Category: CULTURE

Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

April 30, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) is pleased to partner with our friends at ALIGHT for the ongoing OUR KITCHEN TABLE initiative.  Together with the LGBTI community in Kenya, we are collaborating through this programming in our joint quest to mitigate the hardships that the COVID-19 Pandemic is bringing to LGBTI refugees in Kenya, to support safe shelter, food and hygiene needs … More Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

April 24, 2020

Once called the “world’s most defiantly joyful song”, Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’ (meaning “touch”) has been re-recorded by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, to spread information and hope in a time of Coronavirus. Without any alteration to chords or syllables, though with several changes to the lyrics, ‘Pata Pata’ will be re-released by UNICEF across … More Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

April 14, 2020

Having been a Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride in 2014 and also having served on the San Francisco Pride Board as vice president, I find it very sad but absolutely necessary to support the following Statement from the executive director of San Francisco Pride, considering the dangers we face as a result of … More Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

Security and Assistance Support for LGBTI in Uganda during COVID-19 Pandemic

April 3, 2020

NOTE: Please make use of the COMMUNIQUE below if you are LGBTQI and/or have any human rights issues in Uganda during COVID-19.  Anyone reporting to these entities are welcome to copy CASEahrc@gmail.com and to report your situation and the result of your outreach to African Human Rights Coalition, which is deferring to organizations on the ground in … More Security and Assistance Support for LGBTI in Uganda during COVID-19 Pandemic

Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

March 31, 2020

STATEMENT ON THE RAID OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN FOUNDATION SHELTER FOR LGBT YOUTHS IN UGANDA- 3/31/2020 Introduction and overview On the morning of 29th March, a shelter for LGBT youth operated by Children of the Sun Foundations (COSF) was raided by residents, and security forces. 23 people found at the shelter were arrested. … More Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

FRAMELINE Postpones the FRAMELINE44 LGBTI San Francisco Film Festival

March 31, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL – Originally set to take place June 18-28, 2020, the film festival is now scheduled for Fall 2020, with expanded festival offerings throughout the year. Today,  Frameline Executive Director James Woolley announced the postponement of the Frameline44 San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.  Originally set to take place June 18-28, 2020, … More FRAMELINE Postpones the FRAMELINE44 LGBTI San Francisco Film Festival

Marin Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban

March 24, 2020

Board Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban- County efforts aimed at helping our most vulnerable populations The resolution requires renters and lease holders to notify their landlord within 30 days after the rent is due that they are unable to pay because of financial impacts related to COVID-19. A landlord may seek payment of unpaid rent … More Marin Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban

Photo of the Day: A Deathly Quiet JFK Airport on March 21, 2020

March 22, 2020

Day 06 of Shelter in Place, Marin: Photo of the day- My daughter, now in quarantine – just in case- took this photo of JFK airport upon her return home to Marin this weekend. Everything changed overnight for this NYU grad, as she left her NYC Apartment to join her family here in Marin. Out … More Photo of the Day: A Deathly Quiet JFK Airport on March 21, 2020

COVID-19 Social Distancing, Kids, Seniors and Things to Do

March 17, 2020

I hope to keep updating this: Many of us are sheltering in space, under orders enforceable by law. Those who are not – should be! Our Trump led Federal Government is failing us- so Governors and local authorities are stepping up. The numbers of cases of COVID-19 pandemic carriers and patients is on the rise, … More COVID-19 Social Distancing, Kids, Seniors and Things to Do

On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

March 17, 2020

Message from African Human Rights Coalition on this Historic anniversary: “Today is the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act, the landmark legislation signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 17, 1980, that established the contemporary U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. This legislation reflects the values of the American people. That we are bound … More On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace

March 13, 2020

Modern Ghana Reports: Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how – By Boniface Ushie & Chimaraoke Izugbara & Frederick Wekesah – The Conversation:- Questions of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression have continued to divide opinion across the globe. This is primarily driven by legal, cultural and religious beliefs … More Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace

At Town Council Meeting President of San Anselmo Chamber Shocks with White Only Remark

March 11, 2020

Last week I happened to tune into my local San Anselmo Town Council meeting, only to hear neighbors speak for and against the Town Council’s attempts to refuse to permit legal cannabis stores under Proposition 64, where Marin County voted to legalize marijuana. Last night, the Town Council sought to take extreme measures with a … More At Town Council Meeting President of San Anselmo Chamber Shocks with White Only Remark

LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

March 9, 2020

RefCEA Responds to Cessation of Funding with a call  for a Community Planning Session: First Reported at AFRICAN HRC HERE. Tuesday 10 March 2020, NAIROBI, KENYA – In recent weeks, HIAS (the Refugee Trust of Kenya) announced the cessation of funding for urban refugees located in greater Nairobi. These LGBTQI refugees were transplanted from the … More LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

Filmmakers Try to Shut Down LGBTQI Israel Film Festival

March 7, 2020

Over 100 LGBT Filmmakers Abroad Call for Boycott of Tel Aviv LGBTQI  Film Festival Haaretz is reporting that more than 100 LGBT filmmakers abroad have signed a petition calling for a boycott of the annual LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv, TLVFest, out of solidarity with the struggle by the Palestinian queer community. What a … More Filmmakers Try to Shut Down LGBTQI Israel Film Festival

Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

March 3, 2020

Updated: The below Article was written  before the COVID-19 postponement of the Sonoma Film Festival’s decision to screen its Festival Online. Happily Elephant Refugees will be screened on the opening night platform , July 30, 2020: Sales have opened NOW as a package with another film, The Guardian Elephant Warriors Of Reteti. BOTH FILMS CAN BE … More Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

For ARTISTS OF COLOR: THE DISRUPTORS FELLOWSHIP 2020

February 14, 2020

THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL POWER PARTNERS WITH 5050BY2020 TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS OF COLOR February 14, 2020—Oakland, CA — The Center for Cultural Power, formerly CultureStrike, in partnership with 5050by2020 announced today the launch of The Disruptors Fellowship – a five-month program that will be awarded to ten artists of color who identify as … More For ARTISTS OF COLOR: THE DISRUPTORS FELLOWSHIP 2020

African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

January 20, 2020

As Executive Director for African Human Rights Coalition, and as a follow up to the articles that have appeared on this BLOG reporting on the complex and disturbing situation involving LGBTQI refugees in Kenya, and more specifically Kakuma Camp, African HRC has issued 2 advisories on its website. Here is a snippet plus links to … More African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

January 12, 2020

LEILAH BABIRYE Gwe Is Ye Nze, Lekka Mbele Nze (You Are Not Me, Let Me Be Me) 15 January – 28 February 2020 Artist dialogue with human rights advocate Melanie Nathan: Saturday 18 January, 10 AM  Rebecca Camacho Presents 794 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94109 UNTITLED, ART San Francisco  Booth C11 16 January – … More Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

December 14, 2019

Queer Asylum in Germany: Better visibility and access to legal and social support needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany Human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity are grounds for seeking asylum in Europe. However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people claiming asylum face particular legal and social … More Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

December 14, 2019

Zambia Complains to U.S. After Ambassador Condemns Jailing of Gay Couple- And how to start changing the narrative! The president of Zambia plans to issue an official complaint to the United States over remarks its ambassador made after a homosexual couple were jailed for 15 years in the African country. Read my Dec 01 Article … More Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

December 3, 2019

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

Decriminalized Botswana Holds Inaugural Pride in Gaborone

December 1, 2019

Hey World- check this out –  PRIDE in Botswana is now OUT in the open and does not mean a Safari or a Pride of Lions! Welcome to Gaborone Pride in Botswana. In the wake of this years’ historic decriminalization of homosexuality, Botswana’s gay community held its inaugural Pride in Gabarone. Here are the pictures … More Decriminalized Botswana Holds Inaugural Pride in Gaborone

Peace Boxes in NYC – A Solo Pop-Up Show of Original Works

December 1, 2019

EDGE HOTEL Presents: THE PEACE WALL POP-UP EXHIBIT  Come celebrate in the neighborhood where the artist lives and works. 100 Peace Boxes have been painted for this NYC event to promote and gift peace during the holiday season. Located just steps from Columbia University Medical Center and Washington Heights’ array of cultural and educational institutions, the sleek … More Peace Boxes in NYC – A Solo Pop-Up Show of Original Works

Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

December 1, 2019

TWO men who were caught having sex at a lodge in Kapiri Mposhi in 2017 have been sentenced by the High Court in Lusaka, Zambia to 15 years imprisonment. Japhet Chataba, 28, a carpenter of Ndeke Township, and Steven Samba, of Kasenshi in Kapiri Mposhi. The Judge ruled that the men had committed an “act against … More Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

SCOTUS Cases Could Dictate Global Harm to LGBTQI Communities

October 8, 2019

When all is said and done there could not be a more serious moment in the lives of LGBTQI Americans and their families – and also for the entire LGBTI world. Any form of inequality or diminishing of our community will serve to justify and hence dictate further global marginalization for all LGBTQI communities. If … More SCOTUS Cases Could Dictate Global Harm to LGBTQI Communities

NAHJ Rescinds FOX NEWS Sponsorship for Conference and Returns the Money

August 22, 2019

Fox News Radio Host, Todd Starnes, justifies his prejudiced language directed against Latino immigrants as opinionated commentary. Hugo Balta, President of the National Association for Hispanic Journalists has announced the decision of the organization to rescind the invitation of Fox News as a sponsor for NAHJ at the upcoming Excellence In Journalism (EIJ19) conference in … More NAHJ Rescinds FOX NEWS Sponsorship for Conference and Returns the Money

Frameline Announces New Executive Director

August 20, 2019

Frameline, presenter of the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the world’s largest and longest-running queer film festival, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Woolley as Executive Director. Woolley brings with him over a decade’s worth of film festival management experience, most recently as the Head of Marketing and Customer Relations at the … More Frameline Announces New Executive Director

2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality

August 20, 2019

Women’s rights in the U.S. have made leaps and bounds since the passage of the 19th Amendment. Yet many women still struggle to break the glass ceiling because of unequal treatment in society. Unfortunately, the gender gap in 21st century America has only expanded. In 2018, the U.S. failed to place in the top 10 … More 2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality