IDAHO

All over the world, transphobic and homophobic violence is  often perpetrated by conservative people who use religion to justify their acts
But at the same time, many voices are increasingly being heard that express concern that religions are being invoked to justify violence and exclusion.
The IDAHO Committee launches an international initiative that aims at taking advantage [...]

Join the mobilisation on http://www.cedepmalawi.org
On December 26, 2009, Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, conducted a traditional engagement ceremony.  They were arrested at their home on December 28, charged them with “unnatural offenses” and “indecent practices between males”.
Their trial began on January 11. The trial will continue on Wednesday, January 13. If found guilty, [...]

This year, the Day resonates specifically with our own cause that is the defense of Human Rights regardless of one’s sexual orientation and gender identity : this year the UN Day is dedicated to the fight against discriminations. Says Sec Ban Ki-Moon:
“Discrimination targets individuals and groups that are vulnerable to attack: the disabled, women and [...]

World Aids Day matters to us all.
Because of rampant homophobia and transphobia, discriminatory laws and practices lead Men who have Sex with Men, Transpeople, sex workers and other people marginalised because of their sexual orientation or activity to avoid contact with medical institution for fear of stigma, rejection, humiliation or even arrest and/or persecution. This [...]

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder [...]

Major human rights organisations have reported and confirmed the case of at least three iranian youth awaiting execution for “homosexual acts”.
They were under the age of 18 at the time of arrest. The Canadian based organisation Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees  launches an appeal to stop the executions and give the young iranians a [...]

Press release - Uganda: ‘Anti-Homosexuality’ Bill Threatens Liberties and Human Rights Defenders

Proposed Provisions Illegal, Ominous, and Unnecessary

(Kampala, October 15, 2009) – The draft “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” introduced on October 14, 2009 in Uganda’s parliament would violate human rights and should be withdrawn immediately, a group of 17 local and international human rights organizations said today.

The newly-installed president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ali Abdussalam Treki, has said that homosexuality is “not really acceptable”.
Treki, who is the Libyan secretary of African Union Affairs, opened the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly Friday with a press conference.
One question concerned the UN resolution which calls for the universal decriminalisation [...]

Hundred Participants at Minsk Gay Rights Conference – Resolution on LGBT Rights in Belarus Adopted – and No Incidents

Dozens of participants from 9 Belarusian cities and 10 countries

Last Saturday 26 September, Minsk leading 5 star hotel Crowne Plaza hosted the largest ever LGBT conference in Belarus history. According to a diplomat who attended the event, “this hotel is known as the last place where a little bit of freedom is possible”.

Acting Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio regrets the cancellation of Gay Pride in Belgrade
Strasbourg, 21.09.2009 - I deeply regret that the Gay Pride in Belgrade had to be cancelled under the threat of violence. This was a sad day not only for the LGBT community, but for everyone in Serbia [...]