New Internationalist. The people, the ideas, the action in the fight for global justice.

On 10 September, two Ugandan LGBTI activists, Georgina (aka Oundo George) and Brenda (aka Kiiza) were taken into custody by two men in plain clothes who identified themselves as police officers. The two activists were held illegally for one week, were denied any legal representation, denied bail and never brought before a judge. Under both Ugandan and International law the detention was illegal...

For me, one of the real achievements of this WSF has been the wonderful turnout of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) activists here (particularly from Africa). The Q-Spot, a venue setup by GALCK (the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya), was one of the most popular hangouts in the stadium. Numerous workshops, trainings, debates, film screenings, exhibits, and poetry readings were well attended and there was a real buzz about the place. ‘Sexual rights’ as a concept has really captured people’s imaginations as both straight and gay alike were able to connect with and rally behind the simple yet powerful assertion that all human beings have the fundamental right to express their own sexuality and be free from persecution.