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VIDEO: New Jamaican PM Portia Simpson-Miller Supports Gay Rights

PHOTO: Jamaica Gleaner

There is very good news from Jamaica. LGBT activists on the island are hopeful after the December 29 election of People’s National Party leader Portia Simpson-Miller. The former opposition leader and incoming prime minister came out for gay rights during a televised debate.

Simpson-Miller previously served as Jamaica's prime minister from March 2006 to September 2007, and was the first woman in that role.

Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...

Simpson-Miller made the comments during a December 20 debate with Jamaica Labour Party leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Both candidates were asked if they were willing to appoint gays to their cabinet. Simpson-Miller's transcript as follows:

"Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be demonstrated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide protection. We should take a look at the buggery law. Members of parliament should be able to vote based on their conscience after consultation with their constituents. But for me, I support the [appointment of people] based on their abilities. ... I have no intention of prying in the personal business of anyone."

The question was in response to former Prime Minister Bruce Golding's infamous 2008 statement  that he would never appoint a gay person to his cabinet. PM Holness first avoided answering the question directly, but then noted that most Jamaicans were against appointing gays to public office.

Simpson-Miller's remarks on the nation's "buggery" laws come during the  first-ever legal challenge to Jamaica's sodomy laws. Although rarely enforced, the law mandates imprisonment of "up to ten years ... for the abominable crime of buggery."

The international advocacy organization AIDS-Free World  has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of two Jamaican gay men. HIV/AIDS advocates estimate that almost one third of men who have sex with men are HIV positive,  compared to a rate of 1.6 percent in the general population. Many experts believe that the island's homophobic culture and sodomy laws discourage MSM from being tested and/or seeking treatment for HIV.

Sodomy laws in several Caribbean nations, such as Belize, are also being challenged. British PM David Cameron has asked African, Asian and Caribbean nations in the Commonwealth to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight rampant HIV rates across the global south.

Watch Simpson-Miller's historic remarks AFTER THE JUMP ...

GHANA: Officials Resolute Against Gay Rights, "To Hell" with UK Aid

President John Evans Atta Mills and members of Ghana's parliament are outraged after British Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that foreign aid should be decreased to countries that do not respect gay rights.

Officials and religious leaders in the West African nation have compared the suggestion to colonialism and "oppression", reports Radio Netherlands Worldwide Africa.

Reverend George Asante, the head pastor of the Christian Messengers Church in Ghana’s second largest city Kumasi, opposes the UK premier’s ideas. "Homosexuality is wrong on so many levels. From a constitutional and religious point of view it is illegal and must never be tolerated," he says. Ghanaian law does indeed prohibit the practice of homosexuality, which makes it difficult for gay people to express themselves.

Cameron’s threats haven’t impressed President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana. Cameron said that "British aid should have more strings attached… While we appreciate all the financial assistance and aid which has been given to us by our development partners, we will not accept any aid with strings attached if that aid doesn’t serve our interests."

Reverend Asante [believes] that “Ghanaians must resist every form of oppression even if it means economic sanctions. Historically we have never condoned homosexuality, which is why Ghana’s constitution makes sure that any form of unnatural sex isn’t legalised.” But [the] constitution of Ghana doesn’t explicitly mention homosexuality.

RNWA quoted one gay Ghanaian who supported sanctions. But many other African LGBT and human rights groups have publicly distanced themselves from Cameron's position.

Several MPs said "to hell with their aid," reports Ghana's MyJoyOnline.

"When it (gay) became a topical issue, we made one of our members to make a statement condemning it and unanimously, across both divides, we said never shall we ever pass a law in the Parliament of Ghana [promoting gay rights]," Gershon Gbediame, Majority Chief Whip has told Myjoyonline.com.

Gbediame ... asked Ghanaians, especially, Christians to remain firm behind the government in the fight against gay rights to avoid the wrath of God visiting us.

"When you come to Ghana you will know that Ghana is richly blessed, so much, there is no need why we should bow and kowtow to people like Cameron, Obama to say that if you don’t pass gay rights we are not going to give you any aid; to hell with their aid, we shall not, shall not sell our birthright, we believe in the word of God, we shall not go contrary to the word of God...we are prepare to go hungry."

UK Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement at the recent 54-nation Commonwealth meeting in Australia in response to soaring HIV rates in the global south. A number of African leaders have criticized the suggestion and Britain apparently is backpedaling.

Recent months have seen an increase in anti-gay rhetoric coning from elected officials and media in the West African nation. Last summer, President Mills denounced homosexuality and the Western Region Minister announced the "immediate arrest of all homosexuals."

More than 100 African-based activists and organizations issued a statement criticizing Cameron's suggestion on the eve of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Many activists from Cameroon, Nigeria and other African nations have said that anti-gay persecution has escalated in recent months as a result of Cameron's threat.

