South Africa’s first LGBT animated TV series, about two gay squirrels, is being made in Cape Town. Squeers, an edgy comedy animated series, is aimed at both local and international audiences. A trailer (featuring a pigeon that’s into BDSM, nogal) was released this week to mark Pride Month, celebrated in many countries in June. Squeers takes a satirical […]