LGBT+ Archives - Page 2 of 15 - The African Mirror

Dec

03

2021

Queer migrants find their spiritual sanctuary

LGBT+, LGBTQIA+

CARL COLLISON IN a drab room in the cavernous basement of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein, a colourful group of queer folk are catching up on gossip. Lockdown restrictions mean it has been a year since they’ve been able to meet face to face. So on this particular Sunday afternoon, there is much to catch up. “Shall we pray?” Dumisane Dube, 49, says firmly, putting an end to the idle chatter and kick-starting the meeting. “We ask you, Lord, to guide us and protect us,” the person tasked with praying implores in closed-eyed supplication. Thus begins another meeting…

Aug

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Ghana: Anti-gay bill seeks prison terms for LGBT+ people

LGBT+

NITA BHALLA A bill in Ghana that would make it a crime to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender or to advocate for LGBT+ rights is expected to be presented before parliament for its first reading. The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, has sparked outrage and fear in the West African nation's LGBT+ community, with campaigners saying it could heighten widespread persecution and violence. Here are some key details and background about the controversial proposal: What is the current law regarding LGBT+ people in Ghana? Under a 1960 British colonial-era law, "unnatural carnal…

Aug

02

2021

By The African Mirror

NZ’s Hubbard becomes first trans woman Olympian, but exits early

LGBT+

MARTIN PETTY NEW ZEALAND'S Laurel Hubbard made history on Monday by becoming the first openly transgender athlete to compete at an Olympic Games, but she suffered disappointment with an early exit from the women's +87 kg final after three no lifts in the snatch. At 43, Hubbard was the oldest competitor in the weightlifting event in Tokyo, in which her inclusion had ignited a fierce debate about fairness for women and about gender identification and inclusivity. Hubbard was born male but transitioned eight years ago and resumed weightlifting after a long stint away from the sport. She had been tipped for a…

Apr

01

2021

By The African Mirror

Celebrities defend trans rights, rejecting wave of U.S. laws

LGBT+

JACK GRAHAM HUNDREDS of celebrities have joined advocacy groups in an open letter in support of transgender rights, criticizing a raft of U.S. states that want to bar young, trans-Americans from playing school sports or getting medical help. The signatories - from feminist Gloria Steinem and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to actor Regina King and singer Selena Gomez - called for an end to the "long history of assaults" against trans women and girls. Never before has it been more dangerous to be trans, the letter said, denouncing "anti-transgender rhetoric" and the barriers facing trans people across multiple industries. The…

Jan

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Greece’s first gay minister hopes appointment helps erode homophobia

LGBT+

GREECE'S first openly gay minister said encountering homophobia in public life was "a given", but hoped his appointment to the conservative government would make it easier for LGBT+ people to tackle discrimination. Nicholas Yatromanolakis was named deputy minister for contemporary culture after being promoted last week in a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis aimed at boosting his government's image as COVID-19 pummels the economy. Yatromanolakis, 45, said he had often been discouraged from seeking elected office or prominent roles due to his "profile", with some people saying the most he could aspire to was political consulting work. "All LGBT people…

Jan

07

2021

By The African Mirror

Anti-gay rhetoric ramps up fear among LGBT+ Ugandans ahead of polls

LGBT+

HOMOPHOBIC comments by Uganda's president and other politicians are making some LGBT+ Ugandans too scared to vote in elections scheduled for Jan. 14, gay rights campaigners said on Tuesday. LGBT+ people face widespread persecution in the east African nation, where gay sex is punishable by life imprisonment, and gay activists fear politicians exploiting homophobic sentiment to win votes could stoke fresh attacks on the community. "We have seen increased harassment against LGBT persons and those who speak up for gay rights," said Frank Mugisha, who has received dozens of threats over the years as head of the leading LGBT+ rights group Sexual Minorities…

Jan

02

2021

By The African Mirror

From trans rights to the Olympics: 10 LGBT+ issues in 2021

LGBT+

FROM the United States to Japan, the list of countries mulling legislation that impacts LGBT+ rights in 2021 is lengthy, encompassing issues from gay sex to so-called conversion therapy to same-sex marriage. Conversion therapy will be a major theme in 2021 with potential national bans being considered in Britain, Israel and Mexico. Gay sex is still illegal in 69 U.N. member states, according to LGBT+ rights group ILGA World, but advocates hope countries such as Kenya and Singapore will follow the lead of Bhutan and Gabon last year in decriminalising same-sex relations. LGBT+ advocates also hope that U.S. president-elect Joe Biden will overturn a ban on new transgender military personnel,…

Jan

14

2021

By The African Mirror

U.N. urges respect for LGBT+ Ugandans ahead of polls

LGBT+

NITA BHALLA THE United Nations has called for LGBT+ Ugandans to be treated with respect and dignity, following homophobic remarks by some politicians, including the president, ahead of today’s polls. Sexual minorities face widespread persecution in Uganda, where gay sex is punishable by life imprisonment, and LGBT+ rights groups fear politicians exploiting anti-gay sentiment to win votes could stoke fresh attacks on the community. Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS, the U.N. agency for HIV and AIDS, said the vilification of LGBT+ people could worsen violence and discrimination and reduce their access to HIV/AIDS treatment. "Using offensive language that describes LGBT…

Jan

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Golf-Thomas hopes to learn from ‘terrible judgment call’

LGBT+

JUSTIN Thomas said he had made a “terrible judgment call” by uttering a homophobic slur in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii and that the incident had played on his mind during Sunday’s final round. Thomas had missed a five-foot putt on the fourth hole in the third round on Saturday and used the slur, which was picked up by a television microphone. He later said he was deeply apologetic. He carded a final round 66 on Sunday to finish third after Harris English beat Joaquin Niemann on the first extra hole of a playoff. “Golf wasn’t the main…

Jan

14

2021

By The African Mirror

Gay Indonesian policeman loses legal bid for reinstatement

LGBT+

STANLEY WIDIANTO A gay Indonesian policeman dismissed from the force because of his sexual orientation has lost his legal fight to be reinstated, after a Central Java court rejected his lawsuit, according to his lawyers. Tri Teguh Pujianto, a 31-year-old former police brigadier, was fired in 2018 after 10 years in the job, after police from a different town apprehended he and his partner on Valentine's Day when they were saying their goodbyes at his partner's workplace. Teguh's lawyers from the non-governmental group Community Legal Aid Institute in a statement said the local administrative court had rejected his suit. The…