School principal humiliates transgender student

By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. It seems as if  Issak Wolfe has as much of a right as anyone else to expect inclusion in his School’s mission: “The mission of the Red Lion Area School District, in partnership with our communities, is to prepare all students to reach their greatest potential, thus becoming responsible … More School principal humiliates transgender student

SF PRIDE ANNOUNCES BEBE SWEETBRIAR AS 2013 PARADE COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHA

Posted by Staff, May 18, 2013. SAN FRANCISCO — Today, the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration Committee and Board of Directors announced BeBe Sweetbriar as an Individual Community Grand Marshal for the 2013 Pride Parade. A San Francisco resident for nearly 20 years, Ms. Sweetbriar has dedicated her talents to raising funds … More SF PRIDE ANNOUNCES BEBE SWEETBRIAR AS 2013 PARADE COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHA

New Book to help families with transgender youth

Gender Specialist, Dr. Michele Angello Set to Release: “On The Couch With Dr. Angello: A Guide to Raising & Supporting Transgender Youth” | Book offers practical advice to assist families navigating a path to understanding and acceptance  Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013- Clinical sexologist and gender specialist, Dr. Michele Angello will launch her … More New Book to help families with transgender youth

Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

On IDAHO calling also on Ugandan Government to refrain from enacting The Kill the gays Bill by Melanie Nathan,  May 17, 2013 The International Day against Homophobia takes place on May 17th every year. On this day 23 years ago, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of … More Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

Shocking persecution of lesbian couple and mother by Republican Judge

By Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. Morality clauses are hardly enforceable in divorce agreements to start with, and so imagine when a Judge knowingly orders such a clause in a divorce judgment that in essence forces partners apart because the law fails to allow them to marry. Well, while the couple in this story is … More Shocking persecution of lesbian couple and mother by Republican Judge

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

By  Rev. Canon Albert Ogle – SDGLN Contributor As 100 countries celebrate IDAHOT today, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for greater education to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by almost 50 million people living in countries (from a total 1.5 billion) where it is still illegal to be LGBT. In his … More Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

The threatened LGBTI community, Rainbow Ethiopia HIV and Social Support Services Solidarity Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) 2013 Posted by Melanie Nathan, May, 17th 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Rainbow-Ethiopia joins today the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As every year, May 17th represent for us … More On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

LA PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2013 ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP

Ciara  and Soon-to-be-Announced Performer Headline This Year’s Main Stage Along With Acts Chiddy Bang, Luciana, and Uh Huh Her Performing Throughout the Three-Day Celebration By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2013. Los Angeles— Two of Friday Night’s performers, have been announced for the LA Pride weekend line up;  Indie/Electro-Rock duo, Uh Huh Her, will be gracing … More LA PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2013 ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP

Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

This Case could have a huge impact on how Gay people’s rights are impacted in Zambia By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. When Zambian Paul Kasonkomona was arrested and detained some minutes after he spoke on a TV show it was clear to many that a flagrant abuse of personal freedoms had occurred and now … More Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. Today  Kasonkomona appeared before the Hon Lemeck Ngambi at Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, charged with “the idle and disorderly offence of soliciting in a public place for immoral purposes.” SBN Legal Practitioners, representing Kasonkomona, filed a constitutional application and so with regard to the criminal case against him,  are asking … More Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE | PETITION: It is time to invigorate the sleeping SA Task Task team – we must fight the violence with transparency and a plan By Melanie Nathan,  May 14, 2013 Activists in South Africa are calling for immediate invigoration, transparency and action by the Task Team that was established to combat so … More Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

The Most Tweeted hate from eastern part of U.S.

Cross posted by Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2013. The most hateful tweeters in the United States tend to live in the eastern half of the country, according to a new map that pinpoints hate speech from Twitter across country. The map, created by geography students at Humboldt State University in California, looks at more than … More The Most Tweeted hate from eastern part of U.S.

