The first Pride Parade in the southern African country of Lesotho is described in an article by Leila Hall for the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA. The article begins: A small group of young Basotho are singing and chanting as they make their way down Kingsway – the main street that runs through … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: May 2013
Call for police response to anti-gay attacks in Ukraine
After the generally peaceful Equality March on May 25, anti-gay forces have launched a series of attacks on LGBT activists and have threatened more violence. Two human rights group today urged Ukrainian authorities to investigate and put an end to the harassment. The attacks and threats are described in the following excerpts from a joint … Continue reading
Singapore: New online ban on gay content
Gay Star News reports: The Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore is introducing a tough new rule that will censor websites that are read from inside the country, even if they are not hosted there. The new rule, which will come into effect on Saturday (1 June), will require local news websites and those that … Continue reading
Peaceful celebration in Cameroon a year after mob attack
Three associations in Cameroon’s capital city organized a week’s activities to commemorate this year’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). Unlike last year, the activities were not disrupted by anti-gay violence. La version française: “Yaoundé célèbre IDAHO 2013 avec faste et sérénité” IDAHO 2013 IN CAMEROON Time: around 6 p.m., May 17. Location: The Bastos Roundabout … Continue reading
Nigeria lawmakers OK 14-year sentences for gay marriage
AP reports: “Lawmakers in Nigeria passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and [Editor’s note: perhaps, perhaps not] outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders. “Nigeria’s House of Representatives approved the bill in a voice vote, likely sending it immediately to President Goodluck Jonathan … Continue reading
Jamaican TV: Why we reject LGBT tolerance ad
Attorneys for Jamaican television stations argued on May 28 and 29 that their clients had the right to reject an ad promoting tolerance of gay people in Jamaica. The TV stations are defending themselves against a lawsuit by activist attorney Maurice Tomlinson, legal advisor for the international advocacy organization AIDS-Free World, who took them to … Continue reading
Zambian leader draws false lesson from French protest
Zambia’s acting president says his country should be true to itself, without paying attention to Western countries — but that apparently doesn’t apply if what he sees in the developed world can be used to reinforce his pre-existing prejudices. Specifically, the Zambia Daily Mail reported, Acting President Edgar Lungu says his government’s opposition to same-sex … Continue reading
Jamaican lawsuit seeks OK for gay respect TV ad
‘As a Jamaican, I respect you and I love you.’ Court action got under way yesterday, May 27, in the lawsuit by gay activist attorney Maurice Tomlinson against Jamaican television stations for refusing to air the 30-second advertisement “Love and Respect.” The ad, which promotes recognition of the humanity of LGBT people, was rejected by … Continue reading
Tunisia cheers lesbian love film, rejects actual lesbian love
PRAISE FOR MOVIE, NOT FOR REALITY Tunisia’s culture minister congratulated French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche on Monday for winning the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, without mentioning the huge gap between what Tunisia society accepts and what the film depicts. The film is about a lesbian love affair, which in Tunisia would be a taboo subject. … Continue reading
Russian LGBT rights group under attack as ‘foreign agent’
The Russian LGBT rights organization Coming Out was in court today seeking to defend itself against a claim that it is a “foreign agent.” Shockingly, Coming Out said, the court implied that the St. Petersburg-based organization must be guilty because why else would it be facing prosecution. The court also decided that considering the constitutionality … Continue reading
