Category: Africa

Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

May 30, 2013

COURT ON MAY 30 – Killer De Koker (right) allowed to marry Marais, moments after testimony in the death of Raymond Buys, on life support for 2  weeks after torture at the hands of de Koker By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2013. Compare the two photos. One is the victim photographed in his hospital bed, … More Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

May 28, 2013

Accused murderer fears for his life in prison after assault By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. The trial of the Afrikaner right wing extremist, accused of murdering  a young man who was sent to his camp to “man up” commenced in Vereeniging, South Africa, yesterday and is set to continue through the next few days, … More Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

May 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 27, 2013. The Ugandan LGBT community is expressing concerns about rogue organizations and individuals soliciting funds from the West through false or exaggerated stories presented on social media. What follows is a plea and announcement by LGBT human rights defender Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera, Founder & Executive Director of the Ugandan organization … More Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures

May 23, 2013

Today, we find these same people, abused by the press, actually outraged by the closure and protesting in defense of the press and the importance of its freedoms. By Melanie Nathan, May 23, 2013. Today several human rights defenders were arrested outside of the Daily Monitor as they rallied in solidarity against the Ugandan authorities … More Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures

Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

May 20, 2013

Revamping the dream for an all inclusive politicized Pride By Melanie Nathan. May 20, 2013. This Press Release passed our desk, in what seems to be a follow up to the very controversial events surrounding Johannesburg Pride over this past year and its subsequent cancellation: New Committee to Organise People’s Pride Johannesburg on 5 Oct. … More Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

Ugandan government raids close down Red Pepper and Daily Monitor

May 20, 2013

A series of media closures is underway in Uganda By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2013. The Ugandan authorities are searching a variety of media outlets looking for an original press release, purportedly evidence in a crime, which seems to relate to the recent military controversy involving a Ugandan general.  A Police statement on Monday indicated … More Ugandan government raids close down Red Pepper and Daily Monitor

Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

May 19, 2013

A modern day David and Goliath | Rev. Ecclesia de Lange, a South African open lesbian will face her once employer and now adversary in the Cape High Court. By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. In 2010 when Rev de Lange announced to her congregation that she was going to marry her same-sex partner, her … More Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

May 18, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 18, 2013 The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – IDAHO, IDAHOT, IDAHOBIT or however you like it – annually celebrated on May 17, was conceived in 2004 to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1990. This year over 100 … More IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

May 17, 2013

On IDAHO calling also on Ugandan Government to refrain from enacting The Kill the gays Bill by Melanie Nathan,  May 17, 2013 The International Day against Homophobia takes place on May 17th every year. On this day 23 years ago, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of … More Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

May 17, 2013

By  Rev. Canon Albert Ogle – SDGLN Contributor As 100 countries celebrate IDAHOT today, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for greater education to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by almost 50 million people living in countries (from a total 1.5 billion) where it is still illegal to be LGBT. In his … More Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

May 17, 2013

The threatened LGBTI community, Rainbow Ethiopia HIV and Social Support Services Solidarity Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) 2013 Posted by Melanie Nathan, May, 17th 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Rainbow-Ethiopia joins today the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As every year, May 17th represent for us … More On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

May 16, 2013

Where the purveyors of hate take funding from State Dept USAID… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 16, 2013 Secretary of State, John Kerry is headed to Ethiopia this weekend for the 21st African Union (AU) summit May 19-27.  While at the summit he will attend the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African … More John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

May 15, 2013

This Case could have a huge impact on how Gay people’s rights are impacted in Zambia By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. When Zambian Paul Kasonkomona was arrested and detained some minutes after he spoke on a TV show it was clear to many that a flagrant abuse of personal freedoms had occurred and now … More Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

May 15, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. Today  Kasonkomona appeared before the Hon Lemeck Ngambi at Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, charged with “the idle and disorderly offence of soliciting in a public place for immoral purposes.” SBN Legal Practitioners, representing Kasonkomona, filed a constitutional application and so with regard to the criminal case against him,  are asking … More Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

