LGBTI news in brief: Good news, 4. Bad news, 6.
Modestly edited items from ILGA’s LGBulleTIn and UNAIDS’s Equal Eyes news summaries:
Good news
From Singapore, Linda Lakhdir of the Human Rights Watch described how over 100 local companies stepped up to support the annual Pink Dot festival after the government banned participation or support by foreign and multinational companies.
In Pakistan, a bill has been introduced in the lower house of parliament to “provide for protection of rights of transgender persons” and prohibit harassment and discrimination against them.
In Uganda, the LGBTI activist and support group Sexual Minorities Uganda launched a 24 hour hotline for LGBTIQ people, friends, and family impacted by intimate partner violence.
In Russia, the Pervomaisky District Court ruled against a shop who refused to hire a man due to his “feminine manner of speaking and gestures” that created “an impression” that he is a sexual minority. The shop, which argued that they had the right to fire him under Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law, was fined 30,000 roubles.
Bad news
In Nigeria, 15 students in the state of Jigawa have been arrested for allegedly beating a classmate to death in a homophobic hate crime.
In Tanzania, officials continue to target the LGBT community as Tanzania’s Home Affairs Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced that any organization campaigning for gay rights would be deregistered, any Tanzanian national involved would be arrested, and any foreigner involved would be immediately deported. Twenty-two national and international organizations have signed a joint statement calling on the government of Tanzania to “end its hostile rhetoric toward civil society groups and threats to obstruct their work.”
In Indonesia, activists warn that young LGBT people are increasingly isolated, routinely bullied by peers, and afraid of being disowned by their parents. King Oey, leader of the Indonesia’s largest LGBTI rights group, says that the government crackdown on the community hinders support groups from reaching at risk youth.
Young adult author Victoria Schwab was shocked to learn from readers in Russia that her popular Shades of Magic book series was heavily censored when translated into Russian by publishing house Rosmen. Rosmen stated the redactions were necessary to stay in compliance with Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws.
The Kuwait moral committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, and Kuwait Municipality, announced they have deported 76 alleged gay people and have shut down 22 massage parlors as part of an on-going crackdown.
From Ghana, president of the Concern Youth Association described how efforts by politicians to “permanently ban homosexuality in the country” have increased violence and discrimination against LGBT people, including sexual assault and “corrective rape”.
Other news
In Indonesia, authorities in the Aceh province have suggested that police floggings will no longer be held publicly after international outcry over a viral video of the flogging of men accused of homosexuality. Local media has reported that Acehnese leaders are concerned the videos make the province unappealing for investors.
Another U.S. pastor pushes homophobia in Africa