Author: Melanie Nathan

Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

March 15, 2018

Washington, D.C. (March 15, 2018) – The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and Covington & Burling LLP filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. All the plaintiffs have passed credible fear screenings — … More Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

Texas Steps After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4

March 14, 2018

Texas Immigrants, Advocates, Legal Experts Outline Steps Forward After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4 A recording of today’s event is available here. Austin, TX – The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that Senate Bill 4, the state’s so-called sanctuary cities ban, can remain the law of the land in Texas … More Texas Steps After Fifth Circuit Court Ruling on Anti-Immigrant Law SB4

San Rafael Boxing Program With Help of Marin Probation Department

March 14, 2018

Canal Friday Night Boxing starts with March 16 reception and registration event San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Probation Department has collaborated with the Canal Welcome Center in San Rafael to establish the first-of-its-kind Canal FridayNight Boxing program. The opening reception and registration event is set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the … More San Rafael Boxing Program With Help of Marin Probation Department

Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

March 14, 2018

Marin Regains Ranking as Healthiest County in State – As Work remains for local officials to address health disparities and substance misuse San Rafael, CA – For the eighth time, Marin has been ranked the healthiest county in California by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 2018 County Health Rankingssurveys more than 3,000 counties to measure … More Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

Person Hospitalized with Shellfish Poisoning in Marin

March 13, 2018

High levels of naturally occurring poison detected in waters off Marin coast San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health has confirmed a case of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), a naturally occurring toxin found in bivalves such as mussels, clams and oysters that are harvested in uncontrolled conditions. One person, an adult who will not … More Person Hospitalized with Shellfish Poisoning in Marin

New Hampshire House Passes Transgender Nondiscrimination Bill

March 7, 2018

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 1319, legislation that would update the state’s laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and public spaces to explicitly include the state’s transgender residents. HB 1319 was approved by a bipartisan vote of 195-129 and now heads to the New Hampshire Senate. “Today’s bipartisan vote to … More New Hampshire House Passes Transgender Nondiscrimination Bill

PFAW Sues DOJ, HUD To Release Information On Secret LGBTQ Policy

March 1, 2018

People For the American Way filed suit in federal court today against the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to demand the release of documents concerning reported changes in federal policy toward LGBTQ people. Last year Right Wing Watch, a project of PFAW, filed Freedom of Information Act requests with both … More PFAW Sues DOJ, HUD To Release Information On Secret LGBTQ Policy

SCOTUS Ruling Stings Immigrants in Detention

February 28, 2018

In a long awaited opinion, the Supreme Court in Jennings v. Rodriguez disappointingly reversed an appellate court decision holding that U.S. immigration statutes do not authorize immigrants to be held indefinitely and affording those individuals bond hearings after six months to evaluate if detention remains justified. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the appellate court to consider the constitutional limits of the statutes, if any, … More SCOTUS Ruling Stings Immigrants in Detention

Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

February 26, 2018

California Democrats rebuked Sen. Dianne Feinstein at their annual convention this weekend, denying her the party’s endorsement in this year’s Senate race, and giving a majority of their votes to her apparently more liberal primary challenger, Kevin de León. While many may slot Feinstein in the ‘moderate’ zone, I have seen her, through the years, as … More Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

February 20, 2018

This week, the Kenyan Court will be hearing a matter, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, to challenge the Colonial Penal Codes that in essence serve to criminalize homosexuality and target the LGBTI community. The case has been brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC). The case seeks to enforce the … More Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

The VIEW Allowed Meghan McCain to Offend the Memories of The Parkland Massacre Victims, While Whoring Happy Cheers for her Father!

February 17, 2018

I am PISSED OFF with The View: I rarely BLOG about my Social media commentary – I am angry enough to hope that this gets its spot on Google Search Engines. Here is my Facebook post: I don’t understand how the producers of the View allowed this to happen: I am in #NYC and went … More The VIEW Allowed Meghan McCain to Offend the Memories of The Parkland Massacre Victims, While Whoring Happy Cheers for her Father!

Withdrawal of Anti-Muslim North Dakota Senate Candidate

February 13, 2018

Washington, DC – Republican Gary Emineth has withdrawn today from the North Dakota senatorial race. This comes after a recent report from CNN regarding a pre-campaign tweet calling for “no more mosques in America.” When questioned in a radio interview, he doubled-down, stating “the bottom line is, a lot of the radicalization that’s turned on … More Withdrawal of Anti-Muslim North Dakota Senate Candidate

U.S. Department of Education Leaves Transgender Students Behind

February 12, 2018

Office of Civil Rights will no longer take action on transgender discrimination WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education will not investigate or take action on any complaints filed by transgender students who are not able to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. BuzzFeed was first to report the news. Under President … More U.S. Department of Education Leaves Transgender Students Behind

Learn About Emergency Preparedness Grants in Marin

February 12, 2018

San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors is sponsoring three workshops offered by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) about how to apply for federal grants earmarked for emergency preparedness uses. The 90-minute workshops will take place at: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, Corte Madera Community Center, 498 Tamalpais … More Learn About Emergency Preparedness Grants in Marin

When it Comes to the Trump Shithole Comment The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating!

