THEGAYUK

Tag: Africa News

Get the latest LGBT+ African news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features from across the African continent.

  • This African government want to ban lube to stop gay sex

    The government of Tanzania apparently wants to stop gay sex, so it’s banning lube.

     

    Tanzanian health officials have banned the import of sexual lubricants in a move to crack-down on anal sex, directly targeting the gay and bisexual male community.

    Gay sexual relations are illegal in Tanzania with those found guilty handed life imprisonment sentences. However no arrests have been known to have been made in recent years.

    According to News24.com, Health Minister for the East African country Ummy Mwalimu said,

    “It is true that the government has banned the importation and use of the jelly to curb the spread of HIV,”

    “It is estimated that 23 percent of men who have sex with men in Tanzania are living with HIV/AIDS,”

    “I have instructed stakeholders working with gay people to remove the products from the market.”

    Up until recently the gay and bisexual community were being handed out lube for free as part of a health campaign by advocacy and health groups working with the community. However the ministry now wants to use the money spent on lube “for beds for the maternity wards.”

    It is recommended by healthcare professionals that lube always be used when having anal sex, regardless if the sex is being same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples.

    Waterbased or silicon lubes are recommended with condom usage, one of the most effective ways of combatting HIV infections – as oil based lubricants such as Crisco or even cooking oil can break or weaken a condom.

     

  • “We Think Gay People Should Be Stoned Or Hanged Because They Are Destructive”

    The man behind the cancelled 5000 naked anti-gay protest who were aiming to meet Barrack Obama on a trip to Kenya has told audioBoom news that gay men should be stoned or hanged because they are “destructive to the environment.”

    A shocking interview has emerged of Victor Kidaha, the leader of an anti-gay political party that planned to hold a naked protest in front of President Obama to show their disgust at his pro-LGBT stance.

    In the interview Kidaha is asked why he is planning his naked protest in front of President Obama to which he answers:
    “It’s to protect African family values.To show President Obama there is a difference between a man and a woman.
    “The point we are trying to make is there is a difference between a man and a woman. We are saying respect our culture, africa we don’t accept same sex relationships. We don’t allow homosexuality that is not in African culture that is why couples can only marry when they are man and wife.”
    When asked if discriminating against gay people was contradictory to family values he repied:
    “We are not doing this from a religious perspective. It’s environmental conservation. We are conserving the environment. We see gays as destructive to the environment. We are saying they are negative value to africa. As Africans we are here to protect our countries and culture.
    “We don’t think gay people should be banned, we think they should be stoned. They should be stoned to death.”

  • Ugandan President Sent Book On Gay Animals

    The German online dating company Gleichklang.de has sent a book on homosexuality in animals to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.

    (more…)

  • FNUR Responds To Uganda LGBTs Murder False Allegations Claims

    Yesterday, THEGAYUK reported that up to 6 LGBT men and women had been killed, by stoning, in Uganda. A number of complaints have been made about the validity of the source for the article.

    THEGAYUK published the article on the basis of this press release, that was written by the Safe Passage Fund supported by Friends New Underground Railroad (FNUR), a Quaker organisation based in Olympia, Washington.

    When we ask the FNUR to clarify and give validity of the claims made in the press release, they responded with this statement:

    ‘The press release is by Anne-christine d’Adesky, Founder of Safe Passage Fund – with input from Friends New Underground Railroad.

    Friends New Underground Railroad (FNUR) is a project of Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers).

    Home

    We are aware that there are claims that that “there is no truth to the claims made in the release.”

    We – the Quakers in Olympia, WA and the activists we support in Uganda – all understand the importance of corroborating the work they are doing. FNUR reports as much information as we can and operate this project as transparently as we are able – while protecting the identities of those whose work we support. They are on the ground working to save others. The safety and well being of the activists/conductors and their passengers is our reason for creating FNUR and it is our only consideration. We respect and follow what the security team and others we work with in Uganda ask us to reveal or not to media folks and others.

    It is unclear to us if they are calling us liars who are conning people, or dupes who have been conned and are too stupid to realize it. Or both.

    It really doesn’t matter. We are not doing this for those people’s approval.

    There is a lot of information on the FNUR website
    http://friendsnewundergroundrailroad.org/
    Updates are posted on the FAQ page and our blog.’

    THEGAYUK also reached out to the Quaker organisation in the UK, to ask whether they had heard of FNUR, they replied,

    ‘Thanks for your enquiry about Friends Underground Railroad. After our conversation I asked other staff about this work and they had no further information to add. As I mentioned on the ‘phone, we are aware that some American Quakers are involved. Quakers in Britain, have not to our knowledge, been involved and therefore I’m unable to verify your story.’

    THEGAYUK continues to research the claims made by the press release, and will endeavour to bring you an update shortly.

  • UPDATED: Crisis in Uganda: Six LGBTs murdered in Uganda in a week

    Unconfirmed reports are being made that at least six LGBT people have been stoned to death in Uganda, after the Country’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) was annulled.

    We are in the process of validating this story – to read the full statement by the Friends New Underground Railroad, please click here.

    Ugandan LGBT activists have reported that at least 6 gay, lesbian and transgender individuals have been killed in rural areas of the African nation.

    Three gay men, two lesbians and one transgender person were allegedly amongst the victims.

    ‘One who survived (still breathing after stoning) was burnt alive using kerosene / paraffin and a matchbox,’ a witness and a source to the Friends New Underground Railroad FNUR, a Quaker solidarity imitative helping LGBT people in Uganda, stated, according to this press statement.

    A seventh gay man was reported to have been attacked, by a mob. He died from his injuries a day later.

    According to the source, a rural vigilant mob attacked the 28-year-old gay man in a different zone on August 5th. ‘I went to the scene,’ wrote the eyewitness in an email. ‘I saved him, when I lied to the mob that let me take him to the police.’

    The witness stated that he was able to convince the mob he would deliver the victim to the police, but instead put him on a boda boda, (motorcycle) and rescued him. The victim was later denied medical care, he alleged, because he lacked funds to pay.’

    The news comes after around 200 LGBT activists and allies celebrated the annulment of the AHA.

    On August 1st, Uganda’s AHA (Anti-Homosexuality Act) was annulled after it was discovered that the bill was passed without Quorum.

    However 215 of 375 MPs have already signed a petition to reintroduce and ‘fast-track’ a revised law.

    ‘I am confident we shall have the bill retabled and passed into law overwhelmingly,’ MP Latif Ssebaggala told IRIN News.

    The repealed AHA calls for up a 14 years sentence for anyone found guilty of “homosexual acts” and a life sentence for those convicted of “aggravated” offenses – such as those committed by HIV-positive individuals, or involving the disabled, minors or serial offenders.

    The promotion of homosexuality is outlawed, and citizens have been urged in the media to denounce and ferret out presumed LGBT people.

    A wave of evictions has also followed, as families and landlords kicked out LGBT individuals, fearing arrest themselves under the AHA.

    TheGayUK hasn’t been able to confirm these reports.

    We reached out to FNUR for comment on whether the accusations were true, a statement from the organisation stated,

    ‘The press release is by Anne-christine d’Adesky, Founder of Safe Passage Fund – with input from Friends New Underground Railroad.

    ‘We are aware that there are claims that that “there is no truth to the claims made in the release.”

    ‘We – the Quakers in Olympia, WA and the activists we support in Uganda – all understand the importance of corroborating the work they are doing. FNUR reports as much information as we can and operate this project as transparently as we are able – while protecting the identities of those whose work we support. They are on the ground working to save others. The safety and well being of the activists/conductors and their passengers is our reason for creating FNUR and it is our only consideration. We respect and follow what the security team and others we work with in Uganda ask us to reveal or not to media folks and others.’

  • Gay Ugandans Hold Pride After Anti-Homosexuality Bill Annulled

    Hundreds of LGBTs and allies have turned out to a Pride event in Uganda after the annulment of the anti-homosexuality bill.

    Around two hundred people turned up to a pride event in Entebbe, 25 miles away from the Ugandan capital Kampala yesterday, after the anti-homosexuality law was annulled last week. The law was reversed on a technicality, because the law had been passed by a parliament without quorum.

    This is he third ever pride event in Uganda.

    ‘We are a group of people who have suffered enough,” said Ugandan lesbian activist Jacqueline Kasha. ‘We are Ugandans who have the right to gather in a public place … and we are going to have fun.’

    Many of the attendees wore face masks to protect their identity, fearing violent repercussions. The vast majority of Ugandan society sees homosexuality as morally wrong and sinful.

    The law that was signed by President Yoweri Museveni in February introduced tough penalties including life sentences on anyone who is caught engaging in same-sex relationships.

    Lawmakers in Uganda are already working to restore the law once parliament returns recess.

