Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

May 10, 2016

The Government of Kenya has announced that it intends to close all refugee camps in the country, and while UNHCR implores Kenya to reverse this decision, we await information as to how they plan to deal with what could be a severe crisis.  LGBT refugees, after seeing the headlines, are now extremely stressed and uncertain … More LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

Is The Human Rights Campaign Tacitly endorsing Donald Trump?

May 6, 2016

After The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) decided to endorse a Republican Senator above a Democratic contender, I wrote an article, “Five Reasons why LGBT Activists Endorse Tammy Duckworth” which I posted here back on March 28, 2016.   However now there is a compelling sixth reason which categorically makes the case for why HRC MUST revoke … More Is The Human Rights Campaign Tacitly endorsing Donald Trump?

Breaking: Justice Department Says HB 2 Violates Federal Law

May 4, 2016

North Carolina one step closer to losing nearly $1 billion in federal funding over anti-transgender law WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice notified North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory this afternoon that HB 2, the state’s discriminatory anti-transgender law, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as Title IX. Federal officials have given … More Breaking: Justice Department Says HB 2 Violates Federal Law

Ugandan Pastor Arrested in Museveni Anti-Democratic Clampdown

May 3, 2016

In a clampdown move by the Museveni dictatorship and in sharp contrast to the democracy the Ugandan ruling administration expects the world to believe, Ugandan Police have shockingly arrested a city pastor on his way to deliver prayer. Pastor Happy Ngabo, Clergy for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) , was arrested this morning while … More Ugandan Pastor Arrested in Museveni Anti-Democratic Clampdown

Lesbian Icon Sally Miller Gearhart Honored by San Francisco Pride

April 29, 2016

San Francisco Pride has announced lesbian icon Sally Miller Gearhart as the recipient of the Heritage of Pride, Pride Freedom Award, as chosen by the SF Pride Board of Directors, for outstanding contributions to advancing civil rights and freedom for LGBTQ people. “I am honored to receive the Heritage of Pride – Pride Freedom Award … More Lesbian Icon Sally Miller Gearhart Honored by San Francisco Pride

Free The Nipple To Protest Trump in Bay Area

April 26, 2016

Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump will be in Burlingame, California on Friday and so will the members and allies of Free The Nipple. The California GOP Convention will be held near SFO, and Free The Nipple will be there to protest Trump’s hateful rhetoric and offer a positive alternative: the Equal Rights Amendment. The old … More Free The Nipple To Protest Trump in Bay Area

Ugandan Attorney General Fails to Show up at Court Hearing in Case Impacting LGBT Rights

April 26, 2016

The Ugandan Constitutional Court has finally allowed argument, for a second time, in a case which has been waiting to be heard for the past 8 years, despite the Defendant’s absence.  Back in July 2015, when the case was previously postponed, the Plaintiff expressed bewilderment at the Court’s perennial lack of a quorum and wondered … More Ugandan Attorney General Fails to Show up at Court Hearing in Case Impacting LGBT Rights

Iconic Lesbian Film Celebrates 20th Anniversary in the Castro during SFIFF

April 26, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2016. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Cheryl Dunye’s iconic film The Watermelon Woman (1996) has been restored and digitally remastered for worldwide release and will be screened at The Castro Theater during the San Francisco International Film Festival season this coming Sunday. SFIFF Expanded explores the cultural and political … More Iconic Lesbian Film Celebrates 20th Anniversary in the Castro during SFIFF

Islamist Militants Hack to Death Gay Rights Activist in Bangladesh

April 25, 2016

BBC and Guardian are reporting the horrific murder of an open LGBT rights activist in Bangladesh.  According to the report,  police say the top gay rights activist,  Xulhaz Mannan,  who is the editor at the the country’s only  LGBT magazine is one of two people who have been hacked to death. Mannan was one of … More Islamist Militants Hack to Death Gay Rights Activist in Bangladesh