Lesbian Couple beaten by straight women at Ethiopian nightclub

Gay hate on the rise in Africa attributed to Western Evangelicals and a New push to “Kill the Gays” By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2013. After Uganda, we predicted it would spread. It seems that the Western Evangelicals have found their way into Ethiopia and are repeating the actions that are causing such strong anti-gay … More Lesbian Couple beaten by straight women at Ethiopian nightclub

Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

By Melanie Nathan, May 10, 2013. Responding to Amnesty International’s call for the release of two young Zambian men detained in deplorable conditions, accused of sodomy as being “against the order of nature,” and for being a gay couple, the Zambian Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nixson Chilangwa, has defiantly indicated that Zambia will not abide … More Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

By Melanie Nathan, May 09, 2013. A snapshot – from around the world – and there is so much more! 1. MOST HILARIOUS – a must watch NZ MP’s hilarious gay marriage speech 2. MOST MOVING A Love Song New Zealand 3.Uruguay – can you believe it? 4. France – despite major protests and the … More Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

New Zealand Marriage Equality Law Clear on Trans and Intersex People

Reposted from Article by JURIST Guest Columnist Elisabeth McDonald of the Victoria University of Wellington Faculty of Law evaluates the recent legalization of same-sex marriage by the New Zealand House of Representatives.. New Zealand passed same-sex marriage into law which will take effect on August 19, 2013. It does not just provide that same-sex couples … More New Zealand Marriage Equality Law Clear on Trans and Intersex People

Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. We have been reporting on the two young Zambian men charged with sodomy, (see related Articles below).  The men are currently detained in deplorable conditions. They have denied the charges. The arrests followed a call by Zambian authorities for people to report gays, noting that authorities were prepared to … More Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

Source fears for their lives as they face stiff sentences By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. Police in Kapiri Mposhi have revoked police bond for two men arrested over the weekend for engaging in homosexuality after they were found in the act again, according to reports out of Zambia.  ZANIS reports that Central Province Commissioner … More Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

Cynthia Nixon to host T’ruah Rabbinic Call for Human Rights’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Cynthia Nixon will host the T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, with a Special Performance by Y-Love. by Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2013.  T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Wednesday, May 22 at the New York City Fire Museum in Manhattan. The event will … More Cynthia Nixon to host T’ruah Rabbinic Call for Human Rights’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Bradley Manning San Francsico Pride Controversy may not be over

Large Crowd expected to attend SF Pride Board meeting Editor Post, May 06, 2013. The San Francisco Pride Committee’s action to recently rescind naming Bradley Manning as a Grand Marshal of this year’s parade has been met with protest by local activists and gay veterans. Manning is the US Army soldier who was arrested in … More Bradley Manning San Francsico Pride Controversy may not be over

Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2013. 5/7 Update: Today the couple has been re-arrested, now denied bail, and more charges added following another tip off from relatives. We wrote recently about the police hunting for “homosexuals” in Zambia. Well its seems as if neighborhoods have joined in the cry to hunt out homosexuals and turn … More Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. American Jewish World Service is hosting an event here in San Francisco and I am asking my readers to come and join me in supporting it. And it is free! They will be featuring the documentary film, God Loves Uganda, on Wednesday May 22nd at SFJAZZ Center! See the … More Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

Janet Porter’s Heather Has 2 Cigarettes Banned by YouTube for Hate Speech

Lesbian Mom and LGBT Advocate Melanie Nathan Responds By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. Imagine my disgust when I saw the video below. It felt abusive and its horrendous attempt at parody sickened me, as a lesbian mom. Janet Porter and her clan are touting that gay relationships are 3 times more dangerous than smoking … More Janet Porter’s Heather Has 2 Cigarettes Banned by YouTube for Hate Speech

Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

Andre Bekker, Richard Cohen and Christopher Doyle | While their modus operandi may be different to accused murderer de Koker, their ideology stinks the same stink! By Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2013. A South African, Andre Bekker, who proclaims to be an  ex-gay and an authority on converting gays,  teamed up with tired extremists in … More Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

Video report – Brutal murder of gay volunteer in South Africa – confessed accused in court and insight into the life of the murder victim by Melanie Nathan, May, 01, 2013. Thapelo Makhutle, a member and volunteer of LEGBO, was brutally murdered on 9 June 2012, and almost a year later, despite a confession from … More Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Botswana a country which, unlike many African countries which still boast old Colonial anti-gay penal codes, has shown a measure of tolerance towards its LGBT community, by not pursuing laws that could be interpreted against homosexuality.  That would account for the fact that a Miss Botswana pageant contestant enraged … More Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

Anti-gay Video stoops comparing gays to adulterers to raise money for documentary

Lying to fund raise – how low can you go Janet Porter? By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Watch this video by Faith 2 Action – one of the anti-gay groups at war with the idea of equality.  In their desperate cling to bigoted ideology and a lost battle, they try and raise money for … More Anti-gay Video stoops comparing gays to adulterers to raise money for documentary