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Anti-Gay Muslim Clergy Upset the Dutch Namibian Men are Reportedly Detained |
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By Rex Wockner
International News Report Toronto: Meningitis Kills Two Gay Males
Health officials are blanketing Toronto's gay scene
with meningitis alerts after two men who frequented
gay bathhouses and bars died of the disease last week.
Meningococcal meningitis is spread via saliva and nose and throat secretions. It can be transmitted by kissing and by sharing silverware, drinking glasses or anything else that comes in contact with the mouth, such as a cigarette. Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, drowsiness, confusion, convulsions and seizures. "Both of these two men were very active in gay bars and bathhouses," Toronto Public Health spokesman Elizabeth Rea told the Toronto Sun. "If you were at a Toronto bathhouse or nightclub and you had saliva contact, you need to see a physician." The men's identities were not released but one was known to be a regular customer at the gay bar Woody's. Anti-Gay Muslim Clergy Upset the Dutch
The clerics have called homosexuality a sickness that could destroy society. One labeled it "shameless, improper, scandalous and intolerable." Another said gays must be treated medically. On April 1, The Netherlands became the first nation in the world to let gay couples marry under the exact same laws as straight couples. Namibian Men are Reportedly Detained
SFF Commander Sacharia Asheela reportedly arrived on the scene while the detained men were being questioned and ordered officers to return the men's earrings and let them go. A reporter at the scene said Asheela told SFF members: "I told you not to assault or touch anybody. Who told you to take these men's earrings? It should not be repeated again." On April 28, hundreds of gays and others staged a protest march in Windhoek to denounce Nujoma's attacks on gays. Some 20 organizations joined the demonstration, which was organized by the Southern African Human Rights NGO [non-governmental organization] Network. In recent outbursts, Nujoma has said: "See to it that there are no criminals, gays and lesbians in your villages and regions. ... Definitely it's against God's will. It is the devil at work. How can a man marry a man or a woman marry a woman?" He also has said: "In Namibia we don't allow lesbianism or homosexuality. ... We will combat this with vigor -- we will make sure that Namibia will get rid of lesbianism and homosexuality. ... Police are ordered to arrest you and deport you and imprison you. ... Those who are practicing homosexuality in Namibia are destroying the nation. Homosexuals must be condemned and rejected in our society." |
Namibia's homophobic president, Sam Nujoma 