February 11, 2018

President Trump’s “shithole” comment on immigrants from unspecified countries in Africa, as well as those from Haiti and El Salvador, is reflected in the numbers. In the year after Trump took office, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported a drop in total number of overall “removals”—except for African migrants who have seen a … More When it Comes to the Trump Shithole Comment The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating!

Ugandan Human Rights Organization Suffers Second Break-In

February 9, 2018

Police Failed to Solve First Break In Where Guard was Murdered, Despite Video-Cam Photos of Perpetrators  Approximately 2 years ago a break in occurred at the offices of  HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS AND PROMOTION FORUM-UGANDA (HRAPF), a human rights organization in Kampala, Uganda.  A guard was murdered. The faces of the perpetrators were caught on camera. (see … More Ugandan Human Rights Organization Suffers Second Break-In

Marin County Considers New Rules for Short Term Rentals

February 8, 2018

New Short-Term Rental Rules Go to Supervisors Hearing set for March 13; quality of life for longer-term residents is key factor San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors will consider a new County of Marin ordinance on short-term rental properties to require that signage be posted to identify a property as a … More Marin County Considers New Rules for Short Term Rentals

Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

February 8, 2018

House Subcommittee Votes Down Four Nondiscrimination Bills, Including Two That Passed Virginia Senate in January RICHMOND, V.A — Lawmakers in Virginia’s House of Delegates today summarily killed four bills that would have ensured more equal treatment under the law for LGBT people across the Commonwealth. Several of the bills dismissed today enjoyed bipartisan support in … More Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution

February 7, 2018

Online Survey Seeks Input on Pollution County initiative to understand residents’ awareness of stormwater contamination Marin County, CA – Pollution in our waterways is a significant problem that stems from many sources – from trash that ends up in San Francisco Bay to pesticides swept from lawns into creeks by gardening practices or stormwater. The … More Marin County Asks Your Input on Pollution

Wildlife Conservation, Education Grants Available in Marin

February 5, 2018

March 1 is deadline for nonprofits to land grants worth up to $5,000 Novato, CA – Environmentally conscious nonprofits have a chance to secure a grant worth up to $5,000 for promotions of educational and habitat restoration projects in Marin County. The Marin County Fish and Wildlife Commission is accepting proposals through March 1 for … More Wildlife Conservation, Education Grants Available in Marin

9000 DACA Teachers May have their Lives Stolen by Trump

February 2, 2018

ICYMI in New York Times: “With DACA in Limbo, Teachers Protected by the Program Gird for the Worst” Washington, DC – A powerful New York Times story by Erica Green explores the contributions and fears of the 9,000 teachers with DACA status whose lives and students are facing an uncertain future due to President Trump’s decision to end … More 9000 DACA Teachers May have their Lives Stolen by Trump

Responses to Trump State of the Union Address

January 31, 2018

CGRS Responds to State of the Union Address, Condemns White House Immigration Framework San Francisco, CA (January 31, 2018) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) condemns the hardline immigration policies promoted in yesterday’s State of the Union address, including measures that target asylum seekers. Despite disingenuous calls for unity, President Trump has … More Responses to Trump State of the Union Address

New President of Zimbabwe Unlikely Good for Gays

January 26, 2018

Snipers took up positions around the Zimbabwe stadium amid tight security as jubilant Mnangagwa supporters streamed in to hail the new President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he was sworn in on Friday and LGBT community expect a replay of Mugabe’s virulent anti-homosexuality stance. The man known as “The Crocodile” wore a dark suit, red … More New President of Zimbabwe Unlikely Good for Gays

High Numbers of LGBT Teens will receive Conversion Therapy

January 25, 2018

More than 20,000 LGBT teens to receive conversion therapy Practice used to change sexual orientation and gender identity has been criticized by health organizations as harmful LOS ANGELES – An estimated 20,000 LGBT youth ages 13 to 17 will undergo conversion therapy from a licensed health care professional before the age of 18, according to a … More High Numbers of LGBT Teens will receive Conversion Therapy

Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status

January 18, 2018

The pleas for help continue to pour in from countries around the world, where people are attacked for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). These are usually people who have been shunned by family, friends and government, alike, with nowhere to turn. While you may feel that there is nothing you can do to … More Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

January 15, 2018

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. On this day African Human Rights Coalition is quoting the message of the Obama Foundation: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. And as people around the country and the world celebrate his legacy with acts of service, I’m thinking about something … More On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

Why Chelsea Manning is Qualified to Run for Senate

January 14, 2018

“Chelsea Manning is superbly qualified to run for the United States Senate, not only because she is an American who meets all the legal requirements, but also because she has the courage to challenge and shake up a supremely flawed elitist system” Melanie Nathan. Yup call me haughty – that is me quoting me! My … More Why Chelsea Manning is Qualified to Run for Senate