UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon Urges Repeal of Anti-Gay Laws

from the Associated Press

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has called on countries to abolish laws that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

read more

Shifting Attitudes Take Gay Rights Fight across Globe, Experts Say

by Eliott C. McLaughlin | CNN.com

In signing Argentina’s same-sex marriage law, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said debate over the issue would be “absolutely anachronistic” — archaic, out of date — within a few years.

read more

More Than 70 Countries Make Being Gay a Crime

by Emily Duggan | The Independent

Acomprehensive study of global lesbian, bisexual and gay rights, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reveals the brutal – and, in many instances, fatal – price people pay around the globe for their sexuality. The research, which was conducted by the charity network the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), shows that 76 countries still prosecute people on the grounds of their sexual orientation – seven of which punish same-sex acts with death.

read more

Clinton Equates LGBT Rights to Human Rights

by Chris Johnson | Washington Blade

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday equated the pursuit of LGBT rights to the pursuit of human rights as she celebrated Pride month with gay State Department employees.

read more

Malawi President Pardons Gay Couple after UN Pressure

from the Telegraph

Mr wa Mutharika had been under international pressure to reconsider the convictions of Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20. They were arrested in December after they were united in a traditional wedding ceremony in the conservative southern African country, where homosexuality is illegal.

read more

Zimbabwe Gay Rights Workers Released after Alleged Torture

by David Smith | The Guardian

Two gay rights activists in Zimbabwe have been freed after six days in police custody where it is claimed they were abused and tortured.

read more

Britain May Reduce Aid If Gay Men Are Not Set Free in Malawi

by David Brown | The Times

Britain will review its aid to Malawi if the Government refuses to free two gay men who were sentenced to 14 years’ hard labour this week.

read more

U.S. Department of State: “U.S. Appalled by Sentencing of Couple in Malawi”

from the U.S. Department of State

The United States is appalled by the conviction and sentencing of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza to 14 years in jail with hard labor under Malawian law for violating Malawi Penal Code Chapter 15, Section 153 and 156, under which they had been charged with “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” and “gross indecency.” The conviction and sentencing are a significant step backward for the Government of Malawi’s human rights record. Malawi must abide by its human rights obligations.

We view the criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity and sentencing to 14 years hard labor as a deeply troubling violation of human rights. Decriminalization of homosexuality is integral to the continued protection of universal human rights in Malawi. It is also crucial to the urgent need to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS – a fight in which the United States is closely allied with the Malawian people.

We remain disturbed by harassment, persecution, and exclusion based on sexual orientation or gender identity wherever it occurs. The State Department will continue to stand against any efforts to marginalize, criminalize, and penalize members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender community worldwide. We urge Malawi and all countries with similar laws to take the necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular arrests, detentions, or executions.

Zimbabwe Police Raid Gay Group Offices, Arrest 2

from Agence France Presse

A defense attorney says police in Zimbabwe have arrested two members of a local gay organization.

Attorney David Hofisi says he has not been allowed to visit them in jail since their arrest Friday but they were expected to be brought to court later Monday.

read more

UN: Malawi Gay Conviction Is Alarming Precedent

from Agence France Presse

The UN human rights chief on Friday slammed the “blatantly discriminatory” jailing of a gay couple in Malawi, saying that it sets an alarming precedent for the treatment of homosexuals in the region.

read more