December, 2020 - The African Mirror

Dec

2020

How climate change could lead to a hunger pandemic

CORMAC O'BRIEN FOOD insecurity is reaching an all-time high. The growing climate crisis could force an extra 183 million people into hunger by 2050, so how do we ensure a worldwide food shortage doesn't become the next global pandemic? https://youtu.be/ZCiRzSgo3A0

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Wider Image: Christmas wishes from Santas around the world

MULTIMEDIA

A red suit with white trim and a silky beard has long been Santa’s trademark style, but the jolly figure bringing holiday cheer around the world comes in many guises, much like the varied shapes and sizes of the Christmas presents he bears. But one wish unites all Santas, from Lebanon to Nigeria, in this year decimated by the coronavirus pandemic. “My Christmas message to the world is to be kinder to everyone in a time when we are so isolated,” said Oliver Levi-Malouf, 22, who performs as a drag queen Santa at The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, with strikingly…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

From coronavirus crackdowns to court battles: 10 top LGBT+ stories in 2020

LGBT+

HUGO GREENHALGH, RACHEL SAVAGE and ANASTASIA MOLONEY CORONAVIRUS dominated news around the world in 2020, creating particular challenges for the LGBT+ community in terms of mental health, access to HIV medication and scapegoating by religious groups seeking to apportion blame for the virus. The year provided the backdrop for both victories and setbacks for LGBT+ people, with the lifting of gay sex bans in Bhutan and Gabon countered by a rise in the incidence of hate crimes and attacks and crackdowns in countries such as Uganda. Here are 10 stories from a year of change for LGBT+ people. 1. The…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Soccer-Rapinoe questions her inclusion in FIFA team of year

LGBT+

WOMEN’S World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has said her inclusion in FIFA’s “Women’s World11” team of the year despite playing so little is a sign that the women’s game needs more visibility and exposure. Rapinoe, who was named best player at the 2019 World Cup and finished top scorer, said she appreciated being included in the team of the year but pointed out she had not played since March when the coronavirus pandemic disrupted global sport. The winger said on Twitter she appreciated being chosen by her fellow professionals but other players deserved more recognition this year. “We have so…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Desmond Tutu’s lesbian daughter calls for LGBT+ equality

LGBT+

HUGO GREENHALGH THE lesbian minister daughter of anti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu has called for full LGBT+ equality as almost 400 religious figures backed a global ban on conversion therapy and an end to laws criminalising same-sex relations. Leaders from all the main religions signed the joint declaration - among them Mpho Tutu van Furth's father and Britain's Bishop of Liverpool, but she said the need for such a statement showed far more work was needed. "Religious leaders and religious structures all over the world have not yet arrived at the recognition that we are all fully human," Rev. Canon Tutu…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

New Zealand, Britain ease rules on blood donations by gay men

LGBT+

RACHEL SAVAGE NEW Zealand and Britain have become the latest countries to ease rules on blood donations by gay and bisexual men, as supply concerns caused by COVID-19 increase scrutiny of AIDS pandemic-era restrictions that LGBT+ rights advocates say are homophobic. New Zealand's government cut the celibacy period for gay and bisexual men to give blood from a year to three months, regardless of whether or not they had used condoms, the New Zealand Blood Service said on its website on Monday. In Britain, which previously had a three-month deferral period, a behaviour-based policy will be used from mid-2021, meaning…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Bhutan parliament decriminalizes homosexuality, to delight of activists

LGBT+

GOPAL SHARMA A joint sitting of both houses of Bhutan's parliament has approved a bill to legalize gay sex, making the tiny Himalayan kingdom the latest Asian nation to take steps towards easing restrictions on same-sex relationships. Sections 213 and 214 of the penal code had criminalized "unnatural sex", widely interpreted as homosexuality. Lawmaker Ugyen Wangdi, the vice chairperson of a joint panel considering the changes, said 63 of the total 69 members of both houses of parliament had voted in favour of amending the code to scrap the provision. Six members were absent. "Homosexuality will not be considered as…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

UN rights boss welcomes Biden LGBT+ pledges, hopes for reversal of ‘serious setbacks’ under Trump

LGBT+

STEPHANIE NEBEHAY U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's pledges to halt the separation of migrant families, address "systemic racism" and climate change are promising and could reverse setbacks during the Trump administration, the U.N. human rights chief said on Wednesday. Michelle Bachelet said that U.S. President Donald Trump had rolled back the rights of women, LGBT persons and migrants, as well as stepped back from multilateralism. The former president of Chile said that she knew Biden well as he had been given responsibility for Latin America while serving as vice president to President Barack Obama. "President-elect Biden has made a series of…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Nasdaq proposes board diversity requirement for listed companies

LGBT+

NASDAQ Inc filed a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that, if approved, will require all Nasdaq-listed companies to adopt new rules related to board diversity and disclosure or potentially face delisting. The new rules will require most Nasdaq-listed companies to have, or publicly explain why they do not have, at least two diverse directors, including one who self-identifies as female and one who self-identifies as either an underrepresented minority or LGBTQ+. All companies will be expected to have one diverse director within two years of the SEC’s approval of the new rule. “Our goal with this proposal…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Football in hijab: Thai Muslim lesbians tackle stereotypes

LGBT+

RINA CHANDRAN ANTICHA Sangchai did not come out to her family until she was 30 and married with a child. It was her own struggle confronting the conservative community in southern Thailand that led her to create a place where women like her might feel more at home. In the bookshop she set up in Pattani city, discussions on gender and sexuality led to the birth of Buku Football Club for lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) girls and women four years ago. Buku means book in Malay - and the club is now thriving. Last month, Buku FC hosted its…