Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

October 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 14, 2013. Russian lawmakers would rather see infants and children starve and suffer neglect, resulting in deformities and attachment disorders than provide these children with the opportunities for love and health.  A picture speaks a million words – how does one grasp what could have been; and why would Russian lawmakers,  … More Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

October 12, 2013

For Crimes Against Humanity by Magembe Norman, October 12, 2013. Uganda is one of the most homophobic nations in the world and it is estimated that over 500,000 L.G.B.T people in the country are at risk of harassment and discrimination. With Homosexuality already illegal in the country punishable by incarceration, there is no single law … More Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

October 10, 2013

“Gergiev, Your Silence is Killing Russian Gays” by Melanie Nathan, Ocytober 10, 2013. New York, NY (October 10, 2013) — Tonight, four members of the LGBT rights group Queer Nation disrupted the performance of the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, demanding that Gergiev oppose the Russian government’s attacks on LGBT Russians and … More Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

October 9, 2013

LGBT Rights Group Again Targets Conductor Linked to Putin By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. New York, NY (October 9, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, Queer Nation will stage a demonstration at Carnegie Hall on October 10. The target of the protest is … More Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

October 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. Johannesburg People’s Pride (JHBPP) took place in Constitution Hill on the 5th of October 2013. The theme People’s Pride indeed spoke for itself, because it embodied all kinds of People. JHBPP was not only for LGBTI people even heterosexuals were there. Lebo Mashile (poet) also graced the day with her presence. … More South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

October 7, 2013

An open letter to Persecutors of Gays and LGBTI, Rapists, ‘Corrective’ Rapists,  Bullies, Hon. Holomisa, Ambassador Qwelane, Christian Evangelicals and those of you who know who you are – I address you as one in a short simple letter as follows: Dear Homophobes of South Africa, Please heed this simple yet imperative quote: “Never, never … More A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

October 1, 2013

View Moving Pictures By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013. Despite its all inclusive constitution, declaring full equality for all South Africans, including gays, lesbians, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and despite the independence of its judiciary system, South Africa’s LGBTI community still suffers extreme homophobia and it’s LGBTI refugee community suffers Xenophobia in addition to … More Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

October 1, 2013

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

September 18, 2013

Life in prison for being in loving gay relationships compared to 5-15 years for raping students By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2013. Reuters reports from Sierra Leone that Deputy Education Minister Mamoud Tarawali has been charged with raping a university student, according to police. Sierra Leone is a country that criminalizes loving gay relationships. The … More Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

September 17, 2013

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Budapest to receive $22 million Holocaust memorial center

September 16, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 16, 2013. According to JTA, Budapest will build a $22 million memorial at a train station from which Hungarian Jews were deported during the Holocaust. The Hungarian prime minister’s chief of staff, Janos Lazar,  said the memorial will feature an educational center and will be opened by spring next year … More Budapest to receive $22 million Holocaust memorial center

Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

September 13, 2013

I AM WONDERING when we are going to hear more about this travesty from international activists. Has Russia put us to sleep on Africa? Usurping all our outrage for the human right infractions against LGBT people in Africa? By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The Lusaka High Court has ruled that trial should commence in … More Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

September 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The voices are growing and they are becoming louder and clear and let us hope that this statement by Olympic gold snowboarder, Seth Wescott, who is speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law in defense of LGBT athletes, will prompt more athletes to come out against Russia and its … More Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

Zimbabwe and Mugabe called out by HRW

September 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2013. This open “letter-type” article was addressed to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe by Human Rights Watch’s Daniel Bekele, the executive director for HRW-Africa Division. We all know that Mugabe incessantly spews anti-gay hate and fosters an extremely homophobic society as a result. We trust that HRW has considered LGBT persons … More Zimbabwe and Mugabe called out by HRW

CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

September 11, 2013

SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate Posted by Editor, September 10, 2013. SACRAMENTO – The full Senate today approved a resolution urging CalPERS and CalSTRS not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia. SR … More CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

Does Ugandan Speaker Kadaga’s Launch of Human Rights Checklist Impact the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

September 11, 2013

Parliamentarians must apply Human Rights Test for Bills| Does this apply to the Kill the Gays Bill? By Melanie Nathan, September 11, 2013. In an ironic quest for legitimacy on the issue of human rights, Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament has urged Members “to always ensure that the bills and motions they consider pass the … More Does Ugandan Speaker Kadaga’s Launch of Human Rights Checklist Impact the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Statement on Syria by U.S. President Barack Obama

September 10, 2013

Good evening — I just addressed the nation about the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Over the past two years, what began as a series of peaceful protests against the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad has turned into a brutal civil war in Syria. Over 100,000 people have been killed. In that time, we … More Statement on Syria by U.S. President Barack Obama

Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

September 10, 2013

Vote for S.F. Pride Board  at Annual General Meeting 2013 Sunday, September 15 at 2pm By Melanie Nathan, September 10, 2013. SF Pride is a member-driven organization. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the largest annual gathering of Pride’s membership. Voting members have the opportunity to participate in elections for the Board of Directors and … More Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

September 8, 2013

But wait – watch out – what if we get our grubby queer hands on her? By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2013 Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko is the highest-ranking female politician in Russia, the former governor of Saint Petersburg and the current Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. She also hates gays. Valentina … More Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening

September 7, 2013

See Video Below | Highlights from San Francisco Opera’s production of Mephistopheles By Melanie Nathan, September 07, 2013. San Francisco Opera’s 91st season opened last night, with a performance of Arrigo Boito’s Mephistopheles, described as “one of the most impressive productions ever seen at the War Memorial Opera House”. And what made it more impressive … More Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

September 6, 2013

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

September 5, 2013

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, was introduced again in Congress this year — if passed, it would make sure that no one can legally be discriminated against in the workplace for being gay or transgender. By Melanie Nathan, September 05, 2013. We all know we have a Congress that will not work with this … More Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

September 5, 2013

Press Release: Contact Melanie Nathan: nathan@privatecourts.com Dated: September 05, 2013. https://www.facebook.com/events/433652160084761/ Tomorrow night, Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm, the coalition, including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com and PCI-Justice, will stage an informational vigil, outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.  … More Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

September 5, 2013

“If anything this should be a wake-up call to our President and to Congress to act in like, to go even further. ….our goal of Full Federal Equality” By Jennifer McGuire, September 05, 2013. It was announced yesterday that spouses of Lesbian and Gay veterans will be eligible for benefits.  In the recent stream of … More The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. Rosh Hashana, (“Head of the Year”,) which begins at sundown this evening, ushers in ten days of Jewish soul-searching, known as the “Days of Awe.” It ends with the “closing of the gates” on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider giving. This two-day holiday begins on 1 Tishrei, … More Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

September 4, 2013

Czar meets Czar | After all the only legitimacy left for Alekseev is his stature in anti-semitic circles By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. The highly controversial Russian gay activist, Nikolai Alekseev, (also known as Nikolay Alekseyev,) who recently found himself the center of a storm amongst LGBT communities in Russia and around the world, noted … More Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. A group of LGBT activists will stage an informational vigil including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com will be holding a fun informational vigil on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness … More Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays