On Monday, at approximately 6:00 pm Damascus time, Amina Arraf, a Syrian-American blogger who has been covering events in Syria on her blog A Gay Girl in Damascus, was walking with a friend when she was abducted by armed men.
Amina’s current location is unknown and it is unclear if she is in a jail or being held elsewhere in Damascus. Her family are desperately trying to locate her. Her blog has received a great deal of media coverage in recent months and has drawn a wide following from Syria and across the world. Amina has shown a great deal of courage in her outspoken criticism of the regime and its repression and in addressing the situation of gays in Syria.
Syrian authorities have long been cracking down on journalists and bloggers and have arrested many since protests began in mid-March. Human rights groups say that more than 1,200 people have been killed and at least 10,000 have been detained, included women and children, many of whom report ill-treatment and torture at the hands of security services.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Syrian regime to immediately release Amina. We ask that everyone with influence in this situation increase their efforts to ensure that she is freed quickly and unharmed.
We ask all human rights organizations both in Syria and internationally to advocate for her release and for the release of all political prisoners and dissidents in the country.
We call on the British government to end its support for repressive regimes and for the use of torture in the region and beyond. We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and their demands and are opposed to military intervention of any kind.
As Amina wrote in a blog post on the day before her kidnapping: “We want a free and independent Syria and we reject foreign intervention.” In a recent interview with the Guardian, Amina sounded hopeful: “I have to believe that, sooner or later, we will prevail."
Please sign this petition in support of Amina and Syria's detainees.
Updates on Amina's situation will be posted here on her blog:(http://damascusgaygirl.blogspot.com/)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
FULL CIRCLE!
So, firstly, I would like to wish you all HAPPY VALENTINES day! so here goes!
I can not believe that exactly a year ago I was in the air heading back from Oslo, Norway, after winning Mr Gay World. Yep, I spent my last Valentines Day eating 'bird food' and getting used to the fact that I had just won an international competition which was weird as I had never won anything else in my life (other than Mr Gay South Africa of course)!
It has been a crazy year, let me tell you! So much has changed, and continue to change but WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It has only been an HONOUR to serve the global LGBTI community as I have and if I was able to make a differencein ONE person's life, then I achieved my goal! In a month from now, a new bearer to the crown will be in my shoes to represent an ever changing group of people, and looking at the delegates for this year, it seems like it could be a really good competition this year!
So, as part of the last leg of my journey, (it really feels like i have taken part in a year long Amazing Race Show) I will be heading to the Concrete Jungle where dreams are made, THE BIG APPLE, THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS-NEW YORK! I have to say thank you once again to Wilco at Club Travel Honeydew for the awesome flights and accommodation as well as Jarl and his Team in NY. I really can't wait to see you all and see whats happening on your side of the world! Thereafter I'll be heading home for two days and then jet off to the beautiful country of the Philippines for the 2011 Mr Gay World Competition.
Hope you all have a great week ahead and don't be strangers! I'll be posting pictures of my up and coming trip on my blog and also facebook!
Ciao!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
MR. GAY WORLD 2011: T - 29 days!
I cant believe its been a year already!
A year ago i was crowned Mr Gay World. After a hectic year of travelling, meeting new people and cultures, launching our own HIV campaign and being a spokesperson for the global LGBTI community, the time has finally come to hand over my proverbial crown to my successor, Mr Gay World 2011.
On 13 March 2011, the world will be holding its breath as we announce the new Mr Gay World. Preparations have been done and i have to commend the Manila team for their extraordinary hard work in planning and executing a world wide event!
As the theme says, it will most certainly be an experience of MANILA FLARE! So, if you can be there, GO FOR IT! It will be an experience you will never forget!
Mabuhay!
A year ago i was crowned Mr Gay World. After a hectic year of travelling, meeting new people and cultures, launching our own HIV campaign and being a spokesperson for the global LGBTI community, the time has finally come to hand over my proverbial crown to my successor, Mr Gay World 2011.
On 13 March 2011, the world will be holding its breath as we announce the new Mr Gay World. Preparations have been done and i have to commend the Manila team for their extraordinary hard work in planning and executing a world wide event!
As the theme says, it will most certainly be an experience of MANILA FLARE! So, if you can be there, GO FOR IT! It will be an experience you will never forget!
Mabuhay!
Friday, January 21, 2011
GayNZ.com Wanna represent NZ at Mr Gay World?!
So the search is on!
With delegate entries now open for My Gay World 2011, to be held in Manila, Philippines in March, entries are streaming in and Australia and New Zeeland is searching for guys who think they have what it takes to be the global ambassador for the LGBTI Community.