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Amazing Video of "Out and Proud" Gay Men in Ghana
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Tanzania Slams UK Threat to Withdraw Aid
Zambia Criticizes UK Threat to Withdraw Aid
Zimbabwe's Mugabe Calls Cameron "Satanic"
ZIM PM Tsvangirai Continues Calling for Gay Rights
ZIM: Tsvangirai Slammed Over Support for Gay Rights
ZIMBABWE: PM Tsvangirai Now Calls for Gay Rights

VIDEO: African LGBT Leader Joel Nana Criticizes UK PM Cameron

ADDIS ABABA: More criticism after British Prime Minister David Cameron's suggestion that foreign aid should be decreased to countries that do not respect gay rights. Cameron made the announcement at the recent 54-nation Commonwealth meeting in Australia in response to soaring HIV rates in the global south. A number of African leaders have criticized the suggestion—as well as many African LGBT activists at ICASA 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Watch the video clip AFTER THE JUMP ...

"Cameron's statement was extremely dangerous to our movement," said South African-based attorney and human rights activist Joel Nana of the African Men for Sexual Health and Rights, responding to a question from R20. "It re-emphasizes the notion that homosexuality is un-African or European. It shows that Great Britain will cut aid over LGBT issues and nothing else. ... We're also part of mainstream African society. They're also cutting aid to youth services and people living with HIV."

"We know that Britain is facing some economic problems, " said Nana. "If Britain wants to cut aid, let them cut aid because of that, but not over LGBT rights in our name."

Nana and more than 100 African-based activists and organizations issued a statement in response to Cameron's suggestion. Many activists from Cameroon, Nigeria and other African nations believe that anti-gay persecution has escalated in recent months as a result of Cameron's threat.

Watch the video clip AFTER THE JUMP ...

Zimbabwe's Mugabe Calls Cameron "Satanic" for Supporting Gay Rights

Zimbabwe's notoriously anti-gay despot Robert Mugabe has slammed British Prime Minister David Cameron's suggestion that aid should be decreased to countries that failed to respect gay rights. Cameron made the announcement at the recent 54-nation Commonwealth meeting in Australia.

Mugabe described Cameron's suggestion as "satanic" and threatened that gays would be "punished severely", reports AFP and The Telegraph.

Mugabe, 87, said the concept was "stupid" and that homosexuality was inconsistent with African and Christian values."It becomes worse and Satanic when you get a prime minister like Cameron saying countries that want British aid should accept homosexuality," he said. "To come with that diabolical suggestion to our people is a stupid offer."

Speaking to a group of young people at a community event in a mining town in Zimbabwe's Midlands region, he added that it was "impossible for John to marry Jack or Maria to marry Theresa".

"Do not get tempted into that (homosexuality). You are young people. We will punish you severely," he was quoted as saying in the state-run Herald newspaper. "It is condemned by nature. It is condemned by insects and that is why I have said they are worse than pigs and dogs."

Mugabe's comments come as Zimbabweans prepare to vote next year and possibly afford gays some legal protections. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai—Mugabe political rival—has called for greater tolerance and promised "not to prosecute anyone who is gay."

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe, as they are in at least 32 of 54 African countries. Two activists with Zimbabwe's only LGBT group were arrested in a May 2010 raid—and later tortured—but were acquitted. Neighboring South Africa is the only nation on the continent that guarantees LGBT rights and marriage equality.

Meanwhile: The United Nations says at least one million people in Zimbabwe face starvation as a result of hyper-inflation created by Mugabe's economic policies. Priorities, priorities.

Some Background:
ZIM PM Tsvangirai Continues Calling for Gay Rights
ZIM: Tsvangirai Slammed Over Support for Gay Rights
ZIMBABWE: PM Tsvangirai Now Calls for Gay Rights
ZIM Service Chiefs "Demand" Mugabe's Resignation?
Mugabe Denounces "Filthy Gays" of Europe
UN Votes to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence
Zimbabwe: Gay Activist Trial Delayed
Zimbabwe: Gay Activist Acquitted
Mugabe Apologizes to Dogs for Gay Comparison
Zimbabwe Vows to Outlaw Homosexuality in Constitution

Zambia Criticizes UK Threat to Withdraw Aid from Anti-Gay Nations

Zambia becomes the latest nation to slam British Prime Minister David Cameron's suggestion that aid should be decreased to countries that failed to respect gay rights. Cameron made the announcement at the recent 54-nation Commonwealth meeting in Australia.

The Lusaka Times and Zambian Watchdog report that British authorities have backpedaled after protests by leaders of  the southern African nation.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter clarified that the statement issued by the prime-minister does not apply to Zambia for now. He told radio Phoenix Thursday morning that the UK sees it as its responsibility to protect people of all sexual orientations but that the statement made in Australia was not directed at Zambia.

"He was not talking about Zambia in that case. I cannot talk about other countries. I am here in Zambia and we are very, very happy the way things are going here," said Carter.

Zambia’s chief government spokesperson Given Lubinda said the nation would only enact laws supported by its citizens and in line with their culture. ... He said Zambia was a sovereign state and would make independent decisions on which laws to enact. "Zambia will not be pressured to formulate laws or policies by any foreign government," Mr Lubinda told Lusaka-based Hot FM Radio.

Clergy and politicians in the southern African nation were "outraged" in May 2010 after international donors made a similar suggestion and asked them to relax its harsh anti-gay laws.

AIn March 2011, clergy and politicians in Zambia threatened to campaign against Michael Sata—formerly leader of the opposition Patriotic Front—after he indicated a softened position on gay rights. Sata later won the presidency in peaceful elections in September.

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both males and females in Zambia. The Zambian government does not permit advocacy of LGBT rights, reports the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (PDF). Former Presidents Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and Festus Mogae of Botswana recently called for the decriminalization of sodomy statutes across Africa.

Zambia is rich in copper mineral wealth, but is one of the world's poorest nations, boasts a 16 percent HIV rate and the average life expectancy is only 4o years old. Priorities, priorities.

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Tanzania Slams UK Threat to Withdraw Aid
Former Leaders Botswana, Zambia: Decriminalize Sodomy

Calls for Commonwealth to Repeal Anti-Gay Laws

Tanzania Slams UK Threat to Withdraw Aid from Anti-Gay Nations

There has been a fast and furious response to UK Prime Minister David Cameron's suggestion that aid would be cut to countries which failed to respect gay rights. Cameron made the announcement at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Australia.

Tanzania is the latest nation to slam Cameron's suggestion. The government of the East African nation says it will not relax its harsh anti-gay laws even if that means it loses "substantial" funding, reports Reuters Africa.

"Tanzania will never accept Cameron's proposal because we have our own moral values. Homosexuality is not part of our culture and we will never legalise it," foreign affairs minister Bernard Membe was quoted as saying by Tanzania's Guardian newspaper. "We are not ready to allow any rich nation to give us aid based on unacceptable conditions simply because we are poor. If we are denied aid by one country, it will not affect the economic status of this nation and we can do without UK aid."

Tanzania, a former British colony and one of Africa's biggest per capita aid recipients, received $453 million of aid for its 2011/12 budget, with Britain the largest provider of general budget support.

Britain apparently is backing down, according to the Tanzanian newspaper The Citizen.

The British High Commissioner to Tanzania Ms Diane Corner ... said the UK won’t enforce acceptance of homosexuality in Tanzania, nor would it withhold development aid to the country on account of the latter’s negative perception of gay culture. The High Commissioner spoke only a day after Tanzania’s forceful expression of opposition to the widely publicised views of Mr Cameron to the effect that countries that failed to enforce the rights of minorities, including gays, could be denied British aid.On Thursday, the Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohammed Shein, said his government would not abide by the UK demands on same-sex marriages.

In Tanzania, sexual relations between men are criminalized under penal codes Section 154 and 257 and punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment.

British, Canadian and Australian leaders asked African and Caribbean nations to decriminalize same-sex relations in an effort to fight soaring HIV rates. So far: Ghana, Malawi and Uganda have angrily denounced Cameron's threat and vowed to go without British aid rather than repeal their laws.

Some Background:
Calls for Commonwealth to Repeal Anti-Gay Laws
UK Begins Deportation of Gay Activist to Tanzania

REPORTS: Calls for Commonwealth Nations to Repeal Anti-Gay Laws

PHOTOS: Getty, AP

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting opened this morning in Perth, Western Australia. The biennial meeting brings together leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations, mostly former members of the British Empire.

British PM David Cameron and Australian PM Julia Gillard (above), as well as Canadian PM Stephen Harper, are expected to ask member nations to repeal anti-gay laws in an effort to address soaring HIV rates in the global south, reports The Globe and Mail and AFP.

The body tasked with developing options to reform the Commonwealth has noted that the old British Empire laws against gays are still in force in 41 of the 54 member nations. These include statues, mostly enacted in colonial times, which criminalise homosexual sex.

About 2.7 million new people become infected with HIV every year, with the virus claiming a further two million lives annually from Aids. Commonwealth countries are disproportionately burdened with the disease, accounting for some 30% of the global population, but 60% of the world's HIV/Aids cases.

The move comes after reports that the British Foreign Ministry is considering decreasing aid to nations that have been prosecuting gays, reports South Africa's Daily Mail.

Prime Minister David Cameron ... will tell struggling nations they will receive funding “fines” if persecution of homosexuals continues. The government has already cut aid to Malawi by £19 million [$31 million] after two gay men were sentenced to 14 years hard labour. The southern African nation also plans to bring in tough anti-lesbian laws.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell could also reduce aid to Uganda and Ghana unless they drop laws against homosexuality. Uganda, which is due to receive £70 million [$113 million] in 2011, plans to punish homosexuality with the death penalty. The president of Ghana, which gets £36 million [$58 million] a year, has promised to bring in measures to “check the menace of homosexuality and lesbianism”.

The former Indian High Court judge who famously overturned an anti-gay law in Delhi will call on Commonwealth nations to repeal such laws, according to Australia Network News.

The push comes as sodomy laws in several Commonwealth nations are being challenged. A lawsuit was filed against Botswana's anti-gay laws in February. And a landmark challenge to Jamaica's anti-gay laws was announced this week.

Meanwhile: The Commonwealth remains divided over calls for a human rights commissioner. That proposal is not expected to pass.