Cameroon jails man for sending a gay text message

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/cameroon-jails-man-sending-gay-text-message171212

Jean-Claude Roger Mbédé's three-year prison term upheld by appeals court in Cameroon, one of Africa's most anti-gay states

An appeals court in Cameroon has upheld a three-year sentence against a man found guilty of ‘homosexuality’ for sending a text message to another man saying: ‘I'm very much in love with you’.

Activists said that today’s court's ruling in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital, is a major setback in a country seen as one of the the most repressive in Africa towards LGBT people.

Jean-Claude Roger Mbédé, 32 year-old university student, had been provisionally released on bail in July after serving a year and a half in prison.

In September this year launched an appeal against the court ruling only to have it rejected today (17 December).

His lawyers have now ten days to file an appeal to the country's supreme court.

Holding back tears on today (17 December), Mbédé told the Associated Press by telephone: ‘I am going back to the dismal conditions that got me critically ill before I was temporarily released for medical reasons.

‘I am not sure I can put up with the anti-gay attacks and harassment I underwent at the hands of fellow inmates and prison authorities on account of my perceived and unproven sexual orientation. The justice system in this country is just so unfair’.

Mbédé's provisional release earlier this year followed pressure from rights activists over his deteriorating health aggravated by malnutrition and repeated assaults.

Quoted in the British daily The Guardian, Neela Ghoshal, a researcher in the LGBT rights programme at Human Rights Watch, stated: ‘It's the country that arrests, prosecutes and convicts more people than any other country that we know of in Africa for consensual same-sex adult conduct.

‘In most of these cases there is little or no evidence. Usually people are convicted on the basis of allegations or denunciations from people who have claimed to law enforcement officials that they are gay’.

She said many suspects were tortured or otherwise treated poorly in custody until they gave confessions, which were then used as evidence against them.

In October, two men were convicted of homosexuality because of their ‘effeminate’ appearance and because they were drinking Bailey's Irish Cream, which is viewed as a ‘gay drink’.

Andre Banks, executive director of All Out, said Mbédé is now in significant danger because of the homophobic attention the case has received.

‘Roger said he had to leave the university where he was studying because of the attention from the case and because of the mounting threats and fear of violence that have been very concerning to him’.

‘He's worried that he won't be able to have a normal life in Cameroon because of the amount of attention it's brought to him’.

Mbédé's lawyer, Alice Nkom, had received death threats for defending the student and supporting LGBT rights.

A text message sent in October to Yaoundé-based lawyer Michel Togue, who has also defended people accused of homosexuality, similarly threatened his children.

Attached to the message were photos of the children leaving school.

Last month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesperson, Rupert Colville, blasted Cameroon for its mistreatment of LGBT people, citing the case of Mbédé: ‘Laws that target people because of their sexual orientation are discriminatory … we strongly oppose them and we obviously try and convince governments that have such laws to change them.

‘Many governments have had these kinds of laws and have changed them over the years so we hope Cameroon will do [so] as well.’

Being LGBT carries huge risks in Cameroon; same-sex sexual acts are illegal under section 347 of the penal code with a penalty of five years imprisonment including a hefty fine. If the offender is under the age of 21 a more severe punishment is likely.

In 2010 four NGOs published a detailed report indicating that Cameroon is one of the most hostile countries in Africa for LGBT people.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/cameroon-jails-man-sending-gay-text-message171212

South African lesbian soccer player brutally murdered

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/south-african-lesbian-soccer-player-brutally-murdered121112


A 19 year-old lesbian soccer player was brutally murdered by gangsters, becoming the latest victim of anti-gay violence sweeping South African


 

 

 

According to Ndumie Funda, director of Luleki Sizwe, an organization that assists young lesbian victims of so called ‘corrective rape’ a young South African lesbian was murdered by a group of gangsters.

Sihle Skotshi, was a soccer player who was only 19 years-old when she was murdered.

Skotshi was one of the girls in the group assited by the Luleki Sizwe organization.

The attack occurred on the 9 November at Cosovo an informal settlement in Phillipi, a township of Cape Town.

According to an eye witness interviewed by Funda, Skotshi along with two of her women friends left a tavern where they were drinking to pick up more money at home of one of the girls.

Upon arriving five or more men confronted and started cursing them saying: ‘Ayo ndawo yenu le, yindawo yamaVura’ (this is not your place, it is amavura’s place) (Amavura is the gang that is known and feared in the area).

The men attacked them, and pulled out a mini spear stabbing Skotshi in the chest.

One of her friends attempted to intervene and got stabbed in her arm, whilst the other friend ran for help.

Skotshi was hospitalized but died shortly after. According to the report Skotshi told her friend before she died: ‘Please apologize for me to my mother, and I love you all’.

The two young women had to return home to the township where the attack too place, fearing further attacks.
Skotshi’s brutal murder is the latest in a spate of killings and ‘corrective rapes’ targeting lesbians in South Africa.

Skotshi was described by Funda 'a friendly young woman to those who knew her; she was a soccer player and has recently matriculated and was working and saving money to study further'.

Last month 6 lesbians were brutally attacked and beaten at a petrol in Cape Town.

While in August this year a lesbian was raped and murdered in Kwa Zulu Natal.

In July a lesbian mother was brutally raped and murdered at her home in Polo Park, Mokopane.

Many LGBT people, particularly those who live in the townships, suffer death threats, violence and daily abuse.

According to activists of those most at risk are lesbians, transgender and asylum seekers from neighbouring African countries.

Many South African lesbians living in townships have been reported to having been subjected to so called ‘corrective’ rape, where attempts to ‘cure’ lesbians by raping them.

Despite having a relatively progressive pro-LGBT rights constitution, South Africa is witnessing a growing problem of homophobic violence which affects the poor and black LGBT communities disproportionall. White LGBT South Africans, however, seem to remain relatively safe.

Lesbian human rights campaigner Melanie Nathan claimed the Traditional Leaders political organization were to blame for the recent violence against South African lesbians, in a comment piece for Gay Star News.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/south-african-lesbian-soccer-player-brutally-murdered121112

Malawi Rejects Homophobia

in: http://www.okayafrica.com/stories/malawi-homophobia-joyce-banda/


 

Browsing through headlines on LGBTQI politics in Africa on the internet can be somewhat redundant. Headlines over the past year have highlighted activity such as:

“Egypt Islamists Use Homophobia to Win Votes”
“Uganda: Police Close Down Gay Rights Workshop”
“Nigeria Criminalizes Gay Marriage”



And finally this week, we have one headline with a glimmer of hope: “Malawi takes bold move and suspends anti-gay laws.”

This week has welcomed perhaps only the second nation in Africa (the first being South Africa) that is addressing and combating legal human rights inequality towards LGBTQI persons. Malawi has temporarily suspended controversial same-sex laws until Malawians through Parliament make a decision on criminalizing same-sex relationships. Malawi’s first female president Joyce Banda has suggested that the ban will promote a discussion amongst Malawians to further contemplate and debate homosexuality.

This is good – for Malawi, and the rest of Africa as it demonstrates that nations through legal doctrine can encourage a more healthy debate around sensitive issues such as LGBTQI rights. However, while the excitement is warranted we also need to be critical of these efforts to open up the conversation. We might even argue that leaving human rights legislation up to the public is a slightly questionable approaches as it opens up for debate what should not be debated: human rights in terms of safety and freedom of sexuality.

Over the past decade, Aid from the west has become inextricably linked to LGBTQI legislation in countries throughout Africa. In 2011 United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron supported a policy emendation, which declared that homophobic countries in Africa would suffer funding fines if they continued to penalize gays and lesbians (specifically in reference to legislation in Ghana and Uganda). Malawi in particular has been navigating its relationship with donor nations such as Germany and the United States for repressive laws against sexual minorities.

 

 

Many have criticized these policies as expressions of homonationalism: short for homonormative nationalism, and in short suggest that we’re in a new era of sexual excellence being deployed by the west as a method of politicking with other parts of the world. Jasbir Puar has written excellent pieces for The Guardian, which look at how homonationalism/pinkwashing is deployed by countries in the West as a testament of their sexual exceptionalism, compared to supposedly less liberal, advanced, and accepting societies in the developing world – say Malawi.

It would seem as though Joyce Banda’s is following her promise to address legislation against homosexuality, and she should be recognized for that. It’s smart for Malawi since they were scheduled to lost a lot of aid earlier this year through said legislation, and even though it’s a controversial approach to LGBTQ population, we might also suggest that Banda’s method of problematizing these laws does not simply aim to appease western donors, but actively engages Malawian citizens, civil society, and the government in a conversation of how to discuss LGBTQ rights as a nation.

As the headlines on any news site demonstrate, there is a lot of work to be done throughout the continent that will address these repressive laws against LGBTQI persons as well as encourage a safe space for individuals to live without fear of intimidation and violence. But seriously, props to Malawi for taking a step forward in the right direction.

http://www.okayafrica.com/stories/malawi-homophobia-joyce-banda/

Egipto: Gays temem condenação da homossexualidade com a chegada de Mursi ao poder

in:  http://www.athosgls.com.br/noticias_visualiza.php?contcod=33421

Após multidões terem tomado a praça Tahrir, no centro do Cairo, para exigir a renúncia do ditador Hosni Mubarak, os homossexuais egípcios agora temem que todo o esforço nos protestos e manifestações realizados desde janeiro de 2011 tenham sido em vão. Apesar da satisfação da derrota de Ahmed Shafiq, ex-ministro de Mubarak que chegou ao segundo turno nas eleições presidenciais egípcias, os LGBT estão apreensivos com a vitória do novo presidente do Egito Mohammed Mursi, candidato apoiado pela Irmandade Muçulmana que pode vir a adotar a sharia (lei islâmica) representando um retrocesso nos direitos gays.

Apesar de não haver nenhuma legislação a respeito da comunidade LGBT no país, leis de "violação da honra", "prática imoral e comportamento indecente" e "ofensa aos valores religiosos" vêm sendo usadas na última década contra os homossexuais assumidos. O novo líder mulçumano poderá seguir o exemplo de quase todos os países islâmicos e passar a condenar veementemente os atos homossexuais.

No fim de junho, uma delegação egípcia pediu durante o Conselho de Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas, em Genebra, que a organização "concentrasse os seus esforços em ´pessoas reais´ (e não nos direitos LGBT). E afirmou que "a noção de orientação sexual é um tema controverso e não faz parte dos direitos humanos universalmente reconhecidos".

O ativismo LGBT no Egito conta com poucos membros e nenhum deles assume publicamente a sua sexualidade. Jovens ativistas como o récem-assumido Ayman se veem entre sua fé, seu ativismo político e sua sexualidade. "Ser muçulmano e lutar em Tahrir foram escolhas minhas. Mas ser gay, não". E continua: "Eu não me sinto parte de nenhum grupo. Religião agora não faz muito sentido para mim. Tenho que admitir que as minhas convicções religiosas estão abaladas. E protestar na praça, como podemos ver, pode levar o Egito a uma situação ainda pior que a anterior".

Os amigos de Ayman temem pela sua segurança após ele ter usado o facebook para assumir sua homossexualidade há três semanas. Em 2004, um estudante foi condenado a 17 anos de prisão, incluindo dois anos de trabalho pesado, por ter criado um perfil em uma página de relacionamento gay. Sair do país se transformou na única opção. "Cedo ou tarde eu chegarei à conclusão de que minha família, minha religião e meu país verdadeiros não são aqueles onde eu nasci, mas os que me aceitam do jeito que eu sou e que defendem os meus direitos", conclui Ayman.

