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Previously
on Behind the Mask ....
12
April - 18 April 2001
Egypt
holds three over homosexual website
Egyptian
prosecutors are interrogating three men suspected of using
the internet to procure sex with other men, security sources
told Reuters press agency on 5 April 2001.
'The
prosecutors ordered the three be remanded in custody pending
the investigation', one source said.
Prosecutors
accuse the three, an anaesthesist, a chartered accountant
and an accountant, of setting up internet sites
with pornographic pictures and advertising their willingness
to establish homosexual relations.
The
penal code in Egypt, a conservative Muslim country of 65 million,
criminalises homosexual sex. In February, a Cairo criminal
court jailed a computer engineer for 15 months and an accountant
for three months, both men, for having committed the scandalous
act' of advertising sexual services on the web.
15
March - 11 April 2001
Namibian
Rainbow Project condemn Nujoma's statements
'Nowhere
does our constitution state that gay and lesbian people are
not members of the human family and therefore do not enjoy
the same rights as all other citizens', an Swartz, spokesman
of the Namibian Rainbow Project, said on Wednesday, 21 March
2001. Swartz responded to president Nujoma's call last Monday
'to arrest, deport and imprison homosexuals.' In a speech
at the University of Namibia Nujoma decried 'foreign influences'
among the country's youth. Nujoma also stated that homosexuality
is not permitted 'despite the country's liberal constitution.'
In
a sharp comment Swartz told Agence France Press on Wednesday
that the Rainbow Project 'would like to know wether the president
has made arrangements with the prison authorities to accommodate
about 10% of the population' Swartz also demanded to know
'wether Namibia had made deals with other countries for the
deportation of homosexuals?'
Last year Prime Minister Hage Geingob was forced to explain
to parliament that Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo's call
to police recruits to 'eliminate' gays and lesbians was made
in Ekandjo's private capacity. Namibia's Supreme Court recently
ruled that a lesbian relationship did not enjoy the same status
as a heterosexual marriage.
8
March - 14 March 2001
Namibia:
gay rights dealt blow
Gay
and lesbian relationships in Namibia cannot claim to have
the same legal status in Namibia as heterosexual unions, the
Supreme Court ruled this week in a judgement that looks set
to stand as a milestone on the issue of same-sex relationships.
The Namibian, a daily newspaper, reported that the bench was
split on the issue.
As
a result of the ruling German glbt-activist Liz Frank was
dealt a setback in her quest to have her long-term relationship
with Namibian Elizabeth Khaxas recognised as a factor that
should count in het favour when her permanent residence application
is considered.
One
of the judges noted that the Namibian Constitution, which
does not expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of
people's sexual orientation, had to be interpreted while taking
the norms and values and aspirations of the Namibian nation
into account. Public anti-gay statements by President Nujoma
and Home ffairs Minister Ekandjo were evidence of these values,
he said.
More
information and messages of support for Frank: trp@mweb.com.na
1
March - 7 March 2001
Death
sentence on Somalian lesbians 'misinterpreted?'
According
to Amnesty Internationals East Africa team news of two Somalian
lesbians sentenced to death might have been 'misinterpreted.'
Qaran newspaper and Agence France Presse reported on 20 February
2001 that both women had been sentenced to death after exercising
'unnatural behavior' by court in the northeast port city of
Bossasso, part of Puntland. This region has declared itself
autonomous in August 1998 and rules under Somali Criminal
Law loosely based on Islamic Sharia law.
But
later that day, AI reports, the Putland authority allegedly
claimed that theQaran newspaper had wrongly reported the case
and that the death sentences had never actually been handed
down.
But
until there's an official confirmation about this and questions
about what will happen to the two women are determined, Amnesty
International , will be closely monitoring the case, Arial
Herrera, field organizer and membership coordinator of Amnesty
International, said on 23 February 2001.
22
February - 28 February 2001
Lesbians
sentenced to death in Somalia
Two
lesbians who passed themselves off as husband and wife have
been sentenced to death, Agence France Presse reported on
Tuesday 20 February 2000.
According to the Qaran daily newspaper the two lesbians were
found guilty Monday of 'exercising unnatural behavior' by
a court in Somalia's northeast port city of Bossasso, part
of Puntland, a region that declared itself autonomous in August
1998. The pair were tried under Somali Criminal Punishment
Law, which is loosely based on Islamic Sharia law.
