Join Us on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 6PM with Circle of Voices Inc. - A Tribute for Living Lesbians & Icons of African Descent

A Tribute for Living Lesbians & Icons of African Descent

Friday, March 23, 2012
6 - 10 PM

Bring your drums & Instruments for our
DRUM CIRCLE & Dance

New York State Senator
Eric Adams
(D, WF) 20th Senate District

This tribute will include a panel discussion and musical celebration from proud LGBT Women of African Descent who lived and celebrated their sexuality in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Sharing their history as they reflect on their many challenges, great events and how the LGBT lifestyle has changed.


Moderator:
Kaz Mitchell, Activist & Director of Circle of Voices Inc.

Panel:
Jean Wimberly, Founder & Executive Director Circle of Voices Inc.
Roberta Stokes aka Oloyade, Dancer, Choreographer & Musician
Suhir “Blackeagle” Jones, CC- Founder of “I Am Aware Self Esteem Series for Women & Girls and COVI's Talent Coordinator

Kim Ford, founded Kitchen Table Giving Circle: A Black/African Descent LGBTQ Women Philanthropic Initiative

Entertainment MC:
Comedian Diva-Tammy Peay
Don’t Tell Mamas, The Cutting Room, Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s, Gotham Comedy Club, Stand Up NY, Nubian Dreams Cruises, Moonlight Cruises & more.

Win 2 Tickets for “Sistas”-The Musical or A Gift Basket from Organogold Coffee

THE EVENING SPONSORS

El Dorado Rum Brooklyn Brewery Zen Biz Travel
Photos By Harlem Check Organogold Coffee Walker Communications Group

Circle of Voices Inc. a non-profit Womyn of African Descent and Womyn of Color organization that provide multi-cultural events of an artistic nature as nourishment for the human spirit. We provide a creative arts environment where Womyn of all orientations can exchange information, her-stories, knowledge and skills amongst each other and the community at large through performances, workshops, music festivals and seminars that express issues that affect our environment.

Brooklyn Borough Hall –Brooklyn Borough President’s Office
209 Joralemons @Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Door Open at 6:00pm
Panel & Entertainment start 7:00pm
THIS IS AN ALL GENDER EVENT, We welcome Community Members & Friends
Subway: 2,3,4,5, -Borough Hall/A,C,F- Jay St. / Borough Hall-/N, R –Court St. Bus: B25, B26, B37, B38, B41, B51, B52, B54, B61, B65, B67, B75

Ugandan lesbian asylum seeker wins last minute reprieve from deportation from UK

by Jessica Geen
28 January 2011

www.pinknews.co.uk

photo courtesy of Brett Lock, Outrage!

Gay rights campaigners are hoping that a lesbian Ugandan woman will be spared deportation from the UK this evening.

Brenda Namigadde is to be placed on a plane at 9.20pm after the UK Border Agency decided that she had no right to remain in the UK, as there was not enough evidence to show she is gay.

Supporters of the 29-year-old say that they would not be championing her case if she was not a lesbian and argue that there is plenty of evidence to show she will face persecution if returned to Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal.

Today, a 30,000-signature petition was delivered to Home Secretary Theresa May urging her to stop the deportation and allow Ms Namigadde to make a fresh asylum campaign.

The Ugandan’s case has been reviewed twice by a judge and her supporters say two of her witnesses were unable to attend a recent hearing.

She says that she was forced to leave the country after the home she shared with her Canadian girlfriend was burned down.

This week, the Ugandan MP responsible for the country’s notorious gay execution bill, David Bahati, said that she would be welcome in Uganda if she “repents”.

Ms Namigadde is now in the unfortunate situation of her actual sexuality being irrelevant, as she is to be deported from the UK to a country where she is now believed to be gay.

She told PinkNews.co.uk yesterday that she expected to be killed upon her return.

Paul Canning, of campaign website LGBT Asylum News, said of Ms Namigadde’s asylum application: “Lesbians have been found to be disproportionately placed into the ‘fast track’ system, which means after that one hearing Brenda’s chances of avoiding being removed are dramatically reduced.

“The government has been asked to recognise that sexuality-based asylum cases are almost always complex, should be allowed more time and therefore not place them in ‘fast-track’ but they have refused."

“LGBT Asylum News has three separate and independent pieces of evidence that say that Brenda is a lesbian. We would not have embarked on this campaign if we believed she was not.”

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has also called for Ms Namigadde to avoid deportation.

He said: “The Home Secretary, Theresa May, last year promised that the coalition government would not deport lesbian and gay refugees to countries like Uganda where they would be at risk of persecution."

“She should honour her pledge by halting the removal of Brenda Namigadde and allowing her to make a fresh asylum appeal."

“If she is forced back to Uganda, Brenda is likely to be arrested at the airport and probably jailed and tortured – or murdered by a homophobic mob.”

Ms Namigadde’s solicitor put in a fresh asylum claim this week, which the UK Border Agency is expected to respond to today.

The decision may well come at the last moment, although Ms Namigadde’s supporters are still urging Ms May to use her power to halt the deportation order.

Story continues:

Ugandan Lesbian Asylum Seeker Wins Last Minute Reprieve from Deportation from UK