Setbacks, ongoing arrests and anti-gay violence marred 2016, despite substantial advances for LGBT rights in several countries. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: December 2016
2016 in review: Progress in repealing anti-LGBT laws
Substantial advances for LGBT rights were achieved in 2016, amid anti-gay violence, arrests and setbacks that marred the past 12 months. Continue reading
$2m targets HIV in Mozambique’s LGBT communities
A coalition of anti-AIDS organizations is offering $2 million to combat HIV in the LGBT communities of Mozambique, where stigma against sexual minorities often excludes them from health care. Mozambique repealed its anti-LGBT law last year, but still suffers from intense homophobia. Stigma complicates efforts to combat AIDS. The country’s HIV rate of 11.5 … Continue reading
Anti-gay pastor plans Malawi visit despite reported ban
Anti-LGBTI Pastor Steven Anderson has received permission from Malawi to visit that country, he says in a video he posted on YouTube. In October, this blog and several news sites in Malawi and internationally reported that he had been denied entry to establish an anti-gay church there. Anderson is the leader of the Faithful Word Baptist … Continue reading
3 arrests in Morocco for clothes that are ‘too feminine’
Police in Sidi Ali Ben Hamdouch, in the Meknès region of Morocco, recently arrested three men on charges of homosexuality and wearing “clothes that resemble those of women.” Activists at the Akaliyat collective, which combats discrimination against sexual and religious minorities, denounced the arrests. Witnesses at the scene said there was “no reason” for the … Continue reading
Nigerian man reportedly killed over brother’s homosexuality
Nigerian media have reported that a middle-aged man was killed in Abuja in a confrontation with youths seeking to kill his gay older brother. The truth of the reports has not been established. The Daily Trust news website first reported the story, but added that a Federal Capital Territory police spokesman was unaware of the … Continue reading
U.N. rejects renewed attempt to block LGBT expert
By 84-77, United Nations countries today (Monday) rejected a renewed attempt by African nations to block the appointment of the first-ever U.N. expert in charge of investigating violence and discrimination against sexual minorities. Continue reading
Jan. 6 trial in Tunisia for being gay on the street
The trial of two Tunisian youths accused of homosexuality has been set for January 6, L’Express reports. Achref, a 20-year-old student, said he was arrested on Dec. 7 with Sabri, 22, while the two were on a street in downtown Sousse. Continue reading
Uganda’s LGBTI-friendly religious leaders (a few)
FORWARD-THINKING FAITH LEADERS Homophobia is a severe problem in many African churches, but not all Christian leaders are infected by it, as Kuchu Times points out. At that Ugandan publication, human rights activist Barigye Ambrose recently profiled several religious leaders who preach a gospel of acceptance and love. These are some excerpts: Continue reading
Chad joins list of now 77 countries with anti-LGBT laws
The parliament in the north-central African country of Chad has adopted a new penal code that makes homosexual activity a crime. By this blog’s count, that action, assuming that it is not blocked by the country’s president, increases to 77 the number of countries with anti-homosexuality laws. Continue reading