  • BREAKING: Uganda court strikes down anti-gay law

    The BBC is reporting that the Constitutional Court in Uganda has annulled the anti-gay law, which was introduced earlier this year.

    The law, which was introduced this year, has been widely condemned by world leaders, including President Obama, who called it ‘odious.’

    The UK’s deputy PM Nick Clegg, said that the anti-gay law, was ‘abhorrent’.

    The law, which included lesbians for the first time, could see anyone conducting same-sex relationships or promoting homosexuality facing life imprisonment.

    The gay community in Uganda have suffered huge harassment since the introduction of the anti-gay law, which was introduced by MP David Bahati and signed into law by the Country’s President Yoweri Museveni

    Activists reportedly cheered as the law was pronounced ‘null and void’.

    More to follow

  • Uganda Anti-Gay Law Null And Void

    The anti-gay law which was introduced earlier this year has been declared ‘Null and Void.

    Activists in the crowded court room reportedly cheered as the law was pronounced ‘null and void’.

    The BBC is reporting that the Constitutional Court in Uganda has annulled the anti-gay law, which was introduced earlier this year.

    The law, which was introduced this year, has been widely condemned by world leaders, including President Obama, who called it ‘odious.’

    The UK’s deputy PM Nick Clegg, said that the anti-gay law, was ‘abhorrent’. Many overseas aid givers had stopped payments over the laws.

    The law, which included lesbians for the first time, could see anyone conducting same-sex relationships or promoting homosexuality facing life imprisonment.

    The gay community in Uganda have suffered huge harassment since the introduction of the anti-gay law, which was introduced by MP David Bahati and signed into law by the Country’s President Yoweri Museveni

    Commenting on the decision of Ugandan judges in the constitutional court that the Anti-Homosexuality Act is unlawful because it was passed by parliament without a quorum, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said, ‘This is a major victory for gay campaigners and their straight allies in Uganda. They fought this law and won, against all odds. Congratulations to the Ugandan gay and straight civil society coalition that brought this legal challenge.

    ‘Human rights and the rule of law have prevailed against a homophobic, tyrannical parliament and president.

    ‘The judges have shown commendable independence and integrity by upholding the law, despite majority government and public support for anti-gay legislation.

    ‘It demonstrates that President Museveni may have nobbled many judges but not these ones,’ said Mr Tatchell.

    Dr. Dimitrina Petrova, Executive Director of the Equal Rights Trust, said, ‘We are delighted that the Supreme Court has struck down this pernicious legislation. The law violated many fundamental human rights of LGBT people in Uganda including the right to a private life, the right to dignity and the right to equality. We note that the legislation was found unconstitutional on procedural grounds rather than for its substance and so urge the government of Uganda not to attempt to re-enact the law.
    ‘As we celebrate this victory, it is important to remember that LGBT people in Uganda continue to suffer profound discrimination and gross inequality, not least through the criminalisation of same-sex sexual activity. We will continue to call for greater protection and respect for the rights of LGBT in Uganda, notwithstanding today’s decision.’

    ERT has been lobbying the Ugandan Parliament and President Museveni on the Anti-Homosexuality Act and Uganda’s treatment of the LGBT community since 2009. After a detailed study of the then Bill, the Equal Rights Trust produced a comprehensive legal analysis of the proposed law concluding that it violated not only a number of Uganda’s obligations under international human rights law but also the human rights protections within the Constitution of Uganda itself. ERT made repeated calls both to the Parliament and to the President calling for the proposed law to be abandoned in 2009, 2011, 2013 and again in January 2014 before the Bill’s assent.

  • The Commonwealth Condemned at Pride In London parade

    African LGBT activists will march alongside the Peter Tatchell Foundation near the head of the annual Pride London parade this Saturday, 28 June, to protest against the persecution of LGBT people in 80 per cent of the 53 Commonwealth member states – many of them African nations.

    We are calling on 42 Commonwealth countries to repeal their criminalisation of same-sex relationships and to protect their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens against discrimination and hate crime – in accordance with the principles of the Commonwealth Charter,’ said Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

    ‘We are urging the organisers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July to require every competing nation to sign a pledge to not discriminate in the selection of athletes for their national team. Article 7 of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution prohibits all discrimination. But it is widely believed that most Commonwealth nations would refuse to select a LGBT athlete,’ he said.

    Peter Tatchell has written to the Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, David Grevemberg, asking him to ensure that all countries participating in the Commonwealth Games sign a non-discrimination pledge.

    Peter Tatchell helped organise Britain’s first Gay Pride march, which took place in London in 1972. He has attended every Pride London parade since then.

    ‘Forty-two of the 53 Commonwealth member states criminalise homosexuality, with seven of them stipulating life imprisonment and two of them – Pakistan and Nigeria – having the death penalty under Sharia law in some regions,’ noted Mr Tatchell.

    Marching in a joint contingent with the Peter Tatchell Foundation on Saturday will be African activists from Uganda, Nigeria and other African nations – including the African LGBTI Out and Proud Diamond Group and Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws.

    On Saturday, we are meeting at 12.30pm at the corner of Baker Street and Wigmore Street W1 (opposite Portman Square).
    The Pride London parade leaves at 1pm sharp.

    Edwin Sesange, Coordinator of the African LGBTI Out and Proud Diamond Group, said:
    ‘It is unfortunate that the Commonwealth has failed to implement its own charter on human rights, which the Secretary General has said includes rejection of discrimination against gay people and any other form of discrimination. The Commonwealth should show leadership by directly challenging homophobia and transphobia in its member states, in the same way that it eventually opposed apartheid in South Africa. The Commonwealth Secretariat says it opposes anti-gay persecution but it takes little action.’

    Yemisi Ilesanmi, Coordinator of Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws, added:
    ‘It is saddening that 80% of Commonwealth countries discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) people. In this age of democracy, every progressive nation should endeavour to protect the human rights of every citizen. No one is less of a human being because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Acknowledging and protecting LGBTI rights as human rights is a step forward for humanity. It is shameful that the Commonwealth of nations has not taken this important step. We continue to call on the Commonwealth to stand up for the rights of its LGBTI citizens. Every human deserves human rights. LGBTI rights are human rights.’

  • Telecoms Giant Orange Pulls Adverts From Anti-Gay Ugandan Tabloid

    A subsidiary of telecoms giant Orange has pulled advertising from Red Pepper, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda.

    It has been reported that a subsidiary of Orange has pulled its advertising from Red Pepper, a tabloid which controversially published a list of ‘Uganda’s 200 top homos’ in Uganda – after new laws which make homosexual acts illegal were introduced in February.

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the law in February 2014

    Red Pepper came under heavy international criticism after publishing a list of known homosexuals calling for them to be hunted down.

    Over 77,000 signatures were collected on a petitioning site. Orange announced the cut with Red Pepper via Twitter

    “We commend Orange for their leadership in reaction to the Anti-Homosexuality Law” said Andre Banks, Executive Director and co-founder of All Out, an international organization building the global movement for gay rights.

    “Orange’s decision to withdraw their advertising and to explicitly support their LGBT employees should ring alarm bells for Ugandan politicians and business people about the impact this law could have on the national economy”.

    The anti-homosexual law states:

    Life imprisonment for gay sex, including oral sex
    Life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality”, including sex with a minor or while HIV-positive
    Life imprisonment for living in a same-sex marriage
    Seven years for “attempting to commit homosexuality”
    Between five and seven years in jail or a $40,700 (£24,500) fine or both for the promotion of homosexuality
    Businesses or non-governmental organisations found guilty of the promotion of homosexuality would have their certificates of registration cancelled and directors could face seven years in jail.

  • Uganda’s President: Gays ‘Are Disgusting’ and ‘Abnormal’

    The Ugandan government has signed into law a bill that will see gay people serving lengthy jail sentences for gay sex.

    In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Zain Verjee, Ugandan President Museveni stated that he found homosexuality ‘disgusting’ and ‘abnormal’.

    Museveni told Verjee that his message to human rights groups and US President Obama was that they should ‘respect African societies and their values, just the way we don’t interfere with yours. If you don’t agree you just keep quiet. Let us manage our society if we are wrong we will find out by ourselves, just the way we don’t interfere with yours.’
    When asked if he personally disliked homosexuals, he commented that ’they are disgusting. What sort of people are they?’ He added: ‘I never knew what they were doing I was told recently. It’s terrible, disgusting but I was ready to ignore that if there was proof that that’s he’s been born abnormal but now the proof is not there.’

    Last week US President, Obama Barack, warned Uganda about their ‘odious’ views and that international relations could be strained if they signed the law into power.

    The new law proposes that anyone engaging in homosexual acts could face life imprisonment and that anyone who does not report the crime would also fall foul of the law. Even talking about homosexuality without condemning would be a crime under the new bill.

    For the first time the new bill also covers lesbian relationships.