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How to Write About Africa

Kenya, 27 January 2014 Binyavanga Wainaina writes about the mistakes everyone makes when writing about Africa. Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title. Subtitles may include the words ‘Zanzibar’, ‘Masai’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Zambezi’, ‘Congo’, ‘Nile’, ‘Big’, ‘Sky’, ‘Shadow’, ‘Drum’, ‘Sun’ or ‘Bygone’. Also useful are words such as ‘Guerrillas’, ‘Timeless’, ‘Primordial’ and…

I Am A Homosexual, Mum

Binyavanga Wainaina writes about coming out to his mother. ‘Nobody, nobody, ever in my life has heard this. Never, mum. I did not trust you, mum. And. I. Pulled air hard and balled it down into my navel, and let it out slow and firm, clean and without bumps out of my mouth, loud and clear…

Binyavanga Wainaina profile

Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenyan author, journalist and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing. His first book was a response to anti-gay laws passed in Africa. He has been given the Young Global Leader award, that is given to people who have the potential to contributing to changing the world. He has written for many…

2014 Zimbabwe Arrest of Ricky Nathanson

Organisation: Sexual Rights Centre Press release 23 January 2014 “We condemn the arrest of Ricky Nathanson, a transgender person, who remained in police custody for two days. The premise of the arrest was that Ricky had used the ‘Ladies’ toilet. Can it possibly be justified to arrest someone for such a reason under the new Constitution…

[WATCH] Binyavanga Wainaina’s 6 part series calls out BS behind “African” homophobia

21 January 2014. Binyavanga Wainaina’s wonderful essay in six witty, moving, thoughtful, hilarious, essential, truthful parts – “We Must Free Our Imaginations”, or as he called it on Twitter: @AfricasaCountry and Website: Africasacountry last night, “What I Have to Say About Being Gay”. There are too many highlights to quote all of them here (like the bit about “the politician” who promises…

2013 Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Organisation: Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Press release 20 January 2014: Expanded Criminalisation of Homosexuality in Uganda: A Flawed Narrative. Empirical evidence and strategic alternatives from an African perspective “SMUG remains committed to pursue all possible lawful means to challenge the existence of such an intrusive law on Uganda’s statute books, and to defend the fundamental human rights…

2013 Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill response from SMUG

Organisation: Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Press release 20 January 2014: Expanded Criminalisation of Homosexuality in Uganda: A Flawed Narrative. Empirical evidence and strategic alternatives from an African perspective “SMUG remains committed to pursue all possible lawful means to challenge the existence of such an intrusive law on Uganda’s statute books, and to defend the fundamental human rights…