LGBTI Africans: Out and proud in Birmingham

The diaspora African LGBTI activists of Out and Proud Diamond Group  appealed for justice and LGBTI rights in their home countries as they took part in the Pride celebration in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on May 28-29. The organization issued this press release (modestly edited here). It was a marriage proposal rather than a starting pistol … Continue reading →

New Uganda law opens door to anti-LGBTI repression

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has reportedly signed into law a bill that could impose harsh restrictions on organizations working with people considered to be social outcasts, including LGBTI people, sex workers, drug users and those involved with abortions. The Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) pointed out “three thorny issues” with the bill, which … Continue reading →

Resignation adds uncertainty to Aids battle in Uganda

Prof. Vinand M. Nantulya has resigned as chairman of a Ugandan health policy panel that makes crucial decisions about the country’s anti-Aids projects, including those that often have excluded LGBTI Ugandans from receiving HIV services in the past. During Nantulya’s four years on the panel, people most at risk for HIV infection at last gained … Continue reading →

N.Y. Times under continued attack for anti-LGBTI article

The New York Times has not backed off its damaging and inaccurate article of Dec. 20 about the alleged problems of U.S. support of LGBTI rights in Africa, but today it has published two letters to the editor that challenge the article’s accuracy. The letter from Tom Malinowski, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of … Continue reading →

In Uganda, new bill threatens LGBTI advocates

LGBTI rights activists in Uganda have sounded an alarm about a new threat to their advocacy of justice and fair treatment for the country’s sexual minorities. While the now-overturned Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014 targeted individual LGBTI Ugandans and the organizations representing them, the NGO Bill focuses only on the LGBTI rights organizations, along with every … Continue reading →

African scientists: Homosexuality is natural and African

South Africa’s Mail & Guardian reports on a new Africa-based scientific report that discredits claims that homosexuality is unnatural and un-African. These are excerpts from that article: The Ugandan National Academy of Sciences (Unas) has endorsed a report that says homosexuality and gender and sexual diversity are natural phenomena, which contradicts Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s stance … Continue reading →

Museveni: Put padlocks on your private parts

Museveni attended an event to mark World Aids Day at the Boma Grounds in Fort Portal, Kabarole, Uganda. From the Uganda Monitor, this is what he reportedly said, on HIV prevention: “Those NGOs and whites come deceiving you that circumcision and condom use are the best ways to protect yourself against HIV/Aids. But for me I … Continue reading →

Uganda: Mob attacks activist, rushed to hospital

Blogger, activist and human rights advocate Melanie Nathan reported today  that a Ugandan activist and human rights defender,  Kelly Mukwano, was brutally beaten by a mob and taken to Nsambya hospital in Kampala. He suffered multiple injuries, blood loss and an injured eye. Mr. Mukwano received treatment; he got deep stitches and was sent home. … Continue reading →

2 low-risk ways to seek LGBT rights in Africa

Suzanne Nossel, a former U.S. diplomat, proposes two tactics could save the lives of LGBT people in anti-gay countries, especially in Africa, as the battle against homophobia continues there.  She proposes: Listen to local activists Enlist local straight allies Nossel writes in Foreign Policy magazine: The Closeted Continent … The complex geography of the global … Continue reading →

New anti-gay bill in Uganda; 25 reported arrests in Nigeria

Breaking news Uganda’s new anti-gay bill BuzzFeed reports that anti-gay legislators in Uganda have drafted a potential replacement for the overturned Anti-Homosexuality Act: A committee comprising leading members of Uganda’s ruling party have prepared a new draft of legislation targeting LGBT people, according to Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights lawyer who obtained a leaked copy … Continue reading →