By Tshidi Leatswe Yesterday, 25 November, was Madalitso* Zulu’s 36th birthday and his third one behind bars at a Zambian Prison. Madalitso, a health professional, did nothing wrong, but is locked up. He is serving a 15-year prison sentence with hard labour simply because he identifies as gay in a country that wants to dictate…
Online attacks against Uganda’s LGBTQ communities have drastically increased, owing to overly broad laws that criminalize various aspects of the lives of LGBTQ people and entrench discrimination, Amnesty International said in a new report today. The report, “Everybody Here Is Having Two Lives or Phones”: The Devastating Impact of Criminalization on Digital Spaces for LGBTQ…
As we reflect on Pride, a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTI people globally, one cannot help but marvel at all the celebrations that took place all over the world, of LGBTI people embracing who they are with their loved ones. Bold and loud celebrations with beautiful colours dominated the month from Thailand to Namibia. Yet…
Where were you in May last year when the Anti-Homosexuality act was passed? I was at an orthopedics appointment in Massachusetts USA, watching everything on my phone. I wished I was home with my people and yet I knew I needed to take care of my health if I was to continue this fight. I…
Namibian authorities must ensure the safety of LGBTI persons in the country before, during and after the expected 21 June ruling in a case challenging colonial-era “sodomy” and “unnatural offences” laws which criminalize same-sex sexual conduct, Amnesty International said. Amnesty International also called on authorities to protect LGBTI persons from harassment, violence or discrimination based…
In response to today’s passing of the marriage equality bill by the upper house of Thailand’s Parliament, Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said: “Thailand has taken a historic step towards becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage for LGBTI couples. This landmark moment is a reward for the tireless work of…
Women and LGBTI activists in Thailand are being subjected to an online onslaught of abusive speech laced with misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic language, sexualized content and other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV), Amnesty International said in a new report released today. The report, “Being Ourselves is Too Dangerous” highlights how women and LGBTI activists…