Category: Africa

Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

February 3, 2012

Editor’s Advocacy Note:   The Obama Administration has indicated via recent memo and speeches the strong support for International LGBT human rights. As an activist in this arena we implore upon the administration to not mince their words and to show action as well here on home turf!  That would include protecting asylum seekers such as … More Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

February 3, 2012

For White House Briefing:- Young leaders note, I encourage all concerned with LGBT rights in America and globally to consider the question of  the criminalization of being gay as it impacts our LGBTI brothers and sisters and gender free persons on the continent of Africa…. Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, 02/03/2012 Black History Month is … More Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni

February 2, 2012

US subtle warnings… diplomacy reigns supreme as US supports the African Union events this past month.. By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2012 US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns has concluded his week-long visit to Africa in Ethiopia, venue of the 18th African Union Summit, the US State Department said in a statement obtained by … More U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni

Uganda Embarks Upon Aggressive HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan includes Circumcision

February 1, 2012

To include the 2008 Circumcision Plan The Ugandan government has launched a new HIV/AIDS prevention strategy and plan for the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV by 2015.  The Program  Manager at the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) Zainab Akol said under the plan, measures are to be adopted to include a more cost-effective … More Uganda Embarks Upon Aggressive HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan includes Circumcision

South Africa Lesbian Killers| Zoliswa Gets Justice at Last

February 1, 2012

Lesbian Murderers Receive 18 years and Magistrate sets hate crimes acknowledgment precedent by Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2012. A cheer rang out and the crowd sang and danced outside the Khayelitsha Courthouse, Cape Town, South Africa, the scene of over thirty postponements in a murder trial that shocked the world, taking five years to meter … More South Africa Lesbian Killers| Zoliswa Gets Justice at Last

South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

January 27, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2012 UPDATED Cape Town, January 28, 2012:  The Flag Boys did it! The won best dressed couple – Imagine gay boys dressed in camp Zulu warrior garb, protesting Zulu King’s homophobic remarks, win best dressed couple at H&B Met Red Carpet event! Read our pre-event report …… South African gay … More South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

One year Memorial in Uganda for our Murdered Comrade David Kato

January 25, 2012

Ugandan LGBTI activists are holding a day of remembrance and services for brother David Kato , the outspoken LGBTI activist who was brutally murdered last year. Kato known to be  the most vocal gay rights advocate in Uganda, a country where homophobia is so severe that Parliament is considering a bill to execute gay people.  … More One year Memorial in Uganda for our Murdered Comrade David Kato

South Africa DASO Controversial Nude Interracial Ad Campaign | The Gay Version

January 24, 2012

A campaign by the student wing of South Africa’s official opposition party is just perfect for a country that has an all inclusive Constitution; and so why the big deal?  Well the Ad has caused a storm and depicts a black woman embraced by a white man. Judging by the social network comments, it would … More South Africa DASO Controversial Nude Interracial Ad Campaign | The Gay Version

Zulu King Homophobic Remarks insult to his Gay Ancestor Shaka Zulu

January 22, 2012

By Melanie Nathan: I am calling on President Jacob Zuma to condemn homophobic remarks on Center stage in harsher terms; his feeble attempt at reprimand does not make leadership grade! Johannesburg – Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini has criticized people who engage in same sex relationships, labelling them as “rotten”, according to a newspaper report … More Zulu King Homophobic Remarks insult to his Gay Ancestor Shaka Zulu

Liberian Gays Assaulted | African Press and The Anti-Gay Attacks

January 22, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2012 In Liberia where same-sex relationships are outlawed and sodomy criminalized with fines, a Liberian pro-Gay group, “Movement in Defence of Gay and Lesbian Rights”  came under physical assault when promoting LGBT  rights. The group’s leaders, LeRoy Archie Pon-pon and Abraham Kamara, apparently escaped death last week at the hands … More Liberian Gays Assaulted | African Press and The Anti-Gay Attacks

Uganda | Visiting South African Mbeki Slams Bahati’s Kill-The-Gays Bill

January 22, 2012

Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has hit out at Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s anti-gay Bill, telling a public audience in Kampala that what two consenting adults do in private “is really not the matter of law.” by Melanie Nathan Finally, a South African leader has spoken out publicly and forcefully against the Anti-Homosexuality … More Uganda | Visiting South African Mbeki Slams Bahati’s Kill-The-Gays Bill

Gay Zambia | Constitutional Recognition of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation

January 21, 2012

by Charles Zambia, Guest Writer “Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in Zambia live in constant fear of detention, discrimination in education, employment, housing, and access to services, and extortion – all buttressed by the existence of sections 155 – 157 of the Penal Code and the lack of specific legal protections for LGBT people under Zambian … More Gay Zambia | Constitutional Recognition of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation

South Africa Gay Men Murders | Possible Serial Killer Ignored by Police

January 21, 2012

“The police may well be indifferent and unmotivated to solve the murders because of the men’s sexual orientation….” SOUTH AFRICA – On 17 December 2011, 39-year-old activist and television presenter Jason Wessenaar was found stabbed to death in his home in Pretoria. The killing occurred in the early morning hours as neighbors heard screams for … More South Africa Gay Men Murders | Possible Serial Killer Ignored by Police

LGBTI South Africa | Human Rights Conference Deals with Homophobia and Health Issues

January 17, 2012

PRETORIA – The Aids and Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (Arasa)  addressed a meeting of Human Rights Defender organizations to discuss human rights issues with a focus on LGBTI issues and how to improve resources for health and responses to homophobia. The two day meeting, in Pretoria, South Africa, began today and brings together human … More LGBTI South Africa | Human Rights Conference Deals with Homophobia and Health Issues

LGBTI Refugees hurt if Canada changes Refugee Sponsorship Program

January 16, 2012

Asylum for LGBTI refugees is fraught with hurdles. Canada has been viewed as a country that provides some measure of promise and hope; but now the Canadian government is proposing changes to regulations pertaining to refugee sponsorship, which could have a dramatic impact on LGBTI applications for asylum. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) … More LGBTI Refugees hurt if Canada changes Refugee Sponsorship Program

SABC Allows use of Airwaves to Attract Listeners to Pastor’s Anti- LGBTI Agenda

January 13, 2012

The South African LGBT community is in an uproar about Riekert Botha, a radio evangelical from South Africa who has been spewing anti-gay comments at the expense of the South African taxpayer. South Africa, which  has a fully inclusive constitution outlaws discrimination against LGBTI people and have anti-hate speech laws to  protect groups against hate … More SABC Allows use of Airwaves to Attract Listeners to Pastor’s Anti- LGBTI Agenda

Oprah Winfrey on First Graduation for South African School – The Class of 2011

January 13, 2012

The South African school year ends in December in time for summer vacation. Oprah Winfrey is in South Africa to attend graduation of the first graduating class of her elite academy and while she has spent millions on this school for underprivileged South African girls, she is now contemplating the question of  lways to make … More Oprah Winfrey on First Graduation for South African School – The Class of 2011

Calling South African President Zuma in New York to Speak to AU for LGBT Human Rights

January 10, 2012

Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2012 President Jacob Zuma arrived in New York on Tuesday ahead of South Africa’s officially assuming the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for January. “SA will utilize its presidency to continue exploring concrete measures for strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, in particular the African … More Calling South African President Zuma in New York to Speak to AU for LGBT Human Rights

Ugandan Monitor Article Suggests Gays Called for their Own Hanging

January 9, 2012

Melanie Nathan, January 01,2012 Mr. Bernard Sabiti, a self proclaimed social critic in Uganda, with clear political aspirations, and probably a Museveni Regime Bahati sock puppet, has upped the anti-gay ante in his country in an insidious attempt to discredit gays.   Activists around the world are responding to Sabiti’s claim in an article he wrote … More Ugandan Monitor Article Suggests Gays Called for their Own Hanging

Ugandan Social Critic Slams Ugandan Gays Under Pretense of AHB Boosting Gay Agenda

January 7, 2012

 Is this another “Rolling Stone Uganda” design; Lets get the Homos by social sock puppet Bernard Sabiti!” by Melanie Nathan, Jan 07, 2011 Bernard Sabiti, a self acclaimed Ugandan social critic has written an article ominously entitled “How the Anti-Homosexuality Bill boosted gays agenda in Uganda” where you would think he is about to  make … More Ugandan Social Critic Slams Ugandan Gays Under Pretense of AHB Boosting Gay Agenda

Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet

January 5, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, 01/05/2012 When we as Western tourists go to Africa, we go to view nature – to visit tribal villages, to see the dance and hear song; we sit eagerly at waterholes waiting for the lioness to pounce the unsuspecting deer, while the landscape and the vast bush yields to the pristine African … More Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet

Ugandan Diaspora Gays Condemn Buturo’s Anti-homosexuality Attack on Clinton

January 4, 2012

Science is not a Western import; The only import from the West was the Church of Scott lively and its hate rhetoric – By Melanie Nathan, Jan 03, 2012; Recently Dr James Nsaba Buturo, the resigned Ethic minister from Uganda,  made public statements in response to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s international LGBTI rights speech, … More Ugandan Diaspora Gays Condemn Buturo’s Anti-homosexuality Attack on Clinton

Uganda Scapegoats Homosexuality as 14 Women Die in Childbirth on Xmas Day

December 26, 2011

by Melanie Nathan; December 26, 2011 Somehow I think the anti-homosexuality strategy on natural order and defilement needs a dramatic overhaul. Xmas is a day of joy and childbirths are highlighted as part of that joy, often heralding religious connotations and meaning.  But it is not that way for many as the day brought darkness … More Uganda Scapegoats Homosexuality as 14 Women Die in Childbirth on Xmas Day

Uganda Opinion Poll

December 25, 2011

The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill  was intorduced by MP David Bahati as a Private Member’s Bill on 13 October proposing that a new offence be created in Uganda named “aggravated homosexuality” which would be punishable as a capital offence. The Billincluded plans to introduce the death penalty for gay adults who had sex with those of … More Uganda Opinion Poll

U.S. Extradites Rwandan Woman Convicted for Genocide

December 24, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2011 – US officials extradited a Rwandan woman, Marie-Claire Mukeshimana, convicted in absentia by a court in her country for her role in the 1994 genocide, an official said Thursday. Mukeshimana was sentenced in 2009 to 19 years in prison for complicity in the killing of several children who had … More U.S. Extradites Rwandan Woman Convicted for Genocide

Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS

December 24, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 24, 2011. Thanks to all the seventy donors who contributed to bail for Joseph Bukombe, who was released from Otay Mesa  detention center in San Diego late last night. He enjoyed his first meal with friends in San Diego at a Kenyan restaurant  and wanted to express his deep appreciation to … More Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS

Americans must Heed the Cry of African LGBTI Victims

December 22, 2011

“Actions speak louder than words!” by Melanie Nathan Dec 22, 2011. SAN FRANCISCO – Shorty after Secretary Clinton and President Obama spoke out about LGBTI Global human rights, the bloggers and press began to buzz with statements and comments from those impacted by the speech and memo, respectively.  The most sought after statements came from … More Americans must Heed the Cry of African LGBTI Victims

Pink Trash Cans Gifted by Gays Cause Furor In Zimbabwe City

December 20, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 20, 2011 Just when we thought we had heard it all from Zimbabwe this week – The notorious gay hating Robert Mugabe being challenged by a politician flip flopping to pro LGBTI equality – to a member of Parliament being arrested for calling Mugabe a homosexual –  all here on O-Blog-dee-O-Blog-Da … More Pink Trash Cans Gifted by Gays Cause Furor In Zimbabwe City

Zimbabwe: MP Arrested – Allegedly called Robert Mugabe a Homosexual

December 20, 2011

Posted by Melanie Nathan ; 12/20/2011 “Way to Dress Robert Mugabe;- What a fellow!” Mrs Lillian Kirenyi, a legislator from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party was on Tuesday charged with undermining the authority of President Mugabe. This is a re-post from the Daily Nation – an Article hard to resist! … More Zimbabwe: MP Arrested – Allegedly called Robert Mugabe a Homosexual