GEORGINA WINS SUPREME QUEER AWARD
Openly transsexual member of the New Zealand Parliament Georgina Beyer was named Supreme Queer of the Year at the nationally televised New Zealand Queer Community Awards July 8.
The awards were organized by the Gay Auckland Business Association, Wellington's Gay Association of Professionals, Christchurch's Gays and Lesbians In Business, and The HERO Project Trust.
Lucy Lawless, star of TV's Xena: Warrior Princess, was a special guest presenter. Prime Minister Helen Clark received a "straight ally" award.
GAY GROUP FORMS IN NIGERIA
With the transition from military to civilian government, a gay organization has formed in Nigeria.
The Alternative Lifestyles Foundation hopes to organize gays and lesbians into a formidable pressure group to promote gay visibility and equality.
Co-founder Kene Uz Korie says the first step is for gays to take a public stand.
GAY-SUPPORTIVE MAGAZINE TORCHED
The offices of Sister Namibia magazine were torched July 10 and editors believe it was due to their strong support for gays.
Files and research materials were destroyed and computers were damaged.
The National Society for Human Rights commented: "While the motive for the attack is not yet known, the attack occurred barely a week after Namibian President Sam Nujoma launched a verbal attack on the homosexual community. Once again, it seems that anyone who stands up for the human rights of others is at risk."
Nujoma recently said: "Those who are practicing homosexuality in Namibia are destroying the nation. ... Homosexuals must be condemned and rejected in our society."
