Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Ugandan Police Persecute by Public Parading Men Accused of Being Gay

January 28, 2014

Showing the World How Unsafe Uganda is for Anyone, Tourists, Foreign Nationals….. By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2014. It seems that the recent passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which has yet to pass the 30 day period of assent by President Museveni, has provided license to fuel police brutality and the unconscionable practice of parading … More Ugandan Police Persecute by Public Parading Men Accused of Being Gay

Coca-Cola Deleting enraged LGBT comments from Facebook Page

January 26, 2014

The Most Poorly Timed Social Media Post of All Time! By Melanie Nathan, January, 2014. Coca-Cola is not only a sponsor of the Putin Sochi Games, in homophobic Russia, but has now had the audacity to post ad on Facbook using an equality, love and happiness themed song. The LGBT community around the world is … More Coca-Cola Deleting enraged LGBT comments from Facebook Page

Meeting with LGBT Activist Ganafa After Shocking Raid Arrest in Uganda

January 26, 2014

A witness to government persecution of gays in Uganda Posted by Melanie Nathan, written by JP Conly, January 23, 2014. JP Conly and I were in communication when he was in Uganda late last year. He was  able to make contact with members of the Ugandan LGBT community while working as a nurse volunteer. Here … More Meeting with LGBT Activist Ganafa After Shocking Raid Arrest in Uganda

Groundbreaking Homeless Trans Teen Film

January 25, 2014

BECOMING MORE VISIBLE,  – A burgeoning crisis Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 25, 2014. From behind the lens of photographer Josh Lehrer, a groundbreaking film will tell the compelling stories of five, homeless transgender teens. Their backgrounds are diverse, but their stories are strikingly similar. Rejected by their families and lured to New York City with … More Groundbreaking Homeless Trans Teen Film

NRM Uganda to Hire Doctors to Decipher Whether Homosexuality is Abnormal or a Choice

January 24, 2014

Are gays nuts or sinners seems to be the question at hand given the Ugandan context? By Melanie Nathan, January 24, 2014. The NRM, Uganda’s ruling political party, under President Yoweri Museveni discussed the newly passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill at a caucus today. Word has it that the NRM has resolved that they will hire consultant … More NRM Uganda to Hire Doctors to Decipher Whether Homosexuality is Abnormal or a Choice

Chasing Chad

January 23, 2014

Human Rights Campaign’s Chad Griffin Heading to Sochi Olympics or simply playing footsie with the rest of the 1%? This what Michael Petrelis reports on January 23, 2014 on his BLOG at http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2014/01/human-rights-campaigns-chad-griffin.html “Recent history may provide clues about a potential action or two in the near future for the Human Rights Campaign and its new-found … More Chasing Chad

Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

January 23, 2014

Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change | Zanele Muholi and Gabrielle Le Roux Posted by Melanie Nathan, January, 23, 2014. The Wits Art Museum, ( The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) in partnership with Wits Centre for Diversity Studies and Inkanyiso, is proud to announce the exhibition Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative … More Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Nigerian Court Mayhem as Protestors Riot Calling for Gay Deaths

January 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2014. AP in BAUCHI, Nigeria, is reporting on the increasing anti-gay violence against Nigerians perceived as being gay. Apparently, thousands of protesters showed up at a Shariah court in a north Nigerian city Wednesday, throwing stones at the Court while yelling for the convictions and executions of 11 men arrested … More Nigerian Court Mayhem as Protestors Riot Calling for Gay Deaths

Eastside Catholic’s Head Resigns in Wake of Mr Z Controversy

January 21, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 21, 2014. The protests and the controversy surrounding Mr. Z of Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Washington firing has taken a new turn. The President of the school has finally resigned in the aftermath. Sister Mary Tracy, who apparently lied about the firing of the popular gay vice principal and swim … More Eastside Catholic’s Head Resigns in Wake of Mr Z Controversy

Obama Appoints NBJC’s ED to Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans –

January 21, 2014

Cross Posted, January 21, 2014. NBJC BLOG: On the same day President Obama announced his nomination of Staci Michelle Yandle, the first black LGBT judge to be appointed in 20 years, he also made public his intention to appoint 15 individuals to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Among the members that … More Obama Appoints NBJC’s ED to Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans –

The Deadly Silence of Shinners and other Christians on Anti-Gay Ugandan Law

January 20, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 20, 2014 When religious extremists in the form of Lou Engle, Scott Lively and others found that their war against homosexuality was floundering on home turf, they scrambled to capture a world ripe for scapegoating, using the Bible to spin their hateful yarn on African soil. Uganda became a target and … More The Deadly Silence of Shinners and other Christians on Anti-Gay Ugandan Law

Protests in Amsterdam against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |Where is America

January 18, 2014

I rebuke Chad Griffin, Executive Director of multi-million dollar organization, HRC, Human Rights Campaign, who boasts a million members at his fingertips, for failed leadership on this issue. By Melanie Nathan, January 18, 2014. The Ugandan Diaspora group, Uganda GAY on the Move, held a well attended “Drop The Bill Protest” in Amsterdam today, at … More Protests in Amsterdam against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |Where is America

Russian Neo Nazi Gay Basher Captured in Cuba

January 18, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 18, 2014. Russian white supremacist, Neo Nazi, Ultra Nationalist and Gay basher Maxim Martsinkevich has been arrested in Cuba in an international arrest warrant, Russian police reported today, according to media reports. Russia was informed by Cuban police of the arrest of Martsinkevich, otherwise known as Tesak,  through Interpol, the Russian Interior Ministry … More Russian Neo Nazi Gay Basher Captured in Cuba

New Documentary about the 50 Mile Long AIDS Memorial Quilt

January 17, 2014

Spotlights AIDS Memorial Quilt; Reveals Progress, Setbacks and Hope in the Quest to End AIDS Official Selection at Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Jan 30 – Feb 9) New York, NY, January 17, 2014 –  Red Thread Productions announced today the upcoming release of a new feature-length documentary with a fresh take on the iconic AIDS Memorial … More New Documentary about the 50 Mile Long AIDS Memorial Quilt

Putin ok with gay Billie Jean King as long as she does not talk to Kids

January 17, 2014

Given this latest slander should Billie Jean King and Brian Boitano resign as delegates to Sochi? By Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2014. Russian media is reporting that gay people should feel comfortable at the Sochi Olympics but “leave children in peace,” a prescription by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a safe and fabulous Sochi Games. Yet … More Putin ok with gay Billie Jean King as long as she does not talk to Kids

Ugandan President May have Blocked the Anti-Gay Bill

January 16, 2014

President Museveni becomes an authority on Homosexuality while saving Uganda from the Kill the Gays Bill FOR NOW! In December 2013, The Ugandan Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which criminalizes homosexuality and its so called “promotion”  with harsh punishment. The legislation provides for a sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality, which covers … More Ugandan President May have Blocked the Anti-Gay Bill

Gay Activists Protest Matt Lauer Today Show

January 16, 2014

Demand Olympic Network Cover Anti-LGBT Oppression in Russia Posted by Melanie Nathan. New York, NY (January 16, 2014) — A dozen members of the gay activist group Queer Nation zapped the broadcast of NBC’s Today Show this morning, demanding that NBC report on the Russian government’s ongoing attacks on gay men and lesbians and other human rights violations. NBC … More Gay Activists Protest Matt Lauer Today Show

GAY Activists disrupt Brian Boitano NYC Appearance

January 15, 2014

Called a coward by Activists who demand he speak out against Russia’s Anti-LGBT laws when in Sochi By Melanie Nathan, January 15, 2014, Two members of Queer Nation confronted three-time Olympian, figure skater, Brian Boitano tonight, demanding he speak out against Russia’s recently enacted anti-LGBT laws when he represents the U.S. at the Olympics next … More GAY Activists disrupt Brian Boitano NYC Appearance

Calling on The Elders to Condemn Nigeria’s Anti-Gay laws

January 15, 2014

The organization The Gay Flag of South Africa  (GFSA) has called on The Elders to speak out against Nigeria’s appalling new anti-gay law, which was surreptitiously signed into law by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan last week. The Elders is an independent group of global leaders, founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela, who work together for … More Calling on The Elders to Condemn Nigeria’s Anti-Gay laws

