NAIROBI — Ryan Muiruri is an intersex activist fighting for the official recognition of a third gender option in Kenya. Church leaders across the country oppose the campaign.
Category: Stories
The following stories stem from Taboom’s regular workshops for journalists, editors and media professionals around the world. Since 2014 we have trained and mentored hundreds of journalists from more than 50 countries.
Queer-inclusive prayer spaces in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN — Even in Africa’s “gay capital,” sexual and gender minorities can feel invalidated or rejected by religious communities. Here are three inclusive prayer spaces in Cape Town that work to reconcile rifts between faith, sexuality and gender identity.
Uganda’s LGBT faith leaders say God’s love is unconditional
KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan human rights activist Barigye Ambrose profiles religious LGBTI Ugandans and their allies who have stood firm in the face of local homophobia.
Zimbabwe ministry offers counsel to abused sexual minorities
HARARE, Zimbabwe — In a country where homosexuality is criminalized and authorities and religious leaders often shun and demonize LGBT people, one Pentecostal church outside Harare is encouraging survivors of sexual violence to speak up.
Queer Muslims find solace and solidarity at South Africa retreat
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Queer Muslim activists and allies from around the world gathered here last week to build a movement encouraging inclusive interpretations of Islam that honor and respect their identities in full.
How #ThisFlag pastor Evan Mawarire used Facebook to shut down Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — What started as a social media campaign of flag selfies and hashtags has evolved into a full-fledged citizen movement with “Captain Zimbabwe” as its leader.
Mass. pastor Scott Lively faces possible fine for harsh anti-gay efforts in Uganda
A federal lawsuit lodged by a Ugandan LGBT advocacy group alleges Scott Lively conspired with Ugandan religious and political leaders to incite anti-gay sentiment resulting in discrimination, arrest, torture and murder in that country.
Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in ‘A Sinner in Mecca’
NEW YORK — Authorities in Mecca prohibit camera use at holy sites. Openly gay men are subject to the death penalty. But none of that deterred Parvez Sharma.
In Catholic Colombia, LGBT people find growing acceptance
BOGOTA, Colombia — Not long ago, the thought of a transgender person speaking openly to a Catholic priest here would have seemed unthinkable. Now cultural shifts are making way for LGBT acceptance.
In Britain, a glut of anti-terrorism campaigns draws fans, detractors
CANTERBURY, England — The Quilliam Foundation’s #NotAnotherBrother video on YouTube joins an increasingly crowded market of online counter-extremism campaigns in Britain. Is it #JustAnotherVideo?
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