OutRage! news service.
Date: Nov 05 2004, 11:17 AM

Vigil for Fannyann Eddy

Vigil in London Following Brutal Murder of African Gay Leader

Tuesday 9th November at 7pm.
272-274 Oxford Street
London W1C
(on the corner of Oxford St and Holles Street.)

Following the brutal rape and murder of courageous lesbian activist
Fannyann Eddy on September 29th 2004, a vigil will be held in central
London.

Fannyann Eddy, 30, was murdered while working late at the offices of
the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association (SLLAGA) in Freetown,
which she founded in 2002. After being repeatedly raped and stabbed
her neck was broken. The assailants have not been caught.

Backed by prominent international activists including Peter Tatchell
and OutRage! the candlelight vigil aims to send a message of peace and
hope to those campaigning against homophobia in Africa and a clear
sign to UK representatives of repressive regimes that
this crime has not been ignored by the international community.

Tribute speeches will be read out on behalf of international gay and
human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Behind
The Mask. The vigil will end with a walking procession to the Sierra
Leone High Commission where a wreath will be laid for
Fannyann.

“Fannyann fought for queer human rights, despite threats and great
personal danger. Thanks to her efforts, lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transsexual people in Sierra Leone have begun to achieve visibility,”
said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!

"The lesbian and gay community of Sierra Leone is in deep shock and
totally frightened by this event." Hans Binswanger, Senior Advisor on
the Africa Region for the World Bank.

“We are encouraging members and concerned human rights activists all
around the world to attend the vigil… to let the world know that as a
first step toward changing the climate of violence and discrimination
against LGBT people in many parts of the world, we are asking heads of
states to initiate a debate on repealing laws that criminalise sexual
relations between consenting adults.” Jimmy Leon Co-ordinator for
African Rapport and Educator Activist for Amnesty International USA

For More Information:

Claire Benjamin
London Vigil for Fannyann Eddy
Email  cb3773@yahoo.com
Phone: 07946 355793 (Phone number not for publication)
or : Anne Hughes: 01323733446 (Phone number not for publication)

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Lesbian activist murdered in Sierra Leone

Fannyann Eddy raped and stabbed

London – 6 October 2004

The founder and leader of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association
(SLLAGA), Fannyann Eddy, 30, was repeatedly raped, stabbed and had her
neck broken. Her murder took place on the night of 28/29 September.
Assailants broke into the SLLAGA office in Freetown, while she was
working alone late at night. She is survived by a 9 year old son.

“OutRage! joins with gay groups around the world in mourning the loss
of a courageous and inspiring African lesbian leader,” said Peter
Tatchell of the London-based gay human rights group OutRage!.

“Fannyann fought for queer human rights, despite threats and great
personal danger. Thanks to her efforts, lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transsexual people in Sierra Leone have begun to achieve visibility.
She helped lay the foundation for queer human rights in Sierra Leone,”
he added.

Fannyann made a submission to the UN Commission on Human rights at the
Geneva meeting in April this year which discussed the Brazilian
Resolution. This resolution would have acknowledged sexual orientation
as a legitimate human right. In her impassioned presentation she
highlighted the vigilante violence and State-sponsored oppression that
lesbian and gay people face in many parts of Africa.

“We face constant harassment and violence from neighbours and others.
Their homophobic attacks go unpunished by authorities, further
encouraging their discriminatory and violent treatment of lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people," she told the Commission.

"Silence creates vulnerability. You, members of the Commission on
Human Rights, can break the silence. You can acknowledge that we
exist, throughout Africa and on every continent, and that human rights
violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity are
committed every day. You can help us combat those violations and
achieve our full rights and freedoms, in every society, including my
beloved Sierra Leone," she continued.

For Further Information:

Brett Lock (OutRage!)
Telephone: 0770 843 5917
Email:  brett@outrage.org.uk

Peter Tatchell (OutRage!)
Telephone 0207 403 1790

ENDS