Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

September 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2013. Buzzfeed is reporting that President Obama will be meeting with Russian LGBT activists while in Russia. The President had cancelled a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin while there for the G20 summit. I agree with Buzfeed that Obama may anger the Kremlin further by meeting with Russian … More President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

September 1, 2013

Human Rights Infractions Threaten Lives of Two 21 year old Men Perceived as Gay Couple By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2013. For almost five months, two young men have been languishing in an overcrowded and disease ridden Zambian jail, and while a Magistrate keeps them incarcerated with little evidence to an alleged crime, witnesses fail … More Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

August 29, 2013

By Melanie Nathan,  Thursday, August 29, 2013 The Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) issued this Press release to inform about the fabulous business forum being held in Dallas, Texas between the Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) and the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) , for the Annual Trade and Investment Forum. And now … More Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

August 29, 2013

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on two cases involving California’s law banning so-called LGBT ‘conversion therapy’. The appeals court has reversed a grant of a preliminary injunction in one challenge, and it has affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction in another. This means the law will be in effect during the proceedings. … More The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

August 29, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 28, 2013 The hate speech case against homophobic journalist Jon Qwelane is set to continue to drag on into its sixth year without finality, notes South African site, MambaOnline: In addition, Qwelane will be challenging the constitutionality of the Equality Act, under which he was convicted, in an effort to … More Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

Putin’s Puppeteers Try to Deflect Attention from Olympic Boycott

August 29, 2013

By Attempting to Divide Russian LGBT Movement | List of Trusted Russian LGBT Activists for Media to call upon By Larry Poltavtsev Since last week in a bizarre fashion a number of known to the foreign media Russian LGBT figures started to make polarizing anti-West statements either using their own broadcasting platforms or even utilizing … More Putin’s Puppeteers Try to Deflect Attention from Olympic Boycott

Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

August 27, 2013

 Putin’s Anti-gay law provides impetus for building to post shocking notice By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. For those of you who believe the Putin lies, that LGBTI people are safe, can be left alone entitled to privacy, and are not persecuted in Russia under his new law, here is a shocking example. This notice … More Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

August 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Through the Winter Olympics, the world is endorsing Putin’s homophobic and anti-gay regime by coming to the #GulagOlympics at Sochi. The Russian Orthodox Church stands at the front line of the Putin anti-gay machine, encouraging and endorsing laws that persecute, proclaiming an ideal that gay can be ‘prayed away.’ … More LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

August 26, 2013

The Noise we are making is working – Keep up the advocacy and activism as SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate  By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Senator Mark Leno that … More California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 25 The Russian Church took our protests this Sunday very seriously and below is their response.  After you read it  you will note that nowhere do they take a  single sentence to show care or concern for persecuted LGBTI people in Russia.  The Orthodox Church has refused  to dialogue with us, … More The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests

Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Due to the passage of extreme anti-gay legislation and the alarming increase in anti-gay violence in Russia, Equality Florida has called upon all Florida cities to suspend their Sister/Friendship City relationships with Russian cities.  Letters have been sent to the mayors of Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee. … More Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

Castro Russian Orthodox Churchgoers flee in advance of Gay Protest

August 26, 2013

Churchgoers flee fearing the wrath of a Rainbow? By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. On Sunday, Gays Without Borders together with members of San Francisco’s LGBT community paid a visit to St. Nicholas Cathedral Church, a Russian Orthodox Church located in the Castro to raise rainbow flags bringing awareness about Russia’s anti-gay laws and to … More Castro Russian Orthodox Churchgoers flee in advance of Gay Protest

Putin bans meetings and protests during Sochi Winter Olympics

August 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 23, 2013. In an atmosphere of LGBTI oppression and calls for the removal of the Winter Olympics from Sochi, Russia because of recent anti-gay laws, an ABC News reporter is tweeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned all meetings, protests and demonstrations during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. … More Putin bans meetings and protests during Sochi Winter Olympics

Like a Party at Pride American Gay Community Must do More for Global Gay Solidarity

August 22, 2013

A Comment on U.S. and Global LGBTQI Activism By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While we fight for our civil rights  and equality in the United State of America, LGBTI people in 76 Countries fight for their lives – they fight not to be beaten – not to be killed – not to be imprisoned … More Like a Party at Pride American Gay Community Must do More for Global Gay Solidarity

Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

August 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While the less educated on the realities and impacts of boycotting Russia because of its new Putin signed anti-gay laws, are quick to draw conclusions that boycotts are not working, relevant leadership emerges calling for persistent boycotts. Masha Gessen is emerging as the new and prized leadership, an imperative … More Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

August 21, 2013

Sunday Protest | Gay Oppressor Russian Orthodox Church lives in the Castro By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. This Sunday morning as San Francisco’s Castro awakens to its persistent rainbow flags, the heartbeat of gay America will show solidarity for Russia’s persecuted LGBT community. Who could have imagined that the Russian Orthodox Church would nestle … More San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

August 21, 2013

Alekseev refuses to talk to Washington Post in his bid to control western media by=ut still wants to come to the US as a guest Of Human Rights First By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. I wrote an article this past weekend about the outrageous social media antics of Russian activist Nikolai Alekseev.  As I … More The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

Ghana Press misrepresents UNAIDS blaming AIDS and HIV on Homosexuality

August 20, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 20, 2013. In an unconscionable gross misrepresentation and twist of wording the press in the African country Ghana is seizing on the words of the UNAIDS (United Nation’s AIDS Organization) to further demonize homosexuality and local LGBTI people. Following a conference in Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire, as reflected in the  example of … More Ghana Press misrepresents UNAIDS blaming AIDS and HIV on Homosexuality

The White House and HRC must call for complete Boycott of Winter Olympics in Sochi

August 11, 2013

While the kidnapping, torture and outing of young gays continue with public endorsement in Russia through the tacit license of anti-gay laws | And even if we are assured of the safety of our athletes, are we willing to leave Sochi, after a “successful games” only to know that this persecution will continue for LGBT … More The White House and HRC must call for complete Boycott of Winter Olympics in Sochi

Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

August 10, 2013

How Many Carrie Prejeans will be at Miss Universe in Russia? By Melanie Nathan, August 10, 2013. Russian President Valdimir Putin has earned a new name – Putin ‘Czar of Homophobia.’ His new anti-gay law and the increase in homophobic violence has led to calls for sanctions against Russia, from boycotts of Russian vodka to … More Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

Senator Mark Leno takes a stand against Russian Anti-gay laws with California investment resolution

August 9, 2013

Following Anti-Gay Crackdown, Leno to Introduce Resolution Urging CalPERS and CalSTRS Not to Make Future Investments in Russia By Melanie Nathan, August 09, 2013. SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Mark Leno, joined by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Senator Ricardo Lara and bill sponsor Equality California, will introduce a Senate Resolution on Monday urging CalPERS … More Senator Mark Leno takes a stand against Russian Anti-gay laws with California investment resolution

Russia: Silencing Activists, Journalists ahead of Sochi Games

August 8, 2013

More reasons to Boycott Sochi as a venue for the Winter Olympic games 2014 – Six Months Before Olympics Launch, Fresh Concerns about Intimidation REPORT by Human Rights Watch: (Aug 07, 2013.) Preparations for the Sochi Games have been plagued with serious human rights abuses and other problems, many of which have only been brought … More Russia: Silencing Activists, Journalists ahead of Sochi Games

Gay Rainbow Flag Creator says NO Rainbow Flags at Olympics in Sochi Russia

August 8, 2013

“The Rainbow Flag is the international symbol of LGBT freedom — it is not an endorsement of repression.” Gilbert Baker By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. We have have written numerous articles on this website calling for a full boycott of Russia due to their legislated persecution of LGBT people. To all of you who … More Gay Rainbow Flag Creator says NO Rainbow Flags at Olympics in Sochi Russia

Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

August 8, 2013

 Sparking need to increase international outcry and calls for boycotts By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. It would seem that the recent promulgation of anti-gay laws in Russia is spreading in the region.  We are receiving reports from Yerevan, Armenia that  Armenia’s police have proposed a ban on promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships” in the country. … More Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

August 7, 2013

The Facts About Stolichnaya \ What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand – What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. Updates August 11, 2013. – In its attempts to separate itself from the Russian vodka boycotts, Stoli … More The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

August 7, 2013

 and then have the courage of our convictions to insist “NO AMERICAN IN SOCHI” until the Russians rescind their anti-gay laws and start treating LGBTI people with the dignity they deserve. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. As soon as the Russian DUMA legislated its anti-gay Propaganda law, we here at OBLOGDEE called for an … More Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

August 6, 2013

Ask IOL to move the Olympics from Sochi. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama today criticized a new Russian law cracking down on gay rights activism, saying he has “no patience for countries that try to treat gays and lesbians and transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful … More President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws