Nigerian journalist and activist Mike Daemon describes how a gay student in Abuja was trapped through an online site and was forced to hand over his mobile phone and all his money. It’s the type of crime that is frequent in Nigeria, where criminals find such abuses easy to commit because of Nigeria’s homophobia and … Continue reading
In its latest report on violence against sexual minorities in Kenya, Human Rights Watch tackles the terminology troubles that come with the territory when trying to write respectfully, accurately and inclusively about people and groups that use a variety of labels for gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. A Note on Terminology Selecting appropriate, accurate, … Continue reading
This is a Policy Brief, issued by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, reprinted here with permission, with some reformatting. The Alliance is one among many advocacy organisations that are challenging the criminalisation of LGBT persons.: Policy Brief – Challenging the criminalisation of LGBT people: Recommendations for governments, multilaterals, companies and NGOs “The criminalisation of sex between men will remain … Continue reading
In Jamaica, government employees have more protection from discrimination than the general public whom they serve. In 2004, the Staff Orders for the Jamaican Civil Service (which have the force of law) were revised. Quietly and without fanfare, this update from the 1976 document expanded the protections of public servants to include the right to … Continue reading
Iranian activists are making a new push for recognition of the human rights of LGBT people in Iran, in particular for an end to the nation’s coercive advocacy of sex-change surgery for LGBT people. Shadi Amin, coordinator of the Iranian lesbian and transgender network 6Rang, writes: As you are aware, Iran is one of the … Continue reading
AIDS fighters have long recognized that the goal of halting the spread of HIV cannot be achieved without making extra efforts to reach high-risk groups, including gay men. But often that realization has led to nothing beyond words on paper. National anti-AIDS plans too often do nothing beyond listing the country’s most-at-risk populations, with little … Continue reading
By Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and Denis LeBlanc The Sri Lankan LGBTIQ group Equal Ground celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 10 with a special event at the Goethe Institute in Colombo. The organization works to overcome the challenges that the LGBTIQ community faces — criminalization of same-sex relationships, cultural and social stigma, discrimination, marginalization, violence, mental health … Continue reading
This blog’s reports about Uganda on June 18: Anti-gay Uganda today (1): Activist due in court Anti-gay Uganda today (2): Warning about HIV bill Anti-gay Uganda today (3): A goof that won’t go away Anti-gay Uganda today (4): Excluding gays from HIV care Uganda continues its campaign against the local LGBTI community: LGBTI rights activist on trial Court action … Continue reading
ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, today awarded UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem (Navi) Pillay “LGBTI Friend of the Year 2014” in a ceremony at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Pillay’s term as UN High Commissioner comes to an end this year. Pillay will no doubt be remembered for … Continue reading
Much work needs to be done throughout Africa to follow up on an African Commission resolution opposing violence and human rights violations against sexual minorities, says Juliet Mphande, a human rights, media and peace activist from Zambia. In this commentary, Mphande describes the message the resolution sends to African governments and its meaning to African human … Continue reading
