ilga hosts the first regional african conference

By Nthateng Mhlambiso -BTM Senior Reporter

May 4, 2007: About 60 human rights activists from all corners of the African continent will be convening at Birchwood hotel in Johannesburg tomorrow to discuss ways of challenging the State homophobia in the continent.

Delegates from countries like Zimbabwe, Uganda, Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya just to mention a few will attend this first Africa Regional Conference organised by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The conference aims to attract a large number of gay activists to deal with lesbian, gay, bisexual and intersex (LGBT) issues in Africa with a view to further their advancement.

Gender-based violence and hate crimes in Africa, health and well-being, capacity building, organisational and leadership development are some of the topics to be explored further.

“In 2007, no less than 85 member states of the United States still criminalise consensual same sex acts among adults, thus institutionally promoting a culture of hatred, amongst these, 38 are African governments”, explained a press release by ILGA also asserting this as one of the urges for the conference.

A report on the State of homophobia in Africa will be launched during the conference. “The impressive collection of laws presented in this report is an attempt to show the extent of the state of homophobia in Africa”, ILGA said in the statement.

According to Fikile Vilakazi, the director of the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), the conference is very important as it tries to establish a particular structure where LGBTI movements can meet and discuss issues that affect them.

With over 560 member groups, ILGA is the only worldwide federation of groups working towards achieving equal rights for homosexuals.