Tag: Homosexuality

Opening Arguments in Belize Urge Supreme Court to Uphold the Constitution

May 7, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 07, 2013 Today began the four day constitutionality challenge trial of Belize’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law in their Supreme Court.  I have been watching the #UNIBAM twitter feed all afternoon (Belize = CST) for wonderful live-tweeting from Asa DeMatteo and now have been emailed (thank you!) the Press Release for Day One. … More Opening Arguments in Belize Urge Supreme Court to Uphold the Constitution

Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

May 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2013. 5/7 Update: Today the couple has been re-arrested, now denied bail, and more charges added following another tip off from relatives. We wrote recently about the police hunting for “homosexuals” in Zambia. Well its seems as if neighborhoods have joined in the cry to hunt out homosexuals and turn … More Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

Belize Government and Christian right fight Supreme Court Challenge to decriminalize homosexuality

May 5, 2013

Getting rid of the old British Colonial penal code criminalizing homosexuality in Central America… By Cathy Kristofferson,  May 05, 2013 The nation of Belize, bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, is the last country in Central America where homosexual acts are still illegal and punishable by long prison terms.  But that could change for Belize and set … More Belize Government and Christian right fight Supreme Court Challenge to decriminalize homosexuality

Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

April 30, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Botswana a country which, unlike many African countries which still boast old Colonial anti-gay penal codes, has shown a measure of tolerance towards its LGBT community, by not pursuing laws that could be interpreted against homosexuality.  That would account for the fact that a Miss Botswana pageant contestant enraged … More Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

April 29, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 29, 2013 Here on this BLOG Thursday, we reported that directly preceding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, a press release came out expressing “very grave concerns” about the religious exemption clause contained in the Bill. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the National Center for … More Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

Zambian Justice Minister seeks to justify persecution of gays

April 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013. After the recent reports about anti-gay surge in Zambia with the unlawful detention of a well known HIV/AIDS activist, Paul Kasonkomona, after he was picked up for speaking about LGBT issues on a radio show,  and the further reports that gay Zambians have gone into a hiding due to … More Zambian Justice Minister seeks to justify persecution of gays

Ghana’s press vilify students in mass expulsions for forming of LGBT support group

April 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2013. Two reports have appeared out of Ghana, using the usual anti-gay rhetoric to describe the mass expulsion of students from local schools.  Falsely blaming recruitment, the expelled were likely forming support groups. The reports reads: “19 ‘homosexual’ students of Opoku Ware SHS sacked Date Posted: April 15, 2013: 19:55 … More Ghana’s press vilify students in mass expulsions for forming of LGBT support group

Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

April 17, 2013

Is this a tacit call to violence? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 17, 2013 Yesterday was day two of the United Nations International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.  A conference at which Ban Ki Moon, its Secretary General, said: “Religion and culture cannot justify discrimination against gays and lesbians“. Also yesterday, Pat Buchanan penned a … More Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality

Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

April 13, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 13, 2013 Very early this morning (7am BST) HIV/Aids activist Paul Kasonkomona was to speak on the Crossfire BlogRadio program about his recent arrest for advocating for gay rights. Due to legal issues surrounding his going on the radio similar to the TV appearance which sparked his arrest, along with death … More Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

Outrage at detention of Zambian gay human rights defender

April 10, 2013

“My sisters and brothers, Jesus calls us to love even our enemies. Demeaning the humanity of another person is not a virtue but a vice. You don’t need reminding that the first step to genocide is demeaning your opponents’ humanity.” Reverend Kapya Kaoma By Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2013. This week we reported the detention … More Outrage at detention of Zambian gay human rights defender

USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

April 9, 2013

$11 million, four-year initiative to further LGBT equality worldwide By Cathy Kristofferson, April 08, 2013 Following the United Nations’ historic resolution endorsing LGBT human rights in 2011, President Obama issued a mandate to all agencies involved with foreign aid and development to “enhance their ongoing efforts with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector … More USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

April 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2013. In January we reported that an Arts School in Bloemfontein, South Africa, claimed in its prospectus that it could cure homosexual students. We reported that a “South African Christian arts academy, Creare Training Centre may be breaking the law by advertising that it can “cure” homosexual students, and that … More South African Arts Academy guilty of human rights violations by claiming gay cure

‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

April 8, 2013

Gay icon, or just a supporter of ‘individual liberty’? By Cathy Kristofferson,  April 08, 2013 The BBC is reporting that The Iron Lady ex-Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher has died.  Thatcher, a staunch conservative, supported the decriminalization of homosexuality back in 1967.   As PM her government later legalized homosexuality in both Scotland and Northern … More ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding

April 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2013. South Africa is a leader in the world of equality, enjoying an all inclusive constitution, where same-sex marriage is legal and discrimination against LGBTI people outlawed. However that has not stopped homophobia and fear to embrace LGBTI South Africans as fully equal. This video  and the report of the … More Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding

House of Lords calls for decriminalization of homosexuality in Commonwealth because of higher HIV rates

March 14, 2013

See the  must watch Video – Criminalization of Homosexuality Kills – The link is made between increase in HIV/ AIDS in countries that criminalize homosexuality – Homophobia causes higher HIV/AIDS rates. By Melanie Nathan, March 14, 2o13. Yesterday Conservative Peer Lord Black of Brentwood,  led a debate on Criminalization of Homosexuality and how it has caused … More House of Lords calls for decriminalization of homosexuality in Commonwealth because of higher HIV rates

Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

March 13, 2013

The issue comes down to this: there’s a big difference between uncomfortable and unsafe By Cathy Kristofferson, March 13, 2013. Last night at the Medford City Council meeting we witnessed round three of the organized attempt to derail the MA Dept. of Ed’s Gender Identity Policy guidelines at the hands of one city councilor and … More Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

The Queen will make implicit reference to gay rights in new pledge to end discrimination for Commonwealth

March 9, 2013

Lest we forget that it was indeed the Colonialists and the Magna Carta that brought anti-homosexuality laws to Africa in the first place. By Melanie Nathan, March 09, 2013. According to the Daily Mail, The Queen of England “fights for gay rights: Monarch makes historic pledge on discrimination and hints that if Kate DOES have … More The Queen will make implicit reference to gay rights in new pledge to end discrimination for Commonwealth

School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

March 7, 2013

Transgender students bullied by legislators and hate groups line up to oppose implementation and launch attack on Commissioner By Cathy Kristofferson, March 07, 2013. A couple of weeks ago I saw a post “Massachusetts Takes The Lead On Rights For Transgender Students“.  Being a MA native I smiled and perused probably while mumbling “of course … More School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

Ugandan Red Pepper journalist threatens life of U.S. Lesbian Blogger

March 2, 2013

Using contradictions and other ways to defend Red Pepper’s Persecution of Ugandan Gays | Featuring Arinaitwe Rugyendo and Gazzaman Kodili  By Melanie Nathan, March 02, 2013. After I published an article outing the journalists, owners, management, and editors from the Ugandan Tabloid RED PEPPER,  for their persecution of LGBTI Ugandans, through outing gays in their Tabloid … More Ugandan Red Pepper journalist threatens life of U.S. Lesbian Blogger

Despite criminalization homosexual acts Botswana educates through LGBTI film festival

February 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February, 25, 2013. Last week the small Southern African country of Botswana saw a highly unusual and courageous event.  In a country that criminalizes homosexual acts, a film festival was held at the University of Botswana to educate the community on same-gender relationships. According to a report in the local Monitor publication, … More Despite criminalization homosexual acts Botswana educates through LGBTI film festival

Third Ugandan Youth Worker Detained by Police for Interrogation

January 31, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 31, 2013. Recently we reported on the arrests of two youth human rights defenders from the LGBTI group, Youth on the Rock, who were arrested by police around New Years eve,  on accusations of homosexuality and recruiting people into homosexuality. Yesterday a third person who had been sought by the police … More Third Ugandan Youth Worker Detained by Police for Interrogation

South African Ministry of Justice probes Gay Cure Arts School

January 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January, 19, 2013. The South African Justice Ministry has called on the Human Rights Commission to investigate claims of unfair discrimination at the Creare Training Centre in Bloemfontein. A week ago we reported that Creare Training Center’s prospectus claimed it could convert gay students into heterosexuals through “rehabilitation” and the discriminatory statements … More South African Ministry of Justice probes Gay Cure Arts School

South African Christian Arts Academy Claims it Can Cure Gays

January 13, 2013

A South African Christian arts academy in Bloemfontein may be breaking the law by advertising that it can “cure” homosexual students, and that if a homosexual refuses such, they can be expelled.  By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2012. The Sunday Times reported that the Creare Training Centre’s prospectus claimed it could convert gay students into … More South African Christian Arts Academy Claims it Can Cure Gays

Court overturns 5-year sentence for gay sex in Cameroon

January 7, 2013

Court overturns 5-year sentence for gay sex in Cameroon Posted on January 7, 2013 by Colin Stewart at 76 Crimes Two young men in Cameroon were found not guilty today, overturning their previous sentence to five years in prison for homosexuality. Stephane N. Koche, project manager for PAEMH (Project for the Support and Assistance of Sexual … More Court overturns 5-year sentence for gay sex in Cameroon

David Bahati lies about homosexuals recruiting kindergarten children

January 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 05, 2012. Lies can indeed be proved through impossibility.  I stumbled across this report in the Ugandan press, Red Pepper Tabloid, which I previously missed.  I am reporting it here because it is absolute evidence that the assertions made by David Bahati, which form the basis of his anti-gay legislation in … More David Bahati lies about homosexuals recruiting kindergarten children

Heroic Ugandan Activist Makes Pastor Martin Ssempa Look like the Devil in TV Debate

December 18, 2012

Ssempa’s pornographic rhetoric showed the fire of a very sick and depraved soul. By Melanie Nathan, December 17, 2012. Today one of the bravest LGBTI Ugandan activists I know, Pepe, appeared on a live debate on Ugandan TV about homosexuality against the foul mouthed gay hater Pastor Martin Ssempa.  One wonders why Pepe would knowingly … More Heroic Ugandan Activist Makes Pastor Martin Ssempa Look like the Devil in TV Debate

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality

December 12, 2012

Watch Video below where Yvonne Chaka Chaka overtly declares her support for Uganda’s Gay Community By Melanie Nathan,  12/12/2012 At the same time as the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as ‘The Kill the Gays Bill’ moves from the number one spot to number six on the Ugandan Parliament’s Order Papers, the United Nations played … More United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality