TAG: homosexuality

A call for critical reflection on queer/LGBTIA+ activism in Africa

This essay looks at the complex relationship between the personal and the political in queer/LGBTIA+ organizing in Africa. It considers how current modes of organizing impact the connection between professional activism and grassroots participation and explores some of the consequences of these two intersecting factors for activist praxis.

Seychelles parliament passes bill to decriminalize sodomy

Seychelles’ National Assembly has passed an amendment to the penal code that decriminalizes the act of sodomy. Out of 28 members present for the vote, 14 voted in favour while the other half abstained. Four members were not present for the vote.

Denmark losing patience with WHO, will depathologise trans identities

On this International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) [1], with a special focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing, Transgender Europe positively welcomes news from Denmark which aims to depathologise trans people within the country. Last Wednesday the Danish Health Minister asserted that Denmark would depathologise trans identities in the country if the WHO did […]

Queer Crossings: a participatory arts based project

This anthology is the first time that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) migrants and refugees in South Africa have shared their stories and memories in print. It includes short non-fiction, poetry, and visual art created by eleven LGBTIQ migrants and refugees who took part in two participatory projects conducted in partnership with the […]

Sexual Politics in April 2016

A new wave of deadly attacks against human rights and secular activists is at play in Bangladesh. In final April, two LGBT activists were hacked to death, fueling outrage and protest around the world. Weeks before, some protesters were detained during the celebration the Bengali New Year. In the context of this crisis we bring […]

Brazilian state violence: one more episode

Luana Barbosa dos Reis Santos was brutally killed by Brazilian cops in the city of Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo) in early April. She was taking her son to a computer class in a motorcycle when three officers stopped her to check if, according to the police, the vehicle had been robbed. The scene was not […]

An unamed letter from Bangladesh regarding the murders of LGBT activists

SPW shares an unnamed letter written by Bangladesh activist after the murders of LGBT activists in the Asian country in the past weeks. The letter draws attention for the danger of protesting around the global against the murders, while it may actually fuel Western hegemonic discourses that claim to defend and promote tolerance, usually through […]

European Parliament speaks out against online homo- and transphobic hate speech

In a report adopted yesterday, the European Parliament expresses its concern over online homo- and transphobic hate speech, and calls for strong measures to counter online hate speech. The demands are made in the report on Gender equality and empowering women in the digital age. The report urges the Commission to demand greater efforts from […]

Colombia: Constitutional Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage

The Colombian Constitutional Court ended years of uncertainty for same-sex couples and bolstered the rights of LGBT people when it upheld the validity of same-sex marriage on April 28, 2016, Human Rights Watch said today.

Two LGBT activists murdered in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, two LGBT rights activists, including the editor of Roopbaan, the country’s first LGBT magazine, were hacked to death this morning in a flat in the country’s capital, Dhaka.

International Humanitarian Organization Releases First-of-its-Kind Glossary of Terminology for LGBT Individuals

rganization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM), a leading international non-profit organization devoted to advocating on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, has released a first-of-its-kind glossary of terminology to assist humanitarian professionals to communicate with people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Four arrests of LGBT activists at Bangladesh celebration

Police in Dhaka, Bangladesh, today arrested four LGBT rights activists taking part in a traditional procession to celebrate the Bengali New Year.