UN high commissioner tells Zimbabwe it needs to change

Zimbabwe came in for harsh criticism from the UN high commissioner for human rights at the end of her recent inspection trip there. High Commissioner Navi Pillay said in a statement that the country has made progress on human rights, especially women’s involvement in government. But Zimbabwe needs to behave better toward LGBT people, Pillay … Continue reading →

U.S. cites 3 tough countries for south African LGBTs

The gays and lesbians of southern Africa face the most extreme harassment in Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, according to the U.S. State Department’s newly released report on human rights. Below is what the report had to say about the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in each of those countries. This post is … Continue reading →

Elder statesmen in Africa back gay rights

A New York Times account of the efforts of Malawi President Joyce Banda to repeal her country’s anti-homosexuality laws includes this account of two African elder statesmen who have taken the same position. The piece recounted last year’s appeals from former presidents of Botswana and Zambia: Mrs. Banda’s is not an isolated voice, however. Last … Continue reading →

U.S. tells how 4 countries harass LGBTs in East Africa

East African gays and lesbians face the most severe harassment in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, according to the U.S. State Department’s newly released report on human rights. Below is what the report had to say about the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in each of those countries. This post is the … Continue reading →

Uganda official threatens planned interfaith conference

Ugandan ethics minister Simon Lokodo has threatened legal action against a proposed conference in Uganda at which religious and political leaders would discuss the effects of the country’s laws against homosexuality. Plans for the Uganda conference sprang from a similar gathering in October in New York. That Compass to Compassion meeting, attended by about 90 … Continue reading →

Malawi parliament won’t repeal anti-gay law quickly

Parliamentary leader Henry Phoya in Malawi says the parliament’s current session will not act on President Joyce Banda’s call to repeal the country’s law against homosexual activities, Malawi Today reported. Banda recently called for repeal of anti-homosexuality laws that have drawn criticism from the country’s foreign aid suppliers, which cut back on funding for Malawi … Continue reading →

U.S. spotlights 5 cruel countries for LGBTs in West Africa

West African gays and lesbians face the most extreme harassment in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Sierra Leone, according to the U.S. State Department’s newly released report on human rights. Below is what the report had to say about the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in each of those countries. This post … Continue reading →

Malaysian officials seize pro-gay Muslim’s book

Government officials in Malaysia have confiscated copies of the latest book by Muslim author Irshad Manji, who urges society to accept LGBT people because they were created by Allah. Enforcement officers from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department, or JAWI, seized copies of the book, “Allah Liberty & Love – Courage To Reconcile Faith & … Continue reading →

Attack on pro-gay Kenyan bishop ‘fake’

The pro-gay website Identity Kenya disputes claims that a gay-friendly Methodist bishop in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya was beaten and his orphanage destroyed. The website for Trinity Methodist Church Kenya asked for contributions to rebuild the orphanage and school after an alleged $187,000 worth of damage was done to it by anti-gay armed … Continue reading →

100s arrested in Kuwait vice raids, including 20 LGBTs

Four gay men and two transgender women were among 149 people arrested in Kuwait over the weekend on charges of immoral behavior, Pink News reported. Those raids brought the reported total number of vice arrests to more than 230, including about 20 LGBT people. The weekend’s arrests were part of a police crackdown on “suspected … Continue reading →