Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

February 25, 2013

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” By restricting … More California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

Links to Amicus Briefs filed in the Edith Windsor DOMA Case

February 25, 2013

United States v. Edith Schlain Windsor, in Her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, et al. QUESTION PRESENTED: Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines the term “marriage” for all purposes under federal law, including the provision of federal benefits, as “only a legal union between one man … More Links to Amicus Briefs filed in the Edith Windsor DOMA Case

American Ambassador Speaks about corruption at Ugandan Energy Summit

February 25, 2013

Corruption is a major deterrent to investing in Uganda, and while not discussed perhaps the Anti–Homosexuality Bill, if passed, will make these considerations worse By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2013. While the Ugandan Parliament is about to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  Uganda hosted a key energy and infrastructure summit, to explore private sector involvement lead … More American Ambassador Speaks about corruption at Ugandan Energy Summit

Scott Lively poised to cause more anti-gay persecution | An odious letter to the Russian people

February 23, 2013

“The purpose of my visit was to bring a warning about the homosexual political movement which has done much damage to my country and which has now taken root in Russia. This is a very fast-growing social cancer that will destroy the family foundations of your society if you do not take immediate, effective action … More Scott Lively poised to cause more anti-gay persecution | An odious letter to the Russian people

Hateful Anti-Gay Video features Ugandan host of U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners

February 23, 2013

Watch this outrageous Video showing Bishop David Kiganda in the presence of David Bahati declaring Death for Homosexuals. By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2013. This Video is older news but can now be seen in a different light, when noting that U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners has yet to answer questions about his preaching at the … More Hateful Anti-Gay Video features Ugandan host of U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners

White House brief to strike down DOMA shows support of same-gender parenting

February 22, 2013

Same-sex couples who have committed to marriage  are  fully capable of responsible parenting and child-rearing. By Melanie Nathan Feb. 22, 2013 President Obama’s administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act in a brief filed Friday, declaring the 1996 federal law to be unconstitutional. Arguing that Section 3 of DOMA, … More White House brief to strike down DOMA shows support of same-gender parenting

THANK YOU President Obama for filing Brief to Strike Down DOMA

February 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 22, 2013. Activists in the U.S.A. have hoped that the Obama administration would take the imperative step of standing behind the promise for equality.  Now we can truly thank President Obama as the administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act in a brief filed Friday, … More THANK YOU President Obama for filing Brief to Strike Down DOMA

St. Neots U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners has yet to answer questions about his anti-gay remarks

February 20, 2013

Should apologize to Uganda’s Gay community, the U.K. LGBTI Community and to Bloggers he unjustly accused By Melanie Nathan, Feb 20, 2013. Since exposing Paul Shinners, as an Evangelical Christian extremist, who spoke at the Ugandan New years eve Rally, where much anti-gay sentiment was expressed by a group of pastors, local UK activists are … More St. Neots U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners has yet to answer questions about his anti-gay remarks

Ugandan Speaker Kadaga speaks out on violence against women at Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference

February 20, 2013

Are lesbians not women too? CALLING SPEAKER OUT IN AFRICA AS A HYPOCRITE by Melanie Nathan, February 20, 2013. Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature hosts the fifth Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ (CWP) Africa Region conference8 Feb 2013. Delegates and observers of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association attended a the Commonwealth Women Parliamentary (CWP) Conference,  in East London, South … More Ugandan Speaker Kadaga speaks out on violence against women at Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference

Gay Icon Stephen Fry Debates Anti-Gay Pastor on Ugandan Radio

February 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb. 19, 2013. We wondered if Lord of Dance, British Gay Icon, Stephen Fry would speak out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill while in Uganda to shoot for Comic Relief this week, the very same week as Parliament may hear the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which is number 1 on today’s Order Papers. Indeed he … More Gay Icon Stephen Fry Debates Anti-Gay Pastor on Ugandan Radio

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill moves up to #1 on Parliament’s Notice of Business

February 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 19, 2013. UPDATED MARCH 06, 2013: The Parliament did not post The Order Papers on its Website today. UPDATED MARCH 05, 2013. AHB is not on Parliament Agenda today due to a special sitting of Parliament to pay tribute to THE LATE FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER/MINISTER OF EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, … More Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill moves up to #1 on Parliament’s Notice of Business

Dear Mandela: The dream you went to prison for has never been achieved

February 18, 2013

KPFA Evening News, 02.17.2013 By Ann Garrison South African President Jacob Zuma, in his State of the Union address, promised to speed the pace of land redistribution and housing construction to replace the country’s urban shantytowns, but nearly 20 years after the end of apartheid, the number of people living in shantytowns has doubled and the … More Dear Mandela: The dream you went to prison for has never been achieved

See Ugandan MP Minority Report Calling for Scrapping of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 17, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2013. Warren Throckmorton, has published a draft copy of a Minority Report which apparently had made its way out of the Ugandan Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Committee on the Anti-homosexuality Bill. The Bill, otherwise known as The Kill the Gays Bill which had reached position number 3 last week on … More See Ugandan MP Minority Report Calling for Scrapping of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Lord of Dance Gay Icon Stephen Fry visits Uganda in the same week Kill the Gays on Parliament’s Agenda

