South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) airs a Special Assignment documentary on the plight of LGBT refugees in that country. A must watch!
Via Care2
March 23, 2011
UN Joint Statement of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
From African Activist
Via African Activist ( rapidly becoming my favorite site) ,
“Eighty-five nations endorsed the UN Joint Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identitypresented by Colombia to the UN Human Rights Council, an inter-governmental body within the United Nations made up of 47 states. The statement was signed by the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and South Africa.”
As usual, in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic was progressive. Surprisingly, Cuba also voted in support. The English Caribbean ( including T&T which continues to betray its alleged commitment to human rights) was notably absent except for Dominica. I can only surmise that the normally homophobic Dominica either had a coup or someone pushed the wrong button.
March 5, 2011
It Will Get Better Africa launched.
“Outspoken Radio has officially launched the It WILL Get Better Africa campaign offering a message of hope to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons. The campaign has a YouTube Channel for LGBTI Africans to speak out.”
Read the rest on African Activist here.
March 3, 2011
Al Jazeera English: A historic moment in the Arab world
In TED’s first talk of 2011, Al Jazeera’s director-general shares his view on the uprisings sweeping the region.
February 18, 2011
The IGLHRC report on blackmail and extortion of LGBTI people in Africa.
African Activist has posted a link to a just released report from the IGLHRC on the blackmail and extortion of LGBTI people in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is quite disturbing. African Activist notes:
“The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has just published a report documenting how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons are targeted by blackmail and extortion in nations with anti-LGBTI laws and deeply ingrained social stigma.
February 14, 2011
Pepe Julian Onziema, an LGBTI activist in Uganda speaks to the BBC.
Pepe Julian Onziema, an LGBTI activist in Uganda spoke to the BBC’s Outlook program today about living in fear following the murder of David Kato.
Listen on BBC iPlayer.
December 15, 2010
Amazing Indian Equality Campaign.
Gaylaxy Magazine sent me the link to this beautiful equality campaign video put out by Equal India Alliance. It gives a powerful message in a very thoughtful and touching way.
As I said on Facebook it is interesting that India is forging ahead towards a bright new and inclusive future for all its people while , as was seen in that recent UN vote, most of Africa and the English Caribbean are slouching backwards towards irrelevance.
December 10, 2010
Good Riddance
LezgetReal is reporting that Bahati has been deported from the US and is now on a plane over the Atlantic. Pity it wasn’t an under-fueled drone.
Bye- Bye Bahati. Sources have informed LGR that David Bahati ,who was taped for yesterday and today’s Rachel Maddow Show, was told to get out of the USA by authorities Thursday.
Bahati had planned on staying in the USA; he could leave over the weekend, but he was asked to leave right away by Department of State officials. He had been banned and refused entry to the conference which was the basis for his his single event VISA to enter the USA. When he showed up for the Conference he was asked by Organizers to leave and refused entry, despite the fact that other MP’s from Uganda had been allowed to participate.
The organizers cited the fact that they would not associate themselves with the Author of what became known as the Kill Gays Bill, officially The Anti-Homosexual Bill; which Bahati hopes will pass in Uganda in the Spring.
Read the rest here.
October 26, 2010
Bishop Tutu speaks out – again
I really don’t see how people fail to see that discrimination based on gender identity is just as wrong as discrimination based on race . Bishop Tutu , who has considerable experience in the latter, understands. He speaks out in an open letter to Essence magazine. Thanks to CAISO and my friend Alvin for the link.
Today I pray for people in Africa and throughout the world who long for freedom because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. It grieves me to be retiring at this crucial moment in history, so I write to you in this open letter, to invite you to pick up the work that remains to be done. More than 70 countries still imprison or execute gay and transgender people, and bullying and murders are all too common. This must change.