 

CenaG

http://www.athosgls.com.br/noticias_visualiza.php?contcod=33421

Evangélicos americanos são acusados de promover homofobia em África

in: http://www.tribunahoje.com/

Grupos evangélicos cristãos nos EUA estão tentando realizar uma colonização cultural da África, abrindo representações em vários países para promover ataques ao homossexualismo e ao aborto, segundo investigação realizada por um instituto de estudos liberal.

O instituto Political Research Associates (PRA), de Boston, diz que organizações religiosas americanas vêm ampliando suas operações em todo o continente, fazendo lobby em favor de políticas e leis conservadoras e alimentando a homofobia.

Os grupos em questão incluem o Centro Americano para a Lei e a Justiça (American Centre for Law and Justice - ACLJ), fundado pelo televangelista Pat Robertson, que implantou bases no Quênia e no Zimbábue.

De acordo com o relatório do PRA, a direita religiosa americana afirma, concretamente, que os ativistas dos direitos humanos são neocolonialistas cujo objetivo seria destruir a África. Grupos citados no relatório rejeitaram terminantemente as acusações.

Intitulado "Colonizando Valores Africanos: Como a Direita Cristã Americana Está Transformando a Política Sexual na África", o estudo analisou dados de sete países africanos e pagou pesquisadores para trabalhar por vários meses no Quênia, Malauí, Zâmbia e Zimbábue.

O PRA identificou três organizações que acredita que estão atuando agressivamente na África: o ACLJ, de Robertson, o grupo católico Human Life International e o grupo Family Watch International, liderado pela ativista mórmon Sharon Slater.

Cada uma delas identifica suas agendas como sendo autenticamente africanas, num esforço para retratar a defesa dos direitos humanos como um novo colonialismo cuja finalidade seria destruir tradições e valores culturais, diz o relatório.

Nos últimos cinco anos as organizações teriam aberto ou ampliado representações na África dedicadas à promoção de sua visão de mundo cristã e de direita. Uma rede frouxa de cristãos carismáticos de direita conhecida como o movimento de transformação se une a eles para alimentar as chamas das guerras culturais em torno do homossexualismo e do aborto, defendendo líderes políticas e ativistas africanos destacados.

O padre anglicano zambiano Kapya Kaoma, autor do relatório, disse que grupos cristãos de direita incentivam a percepção de que as relações entre pessoas do mesmo sexo são antiafricanas e impostas pelo Ocidente, uma visão que na realidade é baseada na Bíblia que chegou com o colonialismo, e não na cultura africana tradicional.

Ele deu o exemplo de uma jovem lésbica no Zimbábue que foi levada a várias igrejas para que o demônio fosse expulso de seu corpo, mas, mais tarde, louvada quando sua avó falou que na realidade ela estava possuída pelo espírito de seu tio morto, que nunca se casara.

Kaoma disse que a homossexualidade não é algo estrangeiro, mas é descrita como tal pela direita cristã.

A pesquisa constatou que alguns países são mais abertos à direita cristã americana que outros, em parte em função do apoio de autoridades governamentais.

Os próprios presidentes de Zâmbia, Zimbábue e Uganda acusaram partidos oposicionistas de promover a homossexualidade, para reduzir a influência dos partidos e agradar aos poderosos setores religiosos conservadores africanos.

O ACLJ foi convidado pelo presidente zimbabuano, por exemplo, Robert Mugabe, a abrir representações para treinar advogados para trabalharem sobre uma Constituição que refletisse os valores cristãos.

Um esforço semelhante estaria sendo feito para influenciar a redação das Constituições do Quênia e de Zâmbia, com a inclusão de frases como "a vida começa na concepção".

O relatório acusa Slater, da Family Watch International, de usar de um discurso alarmista, dizendo que a estratégia de controle populacional da ONU vai destruir a família africana.

Slater teria afirmado que os homossexuais são significativamente mais promíscuos que os heterossexuais e que têm maior probabilidade de praticar a pedofilia.

Kaoma disse: "Slater afirma que a ONU foi dominada por homossexuais. Ela inventa bobagens e as apresenta aos africanos como fatos. Ela argumenta que termos como direitos de gênero e identidade de gênero são termos em código que indicam homossexualismo."

Kaoma acha que os grupos americanos estão em fase de recuo nos Estados Unidos e, por essa razão, estariam buscando ganhos rápidos na África.

"Eles parecem saber que estão perdendo a batalha nos Estados Unidos, de modo que o melhor que podem fazer é ser vistos como a estando ganhando em outra parte do mundo. Isso lhes confere uma razão para estarem fazendo levantamento de fundos nos EUA. A África é um joguete na batalha que estão travando nos Estados Unidos."

O relatório foi saudado por ativistas dos direitos dos gays. Frank Mugisha, diretor executivo do grupo Minorias Sexuais, de Uganda, comentou: "Estou grato pela documentação mostrada neste relato, confirmando que é a homofobia que é exportada pelo Ocidente, e não o homossexualismo."

"Espero que este relatório funcione como alarme de despertar para as comunidades de fé em Uganda e no Ocidente perceberem que as guerras culturais americanas impostas a nós pela direita cristã colocam em risco não apenas a cultura africana, mas as próprias vidas de africanos LGBTI como eu."

A Human Life International reconheceu que tem várias filiadas na África, algumas das quais recebem dotações, materiais educativos e outros.