May 14, 2013

AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE | PETITION: It is time to invigorate the sleeping SA Task Task team – we must fight the violence with transparency and a plan By Melanie Nathan,  May 14, 2013 Activists in South Africa are calling for immediate invigoration, transparency and action by the Task Team that was established to combat so … More Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

Zambia and Ethiopia are the ‘next Uganda’

May 12, 2013

Anti-gay sentiment increases after the export of more Western Evangelical hate By Cathy Kristofferson Zambia and Ethiopia appear poised to be the next ‘Kill the Gays’ countries.  Is that really something nations should aspire to?  Melanie Nathan has documented the current struggles in Zambia here on OBLOGDEE , from the arrest of HIV/AIDS rights activist … More Zambia and Ethiopia are the ‘next Uganda’

Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

May 10, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 10, 2013. Responding to Amnesty International’s call for the release of two young Zambian men detained in deplorable conditions, accused of sodomy as being “against the order of nature,” and for being a gay couple, the Zambian Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nixson Chilangwa, has defiantly indicated that Zambia will not abide … More Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

May 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 09, 2013. A snapshot – from around the world – and there is so much more! 1. MOST HILARIOUS – a must watch NZ MP’s hilarious gay marriage speech 2. MOST MOVING A Love Song New Zealand 3.Uruguay – can you believe it? 4. France – despite major protests and the … More Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

May 8, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. We have been reporting on the two young Zambian men charged with sodomy, (see related Articles below).  The men are currently detained in deplorable conditions. They have denied the charges. The arrests followed a call by Zambian authorities for people to report gays, noting that authorities were prepared to … More Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

May 8, 2013

Source fears for their lives as they face stiff sentences By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. Police in Kapiri Mposhi have revoked police bond for two men arrested over the weekend for engaging in homosexuality after they were found in the act again, according to reports out of Zambia.  ZANIS reports that Central Province Commissioner … More Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

May 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2013. 5/7 Update: Today the couple has been re-arrested, now denied bail, and more charges added following another tip off from relatives. We wrote recently about the police hunting for “homosexuals” in Zambia. Well its seems as if neighborhoods have joined in the cry to hunt out homosexuals and turn … More Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

May 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. American Jewish World Service is hosting an event here in San Francisco and I am asking my readers to come and join me in supporting it. And it is free! They will be featuring the documentary film, God Loves Uganda, on Wednesday May 22nd at SFJAZZ Center! See the … More Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

May 1, 2013

Andre Bekker, Richard Cohen and Christopher Doyle | While their modus operandi may be different to accused murderer de Koker, their ideology stinks the same stink! By Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2013. A South African, Andre Bekker, who proclaims to be an  ex-gay and an authority on converting gays,  teamed up with tired extremists in … More Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

May 1, 2013

Video report – Brutal murder of gay volunteer in South Africa – confessed accused in court and insight into the life of the murder victim by Melanie Nathan, May, 01, 2013. Thapelo Makhutle, a member and volunteer of LEGBO, was brutally murdered on 9 June 2012, and almost a year later, despite a confession from … More Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

April 30, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Botswana a country which, unlike many African countries which still boast old Colonial anti-gay penal codes, has shown a measure of tolerance towards its LGBT community, by not pursuing laws that could be interpreted against homosexuality.  That would account for the fact that a Miss Botswana pageant contestant enraged … More Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

April 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. In the very week when the South African LGBT community paid tribute in KwaThema to comrades fallen in violent homophobic attacks, and called for justice in the 2 year unsolved murder of Noxolo Nogwaza, another lesbian was murdered in Daveyton*, a nearby Township. The body of Patricia Mashego, 36,  … More South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

Raymond Buys starved and tortured murdered by de Koker, on his death bed

Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp

April 25, 2013

Were they murdered for being gay? A picture of a beaten dying teen, a picture of a Nazi-like flag – and in between a Game Ranger Camp to make “Moffies” into men By Melanie Nathan . April 25, 2013. Look at this photograph and imagine a 15 year old effeminate teen being sent” by his mother … More Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp