The organizations include South African based Gender DynamiX (GDX), Uganda’s Support Initiative for People with atypical Sexual Development (SIPD) and Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA).

Ugandan Intersex activist, Julius Kaggwa

A press statement issued in Kampala today (February 2) by Julius Kaggwa, the SIPD director, said the partnership “Will concentrate its efforts mainly on advocacy in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

He noted that by forming the tripartite alliance, the three organizations “Will further solidify and strengthen their work in Africa and a specific mission and vision for the new partnership has been formulated.”

Kaggwa added, “The main focus of this new entity is to support a growing transgender and intersex movement and to engage regionally in advocacy for the human rights of transgender and intersex people. While forming a platform for all regional work of the three organisations, Transitioning Africa is not a new NGO, but will remain a formal partnership of the three organisations and thus retain autonomy locally and regionally and the capacity for its activities will be provided by the three organisations in the implementation of its activities, such as capacity building workshops, advocacy support to other organisations, exchange programmes and mentorships.”

The vision of Transitioning Africa is to see a strong transgender and intersex movement in sub-Saharan Africa, based on human rights principles, while the mission is to strive for gender recognition within social movements in Africa.

The alliance aims to build transgender and intersex leadership and capacity by supporting both individual transgender and intersex activists, as well as transgender and intersex organisations on the continent.

The group’s mission statement adds that Transitioning Africa will advocate for transgender and intersex issues within regional and international platforms, directly, and support local advocacy efforts when invited. It will also aim to document the history of the transgender and intersex movement in Africa.

An Advisory Committee will guide Transitioning Africa on its work. This Committee will consist of six members, including the Directors of the three partner organisations. Three members will be recruited strategically to bring in knowledge and/or skills for the benefit of Transitioning Africa”.

About the partner organizations:

Gender DynamiX: Founded in 2005,GDX was the first organisation in South Africa and Africa which specifically advocates for transgender individuals. GDX provides resources and information about transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming individuals and seeks to promote awareness within mainstream society by means of educating and empowering people from diverse communities, including government departments, service providers, medical professionals, journalists, academia and refugees. GDX also reaches out to parents, partners, children, co-workers and people who journey alongside trans people.

Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development: The group was founded in 2007 by Julius Kaggwa, a Ugandan intersex activist. This Human Rights organisation is the only intersex health and rights organisation in Uganda and the East African region that specifically addresses the human rights of intersex people and provides reliable and objective information on the plight of intersex and gender non-conforming persons in Uganda. SIPD advocates, mediates and provides services for intersex people throughout Uganda. Their objectives are to advance intersex people’s rights through national legislation. A primary goal of SIPD is to end the stigma and secrecy surrounding intersex people, affording them freedom of choice and decision regarding their gender identity.

Transgender and Intersex Africa: TIA is an organisation that has been initiated by black transgender individuals to focus on black transgender and intersex issues in South Africa in 2010 and was funded in 2011 by Mama Cash. Their aim is to break the silence and stop ignorance about the existence of the black Transgender and Intersex community in South Africa especially in the rural areas and black townships. TIA also want to bring the knowledge of applicable terminologies and a better understanding of the condition, however not dismissing the indigenous knowledge of African transgender and intersex identity. The founder, Tebogo Nkoana worked previously at Gender DynamiX and was an Exchange Programme participant.

The award was hosted by the French Ambassador, Jacques Lapouge on Tuesday evening, January 31, 2012 at the French Ambassador’s residence in Pretoria. The award included a medal and certificate.

The distinction has been granted in recognition of Gay & Lesbian Network’s work and active involvement in supporting the advancement of Human Rights in South Africa, especially with regards to fighting against human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender.

The Network submitted an application for the 2011 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic and although the Network didn’t win the prize it was however bestowed a special distinction with six other organisations worldwide, two of which are South Africans. The other South African organisation was the Sonke Gender Justice Network.

Anthony Waldhausen, director of the Gay & Lesbian Network said, “It’s an honour and privilege to have received this award and recognition and would like to acknowledge staff, volunteers, EXCO (Executive Committee) and our partners who work sternly and passionately to realising the Network’s vision.”

Waldhausen said, “I would like to dedicate this award to all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex people worldwide who face on-going discrimination, persecution and even murder – we will endure with the struggle and are with you all, each day of your life in the hope that this scourge of homophobia is eliminated from the face of the earth.”

He added, “Nothing will stop our resolve to ensure a just and free society for all.”

Waldhausen also congratulated Sonke Gender Justice Network who also shared the award and said that his organisation hoped “To network and partner together with them in the future.”

In attendance included various dignitaries from embassies, SA Human Rights Commission, donors, NGOs and Mr Gay SA 2011-Lance Weyer.

Founded in 1988, the prize is awarded every year in complete independence by the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) and rewards human rights defenders around the world for their action on the ground.

This prize presented by the Prime Minister of the French government, is awarded to individual or collective action on the ground, irrespective of nationality or borders, undertaken in France or abroad, with respect to specific themes every year.

In 2011, the themes were the fight against human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity and combating violence against women. This year around 160 organisations have applied for the prize.

- Main Photograph by Coenie Kukkuk

At a packed meeting hosted by the Kaleidoscope Trust at the House of Commons last night, leading figures from the LGBT movement in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia urged supporters of equal rights to help them change minds as well as laws in countries where it is a crime to be gay.

After the intervention of political leaders including David Cameron and Hillary Clinton, the debate focused on how LGBT people themselves can take the lead in the demand for human rights for all.

Purna Sen, a trustee of the Kaleidoscope Trust and former head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat, opened the meeting by stating that although global voices of influence had recently rallied around to call to end to discrimination, governments would act only when the pressure from below becomes inescapable. She said:

“The Arab Spring took many by surprise. Events have proved that repression is a dead end. Police Power is no match for people power seeking dignity and justice”.

Maurice Tomlinson, who is leading the legal campaign to overturn Jamaica’s anti-sodomy laws, said, “Attitudes won’t change until the laws change – and the laws won’t change until attitudes change. We have to get into the minds of the public if we want politicians to change, because they are not leaders they are followers.”

Tomlinson received the first David Kato Vision and Voice award for LGBT leadership in London on Sunday. He stressed that lecturing governments would be counter-productive and asked for humility in dialogue with leaders. “Talking down to our government is not going to work,” he said.

Pang Khee Teik, an LGBT human rights activist from Malaysia, argued that Western governments should not behave as if they were trying to impose superior values on other countries. “We’re all in it together and we can learn from each other,” he said.

Pang is the co-founder of the annual sexuality rights festival Seksualiti Merdeka (Sexuality Independence), which was banned in November 2011. He said there was “a struggle for the imagination of the public – a cultural war”. Malaysia had recently claimed to be a ‘moderate’ nation and yet the country’s Attorney General had said LGBT people did not have rights. 

“If a country that calls itself moderate can silence – who needs extremists,” he said.

Frank Mugisha, a leading Ugandan activist, said only by keeping himself very visible could he protect himself from physical attack. David Kato, who was the best-known LGBT leader in the country, was murdered outside Kampala in January 2011.

Mugisha warned that that Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which includes the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’, was now in its final stages in parliament. “There is little we can do to stop this,” he said. “It can still be passed even if the President refused to sign it.”

Mugisha said the bill went against Uganda’s constitution but because the word ‘bill’ is the same as ‘law’ in several tribal languages “many people in Uganda think the law has already been passed. People are being killed. There is a lot of mob violence.”

www.kaleidoscopetrust.com

The four, Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba were sentenced by the Khayelitsha Regional Court to 18 years, four of which were suspended for five years.

According to Sapa, “A crowd outside the court cheered, sang, raised their fists and danced when news came that the men had been sentenced.”

The National Prosecuting Authority had asked for the men to be sentenced to 15 years each.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said, “We asked the presiding officer to sentence the men to no less than 15 years in prison as they committed a heinous crime, killed a young woman because she was living openly ads a lesbian, never showed any remorse or accepted responsibility for what they have done.”

He added, “Only their parents apologised on their behalf and we believe rehabilitation stands a small chance of being achieved.”

The men were found to have killed Nkonyana because she was openly living as a lesbian.

On Monday The Times newspaper in Johannesburg reported that the case, in its sixth year, has been beset by delays, bungling and escape from custody and had been postponed about 50 times.

According to the Times Nkonyana’s parents were struggling to come to terms with the death of their only child and had declined to speak to media.

Another five accused were acquitted.

According to the organisers the festival is “roaring to go” allaying earlier concerns that it might not take place.

The proposed dates were confirmed at community meeting held recently, amid talk of Cape Town Pride being cancelled this year.

After most board members pulled out following a massive loss sustained during the previous year’s event, Cape Town Pride is now headed by three remaining board members, Dominic Kessell and designer Luiz DeLaja.

