Russia: People could soon be fined or jailed for acting gay
Human Rights Watch has warned of a new anti-gay law pending in Russia’s parliament that would penalise people who simply appear or act gay in in public. Introduced on October 29 by two Communist Party MPs, Ivan Nikitchuk and Nikolai Arefyev, the bill proposes fines of between four and five thousand rubles (US$65-$80) for “the public […]
Shock defeat for LGBT “bathroom bill” in Houston
American LGBT activists have been stunned by the rejection of an anti-discrimination bill in Houston following a vicious “trans panic” campaign. On Tuesday, citizens in the Texan metropolis overwhelmingly voted to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which was backed by high profile figures such as President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Apple CEO Tim […]
Johannesburg Pride 2015 Gallery 2
The 26th annual Johannesburg Pride was this year, for the first time, based at the sports field alongside the iconic Wanderers cricket stadium, in Illovo. The parade wound its way from the stadium, down Corlett Drive and through Melrose Arch as passers-by waved and motorists hooted in support. Check out our 1st Johannesburg Pride 2015 Gallery […]
Johannesburg Pride 2015 Gallery 1
Thousands braved a scorching Spring day last weekend to come out to mark the 26th annual Johannesburg Pride, Africa’s oldest LGBTI event. The parade wound its way from the stadium, down Corlett Drive and through Melrose Arch as passers-by waved and motorists hooted in support. Check out our 2nd Johannesburg Pride 2015 Gallery here.
Zambian hairdresser faces 15 years in jail for sodomy
A hairdresser, believed to be a transgender woman, has been found guilty of “sodomy” in Zambia and faces being sentenced to 15 years in jail. According to local media, Hatch Bril, 27, from Mongu, was convicted of allowing a man to have carnal knowledge of her “against the order of nature” in the early hours […]
Bid to legalise gay marriage in Northern Ireland blocked
Despite a landmark majority vote in favour of marriage equality by lawmakers, Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK to still not allow same-sex marriage. On Monday, 53 legislators in the Northern Ireland Assembly voted to legalise same-sex marriage, with 51 opposed. The dominant Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), however, shamefully used a “petition […]
“Drugged” gay porn boxer admits he lied, comes out
American professional boxer Yusaf Mack has admitted that he wasn’t drugged to appear in a gay porn film, also revealing that he’s bisexual. After the explicit three-way video on the DawgpoundUSA.com website recently came to light, Mack told the media that he didn’t remember filming the scenes because he’d been drugged by someone on the set. The […]
Conversations joins the Other Foundation
The phenomenally successful Conversations urban networking and social giving event for gay and lesbian professionals in Johannesburg and Cape Town today announced that it has become a programme of the Other Foundation. The Other Foundation is an African trust that gathers support for those who are working to protect and advance the rights, wellbeing and social […]
Thousands brave sweltering heat to mark Johannesburg Pride 2015
Between 4,000 and 5,000 people marched through Illovo on Saturday to mark the 26th annual Johannesburg Pride, Africa’s oldest LGBTI event. The Pride was this year, for the first time, based at the sports field alongside the iconic Wanderers cricket stadium, within easy access of the M1 highway. Hundreds streamed into the venue, which was […]
Jamaican LGBTIs celebrate 1st Montego Bay Pride
In what appears to reflect growing tolerance towards the LGBTI community in Jamaica, the first Montego Bay Pride took place without incident last weekend. The event follows the recent first ever Pride event in the island-nation, which was successfully held in the capital Kingston in August. Writing for Erasing 76 Crimes, activist Maurice Tomlinson described […]