Capital
sentences have rarely been carried out in Puntland. When they
are, a firing squad is used. According to the newspaper, one
of the women returned from the USA and began living with the
other. The case came to light when this second woman went
to the police to report mistreatment by the other.
According
to the Qaran she said she had become sick and that the other
woman had refused to pay for medical treatment. On hearing
the details of the situation, the police also arrested both
women and handed them over to the court. Both women are in
Bossasso jail to await execution.
15
February - 21 February 2001
Sydney
in Love with After Nines
South
African based community theatre group After Nines had an 'overwhelming
and emotional' welcome at the opening of this years Mardi
Gras in Sydney, according to director Robert Colman. About
22.000 people attended After
Nines' performance outside Sydney's Opera House.
A
series of seven performances will start at Wednesday 14 February.
The 'After Nines' production was initiated by the Gay and
Lesbian Archives of South Africa.
'Publicity is fab, posters in every paper gayrag and place
you can imagine', Colman writes. 'My nerves! But I am optimistic
and positive. Cast
all being like angels of co-operation and fabulousness. So
far so good!'
Transcript.
After
Nines cast members : Mpumi, Zodwa, Wewe, Paul and Zakhi
7
February - 14 February 2001
Zambian
gays and lesbians in impasse
Zambia's
Registrar of Societies continues to refuse to register the
gay organization Legatra (Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Association),
according to the Gay and Lesbian Times.
Due
to this, and other problems, Legatra has been unable to raise
money to create a public awareness campaign and challenge
the ban on gay-male sex. 'At the moment we are at an impasse',
says spokesperson Regina Numwa. Gay men are routinely arrested.
The cases are usually dropped for lack of evidence or settled
out of court.
Legatra's president has been gay-bashed twice. In one incident,
one of his eyes was permanently damaged.
'Zambians
are generally not very militant people; and, faced with multiple
hostilities, the LGBT community closes ranks', Numwa said.
'Legatra finds it very difficult to organize the LGBT community,
as they live in perpetual fear of their lives.
'
Zambian Vice President Christon Tembo has said: 'An association
formed to further the interests of homosexuals can never be
registered in Zambia. Those who will persist in championing
the cause for homosexual activities in Zambia risk being arrested
for the felonies of committing criminal acts or for conspiracy
to commit criminal acts.'
1
February - 6 February 2001
GALZ:
'Support The Daily News'
The
destruction of the printing presses of the Zimbabwean Daily
News is 'a terrible blow to the voice of free expression',
the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) says in a statement,
dated 30 January 2001. The popular newspaper, which circulation
recently passed the one hundred thousand mark, was attacked
last weekend. Most observers keep the Zimbabwean government
responsible for this act of terrorism.
In its statement GALZ announces that it has joined an international
campaign to raise four million US dollars quickly 'which is
what is needed to put the newspaper back on its feet.' According
to the newly formed Friends of the Daily News the newspaper
will return to normal within four weeks once it has managed
to raise the necessary funds. 'The campaign intends to look
for assistance from institutions devoted to preserving freedom
of the press throughout the world.
If
you have the names of any institutions that might welcome
proposals and appeals from The Friends of the Daily News,
we ask that you send these to us at galz@mweb.co.zw',
the organisation says.
21
January - 31 January 2001
Botswana
president: 'Don't be judgmental on homosexuals.
President
Festus Mogae of Botswana
has urged that the people of his country may soon have to
change their strong held views about certain members of the
society in order for the nation to effectively stop any future
HIV infections, the Botswana Mmegi Monitor weekly reported
in December 2000. According to the newspaper Mogae intended
trying to block all entry points through which HIV gains access
into the society while launching the Botswana Human Development
Report 2000.
The
report urges the nation not to be judgmental of prisoners,
homosexuals and commercial sex workers. Mogae informed his
audience that if Botswana had no way of protecting the groups
mentioned above, it would ultimately fail to protect the broader
society in general.
With
35% Botswana got the highest HIV-infection rate in Africa,
and probably the world.