New Ugandan Report on LGBT Persecution

April 22, 2016

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) has launched a report titled, “And That’s How I Survived Being Killed”: Testimonies of Human Rights Abuses from Uganda’s Sexual and Gender Minorities. The report is intended to document the many forms of persecution that LGBT identifying individuals in Uganda face. In this report, based on first-hand testimonies, Sexual Minorities Uganda … More New Ugandan Report on LGBT Persecution

Ugandan Porn King Pastor to Head Ugandan Committee Against Pornography

April 18, 2016

Uganda has put together what amounts to porn patrol and they are using a potty mouthed pastor, and known homosexuality hate peddler, to pound the pavement, seeking transgressors of a law that has sat idle for a couple of years! According to the Ugandan press the Information & National guidance minister, Gen. Jim Muhwezi, has … More Ugandan Porn King Pastor to Head Ugandan Committee Against Pornography

The World Congress of GLBT Jews Expanding Membership

April 17, 2016

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah , NYC, rejoins The World Congress At its Annual General Meeting held in Washington D.C. on April 10, the Board of the World Congress of GLBT Jews voted to expand its membership structure and elected new officers. During the 2015-16 period, the organization, a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around … More The World Congress of GLBT Jews Expanding Membership

N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

April 17, 2016

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory continues to misrepresent the animus behind the state’s discriminatory anti-transgender law, HB 2, with an appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ this morning. In the interview, McCrory attempted to create cover for himself from the increasing economic fallout directly tied to HB 2 by falsely claiming that other states have similar … More N.C. Gov. McCrory Continues to Misrepresent HB 2 with ‘Meet the Press’ Appearance

Rainbow Outhouse Delivered to NC’s Tallest Mountain with a Letter to Anti-Trans Gov. McCrory

April 17, 2016

“North Carolina’s highest point is an outhouse; a fitting symbol for a state that has sullied itself with shitty, repressive legislation”  – Neal Gottlieb. Today a Californian adventurer and entrepreneur, who is on the current season of the CBS TV show Survivor, delivered a symbolic message and a letter to North Carolina’s Governor McCrory, protesting … More Rainbow Outhouse Delivered to NC’s Tallest Mountain with a Letter to Anti-Trans Gov. McCrory

Anti-Trans North Carolina is home to Pharma Company led by Visionary Trans woman

April 6, 2016

In 1995, Martine Rothblatt, a trans American lawyer, author, philosopher and entrepreneur published “The Apartheid of Sex,” a brief manifesto that made the case for an overhaul of “dimorphic” (her word) gender categories. New York Magazine , in a must read feature on Rothblatt, quotes her as saying: “There are five billion people in the … More Anti-Trans North Carolina is home to Pharma Company led by Visionary Trans woman

South African Police Show no Progress in Case of Lesbian Teen Murder

April 6, 2016

A young lesbian woman, was stabbed to death on the night of her birthday in Katlehong near Johannesburg. Lucia Naido, was murdered in a suspected hate crime close to her from her home on March 19. She was found dying by her horrified mother, who ran outside when she heard her daughter’s desperate screams. It has … More South African Police Show no Progress in Case of Lesbian Teen Murder

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

April 5, 2016

 TLDEF Condemns Sweeping New Discriminatory Law in Mississippi New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed anti-LGBT House Bill 1523 into law today. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote yesterday. The measure allows individuals, religious organizations, and many businesses … More Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant Signs Anti-LGBT Legislation

TLDEF Condemns Sweeping Anti-LGBT Legislation in Mississippi

April 4, 2016

Urges Governor Phil Bryant to Veto Legislation New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly condemns House Bill 1523 in Mississippi and urges Governor Phil Bryant to veto the legislation. The Mississippi Legislature passed the bill in a final vote today. Governor Bryant now has five days to sign or veto the … More TLDEF Condemns Sweeping Anti-LGBT Legislation in Mississippi

Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

April 4, 2016

New York, NY – Today as a trial was set to commence, 24-year old James Dixon entered a guilty plea on first and second degree manslaughter and first degree assault charges for the August 17, 2013 killing of Islan Nettles, a 21-year-old African American transgender woman from Harlem. Dixon is charged with punching Islan in … More Killer of New York Trans Woman Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

TLDEF’s Executive Director to Step Down

April 2, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund announced today that Michael Silverman has informed the board of directors that he plans to step down as Executive Director of the organization. Silverman will be leaving the organization he founded in 2003. Under Silverman’s leadership, TLDEF has been at the forefront of transgender … More TLDEF’s Executive Director to Step Down

Panel Discussion Blasts LGBT Organizations for Racism

April 1, 2016

TV ONE’S NEWS ONE NOW PANEL BACKS MICHAEL SAM, BLASTS RACISM WITHIN LGBT MOVEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former NFL player Michael Sam was the first openly gay man drafted in NFL history. Today on TV One’s News One Now, his recent comments surrounding racism in the gay community sparked a heated conversation.  Host and managing … More Panel Discussion Blasts LGBT Organizations for Racism

Federal Court Overturns Mississippi Adoption Ban

March 31, 2016

A Federal court has overturned the same-sex adoption ban in Mississippi, today. Judge Daniel P. Jordan III of the United States District Court, for The Southern District of Mississippi, Northern Division ruled has ruled the ban on adoption by gay and lesbian couples in Mississippi, under Mississippi Code section 93-17-3(5) which states simply: “Adoption by … More Federal Court Overturns Mississippi Adoption Ban

Push for California to pass State Funded Travel Ban to North Carolina

March 31, 2016

 Call to Action Ask California State representatives to Pass North Carolina Travel Ban Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have asked the state of California to stand up to these attacks. Assembly Bill 1887, authored by Asm. Evan Low, (D-Campbell), is pending before the California Assembly. It would ban state-funded travel by … More Push for California to pass State Funded Travel Ban to North Carolina

TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today stands with advocates throughout the world in celebrating the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day set aside to amplify the accomplishments of transgender people globally. Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman: “On this Transgender Day of Visibility, we are proud to … More TLDEF Celebrates Transgender Day of Visibility

Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

March 30, 2016

PLEASE rally to demand  Justice for Transgender murder victim Islan Nettles New York, NY — Everything Transgender in NYC (ETNYC) is calling on advocates and activists for transgender justice and allies in the greater New York City area to rally at the courthouse for Islan Nettles, tomorrow, Thursday March 31, 2016 at 9 a.m. Last year … More Activists to Rally at Court in Trans Murder Case

SA Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia

March 30, 2016

Our friends at Mambaonline have followed up on an earlier report and now note a disturbing turn as the South African Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia. South Africa’s Film and Publications Board (FPB) told Mambaonline that it will not condemn its Kenyan counterpart’s persecution of LGBT people. Earlier this month, we … More SA Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia

Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill

March 30, 2016

Victory: Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill, Citing Harms in Other States RICHMOND – Today Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses and individuals to cite their religious beliefs as a reason to refuse services to LGBT people. In opposing the legislation, the governor said: “Businesses and job creators do not want … More Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Bill

Jerusalem LGBT Pride Murder Impacts the Reclaiming of Zion Square

March 30, 2016

Zion Square, one of the landmarks of Jerusalem in Israel, is set to undergo a redesign project, embracing pluralism and tolerance, evolving through circumstances and the passionate activism of several organizations and individuals. Diverse organizations, ad hoc groups and activists have worked together to bring this extraordinarily progressive plan to fruition, by meeting each Thursday … More Jerusalem LGBT Pride Murder Impacts the Reclaiming of Zion Square

Nigerian Activist Wins Federal High Court Case Against Police

March 29, 2016

A Nigerian Court has ruled in favor of a renowned human rights and sexual health activist, who sued the Nigerian Police after his constitutional rights were infringed through an illegal detention. Ifeanyi Orazulike, who has advocated for LGBTI rights, is the Executive Director of the International Center for Advocacy on the Rights to Health (ICARH), … More Nigerian Activist Wins Federal High Court Case Against Police

TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn

March 29, 2016

Police looking for Information regarding the report of  a Sexual Assault Against Transgender Woman at Stonewall Inn New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news reports that a 25-year-old transgender woman was sexually assaulted last Saturday night in a single-occupancy bathroom at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s West Village. The … More TLDEF Responds to Report of Sexual Assault at Stonewall Inn