Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

African Gays Still Suffer as Oscar Nominated Film Sparks Call for Mass UK Pardon

February 2, 2015

While Mass Pardons Sought in UK, Africans are Still being Arrested Under old Penal Codes Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 2, 2015 While the United Kingdom seeks to right the wrong against homosexuals, its influence in the form of Colonial era Penal Codes, still haunt Africa. The Penal Codes serving to underpin much of the … More African Gays Still Suffer as Oscar Nominated Film Sparks Call for Mass UK Pardon

NQAPIA Announces New Executive Director

February 2, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2015. The Board of Directors of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) is excited to announce that Glenn D. Magpantay is NQAPIA’s new Executive Director. Glenn has been with NQAPIA since the beginning, as one of the organization’s founders. Since 2009, he has served as NQAPIA’s Co-Director of … More NQAPIA Announces New Executive Director

HRC Calls in San Francisco Police for LGBT Castro Protest

January 31, 2015

Peaceful Protest attracts curious tourists, reporters and Castro community By Melanie Nathan, January 31, 2015. About 2 dozen LGBT activists from San Francisco and community members held a vigil outside the San Francisco Human Rights Campaign (HRC) souvenir store in the Castro today. The gathering, which took the form of a sidewalk noon brunch, outside … More HRC Calls in San Francisco Police for LGBT Castro Protest

Activists to Protest 1% HRC Elitism and AIDS Neglect

January 29, 2015

New York and San Francisco By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2015. The AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP) and other HIV activist organizations will converge to protest the neglect of the AIDS crisis by mainstream LGBT organizations at the annual self-congratulatory gala held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City by Human Rights Campaign … More Activists to Protest 1% HRC Elitism and AIDS Neglect

South Africa Trial of 2 Men Accused of Raping Lesbian

January 29, 2015

The guise of so called “corrective” rape against lesbians are hate attacks by men who believe woman are there for their use! By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2015. The trial of two men accused of raping a lesbian, to supposedly “correct” her sexual orientation commenced in the South African city of Port Elizabeth, Wednesday. The … More South Africa Trial of 2 Men Accused of Raping Lesbian

Ugandan Activists David Kato Never to be Forgotten

January 26, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2015. On January 27, 2011, the most outspoken gay rights advocate in Uganda, at a time when the country’s Parliament was considering a bill to execute gay people, was murdered. Today the LGBTI Ugandan community and global activists around the world, remember David Kato Kitsule  and his untimely passing. Kato  … More Ugandan Activists David Kato Never to be Forgotten

Accused Human Rights Group Reopens in Uganda

January 22, 2015

Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2015 The Ugandan Refugee Law Project (RLP) which works directly with refugees and asylum seekers in the refugee settlements was suspended on 14 March 2014 following allegations that RLP was promoting homosexuality under the guise of human rights promotion and protection. This suspension was subsequently extended to their offices in Kampala … More Accused Human Rights Group Reopens in Uganda

President Obama’s Speech and Impact on Global LGBT Persecution

January 21, 2015

By African HRC, January 21, 2015. The American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is thanking President Barack Obama this morning for his historic inclusion of all LGBT people in last night’s State of the Union address before the US Congress, the American people, and the world. This is the first time that Transgender people … More President Obama’s Speech and Impact on Global LGBT Persecution

Should we be Reporting Gay Men Executions by ISIS

January 17, 2015

Are we playing ball spreading the terror on behalf of ISIS? By Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2014. Today when I awoke here in California my feed was abuzz with disturbing pictures and articles of (purportedly) gay men being thrown from a rooftop by ISIS, which appears to have taken place in Mosul. The internet is … More Should we be Reporting Gay Men Executions by ISIS

United Kingdom Political Parties Urged to Adopt LGBT Global Human Rights Platform

January 16, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, January 16, 2015. Out & Proud Diamond Group, an international LGBTI organization is urging political parties in the United Kingdom to include in their upcoming General Election Manifesto, a commitment to work toward LGBTI equality and human rights worldwide, especially in Africa. The following has been included in a written appeal appeal … More United Kingdom Political Parties Urged to Adopt LGBT Global Human Rights Platform

Breaking U.S. Supreme Court to Review Bans on Same-Sex Marriage

January 16, 2015

Current Statistics thanks to Williams Institute By Melanie Nathan, January 16, 2015 The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will review the constitutionality of bans on same-sex marriage in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. The Court’s ruling is expected in June 2015 and will likely impact not only the same-sex couples in these four … More Breaking U.S. Supreme Court to Review Bans on Same-Sex Marriage

2014’s Most Popular Posts on O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

December 29, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 29, 2014. Out of 506 articles written and posted on O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da during the course of 2014, here are the most popular 36 by reads. The top article about the Ugandan Catholic Church’s Easter message had over 43,000 reads, with 20,000 in its first day of posting. If an article is dated … More 2014’s Most Popular Posts on O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

Ugandan President Museveni Receives Gay Animals Book for Xmas Present

December 24, 2014

German Dating Group Blasts the Ugandan Myth that homosexuality is unnatural By Melanie Nathan, December 24, 2014. The German online dating company Gleichklang.de has sent a book on homosexuality in animals to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. “Biological Exuberance – Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity”, which was written by the Canadian biologist Bruce Bagemihl. … More Ugandan President Museveni Receives Gay Animals Book for Xmas Present

Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

December 23, 2014

Gambians struggle to get refugee Status in Senegal By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2014 The Gambian authorities have arrested three men, accused of committing homosexual acts. The Gambian authorities have been conducting door-to-door witch hunts seeking out gays or responding to suspicious neighbors for several months. The men if found guilty can receive a maximum … More Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

December 17, 2014

By Melanie Nathan,  December 16, 2014. The United Kingdom wants to deport a persecuted lesbian back to Uganda, where a harsh anti-LGBTI climate awaits, with the certainty of further state sanctioned persecution that will endanger her life. Activists, worldwide have weighed in with letters and reports, in support of Judith Twikirize, 23, a known lesbian, in … More Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

December 16, 2014

Welcome Home Junior! By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2014. I first met Junior Mayema back in 2011 when I was invited to keynote speak at Cape Town Pride’s Pink Gala in South Africa. At the time Junior, approached me along the Pride parade route. He told me that he was an LGBTI refugee from the … More From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

December 16, 2014

Department of Health Proposes Regulation to Ensure Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Certain Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 16, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for proposing a new regulation to end … More New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Witness to Stonewall Uprising, Danny Garvin, Passes Away at 65

December 15, 2014

Posted December 14, 2014. New York, NY—  Danny Garvin, one of the most important witnesses to, and participants in, the legendary Stonewall Uprising in 1969, has passed away at the age of 65. Garvin died on December 9 in New York City. According to Stonewall historian, David Carter, the Stonewall Riots began in the early morning … More Witness to Stonewall Uprising, Danny Garvin, Passes Away at 65

Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

December 12, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014 United States Senator Jeff Merkley formally announced at the Center for American Progress that he plans to introduce a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill in the next Congress. This is excellent news. The LGBT community in the United States America must include a full compliment of stakeholders working together … More Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

December 11, 2014

“UK has been very supportive of the Uganda Gay rights movement and it will be an embarrassment that your office doesn’t live up to its expectations in protecting those that need the protection most from persecution..” Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014. Despite appeals and petitions the United Kingdom’s Home Office informed … More Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

UK Couple Marry under the New Same-Sex Marriage Conversion Law

December 10, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 10, 2014. At midnight, and with a portrait of the Queen in the background, Philip Glanville and Trey Mcrary took their vows as one of Britain’s first same-sex couples to marry under England’s new marriage equality laws.  Today in the United Kingdom and Wales, the first civil partnership conversion ceremonies and … More UK Couple Marry under the New Same-Sex Marriage Conversion Law

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

December 10, 2014

By Melanie Nathan. December 10, 2014. While the Ugandan Parliament is working hard to bring a new more vibrant Anti-gay bill into legislation, after the last Anti-Homosexuality Act was invalidated by the Courts on a technicality, the US Ambassador Scott H Delisi warns that it is scaring away United States investors who are considering doing … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

December 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

December 8, 2014

Passes Legislation Eliminating Surgery Requirement for Transgender People Seeking to Align Their Birth Certificates with Their True Selves | Action Comes After TLDEF Sues City for Discriminating Against Transgender People Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 08, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the New York City Council … More New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

Art In Memory of Mandela

December 5, 2014

Poignant Art Exhibition Honoring Mandela Opens on Anniversary of His Death Posted By Melanie Nathan, Dec 05, 2014. On the one-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, an exhibition curated by Natalie Knight featuring works created after Mandela’s passing on 5 December 2013, will be launched at Stephan Welz & Co. in Johannesburg. We Love Mandela: … More Art In Memory of Mandela

UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

December 5, 2014

In the face of much evidence this United Nations delay is dangerous and inexplicable. Ugandan gays and those perceived as gay, are targets while refugees in Kenya and their cases must be expedited. By Melanie Nathan, December 05, 2014. After you have finished reading this story, I ask you to consider this question:  Should Andrew … More UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

UK About to Deport Ugandan Lesbian Defies New EU Landmark Ruling

December 3, 2014

Protest outside the Home Office on Friday Morning, 5th, requires urgent signing of this Petition- Please help save Judith! | PETITION: SIGN HERE and be sure to pass it along. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 03, 2014. There is an urgent petition and plea to the U.K.  Home Office to stop the deportation of Judith T. Twikereza, … More UK About to Deport Ugandan Lesbian Defies New EU Landmark Ruling