If you think you've got it, then simply click on the link above!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Valentines Blues?
So has you all know, Valentines Day is just around the corner and I'm sure you guys (and gals) all have hot dates to spoil on this LOVEly day. But just in case you are one of those who ends up sitting at home or taking his mom out to a lovely dinner (nothing wrong with that boys!), here is something I know will bring a smile on anybodies face on Valentines Day! It a Gay Valentines Ball, complete with guests of Honour and awesome performances, not to mention an exquisite host, The First Lady of Flying Herself, Ms. Cathy Specific!
so if you have nothing else planned, or rather, cancel your plans and be sure to join us at this exclusive event on the 14th Feb 2011! here are the details:
so if you have nothing else planned, or rather, cancel your plans and be sure to join us at this exclusive event on the 14th Feb 2011! here are the details:
Thursday, January 13, 2011
DNA and LOV Magazines!
Hey there ya'll!
So this week sees the long awaited release of my DNA Magazine interview! Although it took few months to come into being, its finally here-a whole 8 pages! It features me in some stunning undies from STONEMEN UNDERWEAR. The location, the beautiful Villa Pilazzo, in the heart of busy Sandton. A thank you to Rob and Marc From Stonemen for the awesome undies and also to Bennie Louw for allowing us to use this incredible venue. Of course it would not have happened if it was not for the photographer, Werner, from NINETEEN86 photography. Here are some of the pics you can see along with the interview in DNA:
www.stonemen.com
www.dnamagazine.co.au
www.villapalazzo.co.za
http://www.nineteen86.co.za

www.stonemen.com
www.dnamagazine.co.au
www.villapalazzo.co.za
http://www.nineteen86.co.za

On the other side of the world, in Vancouver, Canada, LOV Magazine features on the cover myself, Aaron Ursaki, a finalist in Mr Gay Canada, and Jeremy Black from BAREFOOT WINES in the US. It has to be one of my most memorable experiences during my year as Mr Gay World. To see ice capped mountains from atop one of the worlds best ski destination, as well as the host town for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler once again this year also hosts its annual Winter Pride and is definitely a must do if you plan a Pride of a different kind!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
CLUB TRAVEL HONEYDEW
Club Travel Honeydew, South Africa's leading gay travel agency, has negotiated fares with the world's leading airlines and also offers negotiated preferential rates with other suppliers such as hotels, car hire companies, tour operators etc. These agreements ensure that the company remains true to the it's philosophy of giving the client the best deal. We also use sophisticated leading edge database search engines to ensure that we provide our clients with the best possible fare for their travel requirements. With this in mind, we are proud to have been awarded the prestigious Golden A.S.A.T.A./Diners Club award for Most Professional Travel Agency in South Africa . We’ve been voted “Africa’s Leading Travel Agency” at the World Travel Awards for three consecutive years, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (www.worldtravelawards.com) and nominated as one of South Africa’s Top Performing Companies 2007 & 2008 by TOPCO for sustained excellence in corporate performance.
Club Travel Honeydew has been awarded top branded franchise office in the country since the office opened in December 2004. Club Travel Honeydew is a fully-owned and branded franchise of the Club Travel group, and am owner-managed. Club Travel Honeydew takes care of all gay travel on behalf of the Club Travel group nationally, and am a proud sponsor of the Pink Loerie, Mr Gay SA, as well as the preferred travel agency for the Gay pages. 011 2887100
THE EVENT OF THE YEAR IN BEAUTIFUL PHILIPPINES!
Mr Gay World After-Event Boracay, March 14-18
Would you like to join the after-event on Boracay? No official program anymore (thats from March 9-14), just relax at the beach, hang out with your friends, make new friends, do some sports or enjoy the Boracay nightlife. Simply enjoy one of the best and most beautiful beaches of the world!
www.mrgayworld.org
Take a look!
http://www.discoverphilippines.eu/mrgayworld.php#Boracay
Contact: info@discoverphilippines.eu
Take a look!
http://www.discoverphilippines.eu/mrgayworld.php#Boracay
Contact: info@discoverphilippines.eu
Monday, January 3, 2011
MAGANDANG HAPON PO! -PART THREE!
So now that everybody has had a good Christmas and New Years (Seasons greetings by the way) I can continue my story of the Philippines trip! I know it might be a bit old news but ill be quick. I somehow cant continue with unfinished business at hand.
To recap, last time I headed for a photo shoot in Philippines which was to be used for promoting the Mr Gay World 2011 Competition to be held in March this year in Manila .