According to Donovan Steyl from Lunchbox Media, who is assisting Pride in securing sponsorship, the meeting was a success in confirming community support for the event. He added that Pride would this year be run on a completely volunteer basis and without a board.

An array of fringe events has been planned. For the 2012 offering, visit: http://capetownpride.org/component/content/article/1-about-pride/97-cape-pride-2012-events.html

The Cape Pride organisers say, “Cape Town Pride is a Section 21 Non-Profit Organisation that is committed towards being inclusive and encompassing. The annual Cape Town Pride Festival is a celebration of our wonderful diversity, and also creates awareness around issues impacting on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities locally and throughout Africa.”

Cape Town’s Pride Festival began in 2001 and then merged the following year with another local gay event. After the 2002 festival the decision was made to revert back to its original identity, and as part of the implementation of a long term strategy the 2003 festival was postponed to February 2004 in an effort to attract gay tourism to the festival and the city.

The months of February and March are traditionally the period during which Cape Town sees the greatest income from tourism, and this move proved successful with a particularly well- supported festival since 2004.

Cape Town Pride is driven by volunteers who give of their time, effort and energy freely, with energy and passion.

To support the festival through sponsorships contact Cape Town Pride on 021 836 7793 / 086 267 5823 / http://www.capetownpride.org

The campaign is in response to the soaring number of gay murders in Gauteng, which is linked to a possible serial killer.

The organisation is dedicated to the building of healthy empowered lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in South Africa and internationally.

Dawie Nel, the director of OUT said “Sex between men has long been frowned upon by our society. That’s led many gay, bi and other MSM to keep their sexual relations hidden from sight, hence the growth of online dating within the gay community. And there’s no doubt that there is some element of excitement in the unknown.”

Nel further said “However, people need to be aware that there is a risk in meeting strangers and especially when inviting them into their homes. These risks include the possibility of being blackmailed, being targeted with false charges, theft and even being murdered.”

The campaign will consists of articles that will be published in gay media, web banners, venue posters and other communication aimed at the LGBT community, highlighting the risks of casual sex dates.

Meanwhile, another campaign, the Justice for Jason campaign was launched following the murder of Jason Wessenaar on 17 December 2011, a 39-year-old activist and television presenter, who was the last victim of the possible serial killer. 

Wessenaar was an openly HIV-positive and gay rights activist. In 2004 and 2005 he presented the SABC 1 television show Siyayinqoba – Beat It, which highlighted stories of people living with HIV and related issues.

The Justice for Jason campaign calls those outraged by Wessenaar’s murder to sign a petition and to e-mail and write letters to the Minister of Police Nkosinathi Mthethwa and Gauteng Commissioner of Police Mzwandile Petros calling for his killer or killers to be brought to justice.

The petition and the officials’ contact details can requested from Raphael at yvetteraphael8@gmail.com.

The killings began with Manolis Veloudos, who was killed in April 2010. He was followed in 2011 by Jim Cathels, Oscar O’Hara (33), Siphiwe Selby Nhlapo (36), a 47-year-old un-named landlord and Barney van Heerden (39) in September.

 To my shock and horror, the King never said what the media said he said, even if translated literally.The King said when you are a man or woman abusing another man or woman, you are rotten. He was talking about abuse and not sexual abuse. He used the word “ukuhlukumeza” which means abuse in a general sense. If he had intended to abuse in a sexual context, he would have used the word “ukunukubeza” which is the IsiZulu word for sexual abuse.What he said was, any person abusing another, whether man versus man or woman versus woman, is rotten.

As a Zulu king (and IsiZulu is his mother tongue), I fail to understand why he would opt not to use an appropriate term for sexual abuse if indeed his intention was to talk about sexual relations.Conveying the wrong message (mis)translated from a statement said in an African language is one of the many ways we in the English media contribute towards worsening the situation in volatile situations.

I remember in the good old days (including the election period in 1994), attempts to correct a (mis)translation by journalists who spoke that particular language were ignored in favour of whatever translation came through the news agencies whose reporters got from a township or rural person whose English was non-existent.Reading those comments in newspapers made you think Blacks were the strangest people and made the most nonsensical and ridiculous comments. Zuma an the issue of “beating a dead snake” comes to mind, and many others that would make a great comedy book.Now that we have condemned and vilified the King, do we have the testicular fortitude to apologise to him?

ttp://www.timeslive.co.za/ilive/2012/01/30/zulu-king-is-owed-an-apology

Sentencing of the four men Lubabolo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba who murdered Nkonyana, 19, because she was openly lesbian is set for Wednesday, February 1.

