Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Courageous Ugandan LGBT Community Holds First Press Conference Since the Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan. December 23, 2013. Amidst years of controversy, the Ugandan Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill last week. Today the LGBTI community of Uganda raised its rainbow flag with pride, as it held its first post- AHB- passage press conference in Kampala. The hope is that the Ugandan media would listen to the statements … More Courageous Ugandan LGBT Community Holds First Press Conference Since the Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

December 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2013. Maleshwane Radebe died from a stab wound to her neck after she and her girlfriend were attacked and robbed in their  East Rand township  shack in Ratanda. Charl Blignaut who blogged this at City Press has spent time with Inkanyiso, the visual activists documenting the ever-growing number of rapes … More Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

Zimbabwe Police Raid Annual LGBT Christmas Party Arrest 9

December 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2013. Yesterday I received the disturbing news from Zimbabwe about a police attack on Zimbabwe’s LGBT group, GALZ, with reports of arrests and injuries. I was informed by a source close to GALZ leadership that the annual Christmas party was raided by police in Bulawayo. Nine members of the group … More Zimbabwe Police Raid Annual LGBT Christmas Party Arrest 9

Watch Uganda Vote for its New Hate Gay Bill

December 21, 2013

The Bill once dubbed “Kill the Gays Bill” should now be termed Uganda’s Hate-Gay Bill. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 21, 2013. Yesterday we reported that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill had been passed in Uganda.  While we believe the death penalty has been removed, we assert that its provision for life in prison is equally barbaric and … More Watch Uganda Vote for its New Hate Gay Bill

Uganda Parliament Passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 20, 2013

Bill includes Life in Prison | Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga delivered her Xmas present to Ugandans, just one year later than promised By Melanie Nathan, Dec 20, 2013.  7.00 AM I have received several accounts that Uganda has passed the Anti-homosexuality Bill, once referred to as the The Kill the Gays Bill. The BBC is … More Uganda Parliament Passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Top 11 Articles of 2013 by O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

December 18, 2013

The Best of OBLOGDEEOBLOGDA | Here are the top 11 Articles for 2013. ONE Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding  TWO 10 Actions you can take against Russia | shocking video of Russian Gay Teen torture THREE Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice FOUR Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when … More Top 11 Articles of 2013 by O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

December 13, 2013

Free Party with Auction  | Great thanks to Swirl Radio,  Michelle Meow, and Gold Dust Lounge, for offering to raise money for this cause at their holiday Party Please note – after you have made your donation, please send an email to nathan@privatecourts.com together with your name and address. All amounts of $20.00 and over … More Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

LGBT ACTIVISTS CONFRONT NBC FOR MISLEADING ON RUSSIAN COVERAGE

December 13, 2013

We Demand that NBC Speak out now and Tell the Truth About the Plight of LGBT Russians December 12, 2013 (New York) — Charging that NBC is misinforming its viewers about the dire circumstances of LGBT Russians ahead of its broadcast of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia, LGBT activists demanded at a holiday … More LGBT ACTIVISTS CONFRONT NBC FOR MISLEADING ON RUSSIAN COVERAGE

President Barack Obama pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

December 10, 2013

Yesterday in Johannesburg, President Obama joined leaders from the United States and around the world at a national memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela. In President Obama’s remarks, he reflected on what Mandela meant to him personally, as well as to the people of South Africa, and urged all of us to … More President Barack Obama pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela WITS Alumni MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

December 10, 2013

The University of the Witwatersrand, will host a memorial service in honor of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, unequivocally one of the greatest leaders of all time. Wits Chancellor, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke will open the ceremony. Speakers include: Advocate George Bizos Dr Ahmed Kathrada Parks Tau, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Dr Randall … More Nelson Mandela WITS Alumni MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Transgender Hate Crime Case

December 9, 2013

New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Dwight DeLee Case Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Praises Decision and Continues to Urge the Court of Appeals to Restore Hate Crime Conviction of DeLee in the 2008 Murder of Syracuse Transgender Woman Lateisha Green New York, NY, December 9, 2013 – The Transgender … More New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Transgender Hate Crime Case

South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

December 8, 2013

Songs and prayers in all religious congregations all over South Africa | “As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, its become the central task that we reflect on what needs to be done to sustain his legacy to ensure we do not betray what he and other sacrificed for and stood for” former President … More South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

December 7, 2013

Dec 07, 2013. It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that we learn of the passing of Mr Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton on 5 December. We join the many millions of people across the world in expressing our condolences to his family, to South African nation and the … More ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

Giving through Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom

December 5, 2013

A few more days to go on Long Walk to Freedom E-bay Auction | Support the Nelson Mandela Foundation 100% proceeds In honor of the new film about Nelson Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom, E-Bay’s Giving Works is auctioning some fabulous items to benefit The Nelson Mandela Foundation, including a limited edition gold and … More Giving through Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom

Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

December 4, 2013

GALZ Chairperson summoned to appear in court By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2013. The Chairperson of GALZ, Martha Tholanah has been summoned to appear in Rotten Row Magistrate Court on the12th of December 2013 to answer charges accusing her of running an “unregistered” organization. The summons was served on Tholanah’s Lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, a member … More Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

December 3, 2013

Activists Demand NBC Denounce Comments & Russian Laws Remarks Made at Forum on Moral Responsibilities of Olympic Athletes VIA Queer Nation December 3, 2013 (New York) — In comments made at a forum on the moral responsibilities of athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia, gay figure skater and NBC Olympics commentator Johnny … More NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov. 23, 2013. On Friday a Zimbabwe Court discharges the case against Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, who had been on trial for allegedly running an “unregistered” organization in contravention of the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Act (Chapter 17:15). Magistrate Elijah Makomo, from Harare ‘acquitted’ … More Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 23, 2013. Photos by Matt Davis, Melbourne. Thousand of LGBT people and allies braved the rain and marched in Australia today, in support of marriage equality, in different centers, including Melbourne, where a crowd of about 600 descended on Parliament. Prime Minister Tony Abbott is anti-marriage equality.  Although he attended his … More Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

November 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2013. On Sunday, November 24, 2013,  LGBT activists and allies will be holding an event at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., to “Save Russian LGBT Children.” This event is to support the rights of Russian LGBT teens and kids who are oppressed by Putin and his … More Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

November 21, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, NOV 20, 2013. Today, Scott Lively, the fervently anti-gay Pastor being sued by Uganda human rights organization Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), under the Alien Torts Act, for persecuting gays in Uganda, filed his “Answers and Defenses to Plaintiff’s first Amended Complaint,” in the  UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS … More Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

November 21, 2013

AND the best way to do it is through an INVESTIGATION By Melanie Nathan, Nov 21, 2013. We have recently reported on a spate of arrests and now the Ugandan press is reporting that the Ugandan Government is investigating four prominent secondary schools in Kampala and Wakiso districts over allegations that their students are involved … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

November 20, 2013

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov. 20, 2013. We pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on … More Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2013

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance  Organization Urges New Yorkers to Reflect on All Those Lost to Anti-Transgender Violence Including Harlem Resident, Islan Nettles New York, NY, November 20, 2013- On this 15th Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is urging New Yorkers to … More New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

November 19, 2013

BBC Reports that two people have died and about 40 are feared trapped after a roof collapsed at the construction site of a South African shopping mall, paramedics say. Rescue teams are working in the dark to find those beneath the rubble at the site in Tongaat, north of Durban. Crisis Medical, an emergency service … More South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

November 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 18, 2013. Obscuring the photo of a gorilla in the window, an enticement for London’s tourists to keep Uganda’s safari and wildlife tourism going strong, were a group of LGBT human rights defenders and allies, protesting the horror that is now impacting Uganda’s LGBT community.  Many gay people are waiting in … More London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people