Category: South Africa

Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

December 7, 2020

EMERGENCY FUNDING: LGBTQI people are criminalized in over 70 countries around the world, of which over 30 are in Africa. This has resulted in persecution, ostracization and physical attacks by governments, community, and even family and friends. Resulting in the need  to exile from one’s own country to seek safety. The stories are many and overwhelmingly … More Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

June 23, 2020

UNSETTLED follows LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East as they flee persecution to seek safety in the U.S. A documentary film by Tom Shepard Airs on WORLD Channel via local PBS stations – June 28 (and on WorldChannel.org from (June 28-July 12) and radio/ live streaming interview with Tom Shepard, Melanie … More UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

June 16, 2020

June 16th, 1976 seemed like just another regular coolish South African winter’s day. Frustrated by parking problems, I made my way into my law class at the mostly “white only” University of the Witwatersrand, (WITS). Little did I know where this day would lead: A fellow student ran into our class screaming that children were … More Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

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

Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

December 12, 2019

Despite having one of the more progressive legal landscapes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, many LGBT South Africans experience barriers to economic inclusion based on their race, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression. Join us in a discussion of highlights from the new, groundbreaking report, The Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma … More Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

August 21, 2019

The banning of the South African Apartheid Flag as a symbol of hate now historically stands in stark and judicial contrast to the LGBTQI Rainbow flag – in effect expressly ruled a symbol of love! The Black Monday protests, which flared-up in October 2017 in South Africa, forced the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SA Human … More History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

Deep Sadness Prevails this Day – Tribute to Johnny Clegg

July 16, 2019

Such a life never dies ….. much loved …. forever remembered….. Johnny – our legend- deep sadness prevails this day – even with profound and happy memories helming his magnificent legacy There will never be another Johnny Clegg Music, dance, language – The courageous cross pollination- a part of that which brought South Africa to its … More Deep Sadness Prevails this Day – Tribute to Johnny Clegg

ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

March 24, 2019

On 20 March, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 13th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia, authored by Lucas Ramón Mendos. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation – a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general … More ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

March 22, 2019

A Critical frontier for Human Rights Advocacy – Melanie Nathan (2019) – the subject of 2 Articles in global press- Harpers and Mamba-Online – elucidating a critical mess for LGBTQI refugees!  This week two articles have been written by accomplished journalists at two different corners of the world, reflecting on the stories of refugees attempting to avail … More Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

Honoring Lesbian Survivors on International Women’s Day #IWD 2019

March 8, 2019

Today is International Women’s Day #IWD2019: We celebrate and stand in solidarity with all women, noting their tenacity and fortitude, especially those who courageously survive violence and defy patriarchy.  At African HRC with global lesbians and transgender women our family, we continue to fight for the basic human right to autonomy of mind and body. Here … More Honoring Lesbian Survivors on International Women’s Day #IWD 2019

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

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

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

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

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.

South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

November 2, 2017

African Human Rights Coalition Reports: Tanzania has deported three South African lawyers after they were accused of promoting homosexuality. They were among 13 people arrested on October 17 for taking part in a meeting to discuss challenging a law stopping private health clinics from providing HIV and Aids services.  However, Sibongile Ndashe says they had no right … More South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

May 19, 2017

Last week we wrote an article about Gretha Wiid’s comments in a manual she wrote which served in effect to  denigrate homosexuals. We also published the letter which I had written her in my capacity as Executive Director of The African Human Rights Coalition, asking her to apologize to South Africa’s LGBT community and to … More SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

Brutal Rape and Murder of South African Lesbian Calls Attention to Failing Task Team

May 15, 2017

Warning: Horrific Photo below – An openly lesbian woman from Soweto has been brutalized and murdered in a suspected hate crime, as reported by Mambaonline: On Sunday, the half naked body covered by rocks,  of 27-year-old Lerato Tambai Moloi, described by activists as a “butch” lesbian, was found in Naledi Ext. She was discovered by community … More Brutal Rape and Murder of South African Lesbian Calls Attention to Failing Task Team

Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

May 14, 2017

When Women Regress in the Name of Progress – This milieu is ripe for scapegoating and what better than to use religion as the tool and women as the fool! By Melanie Nathan. When we move closer to parity between the races and sexes, equality in the realm of sexual orientation, and as we move further … More Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

A Bombarded Gretha Wiid Makes Video Excuse for Anti Gay Teachings

May 13, 2017

Our Gretha Wiid Article Goes Viral –  and now she is back-peddling while really doubling down! But still no real correction or apology – just excuses! This past week, after my article broke the story condemning Gretha Wiid’s false assertions about homosexuality, it went viral. We demanded an apology and a correction to her damaging manual.  Many people reported personal … More A Bombarded Gretha Wiid Makes Video Excuse for Anti Gay Teachings

African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

May 9, 2017

“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right … More African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

Lessons of Apartheid through the Lens of One White South African’s Cruel Insensitivity

April 18, 2017

Some white privileged South Africans got left behind! I don’t mean on the Continent, per se – I mean in their ability to move away from their attachment to justifying one of the most racist and bigoted institutionalized discriminatory systems known to humankind – APARTHEID. Over twenty years after the liberation of South Africa’s black … More Lessons of Apartheid through the Lens of One White South African’s Cruel Insensitivity

Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

January 27, 2017

I Googled my late mother, Professor Carmen Nathan, who died many years before social media and Internet was really happening, (1990).  I came upon an honor bestowed upon her by the South African government in 2014 when they celebrated 20 years of the new SA constitution. I never knew about this until I found this and … More Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

December 15, 2016

Anti-gay homophobes from around the world met in South Africa, a country where the constitution specifically includes LGBT equality, issuing a declaration opposing same-sex marriage and families.  According to Mamba Online, The World Congress of Families Regional Conference, which took place last week at The Westin hotel in Cape Town, was hosted by the recently formed International Organization … More Anti-Gay Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa Insults Host Country Constitution

South Africa Releases Draft Bill Proposing Jail for Hate Speech

October 25, 2016

Historic Hate Crimes Bill released – proposes 3 years in jail for hate speech Ten years in the making, the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill has now been published in South Africa, for comment. The proposed legislation, inter alia, provides a three yer sentence  for those found guilty of hate … More South Africa Releases Draft Bill Proposing Jail for Hate Speech