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SIERRA LEONE: Leading Gay Activist Survives Brutal Attack

Disturbing news from the West African nation of Sierra Leone. The nation's most prominent LGBT rights activist says he narrowly escaped death after two men attacked him while he was driving his car, reports Africa Review.

George Reginald Freeman, executive director of Pride Equality, had his car destroyed as he was being beaten by two men on a motor bike who intercepted him while driving in an isolated suburb of the capital, Freetown. The incident happened on the same day a local tabloid, Exclusive Newspaper, exposed his sexual orientation. ...

[Freeman] said he was driving to a local hotel where he had intended to pass the night as a precautionary measure against a possible attack when he was confronted by his assailants. "I was afraid that an attack was imminent and I thought the best move was to stay away from my apartment," he said.

He was half way through his destination when a motorbike rider suddenly appeared in front of him. At the same time a second one appeared on the driver`s side and threw a heavy stone his way. The glass on both sides of his car windows was shattered. As he attempted to escape, he was intercepted and beaten up, with his attackers using broken glasses and sharp metal objects.

The tabloid headline was "I was Born Gay." Freeman says the article was "not new" and was first published by the UK-based MTV Voices last July. "Very few Sierra Leoneans took note of it" at the time, adds the report.

George Freeman made international news in November 2011 after a radio talk show. Freeman and two other LGBT activists were reportedly kicked out of their homes, and received threatening phone calls and text messages.

Male same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Sierra Leone. The punishment could be life imprisonment. Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is the only African nation to guarantee equal marriage.

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SIERRA LEONE: Backlash After Activists Appear on Radio
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SIERRA LEONE: Backlash After LGBT Activists Appear on Radio Show

A radio talk show appearance featuring several LGBT activists in Sierra Leone has led to a "nasty, threatening, homophobic" backlash, reports LGBT Asylum News. At least three gay men were reportedly kicked out of their homes, and have received phone calls and text messages threatening violence.

WhyCantWeGetMarried.Com West Africa Regional Director George Reginald Freeman was invited for a radio discussion program on November 8 at Radio Democracy FM 98.1 [in] Freetown. During the interview, Freeman threw light on the Nigeria same gender bill. ... The program also invited Mr. Henry Sheku, Communication Officer of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone who said the HRCSL "is not working on LGBTI human rights, because the law of Sierra Leone does not give the Commission mandate to advocate and support LGBTI human rights."

After the radio program, Ephraim Bernard Wilson, Denzil Kargbo and George Reginald Freeman were kicked out of their family houses with harassment and homophobic statements by their family members. Bernard’s family said that homosexuality is not accepted in Christianity; Denzil’s friends said that because of moral values he needed to leave the house; and George’s family said that homosexuality is satanic and a taboo to African culture so he needed to leave.

After the program unknown individuals started to call us and left hatred comments and we were harassed and some even threaten us. At the moment, we are currently staying at the office behind closed doors with no moral and financial support from other organizations, friends and family members.

Male same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Sierra Leone. The punishment could be life imprisonment.

In July 2011, the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat of Sierra Leone published a ground-breaking study on men who have sex with men (MSM). The study found a 7.5 percent HIV prevalence, which is  "more than five times" the national rate. The government reportedly is attempting to incorporate MSM into its national HIV/AIDS strategy—but that could be problematic since same-sex activity carries such harsh penalties.

Meanwhile: More than 50 LGBT activists from Sierra Leone, Cameroon, South Africa, Zimbabwe,  Kenya and other African nations are completing a three-week long training in Stockholm  The conference sponsored by the Swedish government and various NGOs trains the activists on how to lobby their governments on MSM and LGBT issues.

The Stockholm  training is in advance of the MSM pre-conference and 5-day session of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2011) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The international conference will discuss MSM and LGBT issues at length. More than 10,000 people are expected ICASA 2011 which begins December 4.

PHOTO: Chivas USA Midfielder Michael Lahoud for NoH8

Bravo. Chivas USA midfielder Michael Lahoud lends his face and celebrity to photographer Adam Bouska's striking "No H8" campaign. It's a powerful visual statement against homophobia and for equality.

The Sierra Leone-borne footballer becomes one of the latest athlete allies to join the campaign. Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Harris, New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie and basketball legend Isiah Thomas also posed for Bouska in recent months.

The 25-year-old Lahoud also becomes the third member of the Los Angeles-based major league soccer club to appear in the campaign, reports Outsports.  "Just did a photo shoot for the NoH8 campaign with @jbraun17," Lahoud tweeted on June 29, referring to teammate Justin Braun. "They're bringing attention to a big present day issue."

Three images of Lahoud playing in last week's 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes AFTER THE JUMP ...