Puerto Rico activists slam homophobia
Activists say authorities tolerate an “atmosphere of homophobia,” 10 killed in the past year.
NOM largest crowd: 54 in Madison
NOM’s largest crowd yet on its US tour was outnumbered by gay-friendly activists 8-1.
NOM largest crowd: 54 in Madison
NOM’s largest crowd yet on its US tour was outnumbered by gay-friendly activists 8-1.
Help activists design the first ‘asexual’ flag
Help activists design the first ‘asexual’ flag
Malawi couple keep low profile after pardon
(Blantyre, Malawi) A couple from Malawi have kept out of the public eye after being pardoned and freed from prison, in what a relative said Sunday was a deliberate decision prompted by the conservative view of homosexuality in the southern African country.
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were released late Saturday, hours after President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them without condition. But in giving his pardon, which he said was on “humanitarian grounds only,” Mutharika warned that homosexuality remains illegal in the conservative southern African country.
Activists said late Saturday that they were searching for a safe house for the couple, fearing they could be attacked upon release.
The couple’s lawyer, Mauya Msuku, said he had not seen either of them since their release.
Maxwell Manda also said he had not seen Chimbalanga, who identifies as female and is related to Manda, on Sunday. He told The Associated Press days earlier that Chimbalanga wanted to leave Malawi upon her release.
“We heard that they were released but we don’t know where they are,” he told The AP on Sunday. “They are neither at their home in (a Blantyre suburb) or their villages. But I know they are keeping a low profile deliberately because of the sensitivity of their case.”
The two were not at their Blantyre home when an Associated Press reporter visited Sunday morning.
Malawi had faced international condemnation for the conviction and harsh sentence given to the couple, who were arrested in December, a day after celebrating their engagement.
Malawi is among 37 African countries with anti-gay laws, and strong attitudes against homosexuality.
A judge convicted and sentenced Chimbalanga and Monjeza earlier this month on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency under colonial-era laws. Crowds of Malawians had heckled the two during court hearings, with some saying that 14 years at hard labor – the harshest possible sentence – was not long enough.
Their release was welcomed by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, international rights groups and the White House.
In Washington, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs praised the move, urging an end to “the persecution and criminalization” of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Malawi couple keep low profile after pardon
(Blantyre, Malawi) A couple from Malawi have kept out of the public eye after being pardoned and freed from prison, in what a relative said Sunday was a deliberate decision prompted by the conservative view of homosexuality in the southern African country.
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were released late Saturday, hours after President Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned them without condition. But in giving his pardon, which he said was on “humanitarian grounds only,” Mutharika warned that homosexuality remains illegal in the conservative southern African country.
Activists said late Saturday that they were searching for a safe house for the couple, fearing they could be attacked upon release.
The couple’s lawyer, Mauya Msuku, said he had not seen either of them since their release.
Maxwell Manda also said he had not seen Chimbalanga, who identifies as female and is related to Manda, on Sunday. He told The Associated Press days earlier that Chimbalanga wanted to leave Malawi upon her release.
“We heard that they were released but we don’t know where they are,” he told The AP on Sunday. “They are neither at their home in (a Blantyre suburb) or their villages. But I know they are keeping a low profile deliberately because of the sensitivity of their case.”
The two were not at their Blantyre home when an Associated Press reporter visited Sunday morning.
Malawi had faced international condemnation for the conviction and harsh sentence given to the couple, who were arrested in December, a day after celebrating their engagement.
Malawi is among 37 African countries with anti-gay laws, and strong attitudes against homosexuality.
A judge convicted and sentenced Chimbalanga and Monjeza earlier this month on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency under colonial-era laws. Crowds of Malawians had heckled the two during court hearings, with some saying that 14 years at hard labor – the harshest possible sentence – was not long enough.
Their release was welcomed by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, international rights groups and the White House.
In Washington, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs praised the move, urging an end to “the persecution and criminalization” of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Withers: NYC cop accused of using anti-gay slur
[1]
For the past two months New York City police have been trying to close down Chi Chiz [2], a bar and restaurant on Christopher Street. Between July 2009 and January 2010 police officers allegedly have seen four sales of uncontrolled substances in the bar—it caters to black and brown gay men. The club’s owners have charged the police have been over zealous in their administration of the law.
The place was raided on March 5 by a dozen police officers. They shut it down, but the owners went to a judge and they reopened the next night. As the place was minding its business by doing business, some white guy was in front yelling this: “This fag establishment should be closed.” When he was confronted by two activists, Allen Roskoff and Corey Johnson, he called them faggots. 911 was called, the police arrived, and they know him. Why? Because he’s a brother in blue. An undercover cop.
A lawyer for Chi Chiz says a police department representative confirmed the officer is undercover, and has been reassigned to a desk. His identity? No one is talking.
Looking forward to how some of our readers respond. Most will be bothered, but a few will defend the police. As they lovingly did in the case of Henry L. Gates [3]. Probably will argue the club forced the over worked cop to use the word.
[1] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-police-badge-top.jpg
[2] http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2010/04/01/gay_city_news/news/doc4bb4f62652b10229325684.txt
[3] http://www.365gay.com/blog/072109-harvard-african-american-prof-arrested-in-his-own-home/
Uganda activists petition against anti-gay bill
(Kampala, Uganda) Critics of a proposed Ugandan law that would impose the death penalty for some gays say they’ve gathered 500,000 signatures calling for the bill’s rejection.
A delegation including Anglican priest Canon Gideon Byamugisha delivered the petition to Uganda’s parliament on Monday. Byamugisha says the bill teaches intolerance and hatred …
Few protesters show at Sundance for Prop. 8 movie
(Park City, Utah) Despite rumored anti-gay protests, a Sundance Film Festival documentary about the Mormon church’s role in a 2008 California political battle over gay marriage played to a friendly audience on Sunday in Park City.
Only about two dozen gay marriage activists chanted – “Separate, church from 8″ – in …
Gays vow fight as NJ same-sex marriage bill fails
(Trenton, NJ) Marriage equality activists are vowing to fight back through the courts after the state Senate voted down a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.
Minutes after the bill was defeated 20-14 on Thursday, gay rights advocates announced they would file a lawsuit seeking to get the state’s top court to …
