Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, you are not alone!

Hey there ya'll.

So on 20 May 2010 Steven and Tiwonge will be sentenced on charges which are deemed 'against the order of nature'.

It's shocking to think that this extreme form of homophobia still goes on in the world, but this is the law in Malawi. I'm urging everybody, worldwide to show your support, audibly, visually and in which ever capacity you can to these two men. We need to make our voices heard!

Steven and Tiwonge, my thoughts are with you.

for those of you in Cape Town on the 20th May, there will be a protest held in Barracks Street, in town at 12:00.

till then,

ciao

ITS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA DAY!!!

Hey there guys and girls!!

So today is International Anti-Homophobia Day!

I have posted a story below (How Crazy Is This) about a scenario that happened a few years ago! It pretty much portrays the ignorance still out there when it comes to Homophobia in our Country and the world.

On that note, I want to thank you guys, RS and Henko for your replies on my last post. RS, I fully agree with you that education is the key. As I said once in a radio interview, Homophobia is a fear. People fear what they don't kno,. so unless they are educated, they will continue to fear. It is up to every one of us to educate our brothers  and sisters. Show them that being gay is NOT a threat to them.
Henko, most certainly it takes time, and as you say, a lot of it! So yea, as Gandhi once said, Be the change that you want to see. Change starts with ME!

On this day, remember our brothers and sisters who might not have it as easy as we do. Those in African Countries and around the world where Homosexuality is still TABOO! Think of them and remember where we come from. I see a future where we are not judged by our Sexuality but by our Character. Most importantly, as a Wise Teacher once said:

 LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF, AND DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU!

Love to you all!

xCx

HOW CRAZY IS THIS!!!

So on this Anti-Homophobia day, here is a story that I found rather interesting in the news papers today!

A lady from Pretoria (one of our Capital Cities), has instituted a damages claim to the value of R1.5mil against a member of her church. Apparently while attending a birthday social of a friend’s father (aged 74) in 2007, Munnik (the lady) and Mrs De Beer (who lives on the same property as the birthday boy), got into an argument where Mrs De Beer accused Munnik of being an “insult to Christianity” because she was gay, and told her she would go “straight to hell”. Other claims are that Mrs De Beer then kicked Munnik between the legs in an attempt to “convert” Munnik, and proceeded to do so until she lost consciousness!

I just find it funny that it’s a disgrace to be gay and we’ll all go to hell, but its OK for you, Mrs De Beer, a devoted Christian apparently (judging by the extreme measures to ‘convert’ Munnik) to kick another woman between the legs to the point of unconsciousness!

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SIMPLE PRAYER! 

DID YOU ASK YOURSELF ‘WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?’

THE END

xCx

TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION: DOES CHANGING LAWS REALLY CHANGE MINDSETS?

Hey there ya'll!


Here is an interesting topic. one of my Facebook friends sent me this scenario that he is faced with in his country.
The question i want to ask you guys is this: How does changing laws really affect people? How does it affect you and I, the everyday person on the street. Take a read and give me your thoughts! Enjoy!


I dont know if you are aware of it but here in India we as homosexuals lead a taboo life...
Last year on 2nd july, Homosexuality was decriminalised by the Delhi high court, we celebrated, partied, cherished.
We have gay parties in every major city across the country every week.
We evn have big queer parade every year in every major city again.
Recently Mumbai hosted a very big event. An international queer film festival. Thy hosted nd projected more than 50 movies with varied subject, languages, country..but the same theme of Homosexuality. A big success.
.
But how wuld it change the life for a common individual like me?
For me i still cant hold hands in public. There are individuals brutally burned, subdued, killed for their sexuality.
Here public perceive homosexuals as demons, omen, badluck, embarassment, joke, insult, etc etc.

