HEADLINES

India: Pride Event Cancelled Over Religious Threats: Organisers cancel a Pride celebration in the Indian city of Amritsar following threats to participants’ safety from religious groups.
Meet Nompilo Gwala, MambaOnline’s New Managing Editor: Heralding a bold new chapter, MambaOnline is proud to announce the appointment of Nompilo Gwala as its new Managing Editor.
Afghanistan: Fears for Lives of Two LGBTQ+ Women Arrested by Taliban: A young woman is pleading for the release of her soulmate, one of two LGBTQ+ women arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Doccie Shines Light on Barriers to Gender-Affirming Healthcare in South Africa: A new documentary from Iranti has highlighted the critical need for accessible gender-affirming healthcare in South Africa.
Jason Orpheus Dedicates Powerful New Song to Gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks (Listen): Jason Orpheus dedicates his new single Beauty on the Fire to slain queer Imam Muhsin Hendricks. A powerful tribute to love and self-worth.
The Silent Epidemic: How Gay Men in South Africa Face Rising Violence in the Digital Age: Dating apps are being weaponised to attack gay men in South Africa. We spoke to the author of a new study that sheds light on the crisis.
Russia Bans Elton John AIDS Foundation: British singer Elton John's AIDS Foundation has been outlawed by the Russian authorities due to its support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Gauteng LGBTIQ+ Activist Accused of Assaulting Lesbian Woman: Gauteng LGBTIQ+ activist Sidwell Lengatsa has denied allegations of assault following his arrest for allegedly attacking a lesbian woman.
Trans Mental Health: My Journey to Turn Trauma into Purpose: Trans mental health is rarely talked about. In this personal essay, Namibian activist Ziggy Porsche #Eixas shares their mental health journey.

FEATURES

The Silent Epidemic: How Gay Men in South Africa Face Rising Violence in the Digital Age: Despite South Africa’s progressive legal
Trans Mental Health: My Journey to Turn Trauma into Purpose:
Trans mental health is rarely talked about. In this raw and powerful personal essay,
Fighting for God: The Church’s War on Trans People in Botswana: Phio Kenosi reflects on his deeply personal journey with faith as a trans individual,
Cassandra Roxburgh: Finding Trans Hope When the World Feels Like It’s Burning: Amid the rising global vilification of gender diverse
South Africa LGBTIQ+ Rights Watch: February 2025: MambaOnline and OUT Well-being publish a monthly overview of reported LGBTIQ+ rights violations
Seen but Not Safe: The Double-Edged Sword of Trans Visibility in Namibia: We are often told that LGBTIQ+ visibility is essential for driving
More Countries Cut Foreign Aid, Endangering Marginalised Communities: The world’s most vulnerable communities are facing an alarming crisis
In Pictures: Cape Town Pride 2025: The 2025 Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday, 1 March, was a vibrant celebration of LGBTIQ+ queerness, love,
Zackie Achmat: The Hate You Give – On Being Queer and Muslim in Cape Town: When I heard about Imam Muhsin Hendricks’s killing in

Culture

Jason Orpheus Dedicates Powerful New Song to Gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks (Listen): Cape Town-based singer and songwriter Jason Orpheus
Watch “Wicked” Star Cynthia Erivo’s Powerful Speech at GLAAD Awards: Wicked star Cynthia Erivo delivered a powerful
The Search for Miss Drag South Africa 2025 is Underway: Miss Drag South Africa, the country’s premier national drag pageant, is officially accepting
LGBT+ Stars Urged to Boycott Hungary Over Pride Ban: There are calls for high-profile LGBT+ musicians like Chappell Roan and allies like Katy Perry
Who is Elon Musk’s Trans Daughter, Vivian Wilson?: South African-born Elon Musk is one of the most controversial and reviled figures in the world.
In Pictures: Cape Town Pride 2025: The 2025 Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday, 1 March, was a vibrant celebration of LGBTIQ+ queerness, love,

Latest

India: Pride Event Cancelled Over Religious Threats
Organisers have cancelled a Pride parade and celebration in the Indian city of Amritsar following
Meet Nompilo Gwala, MambaOnline’s New Managing Editor Heralding a bold new chapter for South Africa’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ online news and
Afghanistan: Fears for Lives of Two LGBTQ+ Women Arrested by Taliban A young woman is pleading for the release of her soulmate, one of two LGBTQ+
Doccie Shines Light on Barriers to Gender-Affirming Healthcare in South Africa Iranti, a Johannesburg-based organisation advocating
See All Latest Posts

GALLERIES

Relive the magic of the 2025 Cape Town Pride
Out and proud South African designer, Gert-Johan Coetzee, has
Experience the spectacle of MCQP, Cape Town's iconic themed
The 2024 Lesotho Pride event marked a vibrant celebration
Thousands turned out for Johannesburg Pride 2024 in a
The 2024 edition of Pretoria Pride filled the streets

WHAT'S ON

The Search for Miss Drag South Africa 2025 is Underway Miss Drag South Africa, the country’s premier national drag pageant, is officially accepting entries for its highly anticipated 2025 edition.
Event: Bev Ditsie Retrospective and Fundraiser Bev Ditsie, one of South Africa’s most influential queer Black feminist voices in television and film, is being celebrated in Johannesburg this April.
Events: Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival Celebrating its 7th year, the Human Rights Festival returns for the 2025 edition at Johannesburg's Constitution Hill from 20 to 23 March.
2025 Cape Town Pride Festival: First Details Announced The 2025 edition of the Cape Town Pride March and Mardi Gras will paint the city in rainbow colours on 1 March. Here’s what you need to know.
Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Returns for 3-Day December Edition After a five-year break, the Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is back for a short end-of-year edition of select screenings. Don't miss it!
Get Your Groove On! Disco City Brings 70s & 80s Magic to Jozi Ready to boogie this festive season? Disco City is set to light up Joburg’s Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City from 27 December to 12 January.