CNN and AP Report on The Nigerian Gay Arrests

January 14, 2014

Is the World Waking Up to Unthinkable Gay Persecution By Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2014. Yesterday the news leaked that the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, had signed into law the new anti-gay law, which we have dubbed “Jail All the Gays”. But Gays have been suffering for a long time in Nigeria, with very little … More CNN and AP Report on The Nigerian Gay Arrests

Shame On West Hollywood for Removing City Hall Rainbow Flag

January 13, 2014

West Hollywood Removes Rainbow Flag from City Hall By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2014. Notwithstanding the fact that over 40% of West Hollywood’s population identifies as gay or lesbian, or the fact that WEHO is an iconic LGBT neighborhood, and after much debate, the rainbow flag that sits on top of West Hollywood City Hall … More Shame On West Hollywood for Removing City Hall Rainbow Flag

Has the Death Penalty Really been removed from Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill?

January 13, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2014. It seems that I am not the only one who is wondering why no one can get their hands on the current version Ugandan Parliament’s Anti-homosexuality Bill (AHB) and mistrusting the situation. Where is a Parliamentary copy of the version of the AHB that has apparently passed Parliament; the … More Has the Death Penalty Really been removed from Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill?

10 Urgent Actions You Can Take Against Anti-Gay Nigeria

January 13, 2014

#NIGERIAJAILSGAYS By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2014. Today we heard in breaking news that Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has surreptitiously signed the so-called Same Sex Prohibition Bill into law. Reports are that Jonathan actually signed the Bill, better known as the “Jail-All-The-Gays” Bill, quietly last week. News of it’s signing has only now been leaked. The … More 10 Urgent Actions You Can Take Against Anti-Gay Nigeria

Gay Holocaust Memorial Unveiled in Tel Aviv

January 11, 2014

by Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2014. A memorial honoring gays and lesbians persecuted by the Nazis during World War II has been unveiled in Tel Aviv. The memorial depicts a pink triangle, the symbol gays were forced by the Nazis to wear in concentration camps. The memorial’s dedication is in Hebrew, English and German: “In … More Gay Holocaust Memorial Unveiled in Tel Aviv

Billie Jean King and U.S.A. delegation delivers a victory to Anti-Gay Putin

January 11, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2014. According to Media reports, Billie Jean King believes that standing up to discrimination is the best way to combat it, so she had no hesitation in joining the US delegation for the Sochi Olympics. I submit that it is how one stands up to it that determines the requisite … More Billie Jean King and U.S.A. delegation delivers a victory to Anti-Gay Putin

U.S. State Department Warns of Danger to Gays in Sochi Olympic Travel Advisory

January 11, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2014. The United States State Department has issued a travel advisory warning Americans of the dangers in attending the February Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The alert advises Americans about the anti-gay laws where Russia criminalizes so called “propaganda” about homosexuality. Indeed the notice also warns that terrorists have threatened … More U.S. State Department Warns of Danger to Gays in Sochi Olympic Travel Advisory

LGBT Activists in altercation with Olympic Gold Medalist on Anti-Gay SOCHI

January 11, 2014

Queer Nation & GetEqual Disrupt “Road to Sochi” Events Amid LGBT Safety Concerns By Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2014. Three members of Queer Nation and GetEqual Massachusetts disrupted the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour stop in Boston, inquiring about the safety of LGBT Olympians, Spectators & Russians. In particular … More LGBT Activists in altercation with Olympic Gold Medalist on Anti-Gay SOCHI

Speaker Accuses World of Bullying Uganda’s Ambassadors as Protests Against Anti-Gay Laws Mount

January 10, 2014

Ugandan Speaker Kadaga and Ambassadors should brace themselves for much more as the the World Community will not tolerate institutionalized persecution of LGBTI people.  By Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2014. Ugandan Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has a lot invested in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and for that reason is again lashing out at a world that … More Speaker Accuses World of Bullying Uganda’s Ambassadors as Protests Against Anti-Gay Laws Mount