Tourism minister says South Africa is open to the world’s LGBT travellers
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom says that the country is eager to receive LGBT tourists from around the world. Hanekom spoke at the opening of the first-ever international LGBT business conference to be held in Africa: the 33rd Annual Convention of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) in Cape Town on […]
Court blow to same-sex marriage hopes in China
An attempt to secure same-sex marriage rights through the courts in China has failed. On Wednesday, a judge in the city of Changsha dismissed a historic marriage equality case brought by Sun Wenlin, 27, who hoped to marry his partner, Hu Mingliang, 37. Sun had sued the civil affairs bureau after it refused to recognise their relationship. […]
Some justice for Morocco gay attack couple
Two Moroccan men who were assaulted in a bloody homophobic attack and then, in a shocking travesty of justice, jailed for homosexuality have been released. The victims had earlier received four month jail sentences for “acts against nature” and “sexual deviancy”. According to AFP, the men were freed on Monday by a court in the […]
Boksburg NG Kerk Facebook page shares ‘gays will go to hell’ post
A Facebook page for the Witfield-Wes Boksburg branch of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) or NG Kerk has shared a social media post proclaiming that LGBT people are destined for hell. The meme consists of an illustration of an individual walking along a rainbow flag road leading into a fiery destination; complete with a foreboding […]
“Blessings” page now includes gays and lesbians
The controversial blessings Facebook page that’s been accused of promoting a “sugar daddy” culture is now open to same-sex connections. The South African page, BlesserFinder, links primarily wealthy male benefactors with women who are prepared to offer their company, attention and, presumably, sex, in exchange for gits or “blessings”. The page’s description reads: “A blesser […]
Porn site blocks North Carolina users to protest anti-LGBT law
North Carolina web surfers hoping to get their porn fix on adult site XHamster.com face stiff disappointment. The porn giant confirmed that it is now blocking anyone in the state from accessing its popular site because of the passage of a new anti-LGBT law. “We are appalled by the recent events that have transpired in […]
Nigeria threatens Switzerland’s ambassador over his ‘gay spouse’
The Nigerian government has threatened Switzerland’s Ambassador to the country, Eric Mayooraz, with the “full might of the law” over claims that he has a male partner. According to Daily Trust, the Nigerian authorities learned of the apparent relationship following attempts to register a Brazilian man, known only as Mr. Carlos, with the Association of […]
Justice Edwin Cameron: African LGBTIQs are standing up
In April 2008, the body of 31-year old Eudy Simelane, a soccer player on South Africa’s national women’s team, was found in a field in KwaThema township outside Johannesburg. She had been gang-raped and died from multiple stab wounds. She is one of many victims in a series of hate-based rapes and murders targeting black […]
Let down again. Dissapointed LGBT Catholics say Pope hasn’t gone far enough
Groups representing LGBT Catholic say that they have been let down by the Pope’s latest declarations on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. On Friday, Francis published his long awaited guidelines on family life; a 260 page document titled, On Love in the Family. In it, he laudably condemns LGBT-targeted discrimination and violence and urges clergy to […]
Bryan Adams does a Springsteen – cancels concert over anti-gay law
Following in the footsteps of Bruce Springsteen, Canadian performer Bryan Adams has now cancelled a concert in Mississippi over that state’s new anti-LGBT law. In a statement, Adams said that the 14 April show will no longer take place because of Mississippi’s so called “Religious Liberty” Bill 1523. “I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens […]