This Week at Pan Africa ILGA

20/02/2012

Dear Members of Ethiopian Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transsexual Community Ethio LGBT We hope this email finds you well! It's time to give you a heads up on what's happening on ilga.org. This weekly newsletter is sent to 3285 LBGTI and allied organizations in the world, in English and French. To post an article on ilga.org, update your groups page, add pictures and a logo on ILGAs directory, apply to become a member of ILGA or renew your membership fees, please log in using peaceseeker@ethiolgbt.com, the email we have for the person acting as contact between ILGA and your group: Selam

NEWS/ACTUALITIES South Africa Leads the Continent (Slowly) on Gay Rights Homophobia is a problem in much of Africa, but one country is showing signs of progress. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np4Y7fm17G Gambia president will cut off gay's head Yahya Jammeh, the President of the Gambia, has said those who think gay rights are human rights in the African state are making a great mistake. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np6RAHn1jn Gay Libyan slams his country's UN hate rant Libyan activist responds to UN envoy's claims that gays are a threat to humanity. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np5UFcY1Dw Outrage as Libya tells United Nations: 'Gays threaten the future of the human race' "Gays threaten the continuation of the human race", Libya's delegate told a planning meeting of the UN Human Rights Council. It was the first appearance in the 47nation body by the post-Gaddafi government, whose membership was restored in November following Libya's suspension in March. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np4ML4M1A2 Homosexual Marriage: The Debate Craig Turner puts his arguments forward on why society is justified in regulating polygamy and same-sex marriages. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np53GRg1Az Resist, Reject, Oppose The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 Currently Tabled In The Uganda Parliament A call to action from the Coalition of African Lesbians, following the re-introduction of the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill in February 2012. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/noTIYbs1lD Uganda: Government raid on LGBT-rights workshop Following the raid of a workshop run by LGBT activist in Entebbe on February 14, Amnesty International issues a release.

http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np0uNws1Ym Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation Dr Simon LeVays' conclusion that sexual orientation results primarily from an interaction between genes, sex hormones, and the cells of the developing body and brain is said to "finally put to rest the old 'chosen lifestyle' theory of homosexuality". http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np4FY5A1FA Sierra Leone Rights Body Issues Report On Homophobic Trends Dignity Association says since the statement made by British Prime Minister and US Secretary of State on LGBT rights in Africa, Sierra Leoneans had been angered that their country is a donor dependent and being forced to accept LGBT people. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/noZaVcu1GP This issue of gay rights Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange reflects on the statements of British Prime Minister and United States Secretary of State when "the two said they would reconsider their ties with African countries that did not enshrine 'gay rights'." http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/nolc1ix19z Ethics Minister shuts down gay rights conference Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo, broke up a gay rights activists conference organised by Freedom and Roam Uganda and ordered for the arrest of Jacquline Kasha. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/noYXcCM1QY What you can do with rights Justice Cameron delivered a Scarman Lecture in London on 25 Jan. 2012, entitled "What you can do with rights". http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/noTVEBh1z2 Ugandan MP Backs Down On Death Penalty Clause In Anti Gay Bill Local and international pressure over the notorious Kill the gays Bill seems to have forced the Ugandan MP who drafted the bill to back down, slightly. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/noT8Lqe1T5 ILGA saddened by the death of former co-Secretary General, Hans Hjerpekjoen

ILGA is saddened by the passing of Norwegian LGBT activist, Hans Hjerpekjoen (1944 - 2012). Hans was elected 4th male co-secretary general of ILGA at ILGAs 15th world conference in Barcelona, Spain in 1993. His hard work within the struggle in favor of LGBT rights was an important contribution to the gains we have achieved in the last years said Gloria Careaga, ILGAs Co-Secretary General. http://ilga.org/ilga/en/article/np0ziuv1DR