Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

July 7, 2013

Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of  Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on … More Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

July 4, 2013

  The anti homosexuality Bill is still in parliament and on the order paper of business to follow. We urge that you continue consulting activists on the ground as we chose to take on a more subtle way of lobbying as spontaneous actions from our partners especially those not from Africa is always met with … More Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

July 4, 2013

See Video – And a Gay Tenor sings his way into the hearts of America By Melanie Nathan, July 04, 2013. The weeks leading up to this 4th of July have been historic for America – the horrendously discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)  came crashing down after decades of hell for many Americans and … More Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

July 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan. July 01, 2013. On June 29, President Obama spoke to youth audiences across Africa in a televised town hall from South Africa. U.S. Embassy Kampala – We were thrilled that a group of 10 Ugandan youth (pictured here below) joined the President live via satellite from Kampala’s NTV studio. In his remarks, … More Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

Another Lesbian Brutally raped and murdered in South Africa

July 1, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 01, 2013. A lesbian woman has been brutally raped with a toilet brush and murdered in what is believed to have been a hate crime in Ekurhuleni over the weekend. The half-naked body of 26-year-old Duduzile Zozo was found in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, outside of Johannesburg, on Sunday morning, in what is another … More Another Lesbian Brutally raped and murdered in South Africa

Making Love a Crime

June 30, 2013

Report by Amnesty International | Criminalization of Same-Sex Conduct in Sub-Saharan Africa June 28, 2013 This report provides an analysis of the legal environment and wider context of human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent years have seen increasing reports of people being harassed, marginalized, discriminated … More Making Love a Crime

President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

June 28, 2013

Vision for Africa | President Obama will engage with young African leaders from across the continent in a live broadcast event from the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus in South Africa. By Melanie Nathan, June 28, 2013. President Obama is on his way to Johannesburg, on his tour of Africa. The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) … More President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

GAY U.S.A. Marriage Equality Decision Day articles

June 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 27, 2013. Yesterday was an historic day for gay Americans when the Supreme Court of the United States gave tens of thousands of already married same-sex couples in a growing list of states equal access to all benefits that the federal  government provides for those who are wed.  A closely divided Supreme Court … More GAY U.S.A. Marriage Equality Decision Day articles

Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

June 27, 2013

 By Melanie Nathan, June 27, 2013. President Barack Obama on Thursday praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage as a “victory for American democracy” and even called the Prop 8 and DOMA Plaintiff’s to congratulate them while he was on board Air Force One heading out to Africa.  However AP has reported that his … More Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

South African Judge Chickens Out on Ruling in Fired Lesbian Pastor Case

June 26, 2013

Today Judge Veldhuizen ruled- or should we say barely ruled  in the case of fired Pastor Ecclesia de Lange. See our earlier articles here. The lesbian minister who was fired because of her marriage to another woman has lost her court battle to be reinstated by the Methodist Church, but the case has been reverted … More South African Judge Chickens Out on Ruling in Fired Lesbian Pastor Case

Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

June 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Three members of GetEqual were arrested an hour ago in a GetEQqual protest action Marco Rubio’s office in Tampa where they protested to draw attention to his antiquated and anti-gay stances on immigration reform and employment discrimination. Those participating in the action and arrested we believe are Barb GetEqual … More Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

Binational same-sex couples hard hit by SCOTUS wait

June 25, 2013

UPDATE: SCOTUS announced remaining decisions including marriage equality will be released tomorrow – Wednesday. By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Every moment counts for those who have not held a partner close – in some cases for years – as SCOTUS has yet to deliver its decision on marriage equality. Today binational same-sex couples are … More Binational same-sex couples hard hit by SCOTUS wait

Uganda’s Parliament reconvenes to a clogged house including anti-gay Bill

June 24, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2013. The Ugandan Parliament’s legislators are about to reconvene. The Daily Monitor, has reported that as the Ugandan Parliament will have to deal with a “clogged agenda” in the House. There are many issues waiting to be considered, including the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which has been lingering in Parliament over the … More Uganda’s Parliament reconvenes to a clogged house including anti-gay Bill

Mandela Critical

June 23, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 23, 2013. Nelson Mandela’s health has deteriorated and he is now in critical condition, the South African government said Sunday. The office of President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that he had visited the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader at a hospital Sunday evening and was informed by the medical team … More Mandela Critical

Aunt’s same-sex wedding song going viral

June 23, 2013

 What If We Are Just Like You?/Shannon’s and Lisa’s marriage equality Song by Melanie Nathan, June 22, 2013. Sherri Gray, “straight but not narrow,” shares her love – she wrote this song for niece Shannon and her fiancée, Lisa, a same-sex couple who are getting married this summer. “I wrote this song about equal rights … More Aunt’s same-sex wedding song going viral

South African Lesbian photographer’s big ask of Norway’s Crown Princess

June 21, 2013

Please tell other Monarchs, especially in Africa, that being gay is OKAY By Melanie Nathan, June 21, 2013 The Crown Princess of Norway, Her Royal Highness Mette-Marit, met famed South African photographer, filmmaker and LGBTI activist Zanele Muholi recently at an exhibition of Muholi’s work in Norway. The event took place last night at the Kunstplass … More South African Lesbian photographer’s big ask of Norway’s Crown Princess

Justice delayed as reparative death camp killer has unpaid legal fees

June 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. Today, in Vereeniging, South Africa, the ongoing murder trial of the owner of Echo Wild Game Ranger Camp, Alex de Koker, 49, and his co-accused, Michael Erasmus (20) was postponed yet again,  due to the accused murderer’s inability to pay his legal fees resulting in the withdrawal of his … More Justice delayed as reparative death camp killer has unpaid legal fees

Trevor Project to mark 15th Anniversary by ringing opening NYSE bell

June 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention to LGBTQ youth, will ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, June 20th.  The organization celebrates its 15th “birthday” this August and will premiere its latest public service announcement, “Ask For Help,” at NYSE. … More Trevor Project to mark 15th Anniversary by ringing opening NYSE bell

One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913

June 19, 2013

And then Hello Apartheid…. By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. June 19th 2013 is the 100th anniversary of the now defunct Natives Land Act, 1913 (subsequently renamed Bantu Land Act, 1913 and Black Land Act, 1913; Act No. 27 of 1913) which was an act of the Parliament of South Africa aimed at regulating the … More One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913

Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

June 18, 2013

The Bill is based on myth as expounded by Russian Deputy Speaker, who said:  “If a child ends up with a homosexual couple, it could cause severe damage and the child ends up with a distorted perception of reality.” By Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2013. As same-sex marriage is increasing in acceptance around the world, … More Russian bill set to stop adoption to nations allowing same-sex marriage

As the U.S. waits on SCOTUS Durban lesbian wedding speaks volumes

June 17, 2013

Ziningi & Delisile Ndlela just married – Durban June 15, 2013. By Melanie Nathan June 17, 2013. While the United States struggles, state by state, to allow legal marriages between same-sex couples and while the United States waits with bated breath to see if any of its nine justices agree that marriage equality must be … More As the U.S. waits on SCOTUS Durban lesbian wedding speaks volumes

The part of London that is not safe for Gays and Jews

June 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 17, 2013. Two men were arrested in January after a series of incidents in London saw members of the public harassed by self-styled vigilantes who posted footage of their activities online. One included a clip showing a man being subjected to homophobic abuse. The incidents are believed to be linked … More The part of London that is not safe for Gays and Jews

On Fathers Day NBJC honors the commitment of Black gay, bisexual and trans men

June 16, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 16, 2013. Statement by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC): Black gay, bisexual and trans fathers, uncles and brothers play many important roles in the Black community. As caregivers, role models, providers, teachers, friends and leaders, Black gay, bisexual and trans men are invaluable threads in the fabric of the … More On Fathers Day NBJC honors the commitment of Black gay, bisexual and trans men

Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation

June 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 14, 2013. Porterville City Council, the only city council in all of California to declare its support for the anti-gay Proposition 8 in 2008, is now threatening to rescind a proclamation signed by its Mayor, who had declared June to be LGBT Pride Month in Porterville. On June 04, despite heated … More Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation