Africa: Africa's gay and lesbian people combat bias

The international campaign for equal rights for homosexuals and other sexual minorities took a step forward on November 14 last year when South Africa became the first country in Africa, and the fifth in the world, to legalise same-sex marriage. The new law, adopted by a 230-to-41 vote, was welcomed by gay and lesbian activists in South Africa and around the world as a significant advance for equal rights. But it is not a trend. Conservative religious and political leaders in many countries still strongly oppose equal rights for homosexuals, including same-sex marriage.