Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Outpouring of Grief for and by the LGBTQI Community Mourning with Orlando

June 12, 2016

In the wake of the biggest mass shooting in American history, which took the lives of 50 people and wounded 53 more, in a LGBT nightclub massacre, politicians, organizations, and individuals in the United States and from around the world, are showing solidarity with an outpouring of grief and words of support: Equality Florida: We … More Outpouring of Grief for and by the LGBTQI Community Mourning with Orlando

Global Vigils in Solidarity for Orlando LGBT Massacre

June 12, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO – stands with our brothers and sisters in Orlando. Please join us!  We will be joining together to mourn the loss of 50 lives and 53 injured (the last count) from the nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Fl.  Please bring candles and some to share if you can. Also, please remember to protect your … More Global Vigils in Solidarity for Orlando LGBT Massacre

Is Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick Lying About his Hateful Tweet

June 12, 2016

Just at the time when Americans should be rallying together, in the wake of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, where 53 LGBT club goers were brutally murdered and another 53 seriously injured, rabidly anti- gay Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, aka Danny Goeb, (name change to avoid debt)  has tweeted the following … More Is Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick Lying About his Hateful Tweet

Freedom for All Americans Celebrates Anniversary and Contributions to LGBT Equality

June 10, 2016

One Year Later: 100+ Anti-LGBT Bills Defeated as FFAA Celebrates Anniversary New FFAA interactive map highlights status of LGBT-related bills across the nation as state legislative season winds down WASHINGTON – Freedom for All Americans (FFAA) launched one year ago with the goal of advancing comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people at the municipal, state … More Freedom for All Americans Celebrates Anniversary and Contributions to LGBT Equality

Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

June 10, 2016

The Pentagon held its fifth annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride ceremony Wednesday. The Washington Examiner reports,  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called on gay and lesbian veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge under the old ban on gays serving openly in the military to have their records corrected to reflect they served honorably. … More Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

June 9, 2016

The 32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 June – 1 July at the United Nations Palais des Nations. This year, following on from a 2014 HRC resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, the Council will once again consider an initiative … More Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

Bomb Explodes as Anti-Trans Terrorism Hits Target

June 9, 2016

According to local news outlet WGNTV, a small bomb exploded in the women’s bathroom at a Target store in Evanston, Illinois. This  seems to follow the controversy over Target’ s trans-friendly policy.The news station reports that no-one was harmed in the explosion, which occurred yesterday afternoon. The explosion occurred Wednesday shortly after 4 p.m. at the … More Bomb Explodes as Anti-Trans Terrorism Hits Target

Headliner and Performers Announced for 2016 San Francisco Pride Celebration

June 8, 2016

PEACHES TO HEADLINE THE 46TH ANNUAL SF PRIDE CELEBRATION  | TWO DAYS AND OVER 20 ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ARE PLANNED TO CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY, COMMEMORATE LGBT HISTORY AND EDUCATE ATTENDEES ON TOPICS OF RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE  San Francisco, CA – SF Pride will culminate its 2016 Celebration at Civic Center with … More Headliner and Performers Announced for 2016 San Francisco Pride Celebration

South African Minister Promises Change for Home Affairs to become LGBTI Friendly

June 7, 2016

South Africa has a relatively new Constitution, birthed soon after iconic former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison and Apartheid ended. Included in that dramatic change was equality for all, including LGBTI people. Yet, despite its all inclusive Constitution, South African gays, lesbians, and transgender community has experienced profound homophobia and transphobia, often resulting … More South African Minister Promises Change for Home Affairs to become LGBTI Friendly

Examining Hawaii and the Protection of Transgender Inmates in Prison

June 7, 2016

On paper, at least, Hawaii is doing everything right in how it treats transgender inmates in the state’s prison system, according to an article by Rui Kaneya, published in Civil Beat, who asks, whether it is enough. According to the piece, which incorporates great visuals showing from Hawaii: Under the state’s policy, the Hawaii Department … More Examining Hawaii and the Protection of Transgender Inmates in Prison

U.S. Pastor Uses Tel Aviv Pride In Antisemitic Tirade

June 6, 2016

A prominent Pastor from Alabama seems to be having a hissy-fit that smacks of homophobia and antisemitism. Ricky White, Pastor at House of Refuge, from Haleyville, Alabama is expressing his dismay about the fact that Israel, the Holy Land, has accepted gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual folk, to such a degree, that it was able to … More U.S. Pastor Uses Tel Aviv Pride In Antisemitic Tirade

My Marin Endorsements for Democratic Primary and San Francisco Bernie Rally

June 5, 2016

I am voting in Marin County. The following are the candidates I am endorsing in the June 07, Primary Election: PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES – Bernie Sanders – Democrat San Francisco and the Bay Area are feeling the BERN yuuuuugely and big time!  Please let me know if you will be at the historic … More My Marin Endorsements for Democratic Primary and San Francisco Bernie Rally

Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

June 3, 2016

Poll Shows Dramatic Increase in Israeli Public Support of LGBT Community Israeli media has reported that 200,000 people attended LGBT Pride festivities as Tel Aviv celebrated its annual Gay Pride Parade on Friday, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. It is believed that more than 30,000 tourists from around the world, … More Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

June 1, 2016

Republican Governor expected to sign bill that would make MA 18th state with explicit protections for transgender people in public places Today the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed HB 4343, the bill that would update state law to ensure explicit protections for transgender people in public places, including parks, restaurants, hospitals, and public restrooms. The bill also passed the Senate … More Breaking: Massachusetts Legislature Passes Full Transgender Protections Bill

LGBT Censorship by South African Broadcaster Complicit in Nigerian Bigotry

June 1, 2016

“To succumb to Nigeria’s draconian demands is to be complicit in prejudice and bigotry…….  dragging South Africa back into the darkest pit of Apartheid.  “  Melanie Nathan, In what appears to be a breach of South Africa’s all inclusive equality based Constitution, South African broadcaster, MultiChoice, a leading video entertainment and internet company, operating under … More LGBT Censorship by South African Broadcaster Complicit in Nigerian Bigotry

Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

May 27, 2016

The Republican controlled Oklahoma Legislature adjourned Friday without passing proposed legislation targeting transgender children. If signed into law, Senate Bill 1619 would have legalized discrimination against transgender children who need to use the restroom at school.  The measure would have also required schools to create separate facilities for any student who refuses to share a … More Oklahoma legislature adjourns without adopting bill targeting transgender students

Equality Activists Ask HRC To Reverse Endorsement for US Senate

May 27, 2016

Several high profile LGBT community members, activists and leaders have written articles expressing disdain at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)  decision to endorse Republican Senator Mark Kirk, instead of Rep. Tammy Duckworth, for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat.  HRC did not budge. Duckworth has been endorsed by President Obama, VP Biden, MOVEON.ORG, Daily Kos, and … More Equality Activists Ask HRC To Reverse Endorsement for US Senate

New York Bill to help LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses

May 25, 2016

LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses to Gain Access with “New York State Supplier Diversity Act” Introduced into NY State Senate with Support of NGLCC Washington, D.C. — The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is excited to announce that New York State Senator Brad Hoylman … More New York Bill to help LGBT, Disability, and Veteran Owned Businesses

Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

May 24, 2016

Revealing the Transphobic Organizations Fighting Trans and LGBT Freedom while Masquerading as Safety and Privacy Groups The organization Freedom for All Americans provides this report: Background on the Department of Education’s Recent Guidance re: Title IX and Gender Identity Earlier this month, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a letter outlining what a … More Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

Expert Reports in Crimes Against Humanity Case of Christian Extremist Scott Lively

May 22, 2016

Reports Examine Atrocity Crimes, Minority Stress, International Law Today, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) released three independent expert reports submitted in conjunction with SMUG’s lawsuit against the U.S.-based anti-gay extremist Scott Lively charging him with conspiring to persecute the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in Uganda. In … More Expert Reports in Crimes Against Humanity Case of Christian Extremist Scott Lively

Shocking Exclusion by United Nations of LGBT Groups at High Level AIDS Meeting

May 22, 2016

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Indonesia, Sudan, Egypt and Uganda blocking full and fair participation The United Nations is scheduled to host a global meeting to stop the AIDS epidemic, yet several countries want to exclude groups that represent LGBTI people or drug users. From 8 to 10 June 2016, world leaders, government representatives, HIV program implementers … More Shocking Exclusion by United Nations of LGBT Groups at High Level AIDS Meeting

Did Padres Participate in Out at the Park Homophobia

May 22, 2016

” Out at the Park event at Petco Park turns into mass homophobia” – SDGLN Headline. According to SDGLN: The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) didn’t get a chance to sing the National Anthem at The annual “Out at the Park” event at Petco Park on Saturday, instead their microphones were turned off, and … More Did Padres Participate in Out at the Park Homophobia

Help Push California AB 1888 to stop funding for Bigotry against LGBT Students

May 22, 2016

Equality California is urging action – please alert you California lawmakers to pass AB 1888. Read on: “Californians don’t like discrimination.  Over the past 15 years, that’s been abundantly clear as our state has passed some of the world’s strongest laws protecting LGBT people. But did you know there are islands of discrimination within California … More Help Push California AB 1888 to stop funding for Bigotry against LGBT Students

Pics of Suspects in Ugandan Human Rights Office Murder and Robbery

May 22, 2016

A Ugandan human rights organization has just released its own CCTV footage of two suspects in the murder and robbery that took place at its headquarters, last night. A security guard was brutally murdered during the break in which occurred at offices of the Ugandan organization, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF).   Apparently organizational … More Pics of Suspects in Ugandan Human Rights Office Murder and Robbery

Meet and Greet San Francisco Pride 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshals

May 18, 2016

San Francisco, CA – On Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00-9:00 PM, San Francisco Pride and AsiaSF are hosting a Meet-n-Greet with the cast of the trailblazing Fuse TV docu-series TRANSCENDENT. The TV show features a group of talented trans women from San Francisco, Bambiana, Bionka, L.A., Nya, and Xristina, as they navigate their professional, personal … More Meet and Greet San Francisco Pride 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshals

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Applauds New Health Care Regulations and Schools Directive

May 13, 2016

Obama Administration extends nondiscrimination protections to transgender individuals seeking health care and directs schools to allow transgender students to use appropriate bathrooms. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the new regulations prohibiting health care discrimination against transgender people across the United States. Adopted today by the U.S. Department … More Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Applauds New Health Care Regulations and Schools Directive

Provincetown Women Innkeepers Partners with True Colors Fund for Homeless LGBT Youth Awareness

May 11, 2016

  Women Innkeepers of Provincetown Announce Partnership with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund to Raise Awareness About LGBT Youth Homelessness.  Provincetown, MA – The Women Innkeepers of Provincetown are thrilled to announce their partnership with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund in an effort to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth homelessness, (homeless … More Provincetown Women Innkeepers Partners with True Colors Fund for Homeless LGBT Youth Awareness

Marin County Confirms Case of Zika Virus

May 10, 2016

 San Rafael, CA – Today, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed Marin’s first Zika virus infection. The disease was contracted by an individual who was in Central America recently. The spread of the Zika virus occurs primarily through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have not been detected in Marin. Due to … More Marin County Confirms Case of Zika Virus