Category: Africa

UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees

December 13, 2018

African HRC and other advocates have been requesting UNHCR plan for the safe protection and humane living conditions for LGBTQ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp for several years, with only slight ad hoc and ultimately ineffective results. The harsh conditions and insecurities led to a protest this week and an attack by Kenyan police on … More UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees

LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

December 11, 2018

Kenya is a hostile host to LGBTI refugees:– Thirty LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, mostly Ugandans participating in an approved peaceful demonstration, tried to deliver a document to UNHCR, but after being refused entry into the compound were viciously attacked by police.  I have reached out to UNHCR for comment and will update accordingly. The conditions … More LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

Botswana’s New President Groundbreaking Support for LGBTI Rights

December 11, 2018

The recently appointed President of Botswana has been applauded for publicly speaking out in support of LGBTI people. Now he should take the step to promote repeal of Botswana’s criminalizing laws In April Botswana’s new President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, took office, heralding hope for the furthering of human and civil rights in the country.  Launching the country’s … More Botswana’s New President Groundbreaking Support for LGBTI Rights

70th UDHR Anniversary and Deplorable Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Africa

December 10, 2018

Call Outs on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights SOUTH AFRICA:  On this the day we celebrate the 70th year of the #UDHR South Africa should take a hard look at its deplorable treatment of African asylum seekers and #refugees from Northern countries. People, including mothers with babies on their backs, are … More 70th UDHR Anniversary and Deplorable Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Africa

Passionate Residents call on Marin BOS for County Sanctuary at TRUTH Forum

December 7, 2018

The Truth Act, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2016, requires local governing bodies in which local law enforcement has provided ICE access to an individual to hold a community forum to receive and consider public comment. Last night the Marin County Board of Supervisors held such a forum at the Civic … More Passionate Residents call on Marin BOS for County Sanctuary at TRUTH Forum

South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

December 6, 2018

By Melanie Nathan- Last month we reported a victory for LGBTQI equality and same-sex couples in South Africa, when the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in Parliament adopted a Civil Union Amendment Bill that could lead to full marriage equality for South Africa’s same-sex community. Now that journey to becoming law is one step closer to … More South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

December 6, 2018

The Botswana High Court has announced that it will finally hear a case on the decriminalization of homosexuality next year:  According to our friends at Mamba Online, the full bench of the court ordered that a hearing challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual activities … More Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

November 28, 2018

It is imperative that South Africa lead the movement to decriminalize homosexuality in Africa. And two major events have occurred this past month in South Africa, in what seems to me an historic push for such leadership.  Earlier this month Johannesburg Pride took the bold move of sending an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, … More South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

Victory for South Africa’s LGBTQ Community as Parliamentary Committee Adopts Critical Amendment

November 28, 2018

In a victory for LGBTIQ equality and same-sex couples in South Africa, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in Parliament has adopted a Civil Union Amendment Bill. The Parliamentary Committee’s adoption of the Bill is a major step in the proposed legislation’s journey to becoming law. Our friends at Mamba Online are reporting this fantastic news … More Victory for South Africa’s LGBTQ Community as Parliamentary Committee Adopts Critical Amendment

Transgender Lives Lost and Never Forgotten TDOR 2018

November 20, 2018

First published at African Human rights Coalition:  Lives Lost Transgender Day of Remembrance TDOR – 2018 The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual event that started in 1998 after the killing of Rita Hester, a transgender African American woman, in the United Sates.  Today on TDOR we memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hate and prejudice. It … More Transgender Lives Lost and Never Forgotten TDOR 2018

Could Freddy Mercury have been the Voice for Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Africa

November 18, 2018

The early box office success, and swift criticism, of the Queen biopic movie Bohemian Rhapsody, is also attracting interest in Freddie Mercury’s African roots: The country of his birth, may not only have failed to embrace him, but most certainly would have persecuted him through its criminalization of homosexuality and bisexuality.  Freddy mercury was born in … More Could Freddy Mercury have been the Voice for Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Africa

Controversy Surrounds Disappearance of Gay Swazi Socialite with Accusations Lobbed at Swaziland’s King

November 16, 2018

Friends are concerned that Sakhile “Oros” Msibi  has been murdered, possible with ritual as motive and fingers are pointed at Swazi King  It is hard to imagine that in this day and age, especially with social media providing linkage and quick contact, that a very public socialite could go missing .  Some suggest that the … More Controversy Surrounds Disappearance of Gay Swazi Socialite with Accusations Lobbed at Swaziland’s King

INFINIX Mobile Phone Billboard Promotes Violence Against LGBTQ People in Nigeria

November 15, 2018

“…these billboard add another bullet to the head of gays and lesbians and all LGBTQI in Nigeria… ” Melanie Nathan When Corporations think it is in their interests to promote homophobia on the Continent of Africa, one wonders if they realize they are actually promoting hate and harm. It is bad enough that Africa’s LGBTQI … More INFINIX Mobile Phone Billboard Promotes Violence Against LGBTQ People in Nigeria

South African President Ramaphosa Must Take the Lead for Journalists and LGBTQ in Africa

November 14, 2018

South Africa’s history and legacy compels it to do more when it comes to human rights on the Continent of Africa! To speak out and to offer a diplomacy of insistence. Most countries in Africa have suffered the oppression and ills metered out by Colonizers. It is a long history. It is a large continent. … More South African President Ramaphosa Must Take the Lead for Journalists and LGBTQ in Africa

Africa Brief – Tanzanian Gay Hunt, Cameroon Turmoil, Expat Somalis Win U.S. Elections and More…..

November 11, 2018

Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis has turned into a full-scale propaganda war. The return of 78 kidnapped schoolchildren this week has led to an exchange of allegations between Cameroon’s government and Anglophone militant separatists claiming the other side was responsible, reports Amindeh Blaise Atabong from Yaoundé. Meanwhile, TV journalist Mimi Mefo Takombo has been detained indefinitely by … More Africa Brief – Tanzanian Gay Hunt, Cameroon Turmoil, Expat Somalis Win U.S. Elections and More…..

Powerful International LGBTQ Love Story Regional Premiere at NCTC, San Francisco

October 24, 2018

The NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER – presents a moving and timely international LGBTQI love story, Cardboard Piano by Hansol Jung, – A powerful tale of redemption   San Francisco, CA (September 12, 2018) – In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center is pleased to present the regional premiere of Cardboard Piano by Whiting Award-winning playwright, Hansol Jung, … More Powerful International LGBTQ Love Story Regional Premiere at NCTC, San Francisco

Africa 2018 List of Top Innovators by Quartz

September 23, 2018

The fourth edition is here- of the Quartz Africa Innovators, an annual series identifying some of the most ambitious and imaginative minds on the African continent. The 30 movers and thinkers on this list range across fields from the arts and science to technology and entrepreneurship and beyond. In congratulating all, I recommend reading the details and … More Africa 2018 List of Top Innovators by Quartz

LGBT Kenyans Support the Case to Overturn Ban on Film Rafiki

September 15, 2018

Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu filed a petition at the High Court of Kenya this week, seeking to have the ban on her film, ​Rafiki​, ​overturned. ​Rafiki is the first Kenyan film to be invited to show at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in its 70+ year history yet remains banned for distribution, broadcast and exhibition … More LGBT Kenyans Support the Case to Overturn Ban on Film Rafiki

Uganda Bans Popular International Music and Art Festival Blames it on the Gays

September 6, 2018

For fear that some LGBTI people may show up?- Well that in truth is what it boils down to! Using gays as scapegoats again is a basic human rights infraction. I do not think the Ugandan people will fall for this ploy… Uganda’s misguided minister for ethics and integrity, Simon Lokodo, who is obsessed with what … More Uganda Bans Popular International Music and Art Festival Blames it on the Gays

Donald Trump’s Tweet Can Stir Racial Violence in South Africa

August 23, 2018

“An irresponsible alliance with white Apartheid Nationalists, evidence of racist mindset, A diversion from his political and criminal woes, and plain dangerous attempt to stir race war!  My hope is that South Africa is not drawn into Donald Trump’s racist rants, and instead asserts its autonomy and sovereignty for peaceful and equitable reform, and that … More Donald Trump’s Tweet Can Stir Racial Violence in South Africa

South African Police Officer Beats Women Perceived as Lesbians.

August 15, 2018

A now suspended Mthatha police officer has been accused of assaulting four women in his home, allegedly because they are lesbian. He is due to appear in court on 17 July. While South Africa’s Constitution provides equality for LGBTQI people, members of society continue to express hate through violent crime.   However this becomes even … More South African Police Officer Beats Women Perceived as Lesbians.

Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively Loses on This One!

August 11, 2018

Appeals Court Bats Away Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively’s Attempt to Censor Judge This week the First Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed anti-gay extremist Scott Lively’s attempt to appeal a ruling from the district court to remove language that harshly criticized his role in the persecution of the LGBTI community in Uganda in the case Sexual … More Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively Loses on This One!

African Despots Benefit from Taxing and Restricting Social Media

July 8, 2018

Mo Ibrahim called internet shutdowns “a crime” that shouldn’t be tolerated. Authoritarian governments, despots and dictators stand to benefit from restricting social media and making it unaffordable! The trend to tax social media and clamp down on internet use is quietly spreading across African countries and they seem to be influencing each other. Ugandans may want … More African Despots Benefit from Taxing and Restricting Social Media

American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

May 29, 2018

American Family Watch International (FWI)  Misuses its UN Status to Preach Abstinence Trying to Stop Sex Education under the Guise of Sexualization of Children. United States rightwing forces, helmed by Family Watch International and its President Sharon Slater, are exerting their colonialist muscle to prevent and inhibit sex education to Africa’s youth. The ignorant propagandist … More American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

Case Moved Forward: El Paso Detention of Gay Man Seeking Asylum

May 22, 2018

Appeal from African Human Rights Coalition to support Asylum Seeker work: Dear Friends, In addition to  humanitarian and advocacy work, African HRC has been providing pro bono Country Conditions Reports and expert testimony for LGBTI asylum seekers from African Countries. I am writing to draw your attention to the case of Peter, (real name withheld) … More Case Moved Forward: El Paso Detention of Gay Man Seeking Asylum

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

May 14, 2018

It is hard to believe that in 2018, this is still happening: Ugandan Ethics and Integrity Minister, Simon Lokodo, has blocked an HIV/Aids conference, saying it was organized to promote “homosexuality and other dirty things.” ALL AFRICA: In an interview with the Daily Monitor on Wednesday, Fr Lokodo said the conference organized by the Uganda … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers

May 13, 2018

Standing with refugees, asylum seekers immigrants, and orphans because it is persecutory and tragic to separate families… This Mother’s day as we stand with refugee and asylum seeking mothers and the orphans who do not have mothers, I reflect on the tragedy of my own family and how the Trump Administration is working policy to … More A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers