Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Kentucky Bill Targeting Transgender Students for Discrimination Fails to Pass

March 25, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 25, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that the Kentucky Legislature had failed to pass legislation that targeted transgender students for discrimination. Introduced by Kentucky State Senator CB Embry, Jr., the bill would have barred transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that … More Kentucky Bill Targeting Transgender Students for Discrimination Fails to Pass

Breaking Indiana Passes Nation’s Most Anti-LGBT Law

March 23, 2015

  We urge all Indianans to contact Governor Pence at 317-232-4567 to ask him to veto this unprecedented attack on religious liberty. Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 23, 2015. Governor Mike Pence (R-Indiana) is being urged to veto SB 101, a piece of legislation that would be one of the most anti-LGBT laws in the … More Breaking Indiana Passes Nation’s Most Anti-LGBT Law

Ugandan Preacher Gets Unexpected ‘Welcome’ in London

March 20, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2015. Prominent Ugandan anti-gay preacher, “Bishop” David Livingstone Kiganda, was greeted to a rowdy welcome when he arrived to speak at a London event. However it was not the welcome he had expected. When Kiganda arrived at  Commission Church, London, to preach last night, LGBTI Ugandan exiles were the first … More Ugandan Preacher Gets Unexpected ‘Welcome’ in London

Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

March 19, 2015

Final Step in Process Ensures Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds news that transgender New Yorkers covered by Medicaid can now access the medically necessary health care they have been denied for nearly two decades. Governor … More Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

March 18, 2015

Please sign the Petition below By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015 A Pentecostal reverend, a major anti-gay protagonist, who called homosexuals evil, is set to speak at St James Church, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, in the United Kingdom and activists are outraged. The controversial preacher, Rev. Simon Peter Emiau,  General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies … More Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

March 18, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015. I recall protesting the installation of viciously anti-LGBTI Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at the Archdiocese in San Francisco. Now it seems that it is not only gays that the Catholic Church in San Francisco has under attack and wants to keep from its opulent doorway. The venom has now spewed … More San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

LGBTI Activists to Protest Dolce Gabbana Store in London

March 17, 2015

Once Lovers now Homophobes Dolce and Gabbana turncoats | See updated pictures from protest below By Melanie Nathan, March 17, 2015. Dolce & Gabbana have not heard the last of LGBTI global community wrath.  Activists in the United Kingdom are calling for a London Boycott D&G picket which will be held at their Old Bond … More LGBTI Activists to Protest Dolce Gabbana Store in London

First Open Lesbian Rabbi President of Reform Judaism CCAR

March 16, 2015

First openly gay president of Reform Judaism rabbi group to be installed By Melanie Nathan December 16, 2015. On Monday, Rabbi Denise Eger, 55, became the third woman and first openly lesbian (LGBT) president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), the rabbinical arm of the Reform Judaism movement, which is holding is 126th … More First Open Lesbian Rabbi President of Reform Judaism CCAR

Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

March 13, 2015

See Video: South African Jews Recite Mourners Kaddish for Mandela By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. When Mandela died the most pious of South African Jews and the most secular of South African Jews all mourned – we had lost Tata Madiba, the man who had brought freedom for all, to South Africa. President Jacob … More Pro Palestinian BDS Betrays South African Constitution and Mandela Legacy

Legislation to Give Homeless Youth Access to High School Equivalency Exams

March 13, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. Homeless youth across California would have greater access to the high school proficiency and equivalency exams under new legislation introduced by Senator Mark Leno. Senate Bill 252 would prohibit the Department of Education or testing companies from charging an exam fee to young people who are homeless. “Exam fees, … More Legislation to Give Homeless Youth Access to High School Equivalency Exams

LGBT Women Are Among Most at Risk of Poverty in America

March 13, 2015

Groundbreaking report from broad coalition examines poverty and economic vulnerability of LGBT women. Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015 Washington, D.C. — According to a new report released by a broad coalition of research and advocacy organizations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, women are among the most at risk of poverty in America. … More LGBT Women Are Among Most at Risk of Poverty in America

Proposed Texas Legislation Attacks Transgender People

March 13, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly denounces new proposed legislation in Texas that singles out transgender people for harsh discrimination. Introduced by Republican State Representative Gilbert Peña on March 10, House Bills 2801 and 2802 come on the heels of a string of bills targeting transgender people, including a prior … More Proposed Texas Legislation Attacks Transgender People

Announcing Legislation for Homeless Youth

March 12, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO – California State Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, will join homeless youth advocates and other elected officials in San Francisco on Friday to announce important new legislation that gives homeless youth greater access to high school proficiency and equivalency exams. SB 252 would prohibit the Department of Education or testing companies from charging … More Announcing Legislation for Homeless Youth

BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

March 12, 2015

The BDS movement is clearly now a tool for anti-Semitism By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2015. Threatening to kill South African Jews is surely not the South Africa Mandela would have endorsed. Unfortunately the BDS movement in South Africa is causing anti-Semitic terror.  Reports have emerged from Johannesburg, that Protesters chanted anti-Semitic slogans and threatened … More BDS Protest Triggers Calls to Kill South African Jews

Condemnation of Minnesota Legislation as Harmful to Transgender Students

March 12, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 11, 2015. The Transgender Legal defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces yet another attempt to target transgender students for discrimination, this time in Minnesota. Republican state lawmakers introduced identical bills in the Minnesota State House and Senate. HF 1456 and SF 1543 would deny transgender students the ability to play on sports teams … More Condemnation of Minnesota Legislation as Harmful to Transgender Students

MEUSA Files Real People Amicus Brief with SCOTUS

March 9, 2015

MEUSA Amicus Brief: Real Voices, Real People, Real Impact  Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 09, 2015. San Francisco/Washington DC – Today, Marriage Equality USA announces that it has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the freedom to marry nationwide and full equality under the Constitution for LGBTQ people. The brief, … More MEUSA Files Real People Amicus Brief with SCOTUS

Shocking Report Reveals Uganda Police Abuse Gays

February 27, 2015

 By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2015. A new 27 page report has been published indicating grave violations and human rights abuses in Uganda by Ugandan Police towards people arrested under suspicion of being LGBTI. The report categorically notes that the Ugandan police harass and physically abuse gay (LGBTI) people in custody. Chapter Four Uganda documented … More Shocking Report Reveals Uganda Police Abuse Gays

Justice as Game Ranger in Anti-Gay “Man Up” Camp Found Guilty of Murder

February 27, 2015

Alex de Koker and Michael Erasmus were found guilty of murder, child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, by the Vereeniging Regional Court in South Africa, today. By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2015. Finally, after years of uncertainty and trial, Alex de Koker and his henchman Michael Erasmus were found guilty … More Justice as Game Ranger in Anti-Gay “Man Up” Camp Found Guilty of Murder

New California Legislative Efforts to Mitigate Ellis Act Evictions

February 24, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 24, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno has introduced new legislation that would help mitigate the negative impacts of Ellis Act evictions in San Francisco. Senate Bill 364 closes a loophole in the Ellis Act that allows speculators to buy rent-controlled buildings in San Francisco and immediately begin the process of … More New California Legislative Efforts to Mitigate Ellis Act Evictions

UNHCR Puts Hold on Registrations of Large Groups of Ugandans

February 20, 2015

Of Large Groups of Ugandans who claim to have an LGBT Profile By Melanie Nathan, February 20, 2015. I reported at African HRC that unscrupulous people may be conducting scams and taking advantage of LGBTI people who seek to escape their countries of origin. Of the several problems that seem to be happening at this … More UNHCR Puts Hold on Registrations of Large Groups of Ugandans

Why Obama has won on the Immigration EO

February 17, 2015

Republicans roll off the Hill, while Democrats traverse Mt. Everest By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2015. Republicans would be calling the Judge who barred President Obama’s Immigration Executive Orders ‘an activist Judge’ – albeit tit-for-tat – indeed he may be – but did the Judge fall into a trap? Do we really think the appeals … More Why Obama has won on the Immigration EO

Obama’s Strategy in Refusing to fall for Religion Bait by ISIS

February 16, 2015

The stupidity or aggression of the American Christian Right! By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2015. The White House has received  criticism for not referencing the religion of the 21 Egyptians who have been beheaded by ISIS.  The victims have been described in media reports as “Coptic Christians.” . Here is the statement released by Press … More Obama’s Strategy in Refusing to fall for Religion Bait by ISIS

Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

February 12, 2015

 By Melanie Nathan, February 12, 2015. Two men involved in the murder of Professor Carl Mischke  turned on each other in court, with each blaming the other for the beating that claimed the University of Johannesburg academic’s life, during an apparent robbery.  At the time of the murder it was speculated that the Professor was … More Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

OPEN LETTER AS AIDS ACTIVISTS PRESS HRC ON HIV AIDS FIGHT

February 11, 2015

 Open Letter to HRC Calls to Partner on AIDS/HIV Issues By Melanie Nathan, February 11, 2015. February 11, 2015 – New York, NY – The AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP) released the text of an open letter to Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as a follow up to its protest of HRC´s gala held on … More OPEN LETTER AS AIDS ACTIVISTS PRESS HRC ON HIV AIDS FIGHT

Obama High Horse Reflection Forgot Current Christian Persecution of Global Gays

February 10, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2015. President Obama raised a brow or two when reflecting on extremist violence perpetrated in the name of Islam as not being the only religion used in such egregious a fashion. When the President raised Christianity’s history of tyranny, he failed to reflect on how it is still being used … More Obama High Horse Reflection Forgot Current Christian Persecution of Global Gays

San Francisco LGBT Violence Prevention Assessment Report Released

February 10, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2015. Today the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, The San Francisco Human Rights Commission and Learning for Action have participated  in the release of San Francisco’s first ever LGBTQI Violence Prevention Needs Assessment. This report details how members of the San Francisco LGBTQI community experience violence and the availability of … More San Francisco LGBT Violence Prevention Assessment Report Released

Marin County School Superintendent Pleads for Measles Vaccinations

February 4, 2015

The greater good of the community demands that we take action to prevent any further spread of the measles in Marin County. By Melanie Nathan, February 04, 2015. I barely write about local issues.  Marin Country, where I live, has become the epicenter of the controversy around Measles and parents who refuse to allow their … More Marin County School Superintendent Pleads for Measles Vaccinations

Report Shows Difficulties Faced by Transgender Homeless Youth

February 2, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 02, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Youth homelessness in America is nearing epidemic levels, and the problem among the transgender community is disproportionately acute. At least one in five transgender young people have experienced homelessness, and many of them have encountered discrimination, harassment, and abuse in shelters and other services meant … More Report Shows Difficulties Faced by Transgender Homeless Youth