A successful Kenyan advocacy group is seeking donations to continue its work promoting recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people in Kenya. Previously, the National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) won a court ruling that ordered the Kenyan government to grant it legal recognition. In April, Kenya’s High Court rejected the government’s … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2015
Jamaica: Good Samaritan near death from anti-gay knife attack
A young man who works with homeless LGBT youths in Jamaica is in critical condition in a New Kingston area hospital, suffering from knife wounds inflicted Oct. 24 by a group of anti-gay men attacking LGBT youths who have been repeatedly evicted from wherever they choose to stay. Police removed them in January from the … Continue reading
Cameroonian LGBTI activist targeted in murder attempt
Attacks continue in Cameroon against LGBT people and the human rights activists who defend them. The latest target was the program director of Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for Aids), which fights against Aids and for the recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people. Jean Jacques Dissoke, the group’s legal coordinator, reported and commented on … Continue reading
Shock, grief over death of fearless Guyanan activist
LGBTI advocates are mourning the death of Guyanan activist Zenita Nicholson on Oct. 26, apparently by suicide. She received the International Woman of Courage Award in 2014 from the U.S. Embassy in Guyana in recognition of her work for women’s rights and the human rights of LGBT people. Her apparent suicide “has shown that even … Continue reading
Deliriously happy after Jamaica’s first Montego Bay Pride
Unqualified success: Montego Bay Pride, Jamaica, Oct. 25, 2015 We are deliriously happy to report that Montego Bay Pride 2015 was an unqualified success!! The best quote from someone who attended the intense one-day event was that it felt like a real Pride, as nearly 100 persons of all classes, sexualities and gender expressions (including … Continue reading
Raids, arrests of 21 trans women after Malaysian ruling
Malaysian police in recent weeks launched a wave of raids and 21 arrests targeting trans women. The police actions came in the wake of a court ruling that overturned limited legal protection for trans women against repressive aspects of local sharia law. The Malaysian trans advocacy organization Justice for Sisters stated today: Violence against trans … Continue reading
Outbreak of anti-LGBTI attacks in Uganda
A recent upsurge in violence is targeting LGBTI people in Uganda. The legal aid organization HRAPF (the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum) reported: HRAPF notes with concern that there are ongoing homophobic attacks against LGBTI persons. So far, five people have been attacked in a space of six days and beaten badly. All of them … Continue reading
Botswana: Upcoming films will tell LGBTI stories
Activists struggling for recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people are increasingly adopting the strategy of sharing people’s stories, which honors LGBTI people’s efforts and helps the wider society understand what’s at stake in their struggle. Examples of this strategy include Kuchu Times in Uganda (“Our voices, our stories, our lives”) and the No … Continue reading
Focus of Nigerian podcast: Gains and pains of coming out
Coming out isn’t just an intense experience for LGBTI people; it’s often a key factor in combating homophobia. When enough friends, colleagues, family members and celebrities come out, fear and hatred of LGBTI people tend to dissolve. In the hope that such a process will occur in Nigeria, the No Strings podcast is gathering stories … Continue reading
With N.Y. youth’s help, Uganda activists boost education
With help from a New York high school student, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) last month donated 2,000 pencils to a community school in central Uganda. Dr. Frank Mugisha, executive director of SMUG, and Richard Lusimbo, the group’s research and documentation manager, presented the school supplies during an Oct. 16 visit to the school in the … Continue reading
