on receiving my latest email update from change.org i read with horror the story of millicent gaika, a 30 year old south african womon who was beaten, strangled, tortured and raped for five hours by a man as he screamed that he would “cure” her of her lesbianism...
'corrective rape' they call it - a term used to describe the rape of a lesbian with the aim of 'turning' her heterosexual - the implication being that this form of rape is justifiable because it's a 'rehabilitation process' - a necessary punishment - and therefore not a crime against womyn...
sadly the horrifying reality is that "more than 500 “corrective rapes” are reported in South Africa each year, and more than 30 South African lesbians have been murdered because of their sexuality over the past decade. Worse, for every 100 men charged with rape in South Africa, 96 of them walk free..." you can read more here or sign the petition below to have this heinous brutality declared a hate crime...
sadly the horrifying reality is that "more than 500 “corrective rapes” are reported in South Africa each year, and more than 30 South African lesbians have been murdered because of their sexuality over the past decade. Worse, for every 100 men charged with rape in South Africa, 96 of them walk free..." you can read more here or sign the petition below to have this heinous brutality declared a hate crime...
and still more violently acted out homophobia with this disturbing article from reuters uk office...
"Girl killed gay man in "Clockwork Orange" attack. An 18-year-old girl was facing jail on Thursday after being found guilty of a homophobic attack which one witness described as being like something out of the film "A Clockwork Orange.
Former public schoolgirl Ruby Thomas was convicted of the manslaughter of 62-year-old Ian Baynham, who died 18 days after the drink-fuelled assault in Trafalgar Square." ... read more here
shameful isn't it that there is so much violent abuse in this world - so many more horrifying stories waiting to be heard... the brutal and callous treatment of any sentient being is hard to fathom in this world full of incredible beauty and natural wonder...
for those who were touched by tony the tiger's plight, an update...
shameful isn't it that there is so much violent abuse in this world - so many more horrifying stories waiting to be heard... the brutal and callous treatment of any sentient being is hard to fathom in this world full of incredible beauty and natural wonder...
for those who were touched by tony the tiger's plight, an update...
sadly, this beautiful boy is to be psychologically and physically tormented for another 12 months... the action to free tony from his concrete and steel prison has been unsuccessful with the renewal of the truck stop owner's permit to keep him as a 'roadside attraction' for yet another year - but the fight to have him surrendered to a big cat sanctuary will continue throughout 2011... read more of tony's story here...
as it's that time of year - yes, summer! - nature's flourishing and abundant time (thanks Lily for sharing your lovely garden bounty of herbs and veg with me!) - i'd be remiss if i didn't wish you a happy summer solstice for tuesday 21 december...