Um porta-voz da organização, Stephen Phelan, falou: "Achamos que é importante estarmos na África porque a investida contra os valores africanos naturais pró-vida e pró-família está vindo dos Estados Unidos. Então nos sentimos na obrigação de ajudá-los a entender a ameaça e a reagir a ela com base em seus próprios valores e culturas."

"É por isso que podemos operar com uma parcela minúscula do orçamento com que trabalham os verdadeiros colonialistas: os muito bem financiados controladores demográficos e governos ocidentais.

"Estamos em sintonia com os valores profundos e naturais de nossos irmãos e irmãs na África e os ajudamos a resistir ao avanço de interesses ocidentais muito poderosos que acham que pode haver crianças demais na África."

Phelan fez pouco caso da acusação da PRA de que sua organização estaria praticando um novo tipo de colonialismo.

"Esperamos que seus leitores mais refletivos notem a ironia presente no argumento do PRA. Governos ocidentais poderosos e ONGs muito ricas gastam bilhões por ano para impedir africanos de ter filhos, para mudar as leis africanas de modo a ficarem mais abertas a esse controle populacional, tudo como parte de um esforço para tornar o continente culturalmente mais semelhante ao Ocidente."

"E o PRA, um proponente desse esforço, está acusando um grupinho de organizações cristãs, que juntas gastam uma fração ínfima do orçamento anual do setor de ajuda ao desenvolvimento, de defender os valores africanos naturais pró-vida e pró-família contra o colonialismo. Onde começar?"

Slater também criticou o relatório. "Não temos representações na África, como Kaoma alega sem razão", disse ela. "Basta esse erro fundamental para indicar a falta de confiabilidade do relatório inteiro."

Ela acrescentou: "Não somos a direita religiosa cristã que Kaoma insiste em nos mostrar como sendo, apesar do que eu disse a ele e apesar do teor de nossos materiais publicados e de nosso site na internet. A única menção à religião em nosso site ou em qualquer de nossos materiais é nossa preocupação de que seja protegida a liberdade religiosa, independentemente da fé que possa estar sendo alvo de ataques."

"Nossa posição aqui é baseada em dados claros que indicam uma correlação forte entre observação religiosa e famílias estáveis, e não em qualquer crença ou doutrina específica."

Joy Mdivo, diretora executiva do Centro de Lei e Justiça da África Oriental, diz que a divisão americana paga os salários e o espaço comercial, mas que o CLJAO faz seu próprio levantamento de fundos para financiar atividades. "Alguém falou que recebemos dinheiro dos americanos para disseminar a homofobia, e eu respondi que não preciso disseminar a homofobia. Basta caminhar na rua, abraçar outro homem e parecer romântico. Não preciso dizer a ninguém o que fazer. Essa é a realidade de quem somos, apenas isso."

http://www.tribunahoje.com/

Uganda Police Interrupt Training Workshop for Gay Activists

in: http://www.voanews.com/
Ugandan police officers stand by the entrance of the Esella Country Hotel after police raided a gay rights workshop which was taking place in the hotel in Kampala, June 18, 2012.

Police in Uganda interrupted a human rights training session Monday, saying it was an illegal assembly.  Advocates say the workshop was legal, but they were targeted because they were training gay rights activists. 
More than two dozen Ugandan police officers, some in riot gear, broke up a meeting of human rights activists at a hotel outside Kampala.  Most of the Ugandan participants fled the hotel in Najjera before the police arrived, but activists from Canada, Kenya and Rwanda were detained for questioning.
The meeting, organized by the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, was to train local gay activists on how to report human rights abuses.
Sari Naskinen, the deputy director of the organizing group, said the workshop was interrupted because of its focus on Uganda's gay community.
"It was very clear that we were targeted because of that," said Naskinen.
Uganda's gay community has come under fire repeatedly in recent years.  The incident follows a similar episode in February, when Uganda's Minister of Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo led the police in a raid of a gay rights meeting in Entebbe.  And members of parliament and other leaders continue to push for the passage of a bill that would make homosexual acts punishable by death or life imprisonment.
Naskinen said the Monday raid began halfway through the first day of the three-day workshop, when members of the local media demanded access.  She said they threatened to call the police if they were not allowed to interview participants.  The police eventually arrived, but it is unclear if members of the media called them.
"Some of our participants were manhandled," said Naskinen.  "The police just came.  They did not identify themselves as police.  They were in civilian clothes.  And they basically just dragged them out to the reception area."
All of the participants were eventually released.



http://www.voanews.com/

Homossexualidade pode levar a pena de morte em 5 países

in: http://noticias.terra.com.br/

O casamento entre duas pessoas do mesmo sexo é permitido em dez países, enquanto a homossexualidade é ilegal em 78 nações e pode implicar em pena de morte em cinco, informou um estudo global publicado nesta terça-feira.

O documento "Relatório sobre Homofobia Patrocinada pelo Estado", divulgado hoje pela Associação Internacional de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transexuais (ILGA) mostra um panorama sobre a situação da homossexualidade no mundo.

O texto revela que 113 países autorizam a homossexualidade, enquanto 78 consideram que praticar sexo entre duas pessoas do mesmo gênero constitui um ato ilegal, entre eles, dez do Caribe.

Entre as nações que penalizam a homossexualidade com pena de morte estão Irã, Arábia Saudita, e Iêmen, Mauritânia, Sudão, as regiões do norte da Nigéria e o sul da Somália.

Enquanto isso, quinze países fixaram parâmetros para determinar a idade de consentimento para relações sexuais heterossexuais e homossexuais. Contudo, o relatório também mostra que 24 nações proíbem a incitação ao ódio baseado na orientação sexual.

Com relação ao reconhecimento de direitos, dez nações permitem o casamento homossexual. Por ordem cronológica são eles: Holanda, Bélgica, Espanha, Canadá, África do Sul, Noruega, Suécia, Portugal, Argentina, e Islândia. Em outros 14 países, os casais do mesmo sexo contam com o reconhecimento de suas uniões civis, com direitos similares aos casais heterossexuais.

A adoção de crianças por casais homossexuais é admitida em 12 nações em igualdade de condições que os casais de sexo diferente, entre eles o Brasil, e 18 possuem legislação específica para as pessoas que passaram por um processo de mudança de gênero.

A Europa é a região do mundo onde os direitos dos homossexuais são mais atendidos. Só o norte do Chipre proíbe as uniões do mesmo gênero. No entanto, os homossexuais europeus ainda sofrem discriminação e violência, além de não terem a liberdade de expressão e demonstração de identidade totalmente reconhecidas.

Na América Latina, o maior problema enfrentado pelos homossexuais é a violência, pois a maioria dos países não possui uma legislação que proíbe a homofobia, o que permite que muitos crimes fiquem impunes.

Metade dos países da Ásia ainda criminaliza a homossexualidade e na África "a homofobia patrocinada pelo Estado aumentou na última década", disse a ILGA.

http://noticias.terra.com.br/

Presidente de país com lei anti-gay diz que não há homofobia

in: http://www.athosgls.com.br/

 

Mas lei anti-gay está para ser votada

O presidente de UgandaYoweri Museveni disse, em entrevista para a "CNN" que o país dele não persegue gays e que a lei contra a homossexualidade, prestes a ser aprovada, é para evitar "exibicionismo" e para não "atrair" as crianças.

Ainda de acordo com ele, a legislação anti-gay é para promover a privacidade e discrição.

"O problema (dos gays) é o exibicionismo. E o segundo problema é a tentativa de atrair jovens e crianças para a homossexualidade" explicou Museveni.

Ele ainda ressaltou que a diferença do povo africano para outros povos quando se trata da sexualidade. "Os africanos são pessoas discretas por natureza… Eu, por exemplo, nunca beijei minha mulher em público" disse.

A proposta anti-gay prevê pena de morte para gays em alguns casos, mas o presidente disse que esse artigo deve cair.

da Redação do Toda Forma de Amor 

http://www.athosgls.com.br/

Fundo para ativistas LGBT

http://www.diarioliberdade.org/

RNW - O escritório da Anistia Internacional na Holanda e a organização em defesa dos direitos dos homossexuais COC criaram em conjunto o 'Pride Fonds' (Fundo do Orgulho) para ajuda de emergência a ativistas gays que sofram intimidação ou violência.

---

Com o novo fundo serão apoiados ativistas que se encontram em perigo ou que estejam presos. O objetivo do 'Pride Fonds' é ajudar com gastos jurídicos, de hospedagem ou viagem caso estes ativistas necessitem se esconder, e também com custos de telefones e laptops, para que possam continuar a se comunicar. O fundo não é dirigido a apoio estrutural, mas específico para casos de emergência.

Trata-se principalmente de ativistas lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e transexuais (LGBT) na África, Oriente Médio e leste europeu. Existem cerca de 80 países no mundo onde a homossexualidade é proibida por lei. Em alguns destes países, entre eles Arábia Saudita, Irã e Mauritânia, a homossexualidade é punida com a pena de morte.

"A Anistia Internacional já faz bastante por ativistas no exterior, e o COC defende os direitos dos homossexuais dentro e fora da Holanda", diz Emile Affolter, da Anistia Internacional. "Mas nós ainda não fazíamos ajuda de emergência e apoio prático a ativistas em perigo." Por isso as duas organizações agora estão pedindo ao grande público que apóie o fundo com doações.

Jochem Beunderman, do COC, diz que o novo fundo permite agir rapidamente se for preciso. Esta possibilidade não existia antes, porque as duas organizações geralmente trabalham com projetos definidos, de longo prazo, em regiões determinadas. Por isso era difícil agir rapidamente quando um ativista se encontrava em perigo, ainda que, na maior parte das vezes, trate-se de quantias pequenas.

in:http://www.diarioliberdade.org/

Uganda's anti-gay bill reintroduced in parliament

in: http://news.yahoo.com/ugandas-anti-gay-bill-reintroduced-parliament-143342097.html

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The Ugandan parliamentarian who first introduced an anti-gay bill that carried the death penalty for some homosexual acts reintroduced the bill on Tuesday, raising concerns among rights activists who have been fighting the legislation.

Parliamentarian David Bahati first introduced the bill in 2009 but it has never come before the full legislative body for a vote. Though widely supported in Uganda, the bill's progress apparently has been slowed by an international outcry against the bill, including condemnation from President Barack Obama.

Bahati has said that homosexuality poses a serious threat to family values and that his bill has helped raise public awareness about what he calls "the dangers to our children."

Bahati told The Associated Press last year that he is willing to drop the death penalty provision if that is the recommendation of a parliament committee, though a current reading of the bill hasn't been made public.

European countries such as Sweden and Britain have threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the bill is passed.

Homosexuality, already illegal under Uganda's penal code, is highly stigmatized in Uganda. Opinion polls frequently show the bill's wide support among Ugandans. Lawmakers other than Bahati have sometimes spoken passionately about the need for such a law, and none have condemned it.

The bill has been championed by Pentecostal clerics, who warn that young Ugandans are at risk of being indoctrinated into gay lifestyles by gays visiting from the U.S. and Europe. Even pastors who oppose the draft law do so not because it is draconian or unnecessary, but rather because they believe the police would not be able to enforce it.

"I've rejected it because it does not address Uganda's homosexuality problem," said Solomon Male, a Pentecostal cleric who has been dragged to court for accusing another pastor of sodomy. "The system can't permit any good law to be enforced."

Male said that an existing law against homosexuality, inherited from the colonial days, had not been enforced.

"It is a big problem-homosexuals are in our schools, in our churches, everywhere, and we don't even know where to start," he said. "Sensitization is the best."

Bahati's original bill carried harsh provisions. The original bill would mandate a death sentence for active homosexuals living with HIV or in cases of same-sex rape. "Serial offenders" also could face capital punishment, but the legislation did not define the term. Anyone convicted of a homosexual act would face life imprisonment.

Anyone who "aids, abets, counsels or procures another to engage of acts of homosexuality" would face seven years in prison. Landlords who rent rooms or homes to gays also could get seven years.

Ugandan LGBT activists honour David Kato on anniversary of his death

in: http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/6810/27/01/2012/ugandan-lgbt-activists-honour-david-kato-on-anniversary-of-his-death.aspx

Equality activists gathered in Uganda yesterday to mark the first anniversary of David Kato's death.

As reported by PinkPaper.com, Kato was murdered in January 2011 shortly after winning a lawsuit against Uganda's Rolling Stone newspaper which published his name and photograph, calling for him to be executed for being gay.

"We are here to celebrate and thank God for our beloved friend and human rights activist David Kato," Yahoo! news report Christopher Senyonjo telling a crowd of around 100 activists and family members.

Last November, a 22 year-old man was sentenced to thirty years in jail for the brutal killing of the Ugandan LGBT activist.

Sidney Nsubuga Enoch was handed the sentence by the Uganda High Court in Mukono town.

Nalongo Kisule, Kato's mother, was also reported to be there.

Yahoo! News report her as saying: "It is not easy when a loved one dies but thanks to all the friends inside and outside Uganda who worked with David ... when I get down they lift me up and help me."

Sentenced to 5 years in prison for being gay? Sounds crazy, but it happened to 2 men in Cameroon

http://www.change.org/

In November, two gay men in Cameroon were sentenced to five years in prison simply for being gay, the harshest penalty allowed under Cameroonian law. During the trial, according to the AFP, the judge issued some particularly homophobic comments, leading one lawyer to call the trial “a bad ruling,” and leading Amnesty International to label these men as “prisoners of conscience.”

The sentence comes on the heels of increased homophobia in Cameroon, and debates over legislation that would further criminalize homosexuality in the country. Human rights attorney Alice Nkom told AllOut.org that “Violence against gay people in Cameroon has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels: the situation is quickly becoming a crisis. The president of Cameroon can put a stop to this, and if he feels enough pressure he will do so.”

Help send a message to Cameroon that the world is watching, and won’t stand silent while people are sentenced to jail solely because of their sexual orientation. Demand the release of these gay men from prison.

Please sign the petition:

http://www.change.org/

Nigeria Senate approves anti-gay marriage bill

in: http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-senate-approves-anti-gay-marriage-bill-112709602.html

Nigeria's Senate voted Tuesday to criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups and same-sex public displays of affection, the latest legislation targeting a minority already facing discrimination in Africa's most populous nation.

The bill, now much more wide-ranging than its initial draft, must be passed by Nigeria's House of Representatives and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan before becoming law. However, public opinion and lawmakers' calls Tuesday for even harsher penalties show the widespread support for the measure in the deeply religious nation.

"Such elements in society should be killed," said Sen. Baba-Ahmed Yusuf Datti of the opposition party Congress for Progressive Change, drawing some murmurs of support from the gallery.

Gay sex has been banned in Nigeria, a nation of more than 160 million people, since colonial rule by the British. Gays and lesbians face open discrimination and abuse in a country divided by Christians and Muslims who almost uniformly oppose homosexuality. In the areas in Nigeria's north where Islamic Shariah law has been enforced for about a decade, gays and lesbians can face death by stoning.

Under the proposed law, couples who marry could face up to 14 years each in prison. Witnesses or anyone who helps couples marry could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars. That's an increase over the bill's initial penalties, which lawmakers proposed during a debate Tuesday televised live from the National Assembly in Nigeria's capital Abuja.

Other additions to the bill include making it illegal to register gay clubs or organizations, as well as criminalizing the "public show of same-sex amorous relationships directly or indirectly." Those who violate those laws would face 10-year imprisonment as well.

The increased penalties immediately drew criticism from human rights observers.

"The bill will expand Nigeria's already draconian punishments for consensual same-sex conduct and set a precedent that would threaten all Nigerians' rights to privacy, equality, free expression, association and to be free from discrimination," said Erwin van der Borght, the director of Amnesty International's Africa program.

Yet across the African continent, many countries already have made homosexuality punishable by jail sentences. Ugandan legislators introduced a bill that would impose the death penalty for some gays and lesbians, though it has not been passed into law two years later. Even in South Africa, the one country where gays can marry, lesbians have been brutally attacked and murdered.

Nigeria's proposed law has drawn the interest of European Union countries, some of which already offer Nigeria's sexual minorities asylum based on gender identity. The British government recently threatened to cut aid to African countries that violate the rights of gay and lesbian citizens. However, British aid remains quite small in oil-rich Nigeria, one of the top crude suppliers to the U.S.

A spokesman for the British High Commission in Nigeria declined to comment Tuesday, saying officials wanted to study the new version of the bill first.

The bill also could target human rights and HIV-prevention programs run by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Nigeria, which has the world's third-largest population of people living with HIV and AIDS. A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman declined to comment.

International opinion didn't seem to trouble lawmakers, who at times laughed at each other during the debate. One senator worried the bill would hinder the tradition of Nigeria's Igbo ethnic group in the southeast to have infertile wives "marry" other women to carry their husbands' children. Another said gays suffer from a "mental illness."

Senate President David Mark at one point started laughing when a senator proposed 40-year prison sentences for gay couples who marry.

"Forty years, that is just too much," he said. "He won't come out alive now."

Before the vote, Mark did acknowledge the nation likely would face criticism. However, the lawmaker said Nigeria would not bow to international pressure on any legislation.

"Anybody can write to us, but our values are our values," Mark said. "If there is any country that does not want to give us aid or assistance, just because we hold on very firmly to our values, that country can (keep) their assistance. No country has a right to interfere in the way we make our own laws."

http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-senate-approves-anti-gay-marriage-bill-112709602.html

Britain warns African nations over gay persecution

http://www.britainnews.net/story/857295

Britain has warned the poverty-stricken African countries over the persecution of homosexuals as this will lead to their aid being slashed, the Daily Mail reported.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has already cut aid to Malawi by 19 million pounds after two gay men were sentenced to 14 years hard labour under the country's rigidly imposed ban on homosexuality.

The British government described their jailing as 'shocking and disturbing'. The two men were later freed, but Malawi's defiant President Bingu wa Mutharika went ahead with new anti-lesbian laws, prompting a sharp rebuke from Mitchell.

Mitchell has warned the country's leaders to scrap plans to introduce the draconian new anti-lesbian laws.

Mitchell has also threatened to impose further aid 'fines' against Uganda and Ghana for hardline anti-gay and lesbian measures.

The policy was disclosed after Prime Minister David Cameron defended his decision to legalise gay weddings when he addressed last week's Conservative Party conference.

Western Region Minister of Ghana: Stop persecuting and arresting homosexuals in Ghana.

http://www.change.org/petitions/western-region-minister-of-ghana-stop-persecuting-and-arresting-homosexuals-in-ghana

On July 21, 2011, it was reported that Ghana’s Western Region Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo MP has ordered the immediate arrest of all homosexuals in the country’s west. This followed a newspaper report that stated there were as many as 8,000 homosexuals living in the region, stirring up hate among Christian and Muslim groups. The minister stated, “All efforts are being made to get rid of these people in the society."

This kind of treatment is abhorrent. Homosexuals are being persecuted in Ghana merely for loving the person they choose to love, not for any crime that damages society. Ghana must immediately cease all arrests and persecution of homosexuals and work to decriminalize homosexuality. Love is a human right, and these men have a right to love who they want.

Please sign this petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/western-region-minister-of-ghana-stop-persecuting-and-arresting-homosexuals-in-ghana

The Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana (CAHG) Educate People About Respect For LGBTI Rights

http://www.africanactivist.org/2011/08/coalition-against-homophobia-in-ghana.html


Press Release from Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana

Accra, 3rd August, 2011: The Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana (CAHG) is a group of organizations and individuals that aims to counter ongoing attacks against homosexuals in Ghana. The Coalition supports the Human Rights of all Human beings including Lesbian, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in the country.

The Coalition has been paying close attention to the discussion in the print and broadcast media regarding the allegedly increasing numbers of homosexuals in Ghana. In these discussions, religious, political, and traditional leaders, as well as media pundits have condemned homosexuality as a threat to national security, as pathological, as un-African, and/or as ungodly. Instead of coming out with practical programs and activities to help deal with the issues associated with human sexuality – including homosexuality and bisexuality - reports are flying virtually every day on front pages of newspapers, promoting fear and hatred against homosexuality.

Recently, the President, John Evans Atta Mills, denounced homosexuality and promised to take steps, although unspecified, to combat it. Thus, it is no surprise that in this context, the Western Region Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, made an order for the “immediate arrest of all homosexuals in the (Western) region” last week according to Myjoyonline.com.

CAHG vehemently denounces these types of sensationalist, unfounded, and bigoted attacks against LGBT Ghanaians, who are brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, daughters and sons of Ghanaian families just like any other Ghanaians. LGBT people are in every conceivable walk of life and have existed throughout history. Contrary to unsubstantiated and speculative remarks that homosexuals are “evil”, “filthy”, and “ungodly”, LGBT people are our family members, co-workers, worshippers, taxpayers, voters, media people, pastors and lovers who deserve the same rights and protection under the Ghanaian Constitution as anyone else.

Unfortunately, a few people with religious, political, and institutional power continue to use their privilege to perpetuate hate and violence against homosexuals with the support of the criminal code 1960, Act 29, which criminalizes “unnatural carnal knowledge”--ironically a “western” concept imported to Ghana during British colonization of the country. If these anti-homosexual forces care about the future of Ghana, then the coalition calls on them to do something about issues that actually pose a threat to Ghana’s future such as poverty, women’s rights, class inequalities, environmental destruction, educational rights, and job opportunities. Addressing such issues would be more productive for the country than utilizing fear- mongering tactics to divide Ghanaian people from their LGBT family members and colleagues.

Although the international community has not said much on the issue to date, HIV prevention experts and human rights activist from different parts of the world have come out to allay the attacks against LGBT people. The Coalition urges Ghanaians harbouring hostility against LGBT people to “judge not lest ye be judged” and set aside their animosities for the good of the country and its diverse citizenry.

In view of this situation, the Coalition members have made themselves available to respond to all questions, queries, enquiries and contributions relating to issues around LGBT sexual rights, health, and socio economic well being in Ghana. The Coalition is ready to open its doors to the local and international media and all those who want accurate information on LGBT issues, so that some of the misperceptions will be diffused and media backlash stopped. The Coalition has among its objectives to create a friendly rapport between the media and the LGBT community and also educate people to respect the rights of LGBT people’s privacy and human dignity, which is a vital part of fundamental human rights.

As United Nations Secretary –General Ban Ki-moon recently declared:

“I understand that sexual orientation and gender identity raise sensitive cultural issues. But cultural practices cannot justify any violation of human rights…. When our fellow humans are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we must speak out…States bears the primary responsibility to protect the human rights of all its citizens”.

CAHG calls on the government and the good people of Ghana to condemn the ongoing attacks and to support the rights of LGBT Ghanaians before our country becomes a pariah state like Uganda and Zimbabwe. The current state of affairs disgraces Ghana’s image internationally and calls negative attention to its human rights practices. Further it creates an environment where no one is safe to be themselves due to fear that someone might suspect they are homosexual. With the help of our local and African Regional allies of Human Rights Defenders, the Coalition will continue to organize against any efforts by hateful groups, institutions, and individuals to demean, blackmail, arrest, or violently assault LGBT individuals, ironically in the name of God or any other religion. We invite everyone who supports the human rights and dignity of all human beings, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity, to join the fight against homophobia in Ghana.

We encourage all to channel any inquiries to our email for further information.

“CAHG stands firm with all the LGBT people in Ghana as they struggle to maintain their freedom and dignity."

The Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana
Email: coalition.homophobia.gh@gmail.com

Reprinted from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)

South Africa: Declare 'Corrective Rape' a Hate-Crime

in: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime#

"Corrective Rape" is a term used to describe when a male rapes a lesbian with the aim of 'turning' her heterosexual!

This heinous crime is prolific in South Africa, especially in the "townships".

Most of the victims are tortured, grievously assaulted and sometimes murdered! They are also prone to getting HIV/AIDS from the assault, and many of them commit suicide as a result of the "corrective rape"!

The South African government and justice system are failing the victims of Corrective Rape by letting the perpetrators out on ridiculously low bail, and taking literally years to bring the court-cases to a conclusion. In the meantime the victims have to live with seeing and being taunted and threatened by their rapists every day, as do those who help the victims!

In the last 10 years:
*31 lesbian women have been murdered because of their sexuality
*More than 10 lesbians a week are raped or gang raped in Cape Town alone
*150 women are raped every day in South Africa
*For every 25 men accused of rape in South Africa, 24 walk free

Despite all this, hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation are not recognised by South African law!

We call on the South African government to declare "Corrective Rape" a Hate-Crime that is punishable by the harshest sentences!

www.change.org

__________________________

Por favor, assinem esta petição, para exigir que o Governo Sul Africano considere este crime hediondo das "violações correctivas" a lésbicas na África do Sul, um crime de ódio, e assim, ser devidamente punido.

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime#

In Cameroon LGBT activism means supplying food, clothes, and cash

in: http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-cameroon-lgbt-activism-means.html

By Michelle Garcia

At age 17, Steave Nemande left his home country of Cameroon to study in Russia. Little did he know he would also discover he is gay.

After eight years of study and obtaining his medical degree in Russia, Nemande found himself back in Cameroon, en route to a more bustling locale like Johannesburg for additional schooling. But something kept him in Cameroon — he saw a need for advocacy and activism for the country's persecuted LGBT population.

Eventually, Nemande became the head of Alternatives-Cameroun, a now four-year-old organization that provides services and help for gay people in the region. While he was quite aware of his sexual orientation when he took the post, his family did not know he was gay until rumors about his new job spread to his father.

"Two gay men were arrested for being homosexual," he told The Advocate, the day after he was presented with Human Rights Watch's Alison Des Forges Award for his work. "After they were released, it was unsafe for them to return home, so I invited them to Douala to relax. We housed them at my apartment, but because of the way they dressed, and the way they acted, people knew they were gay."

Finally, Nemande's father approached him and asked about the situation. He describes his father as being generally reserved, and when he came out to his parents, they understood and accepted him. Still, they feared other people's reactions.

"I'm very lucky for the support of my parents, but not everyone has that in Cameroon," he said, which is why the work of Alternatives-Cameroun is so significant. According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch, the Cameroon Penal Code, enacted in 1972, punishes "sexual relations with a person of the same sex" with a prison term of six months to five years and with a fine of up to 200,000 CFA (US$416).

Furthermore, national and religious leaders openly talk about suppressing homosexuality to further "positive African cultural values." Newspapers have also flooded their pages with antigay editorials, and police often beat people they suspect of being gay.

With the promotion of such attitudes comes isolation and stigma for gay people. Women who marry men only to later be exposed as lesbians often lose custody of their children, and most lose family support as well, leaving them homeless and alone. Nemande points out that this also deprives children of their mothers. Some gay people also become subject to extortion on the part of neighbors and even friends and family.

"Let's say you meet someone online, and you decide to meet," Nemande said. "Then all of a sudden, a woman comes to the door, she calls the neighbors, and everyone comes to take your possessions and money, as a means to 'buy security.' And, of course, you cannot go to the police, because they will arrest you for being a homosexual."

But for LGBT Cameroonians, Nemande's organization provides some help when they cannot turn to their families and friends. Nemande was able to rattle off a short list of organizations with the same goals in the entire continent of Africa. While the group's funds are not plentiful, Alternatives-Cameroun activists provide legal aid, offer HIV outreach and education, and visit jails to hand out food, clothes, and cash to help people survive tough prison life, and the organization even pays rent for people who have become homeless.

Nemande added that Alternatives-Cameroun helps people start small businesses, many making or selling clothes, tailoring, or running small food stands, in order for them to become financially independent. This is especially important as many parents cut off support for their gay children, who are then forced out of school and head toward a life of prostitution.

Alternatives-Cameroun is part of AMSHeR, a coalition of African resource groups in countries including Burundi, Uganda, and Nigeria, which have all made headlines for their ill-treatment of gay citizens. Nemande said he welcomes more involvement from the international community to help eradicate institutionalized and virulent homophobia in African nations. He urges those who are concerned to spread the word.

"Telling people about this kind of work has value," he said. "If enough people really know and understand what's going on, we can change things."

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-cameroon-lgbt-activism-means.html