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29
December 2000 - 20 January 2001
Desmond
Tutu is dead, spiritually dead'
In
August 1998 Anglican Bishops discussed homosexuality at their
Lambeth Conference. Most African bishops resisted a more tolerant
attitude towards gays and lesbians. Bishop Eustace Kamanyire
of Uganda condemned homosexuality as a sin. Bishop Adebiyi
of Nigeria called a proposed tolerant resolution 'evangelical
suicide.' Bishop Lugor of the Sudan said: 'We know nothing
of homosexuality in the Sudan. We only know the Gospel.' Last,
but most certainly not least, Bishop David Gitari of Nairobi
and Archbishop of Kenya supported an anti-gay motion "to make
it clear we reject homosexual practices. This way we can go
home happy.'
But
before going home Bishop Chukwuma of Nigeria and Bishop David
Russell of Grahamstown (South Africa) had an interesting chat:
Chukwuma:
How would you know, you are a sinner?
Russell: Yes I am a sinner, but you are one as well.
Chukwuma: No, I am not a sinner. At least not as bad
a sinner as you. You are a homosexual.
Russell: No, I am a heterosexual in a very happy marriage.
Chukwuma: Your church in Europe is dying.
Russell: I'm from South Africa. Archbishop Desmond
Tutu supports the inclusion of homosexual persons in the church.
Chukwuma: Desmond Tutu is spiritually dead.
A
detailed report of this subtle debate - 'A Sad Diary' - was
published on the internet. MORE
…
Behind
The Mask wishes all its friends and visitors an unmasked and
liberated 2001.
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17-28
December 2000
South
Africa hosts Gay Games annual meeting in October 2001
The
Johannesburg based Organisation for Gay Sports (TOGS) has
been triumphant in their bid to host the Federation of Gay
Games Annual Meeting to be held in October 2001. Other competitors
at the recent annual meeting in Sydney (Australia) were Bangkok,
Dallas, San Francisco and Paris. TOGS' bid had the support
of former Johannesburg mayor Isaac Mogase, SA Tourism Board
acting Executive Officer Moss Mashishi and Johannesburg Tourism
head Keith Brebnor.
TOGS
expects a 250 foreign participants at the meeting. Main issue
on the agenda will be the election of the 2006 Gay Games host
- an all-American competition with Los Angeles, Montreal,
Chicago and Atlanta as bidders. Also the preparations for
the 2002 Gay Games, to be taken place in Sydney, will be on
the agenda.
In
its press release TOGS announced that registration for the
2002 games will start 1 March 2001. A costly $ 165.00 registration
fee is required. 'Whereas many individuals and groups from
around the world would benefit from inclusion and participation
in the Gay Games movement but cannot afford the financial
costs of participation in these life-enhancing activities
an Outreach scholarship is being formed', says TOGS. For more
information: garybath@iafrica.com
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3
- 16 December 2000
Remembering
Simon Nkoli
South
Africa's gay and lesbian media has paid tribute to Simon Nkoli.
The founder of the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand
(GLOW), the first non-racial glbt movement in Africa, died
of AIDS, 41 years old, two years ago on November 30 1998.
Nkoli, a former anti apartheid activist, played a highly important
role in getting the gay issue on the agenda of South Africa's
'negotiated settlement.' As a result of Nkoli's initiatives
the African National Congress (ANC) became the first liberation
movement aknowledging the 'freedom of sexual orientation',
a right that was adopted into South Africa's constitution
in 1996. For a profile:
MORE...
19
November - 2 December 2000
LGBT
Week must counter regression in Namibia:
The
Namibian Rainbow Project (TRP) announced that it will host
a LGBT-week from November 26 until December 2. A range of
events - workshops, public debates and storytelling - will
be organised in Namibia's capital Windhoek. According to TRP
human rights in Namibia are showing signs of regression. 'The
time has come to stop this process from continuing', says
TRP. Therefore the organisation feels it's necessary to start
with minority groups who are mostly affected by government
outbursts and community intolerance. Like Ugandan president
Museveni, Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Ekandjo, recently
urged police to 'eliminate' gays and lesbians. In it's announcement
TRP requests letters of support forwarded to the organisation
prior and during the LGBT-week, as well as to Namibian newspapers.
MORE ... ACTIVITIES
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