The Republican Party wants the United States to stop pushing for repeal of 76 countries’ laws that make homosexuality a crime. In its newly unveiled 2012 party platform, the GOP criticizes the Obama administration for its warnings that U.S. foreign aid might be curtailed to countries that throw gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in jail for … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: August 2012
LGBT rights, Hindu style — the example of Nepal
A remarkable story by Vishal Arora in Asia Times tells about the arrival of LGBT rights in Nepal: It started with a December 2007 judgment by the Supreme Court directing the government to introduce laws providing equal rights to the LGBTI community and amend all discriminatory laws against them. After the court’s decision, most … Continue reading
GOP platform leak: 76 countries’ anti-gay laws are OK
An inadvertently leaked draft of a section of the Republican Party platform implies that the United States should not oppose anti-LGBT laws in the 76 countries where homosexuality is a crime. As the GOP convention gets under way this week, the gathering will see whether that language remains in the party platform. [Update: On Aug. … Continue reading
Zimbabwe police move to shut down pro-LGBT group
Police in Zimbabwe are seeking to shut down the gay-rights organization GALZ as an unregistered enterprise. The group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe disputed the police accusation, and did not state that it is shutting down operations. But the Zimbabwean news website said the police action forced GALZ to close Harare office, The action against … Continue reading
Seemingly anti-gay Kenyan bishop encourages LGBTs
“Gays are worse than terrorists”? That’s what the Anglican bishop of Mombasa, the Right Rev. Julius Kalu, was recently quoted as saying. But Kalu this month held an eye-opening meeting with a group of gay Christians who had been upset about his quoted remarks. The meeting was organized by the Rev. Michael Kimindu, president of … Continue reading
‘Gay Hate Day’ fizzles in Cameroon and worldwide
Aug. 21 came and went without any sign of the large protests against homosexuality that were announced in June and widely denounced since then. That day was supposed to be “International Day Against Homosexuality,” nicknamed “Gay Hate Day” by its opponents. The anti-homosexuality protest was proposed by the Movement of Young Cameroonians, or RJC, which … Continue reading
Report: Oppression undermines Ugandan society
Ugandan society is being undermined by intensifying attacks on a wide range of non-profit organizations — ones that seek LGBT rights, but also many good-government advocates, says the international watchdog group Human Right Watch. In a new 50-page report titled “Curtailing Criticism: Intimidation and Obstruction of Civil Society in Uganda,” the group documents increasing government … Continue reading
Singapore court OKs challenge to anti-gay law
Singapore might be moving toward striking down its anti-sodomy laws, which reinforce stigma against gay men, even though the laws are rarely enforced. Court action today makes it possible for the laws to be overturned as a result of a legal challenge that began two years ago. In late 2010, a case was filed in … Continue reading
Protest greets Zimbabwe police raids
An LGBT rights group has condemned Zimbabwean police raids on the headquarters of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, or GALZ. The latest raid is described here: “Report: Another Zimbabwe police raid on LGBT rights group.” In a public statement, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights, or AMSHeR, said it strongly condemns the Zimbabwean government’s continued … Continue reading
Stephane Tchakam: Vibrant LGBT activist’s memory lives on
“Stephane is dead!” announces a voice on the phone. “Which one?” “Stephane Tchakam.” “Excuse me. Are you kidding or what?” The call came from Philip, a well-known gay activist in Douala, Cameroon, who phoned a friend in Yaoundé to tell him the shocking news that Stephane Tchakam had died. Very early, around 6 a.m. Monday, … Continue reading
