Category: Africa

South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

June 4, 2012

Intolerance encourages violence as traditional leader chiefs try to rob LGBT South Africans of their entrenched constitutional rights –   Are the Traditional Leaders providing a license to rape lesbians? By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2012. In September 2010 Nontsikelelo Tyatyeka a young 21 year old lesbian disappeared in Nyanga township, Cape town. Her body … More South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

United Kingdom Petitioned not to deport lesbian Linda Nakibbuka to Anti Gay Uganda

June 2, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan.  June 02, 2012 A  campaign has been launched by the Movement for Justice, for the life of Linda Nakibbuka, an Ugandan lesbian at risk of deportation from United Kingdom to Uganda, a nation where both female and homosexual activity is illegal. The petition was launched to try and stop the deportation … More United Kingdom Petitioned not to deport lesbian Linda Nakibbuka to Anti Gay Uganda

Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

May 29, 2012

A disaster looms when politicians who have partisan party affiliations are perceived as spokespersons for all. By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2012. Mr. Gay South Africa is a privately run enterprise, a competition, a money maker, with lucrative sponsorships and a keen eye on the next “South African LGBTI Ambassador.” While the competition has provided … More Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

May 28, 2012

THE ALLIANCE FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL  AND FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF RURAL AREAS  Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 28, 20212. The Alliance for Rural Democracy calls upon all provincial legislatures to vote against the Traditional Courts Bill in the lead-up to the National Council of Provinces … More South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

May 22, 2012

DA Party Manny de Freitas calls protests Gay Pride Parade and Helen Zille remains silent by Melanie Nathan, May 22, 2012. Pursuant to nationwide protests in South Africa this weekend, the opposing Democratic Alliance (DA) party has failed to issue any official  press statement in support of the South African LGBTI community which held events … More South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

May 20, 2012

What happened to the Madibe and ANC assurance that all South Africans will be protected from persecution? Now SA Gays are under attack by members of the ANC. By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2012. South Africans may have been surprised today as hundreds of people took to the streets of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and … More South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

May 19, 2012

South African LGBT Community and allies marching to protect the South African Constitution By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2012. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Johannesburg , Saturday, as the LGBTI community in South Africa today marched, protesting against the Traditional leaders of South Africa’s decision to review the rights of Lesbian Gay … More Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 18, 2012. Here are two articles I wrote about Zanele Muholi, the famed lesbian artist, photographer and filmmaker, from 2010 and 2011 respectively. Now that Zanele Muholi has had her work stolen by a thief who removed 20 hard drives from her apartment, I decided to republish these pieces here. For … More South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

May 16, 2012

This is about protecting the Constitution for ALL South Africans and so whether LGBTI or not, all South Africans should participate. By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2012. A powerful and unified coalition of South African LGBTI groups have formed to promote nationwide marches to protest the House of Traditional Leaders to Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee … More South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

May 14, 2012

We celebrate the founding principles of the new South Africa, a country that knows what courage means. : Democracy, Justice,  Equality, and  Human rights. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. While South African traditional leaders ignore South Africa’s importance in the world with their draconian ideals, as they question the validity of their own equality … More Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

May 13, 2012

Holomisa is saying that LGBTI people should not be protected by the Constitution because some people believe they are not entitled to those rights. He is forgetting that thinking is the very reason why their rights are so protected.

What remains is the question of what next – while traditionalists ought to have a voice in South Africa’s Parliament, they should be banned from sitting on committees where they have an inherent conflict of interest. Which means they should be excused from serving in positions where they risk impacting the entrenched rights of minorities such as gays, lesbians etc. … More Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

May 12, 2012

Please Help my friend  find  her stolen work – What Zanele has lost is a body of history that is irreplaceable – “I have dedicated my life to this work,” Zanele Muholi. By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2012. “Loss, lost, violated, ripped, stripped, ransacked… ngilahlekelwe,” are the devastating words that appear on the Facebook page … More South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

May 8, 2012

WATCH VIDEO The UN  human rights Commissioner’s view of gays vs traditionalist South African view of gays (LGBTI) By Melanie Nathan May 08, 2012 South Africa emerged from the Apartheid era with a “never again” zest; but now that fervor is being tested with members of the South African Parliament, who took oaths to uphold … More Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