India is collectively made of Thousands of villages, hundreds of languages, hundreds of religions, divided in caste, creed, sect, status and power. And evn u wont deny that there is an obvious possibility that there are lakhs of my brothers who are still in closet or forced to stay in them for the sake of their lives.
.
How are we planning to reach them through expensive snobbish, arrogant, fake, dirty, sexually dominated meaningless parties??
Or international film festivals where entry is strictly through registration. Who attends them? You know right..higher class of intellectuals, rich social thinkers?
.
.We are sucking in every plan.
And i wonder why nobody wants to think real and out of the box...parties, parades, films, etc thy hav only gay crowd attending it...do we have to target them or the common hetero homophobic or homoillitrate man?

So there you go....whats your thoughts?

Charl

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!

So Patrick and I have been back from the Pink Loerie festival in Knysna for two weeks now and i have to congratulate Coenie Kukkuk and his incredible team (as well as the Council of Knysna who make this possible every year) for an amazing Festival! It was my first Pink Loerie and boy did we have a great Time! We barely got there and i went right into interviews with the contestants for the Mt Mardi Gras Competition which was held on the Friday evening at Zanzibar.






The evening went real smooth and i am proud to say that we have our first two entries in the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 Competition. Congrats to the winner of Mr Mardi Gras, Dustin Carr, and also his runner up, Mr Ledgends, Karl Heinz Michel. I look forward to seeing your progress in the Mr Gay South Africa competition. Good luck to both of you!


I also want to thank the organisers, esp John-Louis for the incredible accomodation they arranged for Patrick and I at the Beautiful Alexander Guest House. Situated on the Knysna Heads, this gem offers


incredible views and a peaceful, serene break away from the hustle and bustle! Thanks to Wayne and his awesome staff for making us feel at home, away from home! and by the way, we LOVE the Honeymoon suite......


So this is also my last week at Cafe M and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. In two weeks time ill be heading to Jozi and starting on a few projects that i have had in mind, which include a fundraiser and also an up and coming book!But more on these later!

I'll also be heading to New York City at the end of June for the NYC Pride, so all you guys in USA, ill be seeing you all real soon! Also on the agenda are other trips around Europe, including EuroPride, and especially the Cologne Gay Games which i look forward to!


for those of you in Cape Toen this week, Patrick and i will be having our going away party at the lovely Beefcakes in Green Point, so come on over for a cocktail or two and we can say farewell in true Cape Town style!!!


until then, ciao!

Post Event Press release from LGBT NAMIBIA

As a future platform to represent the LGBT community in the Namibian society, LGBT Network salutes the efforts made so far by the Rainbow Project and Sister Namibia. LGBT Network plans to make a difference in the country by uniting Namibians from all sexual orientations under the auspices of the organisation and will work closely with existing organisations to ensure that Namibia continues to foster an environment where gay, lesbian and straight Namibians can live a full and productive life and do their share towards the Namibian society.

During a spectacular event, the LGBT community has taken a step forward and launched the ‘LGBT Network Namibia’ on Saturday the 24th, to create a platform for Namibians with a unconventional sexual orientation to come together and unite with a common goal of Equality For All. LGBT Network – Namibia, stands for the proposition that all people are created equal and worthy of the same rights to freedom, liberty, and equality.

After registration the event started when the guests boarded the chartered catamarans and left from Walvis Bay Harbour. The journey carried the guests through a special interaction with the marine life towards its remote and isolated destination. Here guests was surprised by the beautiful white marquee tent dressed to impress with the rainbow flags proudly on display.

Speeches was presented by The Mayor of Walvis Bay, The British Vise Counselor, Manual, a special note from Gavin Borrageiro, Manager to Mr Gay World and a note from the controversial author, Andre Carl van der Merwe.
Guests were honoured by the speech of Mr Gay World, Charl van den Berg. His words touched the hearts of everyone present. It finally became clear that Namibia is starting to set the pace for Africa which clearly exited Charl.

The board accompanied Charl on a quad bike tour on his day of departure and so cemented a lifelong friendship. This was a big step while even bigger steps will follow. But with support from all over the world it will only be successful.

The delicious BBG was served buffet style and the guest was undoubtedly starting to enjoy themselves as they relaxed with glasses of wine.
The organisers are very thankful for the multitude of sponsors that has given so wholeheartedly. Without them, it is clear that this day would not have been as successful.

Best Regards

Chris De Villiers (Event Organiser)