South African Civil Society Organisations Call On Government To Withdraw Homophobic Statements Made By South African Representative To The United Nations

 

 
1 July 2010

As a broad range of civil society organisations, we are profoundly disturbed by the nature, content and potential impact of the homophobic stance taken by Jerry Matjila, South Africa's representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, on the 16th of June 2010.

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Equality Project Welcomes President Zuma's Condemnation Of The Imprisonment Of Malawi Gay Couple

 

 

27 May 2010
 
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project welcomes the breaking of silence on homophobia
by our government, through President Jacob Zuma´s statement in Parliament today,
responding to the opposition party´s member´s question. The media reports that
President Zuma stated that our government has "condemned the action taken to arrest
people in terms of our constitution" and that government has not "kept quiet, so we are
with you on this issue as representing the country and the continent. We are working
hard to change attitudes and we will continue to do so." Further reports state that the
President said there is a "need to persuade, we need to make people understand, we
need to move with them. We have never adopted a confrontational stance on matters,"

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Homophobia divides, working class solidarity unites — South African Municipal Workers Union calls on SADC to act

 

 

 

 

One of South Africa’s largest trade unions — The South African Municipal Workers Union has issued a statement of solidarity with LGBTI people in Malawi.
Zackie Achmat

Homophobia divides, working class solidarity unites
SAMWU PRESS STATEMENT
20th May 2010.

SAMWU has become increasingly concerned by the homophobic utterances of several national leaders on the continent over the last few years. Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Museveni in Uganda and a few others have made intolerable comments about the rights of consenting adults to engage in a same sex relationship. One has to ask what is it exactly that irks these ‘revolutionary’ leaders? What are they afraid of? However recent events in Malawi have surpassed even these levels of ignorance and prejudice.

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