North Carolina governor sues US government over anti-LGBT bill
In an extraordinary move, North Carolina’s governor has sued the federal government after it warned him that his state’s new anti-LGBT law is illegal. Last week, the US Department of Justice told Governor Pat McCrory that the law, which forces transgender people to use public bathrooms according to the sex on their birth certificate, violates […]
YouTube adds warning to music video promoting LGBT equality in Africa
YouTube has partially acceded to Kenyan censors by adding a warning to a music video supporting LGBT equality in Africa. In February, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) banned the video, a reworking by Art Attack of the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis song Same Love, which features new lyrics and a video depicting the lives […]
Here’s why there’s no “right way” of coming out
A study of gay Latino and gay white men suggests that we shouldn’t impose any “right way” of coming out the closet. The new research examined verbal disclosure of one’s gay identity to others by men from these two backgrounds and found some startling differences in the outcome. “Verbal disclosure is what most people think […]
GaySA Radio named broadcast sponsor for Pretoria Pride
South Africa’s online gay radio station, GaySA Radio, is the broadcast sponsor for the 2016 Pretoria LGBTI Pride, to be held on 1 October. GaySA Radio started broadcasting in October last year. Currently in test phase, the station is growing by leaps and bounds. It now has more than 30 volunteer staff, broadcasting from its […]
Beyoncé condemns North Carolina anti-LGBT law, doesn’t cancel show
While Beyoncé didn’t go the route of cancelling her concert like other artists have done, she has condemned North Carolina’s new anti-LGBT law. Since the bill was signed into law last month, a host of performers, including Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and Pearl Jam, have called off their shows in the […]
Japanese LGBT students victims of “widespread and brutal” bullying
The Japanese government has been accused of failing to protect LGBT students from pervasive school bullying. According to a new Human Rights Watch report, bullying is widespread and brutal in Japan’s schools, yet government policies on bullying do not specifically address LGBT students, who are among the most vulnerable. Instead, said the group, the national […]
Colton Haynes comes out, says staying in the closet was exhausting
Sorry, girls, he’s one of us! American actor Colton Haynes has officially confirmed that he’s a proudly gay man. Haynes, who found fame as a heartthrob on the popular TV shows Teen Wolf and Arrow, came out in an interview with Entertainment Weekly on Thursday. He explained that he had been advised early in his […]
Obama to make Stonewall Inn first LGBT national monument
The US media is reporting that President Obama is set to make the site of the Stonewall riots the first American national monument in honour of LGBT history. On June 28, 1969, gay, lesbian, drag and transgender patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a New York City bar, fought back against police officers in response to […]
Feather Awards 2016 goes on the road to 8 provinces
This year’s Chevrolet Feather Awards is marking its eighth year by travelling to eight provinces to address communities about LGBTI issues and challenges. “While urban areas are the usual beneficiaries of support for LGBTI rights campaign information and support, the Feather Awards in 2016 plans to reach out to the rural and neglected parts of South […]
Queen, fairy? Africa’s first competitive gay rugby team wants you!
Jozi Cats, Africa’s first gay and inclusive competitive rugby club, has launched a bold and controversial new initiative to recruit more players and challenge homophobia in sport. The campaign uses players from the Johannesburg-based rugby team in a series of shots with traditionally derogatory and stereotypical gay terms that question the perception of the kind of gay […]