The Next day, the 9th of December was my birthday, but there was no time for celebration. It was the launch of the Red Ribbon Campaign and with a day filled with Television appearances there was no rest. The day started early and we headed to the TV studios for an appearance on Juicy, one of the best known talk shows. From there we headed to Club Phi where the launch was to be held!
After a very successful launch we headed to another TV station to appear on the Philippines version of The David Letterman show. Once all the formalities were done it was finally time to relax and enjoy some birthday celebrations. I was treated to an incredible cabaret show at Club Mwah which ended in a presentation of a cake after which we danced the night away….well not for too long as the next day was yet another Radio appearance.
On the Sunday (I was to leave for SA later that evening) we made a trip to Villa Escudero, a heritage site just outside of Manila . From there it was one more meeting with Boy Abunda, the ‘Oprah’ of Philippines and then off to the airport!
Friday, December 17, 2010
MAGANDANG HAPON PO! -PART TWO!
I woke up on Tuesday morning feeling like a freight train had hit me. Yep, that crazy feeling of Jet-lag where it feels like people talk in slow-mo and you’re walking on a moving platform, yet, it was time to get down to business and do what I came to the Philippines to do. First stop was a radio program called Tambalan at one of the Philippines biggest Media Groups where we did promotion for the 2011 Mr Gay World Competition to be held in Manila in March, as well as promote the launch of our new campaign for the education of HIV/Aids-The Red Ribbon Campain!
(Now, for those of you who are interested, The Red Ribbon Campagin is an initiative by Mr Gay World and Gay World Philippines to create awareness and education within the Philipino community. This was done in honour of one of this year’s contestant from the Philippines who lost his battle with Aids. AS said previously, statistics had show a dramatic increase in the infection rates in the country and so there was only one thing left to do, GET THE WORD OUT THERE and educate the community so as to mobilize them to action, after all, this is their future at stake here.)
This was only the start of my day and by the end of it, I had visited no less that six Radio stations allover the city with my final interview being at 21:30 on a show called Boys Night Out.I can tell you one thing, if it wasn’t for my incredible hosts keeping me fed, and Starbucks, I don’t know how I wiuld have made it! Lol
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
MAGANDANG HAPON PO!
Walking through the all familiar International Arrivals hall at OR Thambo on Monday afternoon, I think back to a week ago when I left South Africa to travel to the Philippines to launch an initiative by Mr Gay World and its counterpart, Mr Gay World Philippines Called The Red Ribbon Campaign. Like many I thought I’d be able to take a break from all the ‘pageant stuff’, lie on a beach and relax. After all, it was my birthday in just a few days and I was on a tropical island (7101 islands to be exact) so what better way to spend it, right?
After an 18 hour journey I finally arrived in After checking into my hotel room it was off to dinner with the rest of the production team at a Brazilian restaurant in a complex called Metrowalk, where they have live music every night of the week. Oh btw, for those of you who don’t know, Philipinos are absolutely crazy about music and their celebs, a few of which are now world famous (Charise and also the dude from Black Eyed Pease). Anyway, after dinner I was briefed about my week and all the activities that would take place and starting in the morning would be a visit to all their high profile radio stations to promote the Mr Gay World 2011 Competition in Philippines as well as the launch of our Red Ribbon Campaign, that was to be held on my birthday. It was clear to me that this was not going to be a time of rest, but a time of advocacy for gay rights in the Philipines especially focussing on the matter at hand-that 3 in every 5 homosexual males were being infected with the virus daily in this country, and while the rest of the world was showing a decrease in infection rates, the Philippines showed a dramatic increase!
This week was going to be hectic, so after a few drinks with the crew it was off to my bed at the Holiday Inn Galeria to get some much needed rest for the week ahead!
END OF PART ONE!
Monday, November 29, 2010
QUICKY!
Hey ya'll!
So, I'm gonna try and get as much info into as little a space as possible...lol....hey we can't all sit on blogs the whole day reading while the boss looks over our shoulders!
So, my last days as Mr Gay South Africa: I can only say it was a pleasure. I had the privilege of spending it on a cruise with the 2010 contestants, only this time around I had a lot more time on my hands and was able to really appreciate the wonders of the ocean...and may I say stable ground...as the last day on the ship was spend walking from hard to starboard, and not because we wanted to, but because of the motion of the ocean. On Friday night a new Representative for the SA Gay Community was chosen and the entire day was like reliving my year in a nutshell while reminiscing about my own experience on the night of the 2009 competition. All in all, it was an incredible year, and if i had to write EVERYTHING down, I probably would have to compile it in a book.....maybe I should!
These next few weeks are going to be just as exciting, with the Mamba Online Sexiest Man Competition (www.mambaonline.com) on the 1st December, and then the Philippines on the 5th where I will be addressing the media in a speech on HIV/Aids-Where we come from, and where are we going?
On top of all that, if all goes well and according to plan, I will be releasing my Debut Single to the public during my stay in Manila and it will be available for you to download from my blog and other available sites, so keep your eyes on this spot!
Until then, Adios!
Charl
So, I'm gonna try and get as much info into as little a space as possible...lol....hey we can't all sit on blogs the whole day reading while the boss looks over our shoulders!
So, my last days as Mr Gay South Africa: I can only say it was a pleasure. I had the privilege of spending it on a cruise with the 2010 contestants, only this time around I had a lot more time on my hands and was able to really appreciate the wonders of the ocean...and may I say stable ground...as the last day on the ship was spend walking from hard to starboard, and not because we wanted to, but because of the motion of the ocean. On Friday night a new Representative for the SA Gay Community was chosen and the entire day was like reliving my year in a nutshell while reminiscing about my own experience on the night of the 2009 competition. All in all, it was an incredible year, and if i had to write EVERYTHING down, I probably would have to compile it in a book.....maybe I should!
These next few weeks are going to be just as exciting, with the Mamba Online Sexiest Man Competition (www.mambaonline.com) on the 1st December, and then the Philippines on the 5th where I will be addressing the media in a speech on HIV/Aids-Where we come from, and where are we going?
Until then, Adios!
Charl
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
THE NEW NISSAN 370Z
Here is s thorough review done on the Nissan 370Z in the US of A.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUT-15 years and still going strong!
I have to date not come across an organization that is so fully dedicated to helping the LGBTI community, in ALL its facets, needs and concerns, as OUT is. With their involvement in the advocacy of the LGBTI community in the realm of equality in SA, OUT has shown that they truly stand as representatives of the entire community and are a Presence to the general public and an organization which stands firm in its beliefs and serves to protect the rights of its community. With regards to work on grassroots level, OUT has proven to be a definite forerunner when it comes to research on the Health and Well-being of the LGBTI community with Projects such as their PRISM Project, which is aimed at not only the distribution of prevention methods, but also educational tools such as pamphlets, flyers and open days, while also offering support groups and counselling (both via web-access, telephonic or personal) to members of the public. Along with this they offer comprehensive treatment at their PRISM Lifestyle Centre where services such as HIV Testing, Counselling and General Physical Examinations are conducted by trained and friendly staff.
As Mr Gay South Africa 2009/Mr Gay World 2010, it truly is an Honour to be associated with OUT. As the nature of my work is on a global scale, it is not always easy to touch base on ground level as much as I would like and I am grateful to organizations such as OUT for their ability to reach out to the community in such a great manner.
On behalf of the Mr Gay South Africa and Mr Gay World organizations I would like to congratulate OUT for their incredible service to the LGBTI over the past fifteen years and wish them luck in their future endeavours! Happy Birthday and may the next fifteen years be even more successful than the last!
Charl van den Berg
Visit them at http://www.out.org.za/
Friday, September 10, 2010
SAME SEX PARENTS GAIN VICTORY AT HOME AFFAIRS
We (Desmond & I) finally have our Unabridged Birth Certificates in hand, that reflect both our names. It's been an uphill battle with Home Affairs the past 3 months, but with perseverance and support from family, friends and other parents we got it done.
I have been informed by Home Affairs official that the changes made on the system will be permanent and that the changes will apply to all citizens of South Africa.
Now same-sex parents would be able to register their children without complications.
The unabridged birth certificate will reflect Parent 1 and Parent 2.
Further to the above, new forms are available at all DHA (Department of Home Affairs) offices, we are liaising with Home Affairs to inform us of the documentation numbers, e.g. DHA 24 so that when you do go to DHA you can ask for the forms and get things done right from the start, without having to go back and forth.
Regards
Rudi & Desmond
I have been informed by Home Affairs official that the changes made on the system will be permanent and that the changes will apply to all citizens of South Africa.
Now same-sex parents would be able to register their children without complications.
The unabridged birth certificate will reflect Parent 1 and Parent 2.
Further to the above, new forms are available at all DHA (Department of Home Affairs) offices, we are liaising with Home Affairs to inform us of the documentation numbers, e.g. DHA 24 so that when you do go to DHA you can ask for the forms and get things done right from the start, without having to go back and forth.
Regards
Rudi & Desmond
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