South Africa’s shame: Votes against human rights in UN
South Africa has shamefully joined 13 mostly anti-gay countries in voting against an important UN resolution supporting human rights activists around the world. On Wednesday, countries at the UN voted 117 in favour and 14 against, with 40 abstentions, to send the Draft Resolution on Human Rights Defenders to the General Assembly. The resolution condemns […]
Commonwealth gay bans are boosting HIV
The criminalisation of homosexuality in Commonwealth countries has been blamed for increasing HIV infection rates, according to a new report. The report by Human Dignity Trust was released ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015 in Malta, from 27 to 29 November. It outlines the extent and the consequences of the criminalisation of […]
Third Joburg People’s Pride honours LGBTI activists
The Joburg People’s Pride movement held its third annual march through Hillbrow and Braamfontein on Saturday, remembering the activists who started South Africa’s LGBTI rights movement. The event was marred by a last minute cancellation of its post-march concert due to “unforeseen technical difficulties,” but nevertheless saw a spirited crowd of around 400 people taking […]
Constitutional Court throws out fired lesbian minister’s case
The Constitutional Court has refused to rule on fired lesbian minister Ecclesia De Lange’s claim that she was discriminated against by the Methodist Church. While the dismissal of De Lange’s appeal was largely based on technicalities, it was also a sign of the courts’ continued reticence in issuing a definitive ruling on if religious beliefs […]
So now there’s a Charlie Sheen gay sex tape?
There are reports that a video showing Charlie Sheen having sex with another man has come to light. The troubled actor is known for his womanising, drug use and wild Hollywood lifestyle, including regularly hiring female sex workers and porn stars. Sheen, who was at a time the highest paid television star in the world, […]
Modern Family star comes out as gay, has body dysmorphia
Modern Family actor Reid Ewing has revealed that he is gay, after writing an article about his struggle with body dysmorphic disorder. Ewing, 27, is best known for playing the recurring guest role of Haley’s dopey boyfriend Dylan in the popular American comedy series. In a piece for Huffington Post, Ewing said he first became […]
DA: KZN pastor’s homophobia puts gay people in danger
The Democratic Alliance says it’s “appalled” by a KwaZulu-Natal pastor’s dangerous statement that gay people are to blame for the country’s drought. Shembe Church leader, Mduduzi Shembe made the alleged remarks at a gathering at Enyokeni Palace over the weekend. It’s reported he said: “Men are now marrying men and that is why we are […]
Africa’s first Transgender Visibility day this December
Africa’s transgender community will make its voice heard this December when Johannesburg hosts the continent’s first-ever Transgender Visibility Day. The event will be held at the Women’s Jail in the Constitution Hill Precinct, Braamfontein, on Saturday 5 December from 10am to 6pm. Organising group, Iranti, says it will be an exciting day of debates, speakers, exhibitions, […]
Watch: Nakhane Touré and Somizi wow at Idols final
Idols South Africa judge Somizi Mhlongo collaborated with rising star Nakhane Touré for a high energy performance on Sunday’s Season 11 final show. Mhlongo, who’s best known for his talents as a choreographer, provided the dance moves and some vocals to Touré’s singing on the hit track We Dance Again, produced by Black Coffee. The […]
Nigeria: 21 students arrested for homosexuality
Twenty-one students in Nigeria have been arrested in another homophobic crackdown after they were accused of having gay sex. Punch reported that the students were from two state-owned polytechnics in the city of Asaba, institutions the newspaper said “were a beehive of perverse sexual acts as male students engage in same sex activities for financial gains.” “We […]