May 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2012. South African ANC Member of Parliament  Nkosi Patekile Holomisa is in the hot seat; he is faced with a conflict of interest, a controversial issue and a remark that renders him unfit to serve in any elected and appointed positions. The comments followed a submission by the House of … More Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

May 7, 2012

Explanation and Comments by Mr. Gay South Africa By Melanie Nathan, May 07,2012. On Friday last week I reported that the  South African Constitution  has been lauded for its lead on the entrenchment of anti-discrimination rights that renders it one of the few in the world to protect sexual orientation and gender identity in its … More South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

May 4, 2012

Activists are concerned as decades of lobbying and progress for LGBTI rights in South Africa are under threat. Nelson Mandela: ” Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2012. Since the end of Apartheid and the … More South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

May 3, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 03, 2012 40% of child sex offenses are committed on children by other children; is that the new South Africa’s legacy? Teenagers and minors are raping women in South Africa Over. See the shocking CNN Video linked below which tells the story of a young 8 year old girl who was … More South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

April 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2012. While the United States has yet to publish its annual (2011)  Human Rights Report, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office issued its  392 page report on human rights today and  the LGBT section can be found at page 68 as follows:- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights The Government is … More United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

April 27, 2012

We must continue to challenge and pursue true liberation which will only come about when homophobia is stamped out, the poor receive the restoration of their basic human rights and crime is reduced dramatically. By Melanie Nathan, April 27, 2012 Celebrated each year on April 27, Freedom Day is an annual celebration of South Africa’s … More South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

Ugandan President Museveni tries to Down Play Kill the Gays Bill

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012. The Ugandan President Museveni was interviewed by Christiane Amanpour where  he down played the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as the ‘Kill the Gays Bill,’ by asserting it applies to exhibitionism only. Whether the man is ill informed or  an out and out liar, he was unprepared for a persistent … More Ugandan President Museveni tries to Down Play Kill the Gays Bill

ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012 The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) released its latest publication entitled ‘Rainbow Bridges: A Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers. ‘ This is the first guide of its kind directed at the United States lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and affirming … More ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

April 9, 2012

Mr. Gay New Zealand wins Mr. Gay World 2012 in Johannesburg at the Fourth Annual International Competition.  South Africa is first Runner up, France comes 3rd and  4th Place to Mr. USA. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – from the twenty-two gay men representing their respective countries in the 4th annual Mr. Gay World competition held in … More More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

Mr. GAY World 2012

April 8, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, April 08, 2012 Congratulations to New Zealand  for winning Mr. Gay World 2012, held this past week in South Africa and culminating in a packed finale. Yes my prediction was correct after seeing the man’s man, Andreas Derleth, win the sports challenge, I knew he would be first. Now the contestant from … More Mr. GAY World 2012

Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay

April 7, 2012

Calling for a more calculated course to curb Africa’s anti-gay human rights path while  admonishments seem to cause backlash By Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2012 Educated people know that being gay is not a lifestyle it is simply a state of being. It is a concomitant of one’s makeup, a birth right,  if you will. … More Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay

New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

April 2, 2012

By Melanie Nathan,April, 02, 2012 A beautiful bride and the perfect groom and what better than a honeymoon in magnificent Cape Town, South Africa. It would take wealth to put on the lavish wedding depicted in the photographs splashed across the world press, and that wealth itself would serve to question the very alibi upon … More New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

March 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2012 I often wonder if advisory boards for non-Profit organizations keep a check on what they have tied their names to?  Many are apt to join for an appealing mission statement tied to common causes and very often because a friend or acquaintance pitched the importance. Although I do recognize … More Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

Uganda Cannot Sweet Talk Kony 2012 when it wants to Kill Gays

March 17, 2012

Perhaps Prime Minster Mbabazi should be fair and at the same time alert such celebrities, that if they just happen to be gay, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender, setting foot on Ugandan soil may render them guilty of a crime and subject to death penalty or life in prison; that is if the current Kill the Gays Bill passes into law. Kony 2012 no promo please Amama … More Uganda Cannot Sweet Talk Kony 2012 when it wants to Kill Gays