Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan  May 18,2012, In many countries, around the world LGBTI people face harassment, intimidation, violence, ostracism, hate crimes, and even death, just because of their sexuality. Today at least 100 countries are commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with meetings, praying, rallies and vigils – We are here at United Nations Plaza … More My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 18, 2012. Here are two articles I wrote about Zanele Muholi, the famed lesbian artist, photographer and filmmaker, from 2010 and 2011 respectively. Now that Zanele Muholi has had her work stolen by a thief who removed 20 hard drives from her apartment, I decided to republish these pieces here. For … More South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

May 16, 2012

This is about protecting the Constitution for ALL South Africans and so whether LGBTI or not, all South Africans should participate. By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2012. A powerful and unified coalition of South African LGBTI groups have formed to promote nationwide marches to protest the House of Traditional Leaders to Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee … More South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

May 15, 2012

Diverse LGBT Speakers List for SF’s May 17 IDAHO at UN Plaza Gays Without Borders has organized an event on Thursday, May 17 , to honor International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The  commemoration will begin at noon at UN Plaza in San Francisco. The commemoration will start off with poignant speeches about the violence … More San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

May 14, 2012

We celebrate the founding principles of the new South Africa, a country that knows what courage means. : Democracy, Justice,  Equality, and  Human rights. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. While South African traditional leaders ignore South Africa’s importance in the world with their draconian ideals, as they question the validity of their own equality … More Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

May 14, 2012

Stop the Deportation of Ugandan Lesbian Nantale Prosscovia. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. Nantale Prosscovia, a Ugandan lesbian held in a Swedish prison, is facing deportation back to the life-threatening situation she fled 6 years ago. Now a Petition has been launched on the site “GO Petition” to try and save her from this … More Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

May 13, 2012

Holomisa is saying that LGBTI people should not be protected by the Constitution because some people believe they are not entitled to those rights. He is forgetting that thinking is the very reason why their rights are so protected.

What remains is the question of what next – while traditionalists ought to have a voice in South Africa’s Parliament, they should be banned from sitting on committees where they have an inherent conflict of interest. Which means they should be excused from serving in positions where they risk impacting the entrenched rights of minorities such as gays, lesbians etc. … More Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

May 12, 2012

Please Help my friend  find  her stolen work – What Zanele has lost is a body of history that is irreplaceable – “I have dedicated my life to this work,” Zanele Muholi. By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2012. “Loss, lost, violated, ripped, stripped, ransacked… ngilahlekelwe,” are the devastating words that appear on the Facebook page … More South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

May 12, 2012

Around the U.S.A. May 12, 2012, A lesbian who sought a North Carolina marriage license with her partner and was rejected under a state law banning same-sex marriage was arrested with another person Thursday after they refused to leave a government office where several gay and lesbian couples were turned away. The civil disobedience followed … More North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

May 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 11, 2012. BOSTON – Following President Obama’s announcement to support same sex marriage, Senator John Kerry, along with 16 of his Senate colleagues, today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to protect married gay and lesbian couples facing possible deportation. In a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and … More Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

May 9, 2012

By The National Black Justice Coalition Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples.The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauded the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry:- “It is an … More President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

North Carolina Votes to Discriminate against Gay People

May 8, 2012

Amendment One – the marriage amendment that asserts same-sex discrimination. At 9:00 pm EST it seems that North Carolinians have decided to chase their gay people and single mothers out of town!  We do not want you to have equal lives here – why don’t you dissolve and lets pretend you do not exist! Thats … More North Carolina Votes to Discriminate against Gay People

UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

May 8, 2012

Despite ongoing progress in combating HIV and Aids, the report warns that considerable gaps remain, including access to HIV services, discrimination against Aids patients and gender inequality. GENEVA —The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued his first report on HIV to the UN General Assembly since the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS. In … More UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

May 8, 2012

WATCH VIDEO The UN  human rights Commissioner’s view of gays vs traditionalist South African view of gays (LGBTI) By Melanie Nathan May 08, 2012 South Africa emerged from the Apartheid era with a “never again” zest; but now that fervor is being tested with members of the South African Parliament, who took oaths to uphold … More Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

