|
May 08, 2007
Quickie Link: African Gays Speak Out on State-Backed Homophobia
|
|
 |
By vanrozenheim
|
JOHANNESBURG, May 8 (Reuters) - African gay activists protested against "state-sponsored" homophobia, saying authorities tacitly condoned their persecution across the continent. The International Gay and Lesbian Association's (ILGA) first pan-African conference in Johannesburg, which ends on Tuesday, drew about 60 activists who say they have seen first-hand the consequences of laws that breed homophobia. In some cases, possible sentences against gays include death by stoning. Thirty-eight of 85 U.N. members who outlaw homosexuality are in Africa, according to an April 2007 ILGA report which notes: "Although many of the countries ... do not systematically implement those laws, their mere existence reinforces a culture where a significant portion of the citizens need to hide from the rest of the population in fear.
| Print this article  |
Advertisements
|
|
|
|
| |