February 17, 2013

Melanie Nathan, February, 17, 2013. Thanks to  Michael Petrelis it has come to my attention that British actor Stephen Fry has been tweeting about his arrival in Uganda.   Fry describes himself on his Twitter accounts as “British Actor, Writer, Lord of Dance, Prince of Swimwear & Blogger – NEVER reads Direct Messages. London · http://www.stephenfry.com/ … More Lord of Dance Gay Icon Stephen Fry visits Uganda in the same week Kill the Gays on Parliament’s Agenda

American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

February 16, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. While the Ugandan Parliament is about to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, next week, Uganda will host a key energy and infrastructure summit at the same time, to explore private sector involvement. Kelly Mactavish-Mundar, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda, says the February 22 meeting will … More American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

February 16, 2013

For statements deemed pro-gay By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. Bishop Zac Niringiye, the retired assistant Bishop of Kampala, known as the leader of the controversial “Black Monday” Movement, was giving presentation to students at Makerere University, Kampala, when a a group of angry anti-gay Christian students turned rowdy and threatened to expel him from … More Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 16, 2013

Looking for a miracle By Melanie Nathan, Feb 16, 2013. Uganda has not lost one shilling yet to the threatened passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill – but it has lost a great deal of financial support because of scandals, corruption and embezzlement and for the latter no one can blame the gays.  Some have threatened … More Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

February 14, 2013

WATCH VIDEO Below – “I could have chosen to attend my children’s Valentine events at their elementary school — but I chose instead to get arrested in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to take a stand for LGBTQ equality” Robin McGehee, Director, GetEQUAL! By Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2013 (Photos: Melanie Nathan) San Francisco City … More Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

February 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2013. David Cecil has arrived in the United Kingdom after being deported from his home in Uganda, which he shares with his partner/wife and two small children, and who have now been left behind.  Cecil is not an LGBTI activist; he is the producer of a play, The River and … More British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

February 13, 2013

 Activists pledge to boycott hotel in video, citing owner Brunei’s anti-gay policies By Melanie Nathan, Feb 13, 2013. LOS ANGELES – Gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel today, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East Asia where male … More Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners claims he could have stopped the Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda

February 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2013. After exposing Paul Shinners and his shenanigans in Uganda, the preacher from the United Kingdom, tried to court the U.K. press to refute facts that simply could not be denied; and in doing so, his attempt to discredit my report, did nothing much but bring greater attention by activists … More U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners claims he could have stopped the Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda

Princes William and Harry remind us of HIV/AIDS stigma

February 12, 2013

“Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry have kindly written to us to celebrate 30 years of our fight against HIV,” notes the Terrence Higgins Trust, beside a heartwarming picture on the charity’s website, reminding of their mother, Princess Diana and how she broke barriers by embracing people with HIV and AIDS around … More Princes William and Harry remind us of HIV/AIDS stigma

Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

February 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2013. Although the Ugandan LGBT community braces for a second read of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill today, the Ugandan Parliament’s Oder Papers reflect that the Bill is scheduled to be debated as #7 on the Order Papers.  However sources informed me that the Parliament may randomly pick an order and that … More Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

February 12, 2013

V-Day -A Global call to action By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2014. South Africa – On February 14, South Africa will be part of a global movement for change – ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Sonke … More One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

Ugandan LGBTI Community braces as Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be Debated in Parliament Tomorrow

February 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 11, 2013. Ugandan LGBTI community is bracing itself for the moment that they knew would come, but hoped would not, as they report that The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the Kill the Gays Bill, is scheduled for its second debate tomorrow, in Uganda’s Parliament. This could lead to swift passage … More Ugandan LGBTI Community braces as Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be Debated in Parliament Tomorrow

Grammy for Lesbian who beats Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other Lesbian

February 10, 2013

OMG and many other of the famed in name… By Melanie’s other personality.. I mean Mel really does NOT write like this… right? Feb 10, 2013. Janis Ian, the lesbian poet /singer, famed for that song about being seventeen or something – happened to beat out Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other of famed … More Grammy for Lesbian who beats Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other Lesbian

Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

February 9, 2013

Andrew Mwenda is still a great ally and an important voice and I do not purport to understand Ugandans better than he does, however I believe strongly that it is time for people in his capacity to introduce a much more productive and proactive route toward the truth about homosexuality for presentation to Ugandans. View … More Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

February 8, 2013

LGBT Civil Rights Group GetEQUAL asks President Obama to Keep His ENDA First-Term Promise By Melanie Nathan, Feb 08, 2013. On Sunday, February 10 – just two days before President Obama’s State of the Union Address – members of GetEQUAL DC will gather outside the White House to remind President Barack Obama of a first-term … More GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

President Obama Speaks at Event Sponsored by Secretive Group Known as “The Family”

February 7, 2013

 While the President Eschews LGBT Equality he Supports Group Behind “Kill the Gays” Bill in Uganda and GetEQUAL  did not stage  its annual responsive “Breakfast Without Bigotry” which protests  outside the National Prayer Breakfast because Michael Dixon, the lead organizer died suddenly  last week. He died unequal under the law. WASHINGTON, DC — Today President … More President Obama Speaks at Event Sponsored by Secretive Group Known as “The Family”

VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS

February 7, 2013

At the NYC LGBT Community Center – and Visual AIDS present an interactive slideshow with four on-the-ground LGBT artists: Amos Mac, Devin Elijah, Ivan Monforte and Jessica Whitbred, hosted by Sacha Yanow. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 07, 2013. The Center is proud to partner with Visual AIDS to present Positive Assertions: Four Artist Snapshots, an … More VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS