Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

June 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2013. Today eight members of the group Get Equal were arrested while protesting outside speaker Boehner’s office, calling attention to the House’s failure to pursue ENDA, the legislation that would end work place discrimination against LGBT people in America. The protestors were demanding that the speaker hold a floor vote … More Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. UPDATED 6/13/20123. P.E. Herald took swift action in  Apologizing to the South African Gay Community for an Ad that was placed on page 3 of their print publication: “The Herald Port Elizabeth – The Herald distances itself from the contents of this advert which goes against the basic tenets … More P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community

Gay immigration detainee reunited with fiancé after detention ordeal

June 12, 2013

A young gay man who was detained in San Diego by immigration authorities — whose story was documented by San Diego Gay & Lesbian News and OBLOGDEE — has been reunited with his fiancé in New York City. Here is the follow up article after his release by our friends at SDGLN:- A happy ending? … More Gay immigration detainee reunited with fiancé after detention ordeal

Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. At the time of the 1962 trial of Nelson Mandela, one of a few, South Africans who were not white, and who comprised the majority of the population, were not allowed to vote. This was because Apartheid excluded black South Africans from this basic right to equality.  When reading … More Remembering Mandela’s 1962 Creative Cry to the World

Public Booted from Trial of Accused Zambian Gay Couple

June 11, 2013

Inaccurate media reports could be exacerbated by privacy of trial, while Magistrate ‘s call for closed trial may evidence prejudice during time when Zambian Government calls to hunt down gays, By Melanie Nathan, June 11, 2013. Please note update (6/12/) below, where Magistrate denies trial is being heard in camera and accuses a Reporter of … More Public Booted from Trial of Accused Zambian Gay Couple

Queerty Publishes Advance Article of a “Disappointing DOMA Ruling”

June 10, 2013

Predicting doom and gloom – or a publicity stunt for ratings – or a desire to jump the gun for SEO optimization- or an embarrassing mistake? By Melanie Nathan., June 11, 2013. In an over zealous attempt to be ahead, popular LGBT blog site QUEERTY, through writer Lisa Keen, jumped the gun by mistakenly hitting … More Queerty Publishes Advance Article of a “Disappointing DOMA Ruling”

Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

June 8, 2013

AND A Letter from a Get Equal Lead, C.D. Kirven  to the First Lady Explaining the Actions of Ellen Sturtz. The lesbian community was drawn into a controversy this week as Ellen Sturtz, a leader from the group Get Equal, attended a D.C. fundraiser and interrupted the First Lady’s speech calling attention to the fact … More Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

Arrests in 2009 Tel Aviv Gay Youth Center Shootings

June 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 06, 2013. In a dramatic  and long awaited development Israeli Police have arrested 3 suspects in the Tel Aviv 2009 gay youth center shooting, that left 2 dead and 10 injured. It is believed that the motivation for the killings was based on personal revenge, according to a report by Eli Senyor … More Arrests in 2009 Tel Aviv Gay Youth Center Shootings

Breaking Gay Board Members attacked with hammers at meeting in Harare

June 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 06, 2013. Members of GALZ, an LGBT human rights organization in Harare, Zimbabwe, were attacked by five hammer wielding men during a board meeting at their offices. No injuries reported, however the group is extremely shaken. The attack occurred at GALZ offices  around 11 am on Thursday when five unknown men … More Breaking Gay Board Members attacked with hammers at meeting in Harare

California Mayor Issues LGBT Proclamation despite Hateful City and Council Outburst

June 4, 2013

Porterville’s LGBT Community encounters City gay haters in venomous outburst By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. It has been a long dirty battle between the LGBTQ community and some choice government officials and residents of the town of Porterville, California, culminating in tonight’s City Hall showdown, where Mayor Virginia Gurolla issued a proclamation recognizing the … More California Mayor Issues LGBT Proclamation despite Hateful City and Council Outburst

Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy Comes to Marin

June 4, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. China Blue, is one of three movies being screened from Bay Area filmmaker, Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy. The film will be playing at the Rafael on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00. China Blue focuses on teenager Jasmin Li, who leaves her home to work in a far-away blue jeans factory. This … More Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy Comes to Marin

Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

June 4, 2013

Despite all odds, the fearless continue …. and the least we can do as an international community is support this imperative statement… By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. Last year, despite the climate of fervent anti-gay hostility, Ugandan volunteer LGBT activists accomplished what seemed impossible – they launched the first every Gay Pride celebration in … More Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity says Men Raping Girls is Natural

June 1, 2013

Compared to being Gay in privacy of home By Melanie Nathan, May 2013. In the context of Stephen Fry, asking Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo, in a recorded interview, why Ugandans were more concerned with what gays did in the privacy of their homes rather than with the high incidence of … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity says Men Raping Girls is Natural

Breaking Nigeria passes sweeping anti-gay legislation

May 30, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2013. Today in Nigeria, lawmakers passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders. Nigeria’s House of Representatives approved the bill in a voice vote. In the meantime there may be  differences between … More Breaking Nigeria passes sweeping anti-gay legislation

Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

May 30, 2013

COURT ON MAY 30 – Killer De Koker (right) allowed to marry Marais, moments after testimony in the death of Raymond Buys, on life support for 2  weeks after torture at the hands of de Koker By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2013. Compare the two photos. One is the victim photographed in his hospital bed, … More Man-Up or die murderer marries in court moments after testimony about torture he inflicted on teen

DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story

May 28, 2013

We as a community cannot reject the most vulnerable amongst us | Binational same-sex couples have already paid the heaviest price By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. I started my advocacy work and writing the stories about the horrendous plight of same-sex binational couples back in 2009, when faced with the possible deportation of my … More DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story

Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

May 28, 2013

Accused murderer fears for his life in prison after assault By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. The trial of the Afrikaner right wing extremist, accused of murdering  a young man who was sent to his camp to “man up” commenced in Vereeniging, South Africa, yesterday and is set to continue through the next few days, … More Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

May 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 27, 2013. The Ugandan LGBT community is expressing concerns about rogue organizations and individuals soliciting funds from the West through false or exaggerated stories presented on social media. What follows is a plea and announcement by LGBT human rights defender Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera, Founder & Executive Director of the Ugandan organization … More Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures

May 23, 2013

Today, we find these same people, abused by the press, actually outraged by the closure and protesting in defense of the press and the importance of its freedoms. By Melanie Nathan, May 23, 2013. Today several human rights defenders were arrested outside of the Daily Monitor as they rallied in solidarity against the Ugandan authorities … More Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures

Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

May 20, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2013. No amount of marchers will bring back Mark Carson, who was gunned down by a man shouting anti-gay epithets. He was only 32 years of age. However silence will mean more deaths and speakers at the NYC rally against the murder of Carson called out to end homophobic gay … More Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

North Jersey Pride Set to Launch Pride Week 2013

May 20, 2013

Full Slate of LGBT Events Scheduled for June 3 through June 9 By Editors, May 20, 2013. Maplewood, N.J., May 20, 2013-  North Jersey Pride, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equality, awareness, and understanding in the upper Garden State, today announced plans for its 2013 Pride Week. Throughout the week of June 3, the nonprofit is … More North Jersey Pride Set to Launch Pride Week 2013

Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

May 20, 2013

Revamping the dream for an all inclusive politicized Pride By Melanie Nathan. May 20, 2013. This Press Release passed our desk, in what seems to be a follow up to the very controversial events surrounding Johannesburg Pride over this past year and its subsequent cancellation: New Committee to Organise People’s Pride Johannesburg on 5 Oct. … More Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

Ugandan government raids close down Red Pepper and Daily Monitor

May 20, 2013

A series of media closures is underway in Uganda By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2013. The Ugandan authorities are searching a variety of media outlets looking for an original press release, purportedly evidence in a crime, which seems to relate to the recent military controversy involving a Ugandan general.  A Police statement on Monday indicated … More Ugandan government raids close down Red Pepper and Daily Monitor

Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

May 19, 2013

A modern day David and Goliath | Rev. Ecclesia de Lange, a South African open lesbian will face her once employer and now adversary in the Cape High Court. By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. In 2010 when Rev de Lange announced to her congregation that she was going to marry her same-sex partner, her … More Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church