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Behind the scenes of the Erasing 76 Crimes blog

Behind the scenes of the Erasing 76 Crimes blog

In 2013, the Erasing 76 Crimes blog has been busy behind the scenes trying (and, I’ll admit, often failing) to improve the lot of LGBT people in some of the 76+ countries with anti-gay laws.

Depending on the country, these activities have included:

REALITY CHECK IN LIST FORM

Click on the image for the blog's list of people in prison or awaiting trial for homosexuality.
Click on the image for the blog’s list of people in prison or awaiting trial for homosexuality.

The blog also maintains and publishes several fairly depressing lists, which are shocking for people who haven’t been paying attention to the plight of LGBT people in the 76+ countries with anti-homosexuality laws:

Image of murdered activist Eric Lembembe, with quote from HRW researcher Neela Ghoshal.
Image of murdered activist Eric Lembembe, with quote from HRW researcher Neela Ghoshal.

 

 

 

 

LOW POINT OF 2013: THE MURDER OF ERIC LEMBEMBE

This is dangerous work for those on the front lines.  LGBT activist Eric Ohena Lembembe of Cameroon was a frequent contributor to the blog until he was tortured and murdered in mid-July 2013.

Twenty of his articles from the first half of 2013 are here: https://76crimes.com/author/eric76blog/  (His 10 articles in French are near the bottom of that archive — dated as published in 2003 rather than 2013 in order to keep them separate.)

Coverage of the murder, funeral and police investigation of the death is here: https://76crimes.com/tag/eric-lembembe/ . Note especially:

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

Coverage this year has included articles about Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Trinidad, Tunisia, Uganda and Ukraine.  To read coverage of individual countries, use links from the list of 76+ countries with anti-gay laws.

WHERE THE ACTION IS

In this early review of this year, it’s clear that we’re far from the end of, and certainly not nearing a happy ending to, several ongoing controversies and injustices:

See Also

In chains, Philip Mubiana and James Mwape enter the Kapiri Mposhi courtroom.
In chains, Philip Mubiana (shown) and James Mwape enter the Kapiri Mposhi courtroom.

•    The arrest and trial of AIDS activist Paul Kasonkomona in Zambia https://76crimes.com/tag/paul-kasonkomona/
•    The ordeal of Philip Mubiana and James Mwape, who have been incarcerated for six months awaiting the outcome of an often-delayed trial in Zambia. If convicted, they face prison sentences of 15 years to life. https://76crimes.com/tag/philip-mubiana/
•    Caribbean activism reported by and often led by Maurice Tomlinson. https://76crimes.com/tag/maurice-tomlinson/
•    Attempts to overturn the Belize sodomy law. https://76crimes.com/tag/belize/
•    “Anti-gay propaganda” laws and related proposals in Russia and Ukraine. https://76crimes.com/tag/gay-propaganda-law/ and also https://76crimes.com/tag/russia and https://76crimes.com/tag/ukraine .
•    Uganda’s worrisome but recently dormant Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the notorious “Kill the Gays” bill. https://76crimes.com/tag/anti-homosexuality-bill/

Several of Eric Lembembe's article appear in the book "From Wrongs to Gay Rights." (Click the image for a link to more information about the book.)
Click the image for information about purchasing the book “From Wrongs to Gay Rights” either in paperback or in e-book form.

THE BOOK “FROM WRONGS TO GAY RIGHTS”

The book “From Wrongs to Gay Rights” was published in March 2013 as an additional method for spreading the news about what is going on for LGBT people in the 76+ countries. It includes highlights of the blog’s coverage from 2012, with updates. For more information, see Amazon.com and/or
https://76crimes.com/buy-the-book-from-wrongs-to-gay-rights/ .

ENCOURAGING HIGHLIGHTS

Some relatively optimistic highlights of the blog’s coverage in 2013 included:

DEPRESSING HIGHLIGHTS

Sadly, much of the blog’s coverage remains downbeat. For example:

View Comment (1)
  • Thank you for your efforts, Colin and to all who work with you behind the secene, As a result, the LGBT community and our allies are much better informed as to the plight of our communities in those 76+ countries where who you love can land you in jail, or get you killed. You have allowed those brave voices to be heard where previously there was only silence. Thank you.
    Denis LeBlanc, Member at large, Canada, GNP+ NA, Global Network of People Living with HIV, North America; Réseau Mondial des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH, Amérique du Nord

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