According to a report in the Times newspaper in Johannesburg, the four, will appear before the Khayelitsha Regional Court for pre-sentencing arguments today.

Nkonyana was stabbed and stoned to death outside a shebeen in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on February 4, 2006.

The Times reported today that the case, in its sixth year, has been beset by delays, bungling and escape from custody. It has been postponed about 50 times.

The newspaper said, “Last year the families of the convicted men pleaded with the court to sentence them to correctional supervision instead of imprisonment. They argued that they were underage when they committed the offence.”

The report added, “Nkonyana’s parents are struggling to come to terms with the death of their only child and have declined to speak to media.”

According to the Times, “Activists from the Treatment Action Campaign, Triangle Project, Social Justice Coalition, Free Gender and Khayelitsha residents took to picketing outside the court when the four appear to draw attention to the delays.”

The newspaper reported that Eric Ntabazalila, spokesman for the National Prosecution Authority in Western Cape, said today’s proceeding would deal mainly with mitigation of sentence, followed by sentencing on Wednesday.

Ban told the on-going African Union summit in Addis Ababa that discrimination based on sexual orientation had been ignored or even sanctioned by many states for too long,.

Homosexual acts are illegal in most African countries, including key Western allies such as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Botswana countries – a situation which has drawn increasing criticism from activists and the West.

According to a report by BBC Online, “Ban Ki-moon told delegates that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity prompted governments to treat people as second class citizens or even criminals.”

Both the US and UK have recently warned they would use foreign aid to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised on the socially conservative continent.

The controversial bill seeks the death penalty for homosexuals and is often referred to as the “Kill the Gays Bill.”

Tolton said that intolerance to sexual diversity had rendered the conservatives unable to cope with realities of life.

Tolton, who says he is “on a mission to Uganda to reassure Ugandan homosexuals of God’s love” told Behind the Mask in an exclusive interview in Kampala, that he would seek to address the influence US conservatives and their opposition to same sex relationships in Africa.

“It is spiritual colonialism,” said Tolton who is described by the US National Black Justice Coalition website as a man who “enjoys a three-faceted career serving the gay and lesbian community as a voice for spiritual freedom, social justice and economic empowerment.”

The website says that “As a professional man of faith, Tolton is the founder and pastor of Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church in Harlem. His affirming ministry seeks to empower all people with the transformative power of the Gospel and to nurture disciples of Christ in the Pentecostal Apostolic tradition”.

The description adds, “As a public advocate, Tolton serves as director of the Revival Initiative, a spiritual forum established to advance gay and lesbian civil rights in the African diaspora. The Revival Initiative is endorsed by Gay Men of African Descent, the New York State Black Gay Network, Empire State Pride Agenda, and Soulforce.”

In Kampala Tolton said a number of conservative American Christians want to impose their ideas on sexuality on Africa.

“Not all Christians in the US support the wave of anti gay bills across Africa. I would say the conservatives want to globalise their lost cultural war. Many are looking at Africa as vulnerable and opportune,” he added.

Many observers have linked a number of American evangelical groups to supporting the authoring and tabling of the infamous Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 in Uganda’s previous parliament. Although the bill expired when the new parliament was sworn in early last year after Presidential and Parliamentary elections, its author, David Bahati insists his Bill must go through.

There was global condemnation of the bill associated with The Family, a US based Christian group with significant influence among Ugandan pastors and evangelical missions.

Tolton said Affirming Ministries has over 50 churches in the United States and is seeking partnership with Ugandan activists to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and other creed.

“I intend to work with and promote networking with Affirming Christian network in the US with Ugandan and African human rights groups,” Tolton said.

His message of love appeared to have struck the right code with many Ugandan Gay rights activists. A number of activists said they had given up on going to church because they are always made much unwelcome.

Activist John Mumbere, encouraged Tolton to launch the first ever gay and lesbian Christian conference in Kampala because his gospel was dignifying and inclusive.

At a service Tolton co-officiated at in honour of murdered gay rights activist, David Kato in Kampala last week, many activists confessed they had not attended church services in many years because they felt the church had rejected them.

There was cheering when Tolton told the activists at the service that their souls cannot be judged by conservative preachers whose abiding agenda is to fuel gay hatred.