SENIOR CATHOLIC CARDINAL REJECTS UGANDAN LAW
In the first significant comment on Uganda’s anti-gay law by the Vatican since its enactment, a senior cardinal – who is considered a papal contender – has criticised the draconian legislation. Cardinal Peter Turkson, who is from Ghana and is the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said on Tuesday that gay […]
BRITISH DOCS SLAM UGANDA’S “BAD SCIENCE” ON GAYS
The British Medical Association (BMA) has described Uganda’s “scientific” justification for its anti-gay law as “bad science.” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said he was persuaded to sign the bill last week after he consulted scientists and medical experts who said homosexuality was behavioural, not genetic “and could be unlearnt.” At the signing of the bill, […]
ATTORNEY GENERAL: “I WON’T DEFEND DISCRIMINATION”
The attorney general of Kentucky has defied the state’s governor and in a remarkable and moving speech has refused to defend a ban on same-sex marriage in court. Last month, US District Court Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled that Kentucky’s gay marriage ban violates the constitutional principal of equal protection. The ruling was suspended […]
DON’T STOP AID, SAY UGANDAN RIGHTS GROUPS
A coalition of human rights groups in Uganda has urged the world to not block financial donor aid as a means to respond to the country’s new Anti-Homosexuality Act. This request was included in suggested guidelines for individuals or groups opposed to the oppressive law, issued by the Kampala-based Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights […]
ARE SEX VENUES HARMING THE GAY COMMUNITY?
A British LGBT rights campaigner has controversially argued that gay sex venues like saunas and steam-baths should be closed down if gay people want to be accepted as “normal” by society. James Wharton, an openly gay former soldier who served with Prince Harry, made the statement in an article published by Wing magazine. He wrote […]
GAY GROUPS BACK SA GOV STANCE ON UGANDA
In a surprising move, six leading LGBTI NGOs have backed the South African government’s “quiet diplomacy” stance on Uganda’s new anti-gay law. The government has been slammed by numerous sectors of civil society for failing to loudly condemn the oppressive Ugandan law, or similar laws in other African countries. In a statement, the groups – […]
TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL’S DEMISE: NOT SO FAST!
In response to jubilation that the controversial Traditional courts Bill had been scrapped, the government has announced that reports of its demise have been exaggerated. Last week Thursday, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ) issued a statement to “clarify the misconceptions and misleading statement by certain media implying that the Traditional Courts Bill […]
IS MUGABE PLANNING UGANDA-STYLE ANTI-GAY LAW?
According to the Zimbabwean media, President Robert Mugabe may be planning to introduce an anti-gay law similar to the one enacted in Uganda last week. The Herald reported on Monday that the proudly homophobic Zimbabwean leader proclaimed his support for the Ugandan law, which has been criticised by the US and European nations. He described President […]
UGANDA A FOCUS AT CAPE TOWN PRIDE
An estimated 2,000 LGBT people and their friends paraded through the streets of Cape Town on Saturday to show their pride and to support gay rights on the continent. The 14th annual parade was the climax of the city’s ten day gay and lesbian festival that included community-orientated events and various parties. This year, in […]
1ST RUSSIAN GAY SPORTS EVENT OPENS DESPITE BOMB THREAT
In a testament to the determination of Russia’s LGBT community, the country’s first gay sporting festival, the Open Games, kicked off in Moscow on Wednesday – despite last-minute venue cancellations and even a bomb threat. Hosted by the Russian LGBT-Sport Federation, the Games aim to promote healthy lifestyles, physical activity and sports among the LGBT […]