UNAIDS launches action to end new HIV infections among children by 2015

May 8, 2012

“Believe it. Do it;” Mother’s Day and Magnificent E-Cards By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2012 GENEVA, 8 May 2012—The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today launched a new campaign, “Believe it. Do it.”, aimed at bringing attention and action to the global goal of ending new HIV infections among children by 2015 and … More UNAIDS launches action to end new HIV infections among children by 2015

Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

May 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2012. South African ANC Member of Parliament  Nkosi Patekile Holomisa is in the hot seat; he is faced with a conflict of interest, a controversial issue and a remark that renders him unfit to serve in any elected and appointed positions. The comments followed a submission by the House of … More Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

May 7, 2012

Explanation and Comments by Mr. Gay South Africa By Melanie Nathan, May 07,2012. On Friday last week I reported that the  South African Constitution  has been lauded for its lead on the entrenchment of anti-discrimination rights that renders it one of the few in the world to protect sexual orientation and gender identity in its … More South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

May 4, 2012

Activists are concerned as decades of lobbying and progress for LGBTI rights in South Africa are under threat. Nelson Mandela: ” Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2012. Since the end of Apartheid and the … More South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

May 3, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 03, 2012 40% of child sex offenses are committed on children by other children; is that the new South Africa’s legacy? Teenagers and minors are raping women in South Africa Over. See the shocking CNN Video linked below which tells the story of a young 8 year old girl who was … More South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

April 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2012. While the United States has yet to publish its annual (2011)  Human Rights Report, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office issued its  392 page report on human rights today and  the LGBT section can be found at page 68 as follows:- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights The Government is … More United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

April 29, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2012 It was difficult for me to read Dustin Lance Black’s outlandish article on the Hollywood Reporter.  I found it to be irresponsible, unsophisticated  and quite poorly written. I sent my detailed response to the piece to  both ‘The Advocate’ and ‘LGBTQ Nation’ which are publications I have written several … More Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

April 27, 2012

We must continue to challenge and pursue true liberation which will only come about when homophobia is stamped out, the poor receive the restoration of their basic human rights and crime is reduced dramatically. By Melanie Nathan, April 27, 2012 Celebrated each year on April 27, Freedom Day is an annual celebration of South Africa’s … More South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

Catholic Church UK letter to Schools to Sign Anti Gay Marriage Petition

April 26, 2012

” The Catholic Church has as much right to influence change to secular law as I do to seducing  the Pope during Sunday Mass!” By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2012. The Catholic Church in the UK, including Wales and Ireland, has apparently sent a letter out to high schools to demand that all students sign … More Catholic Church UK letter to Schools to Sign Anti Gay Marriage Petition

Minnesota Refuses to Legislate Against Medicaid Paying for Pray the Gay Away

April 25, 2012

Senator asks Sen. Dibble if he believes the power of Jesus Christ can redeem anyone? By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2012. Monday, Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) offered an amendment to a larger omnibus health policy bill that would prohibit state Medicaid dollars from being paid for any “reparative or conversion” therapies geared toward changing an … More Minnesota Refuses to Legislate Against Medicaid Paying for Pray the Gay Away

Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

April 25, 2012

Tax Wall Street and End AIDS , Watch Video By Melanie Nathan NEW YORK — With the The U.S.A. gearing up to host the World AIDS Conference in July 2012 in D.C. and in an action reminiscent of the 80’s,  ACT-UP  protests are back with a poignant  combat AIDS message,  in association with the Occupy Movement. … More Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws

April 24, 2012

School Bible Group connected to outside Ministry – with a mission to change “every campus for Christ;” students instructed not to give up until all join, causing student harassment. By Melanie Nathan, April 23, 2012 The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota may find itself, yet again, at the center of a storm and this one … More Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws

DOMA Bans Green Cards for Gay Couples Notes Andrew Sullivan on CNN

April 22, 2012

No one should have to choose between Spouse and Country By Melanie Nathan, April 23, 2012 It is a rare day that we find an opportunity to declare the plight of binational couples on mainstream television. Andrew Sullivan had that chance and although he spoke eloquently to his personal journey toward immigration in the USA, … More DOMA Bans Green Cards for Gay Couples Notes Andrew Sullivan on CNN