Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

July 23, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. A new revealing report on persecution and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBTI community has been released by the Consortium on Monitoring Violations Based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The report refers to 89 verified documented violations in 2014 in Uganda. That was the year the Anti-Homosexuality Act … More Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

Trial to Commence as Justice sought in rape and murder of South African Lesbian

July 22, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 22, 2015. After sloppy police work, as alleged by the organization IRANTI, the trial against Thabo Molefe, charged with the murder of Thembelihle Sokhela,  a lesbian from Daveyton, will finally be heard at the Pretoria High Court on Monday July 27. Lihle was a 28-year old lesbian from Daveyton,  murdered on … More Trial to Commence as Justice sought in rape and murder of South African Lesbian

Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

July 21, 2015

TLDEF Applauds New York State Education Department for New Guidance Designed to Protect Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students from Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 21, 2015. New York, NY –The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends the New York State Education Department for releasing comprehensive guidance to help ensure that transgender and … More Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

Disgusting AFA Article Blames Trans Teen for TLC Cancelling Duggar Show

July 20, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 20, 2015. Just when you thought they could not stoop any lower, the American Family Association finds its belly hitting the ground below that of the most slippery of worms! In an article on their website they in effect blame TLC’s decision to cut the Duggar show on a transgender teen … More Disgusting AFA Article Blames Trans Teen for TLC Cancelling Duggar Show

London Vigil on 10th Anniversary of Iran Teen Hangings

July 17, 2015

Stop killing gays – Stop killing kids – The 10th anniversary vigil for boys hanged by Iran | This Sunday London 2-3pm. Never Forget! Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 17, 2015. To mark the tenth anniversary of Iran’s hanging of two teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the African LGBTI … More London Vigil on 10th Anniversary of Iran Teen Hangings

Historic Traditional Zulu Marriage Ending in Divorce

July 15, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2015. Back in April 2013, the reporting of a very special wedding story went viral as a young South African same-sex couple from Zulu and Sotho traditions held a traditional wedding ceremony to celebrate their marriage. Now, 2 years later,  it is with sadness that one of the couple is … More Historic Traditional Zulu Marriage Ending in Divorce

Responses to Reports that Pentagon is Moving to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

July 13, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 13, 2015 New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today responded to reports that Pentagon leaders are poised to end the ban on open transgender military service. The Associated Press reports that the the Pentagon is set to make a formal announcement this week that … More Responses to Reports that Pentagon is Moving to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

Transgender Professor’s Claim Against University Can Go Forward

July 13, 2015

Court OKs Transgender Professor’s Claim Against  Southeastern Oklahoma State University Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 13, 2015. The U.S. Department of Justice brought a complaint against Southeastern Oklahoma State University and another defendant on March 30, 2015. The suit alleged that the University terminated the employment of Dr. Rachel Tudor, an assistant professor, based on her gender, … More Transgender Professor’s Claim Against University Can Go Forward

Ugandan Law Team Questions Functionality of Constitutional Court

July 9, 2015

PERENNIAL LACK OF QUORUM MEANS CONSTITUTIONAL COURT FAILS IN ITS OBLIGATION TO HEAR CASES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST EXPEDITIOUSLY – OR AT ALL? Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 9, 2015. The legal team in the case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General, asks if the Constitutional Court in Uganda is taking issues of non-discrimination in … More Ugandan Law Team Questions Functionality of Constitutional Court

Scott Lively Speaks Brazenly About his Deposition in the SMUG Lawsuit

July 8, 2015

SMUG v. Lively is a federal U.S.A. lawsuit , brought by The Center for Constitutional Rights under The Alien Tort Statute, on behalf of a non-profit umbrella organization for LGBTI advocacy groups in Uganda against Scott Lively, a U.S.-based anti-gay extremist, for his role in the persecution of LGBTI people in Uganda, in particular his active … More Scott Lively Speaks Brazenly About his Deposition in the SMUG Lawsuit

West Virginia Changes Policy for Trans Driver’s Licenses

July 7, 2015

Transgender West Virginians May Now Get Accurate Driver’s Licenses With Photos Reflecting Their True Selves Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 7, 2015 – West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)  can no longer tell Trans people how to dress for their photos in West Virginia. The Department has changed its license photo policy to allow … More West Virginia Changes Policy for Trans Driver’s Licenses

Kenyans March Against Gays Warning Obama No Gay Talk

July 6, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 7, 2015. Kenyan anti-gay protesters took to the streets in Nairobi Monday, warning US President Barack Obama not to speak about gay rights when he visits Kenya, “the country of his ancestors,” later this month. (As the Ugandan Monitor put it!) The march today, was organized by the Evangelical Alliance of … More Kenyans March Against Gays Warning Obama No Gay Talk

LGBT Evangelicals March in Indianapolis to Offer Olive Branch to IN Lawmakers

July 6, 2015

The Message is Clear: Get to know us before making laws against us. The Evangelical Network (TEN), an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight Christians held its annual conference this year in Indianapolis, culminating in a march and prayer vigil held at the steps of the Indiana Statehouse. LGBT and Straight evangelical Christians … More LGBT Evangelicals March in Indianapolis to Offer Olive Branch to IN Lawmakers

Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

July 5, 2015

A shidduch – Rick marrying Rick is indeed acceptable but not in the way they use it! By Melanie Nathan, July 05, 2015. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) was the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual National Organization for Marriage (NOM) gala in Washington, DC. – not an unusual venue … More Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

Anti-Gay Truro Church Ramps Up Latino Outreach with New Hire

July 3, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 03,2015. Truro Church in Fairfax Virginia, under the leadership of  Rev. Dr. Tory Baucum, is extending its anti-gay tentacles into the local Hispanic community.  Truro’s newest staff member, Jose Garrigo,  accompanied by his wife Lidia, will be joining the staff of Truro Church in September, ramping up the anti-gay split away … More Anti-Gay Truro Church Ramps Up Latino Outreach with New Hire

A Big Gay and Personal Thank You to Senator Dianne Feinstein

June 30, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, June 30, 2015 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, my Democratic Senator from California, has been a consistent and stellar supporter of LGBT equality, both as a Senator and as a friend to many in our community. This week her Facebook page blazed in celebration after SCOTUS ruled in favor of marriage equality for all … More A Big Gay and Personal Thank You to Senator Dianne Feinstein

Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

June 26, 2015

America Has Marriage for All | History Made in Landmark SCOTUS Decision Melanie Nathan, June 26, 2015 There is no union more profound than marriage and now the Supreme Court of the United States of America  has ruled that every single person in the USA have an equal right to marriage! This morning at 10.00 … More Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

TLDEF Denounces New York State Senate’s Failure to Pass Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA)

June 25, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces the New York State Senate’s failure to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. The bill would have added transgender people to New York’s hate crimes law and protected them from discrimination in employment, housing and … More TLDEF Denounces New York State Senate’s Failure to Pass Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA)

SCOTUS Affordable Care Act Decision Impacts LGBT America

June 25, 2015

LGBT Group Praises SCOTUS Decision on Affordable Care Act Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 25, 20915. In a 6-3 decision, a decisive victory for President Obama, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the broad reach of the new healthcare law, ruling the government may continue to provide tax subsidies for low- and middle-income people who buy … More SCOTUS Affordable Care Act Decision Impacts LGBT America

Courageous Nigerian LGBT Program Hits the Airwaves

June 24, 2015

Asking for Global participation through support by listening and cash donations for studio equipment | See Fundraiser at bottom By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2015. In early 2015, a Nigerian journalist and broadcaster, Mike Daemon launched an LGBTI weekly podcast, taking on the form of traditional radio programing, The show NOSTRINGS, includes periodic interviews and … More Courageous Nigerian LGBT Program Hits the Airwaves

Vote OPDG for National Diversity Awards 2015

June 19, 2015

June 19, 2015, By Oblogdee. The African Lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex organization Out and Proud Diamond Group (OPDG) , based in the United Kingom, has been nominated in UK National Diversity Awards 2015 under the category of Community organizations. These awards celebrate the excellent achievements of grass- root communities that tackle the issues … More Vote OPDG for National Diversity Awards 2015

South African Doctor Winner of Grand Challenges Explorations

June 18, 2015

June 17, 2015, Posted By Melanie Nathan. Gateway Health Institute Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development Pretoria – Gateway Health Institute announced  today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Coenie Louw will pursue an innovative … More South African Doctor Winner of Grand Challenges Explorations

Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

June 15, 2015

June 15, 2015, Posted by Melanie Nathan Respected Nigerian born LGBTI activist and human rights defender, Davis Mac-lyalla, who has personally experienced unconscionable persecution and discrimination, attended what turned out to be Tel Aviv’s largest ever Pride festivities this past week. I asked him to write a brief note about his experience at Pride. Here … More Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

June 12, 2015

Crucial tool for lobbying to misinformed African politicians June 11, 2015, by Melanie Nathan This month by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) countering the notions that underpin homophobia and the criminalization of LGBTI people in Africa and the impact on HIV. Eleven respected experts, mostly academic scientists based in South Africa, authored … More Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

Groundbreaking AMA Resolution No Medically Valid Reason for Military’s Transgender Ban

June 8, 2015

Groundbreaking Resolution Reflects Consensus that Policy is Outdated While Dismissing Military’s Rationale for Transgender Exclusion By Melanie Nathan,  June 09, 2015. The American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s oldest and largest physicians group with nearly 220,000 members, made history today by passing a resolution declaring that “there is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender … More Groundbreaking AMA Resolution No Medically Valid Reason for Military’s Transgender Ban

Anti-Gay Ugandan Human Rights Abuser Speaker Kadaga Celebrates Birthday in United States

May 25, 2015

Anti-Homosexuality Act to the floor for a vote in Uganda’s parliament when there was no quorum. This unconstitutional passage of the Act caused it to be invalidated by the Courts. an overnight spike in evictions, firings, imprisonment, assaults, rapes, blackmail – in essence a state sanctioned mass persecution of LGBT people in Uganda. … More Anti-Gay Ugandan Human Rights Abuser Speaker Kadaga Celebrates Birthday in United States

TLDEF Memorial Day Push for Pentagon to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

May 25, 2015

Posted By Melanie Nathan, May 25, 2015. As the nation commemorates Memorial Day, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) honors the transgender men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and renews its call for the Defense Department to allow transgender people to serve openly in the United States … More TLDEF Memorial Day Push for Pentagon to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

The Importance of Ireland’s Popular YES Vote in the Global LGBT Arena

May 24, 2015

Why the Irish Vote in favor of marriage equality is so important to Homophobic Countries  and leaders perpetuating lies about LGBTI people By Melanie Nathan, May 24, 2014. Ireland has become the first country in the world to legalize marriage equality by popular vote in a national election. On Friday, May, 22, 2015, Irish voters … More The Importance of Ireland’s Popular YES Vote in the Global LGBT Arena