Gay in Cameroon: after beatings in prison, rejection at home

For sending amorous text messages to one of his acquaintances, Roger Jean Claude Mbede, 33, of Cameroon has spent 16 months in prison for the crime of homosexuality. Mbede, who is also known as Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, won provisional release on July 16 for medical treatment, but returning to his old life has proved impossible. … Continue reading →

Cameroon court hears appeal of 5-year sentence for homosexuality

With support from Lawyers Without Borders, two young Cameroonian men appeared in court in Yaoundé on July 20, seeking to overturn their five-year prison sentence for homosexuality, imposed in November 2011. In addition to the five-year prison term — the maximum allowed under Cameroonian law — they were each fined 200,000 CFA francs, or about … Continue reading →

10 countries with anti-LGBT laws might face Google’s wrath

Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Russia. Those are some of the countries that might feel the greatest pressure from Google as the Internet search company pursues its new “Legalize Love” campaign. Google has offices in those countries, which are among the 76-plus nations with laws related to homosexual … Continue reading →

Refugee aid groups stumble when faced with LGBTs

Many refugee protection groups don’t know how to deal with the large numbers of refugees that they encounter who have fled from persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. That was the conclusion of a first-ever survey of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) serving asylum seekers and refugees worldwide.  The survey was conducted last year; … Continue reading →

Cameroon releases Jean-Claude Roger Mbede for medical care

This blog has received two reports that Jean-Claude Roger Mbede has been released from prison, at least temporarily, for medical treatment. We are seeking confirmation of those reports. [It has been confirmed. See the exclusive interview, “Gay in Cameroon: after beatings in prison, rejection at home.”] Meanwhile, Amnesty International is continuing its campaign for his … Continue reading →

Visitors from 133 countries check out news of anti-gay laws

This blog speaks to a multinational audience. People from 133 countries have visited the Erasing 76 Crimes blog since it started in March. Through early July,  visitors came most frequently from the United States, followed by visitors from the United Kingdom. Each of those countries recorded more than 1,000 visits, the blog’s WordPress statistics show. … Continue reading →

76 countries (or 78) where homosexuality is illegal

Mapping repression Depending on how you count them, there are 76 or 78 countries where homosexuality is illegal. This blog takes its name from a list of 76 such countries. This year’s report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, or ILGA, discusses 78. Two countries that that the ILGA classifies as … Continue reading →

Another delay in Gambian ‘homosexual dance’ trial

The trial of about 20 people in connection with an alleged “homosexual dance” in the Gambia has been delayed again. The Daily Observer website reported that proceedings in the trial were put off until July 16 because of the bereavement of defense counsel Lamin Camara. According to early reports and police testimony, the defendants were … Continue reading →

Fatal flaw in official anti-AIDS declaration

COMMENTARY A new declaration seeking “global support to end the AIDS epidemic” has one fatal shortcoming. It outlines nine strategies for fighting HIV / AIDS, but fails to mention the tragic consequences of 76-plus nations’ laws against homosexuality, which effectively exclude LGBT people from receiving AIDS-related services. The “Washington D.C. Declaration” will be the official … Continue reading →

Ugandan officials wary of new LGBTI clinic

Ugandan officials are opposed to the new, first-of-its-kind health clinic for LGBTI people that opened in May in the capital city, Kampala. Richard Nduhura, the minister of state for health (general duties), who is a veterinarian, said the clinic isn’t needed,  IRIN/PlusNews reported: “We don’t discriminate and marginalize when it comes to offering health services. … Continue reading →