Journalist Jim Naughton from the gay-friendly Episcopal Church in the United States argues that the relatively small breakaway Anglican Church in North America is in a bind — seeking support from people who support the human rights of LGBT people, but unwilling to anger allies in the Church of Uganda by criticizing that country’s harsh … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: April 2014
Uganda: Another LGBT prisoner awaits her trial
The ongoing anti-gay crackdown in Uganda has sent another LGBT person to prison. Emma Bbosa, a transgender woman, has been detained in Luzira Prison awaiting trial on charges of arson and malicious damage to property. Her case is being handled by the advocacy group Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum — Uganda (HRAPF), which is … Continue reading
To change society, come out to family, friends, Zambian says
(Aussi disponible en français) Anna, a queer activist from Zambia, discusses the importance of LGBTI people coming out to their families and friends as a crucial step toward recognition of human rights for LGBTI people by society overall: Revolution in the family I’m going to be honest: I’ve given up on the idea that in … Continue reading
Francophone countries in West-Central Africa ‘left behind’ by the AIDS revolution
In Montpellier, France, from April 27 to 30, scientists and doctors are meeting at the International francophone conference on HIV and Hepatitis (AFRAVIH). Doctors Without Borders – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) the Nobel Prize winning international humanitarian medical organization is there and speaking out. MSF has issued a statement about the lack of progress in … Continue reading
For lover’s sake, gay man spent years in Cameroon prison
(Disponible en français) Diderot Atsafack, a 25-year-old gay man, has paid the equivalent of US$470 to regain his liberty after spending two and a half years in a Cameroonian prison on homosexuality-related charges, attorney Michel Togué reports. Atsafack was arrested in Oct. 17, 2011, in large part because he refused to reveal his sexual orientation and … Continue reading
Cameroon: $325 frees 2 gay prisoners; more is needed
After six months in prison on homosexuality charges, two gay men in Cameroon gained their freedom by paying the equivalent of US$325 in fines and court costs. Issa, 29, and Thio, 25, were sentenced to the fines and six months in prison after their conviction on April 10. (Because of continuing security risks, they are … Continue reading
Stone LGBT Ugandans to death? The Bible says what?
Change is in the wind. In Europe and North America, there’s increasing recognition of the human rights of LGBT people. But in Africa, hatred is on the upswing. Some anti-gay Christians even believe that LGBT people should be killed, that that’s what God wants. What’s to be done? Here’s a discussion with one such Christian. … Continue reading
Cameroon mob kills gay man; police arrest his friends
By Denis LeBlanc. Edited by Colin Stewart. (Aussi disponsible en français.) A 42-year-old gay Cameroonian man, Augustin Siewe, has died from injuries suffered at the hands of a mob armed with clubs and machetes. Two of his companions, Francis Ngamemo Tientcheu, 40, and Clovis Djeukam, 34, survived the Feb. 6 attack in the coast city … Continue reading
As many as 12 awaiting gay-sex trials in Uganda
As a result of Uganda’s ongoing anti-gay crackdown, many LGBT people are in hiding and as many as a dozen Ugandans are currently awaiting trial on homosexuality-related charges. Three of them are in prison pending the outcome of their trials. Since President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act in February, an LGBT security hotline in … Continue reading
Civil Rights worker seeks an end to anti-gay hatred in Africa
The Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell, an African-American former Civil Rights activist and a retired United Methodist minister, responded with passion to the recent commentary by South African Justice Edwin Cameron, who bemoaned the repression of LGBT people in Africa. In a commentary titled, “The Sexual Minority of Africa Should Also Be Heard,” Cameron wrote that … Continue reading
