Confused Sam Smith dedicates best song Oscar to LGBT community
British singer and songwriter Sam Smith dedicated his Oscar win on Sunday night to the LGBT community, although he was confused about his facts. Smith received the best original song honour (with co-writer Jimmy Napes) at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles for his James Bond theme, Writing’s on the Wall. The openly gay singer went […]
Despite first reported infection, PrEP remains “hugely effective”
Don’t panic, say HIV experts, after the first case of a man becoming infected with HIV while on PrEP for two years was reported on Thursday The 43-year-old Toronto gay man appeared to only recently have been infected after having unprotected sex with multiple partners, despite claiming to use the anti-HIV drug daily as prescribed. […]
Botswana minister praised for calling for end to LGBT discrimination
A government minister in Botswana has urged the country to stop discriminating against gays and lesbians and to consider decriminalising homosexuality. According the Mmegi Online, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Botlhogile Tshireletso, spoke out about the LGBT community during the budget speech delivered by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth […]
Silent protest planned at Cape Town Pride 2016
Activists who accuse Cape Town Pride of excluding lesbians and LGBTI people of colour, amongst others, will be holding a silent protest at Saturday’s event. Under the banner of the Alternative Inclusive Pride Network, the demonstration will “express discontent and reject Cape Town Pride in its current form as a space of exclusion and disregard for […]
First transgender song nominee boycotts the Oscars
English singer and songwriter Anohni is the first transgender musical performer to be nominated for an Oscar, but she won’t be attending Sunday night’s glamorous event in Hollywood. Her reason? While Anohni’s Manta Ray, from the documentary Racing Extinction, is among songs by nominees such as Lady Gaga in the best Original Song category, she’s […]
Bittersweet victory as Italy’s Senate passes flawed civil union bill
Gay relationships are on track to finally be recognised in Italy after the country’s Senate voted to approve a compromised civil union bill on Thursday night. While not full marriage equality, this is the first time Italian lawmakers have supported the legal recognition of same-sex couples. The bill next needs to be voted on by […]
Watch: SA dance team’s moving take on taboo of male rape
The subject of male rape remains a taboo, thanks to its impact on our social and cultural notions of masculinity. Now, South African dancer and choreographer Ruan de Villiers and director Emil Haarhoff have collaborated on a powerful, beautifully made short film that aims to get us talking and thinking about the issue. Danced to […]
Gay “cure” group accused of consumer fraud
An American group that claims it can “cure” gay people through so-called conversion therapy is being accused of committing consumer fraud. On Wednesday, three LGBT and human rights groups – Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) – filed a federal consumer fraud complaint against the […]
Indonesia psychiatrists’ body says homosexuality is mental disorder
From psychiatrists to politicians, the onslaught against the LGBT community in Indonesia has continued unabated this week. Following plans to censor LGBT issues in the media and a spate of anti-gay remarks from officials, it was reported on Wednesday that the Indonesian Psychiatrists’ Association (PDSKJI) views homosexuality as a mental disorder. “We really do care […]
Joburg exhibition explores LGBTI “journeys of faith”
A new exhibition about LGBTI people’s struggles with religion and spirituality is set to open at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Presented by Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA), Journeys of Faith – Navigating Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity will be on display at the museum from the end of February. The fifteen-panel exhibition […]