Category: WORLD

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

Inter Parliamentary Union Votes to Ban LGBT Debate as led by Homophobic Ugandan Delegation

October 18, 2018

At the Legislators meeting in Geneva of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), a majority voted a ban debate on the subject of LGBT human rights  – and according to Ugandan reports this is a forever-enduring ban. Some nations brought the subject to the floor, in the hope of passing an amendment to include LGBT people in … More Inter Parliamentary Union Votes to Ban LGBT Debate as led by Homophobic Ugandan Delegation

As ICC celebrates 20 years since Treaty, Trump Inhumanity is Food for Thought

October 14, 2018

It has been 20 years since The Rome Statute: On 27th September, thirty-five countries renewed their support for the International Criminal Court at the United Nations  General Assembly.  Notably the United States of America has never ratified the treaty. The Court participates in the global fight to end impunity, and through international criminal justice, the Court … More As ICC celebrates 20 years since Treaty, Trump Inhumanity is Food for Thought

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

Malaysia Allows Torture of Muslim Women Convicted of Attempting Lesbian Sex

September 3, 2018

More than 100 people witnessed the torturing of 2 women who were subjected to Sharia Law’s punitive measure for admitting to attempting to have sex. Two Muslim Malaysian women, aged 22 and 32, were each caned six times in the Sharia High Court in the state of Terengganu, after being convicted of attempting to have … More Malaysia Allows Torture of Muslim Women Convicted of Attempting Lesbian Sex

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!

Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

July 17, 2018

Court condemns Russia over Pussy Riot convictions –In yet another instance of Russian’s Vladamir Putin’s human rights abuses Members of the punk band spent nearly two years in jail after 2012 protest in a Moscow cathedral: The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ruled against Russia for its treatment of members of the Pussy … More Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

Heathrow Airport Did Something Stunning for Pride

July 9, 2018

If you fly from the West Coast of the united Sates to South Africa, like me, you have probably spent many hours at Heathrow Airport. I report this with great PRIDE! Heathrow has embraced the colors of the rainbow in celebration of Pride in London and commissioned a unique interpretation of the iconic flag, created … More Heathrow Airport Did Something Stunning for Pride

London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

July 8, 2018

Keeping things in focus – this is less about the Pride and Parade organizations as a whole and the majority who adhere to inclusion and more about a tiny handful of bigoted jerks who want to exclude members of our community! Most lesbians are not separatists wanting to exclude transgender people from our community. I have … More London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

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

Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

July 2, 2018

Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2018) – A federal court has blocked the arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. It also ordered a case-by-case review of whether each asylum seeker in the class-action lawsuit should be released on humanitarian parole. The ruling stems from a challenge brought … More Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

An Evangelical Christian’s Letter To Attorney General Jeff Sessions

June 19, 2018

“Mr. Sessions, Could We Talk Over Coffee?” As the outrage increases toward the Trump Government’s child separation policy, people of faith are starting to speak out in different ways against Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ use of Bible in his attempt to justify the policy: Dear Mr. Jeffrey Sessions, I am a Evangelical Christian. Please do … More An Evangelical Christian’s Letter To Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

June 11, 2018

San Francisco, CA (June 11, 2018) – Today Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a deeply disappointing decision in an attempt to erode protections for domestic violence survivors and others who look to the United States for refuge. Invoking a rarely utilized power, Sessions reversed the Board of Immigration Appeals’ grant of asylum to a Salvadoran … More Attorney General Sessions Attempts to Close the Door to Women Asylum Seekers

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

Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

May 9, 2018

Twitter has officially recognized Swahili as a language. Well that does not mean that Twitter has yet added Swahili to language settings. Though the social media platform now recognizes Swahili words and offers translation of the widely spoken and written East African language. Since last week, Twitter started detecting the language in tweets and subsequently … More Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

May 1, 2018

Some international news … absolved from cabin fever – you know that insular stuck in MERICA feeling – read: Thousands strand in flood: Central Somalia has experienced heavy rains which have flooded parts of the country. The resultant effect has been the displacement of thousands. The United Nations estimates that almost half a million people … More America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…