Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

While Nelson Mandela’s Health an Issue Uganda and Liberia forge Apartheid

February 25, 2012

What would Madiba have said and done about the Anti-homosexuality Bills in Uganda and Liberia? Melanie Nathan , February 25, 2012 While Liberia and Uganda are forging their anti-homosexuality agendas, former South African President Nelson Mandela, 93, who has not been available for some time to advise on ANC policy, was rushed to hospital with … More While Nelson Mandela’s Health an Issue Uganda and Liberia forge Apartheid

Kentucky | Feds step up Enforcement of Hate Crimes

February 25, 2012

U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey has issued an alert to those who intend to commit hate crimes in Central and Eastern Kentucky, with a simple message: “Don’t.” To those who might consider attacking people because of their race or sexual orientation, “They need to understand that they’re playing with fire, that it won’t be tolerated,” … More Kentucky | Feds step up Enforcement of Hate Crimes

Kentucky Pastor’s Affirming Gays and Lesbians Splits from Baptist Association

February 25, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2012, In an article by Jim Warren posted on Kentucky.com, Lexington’s Central Baptist Church withdrew from the Elkhorn Baptist Association after its minister’s supportive position on gay and lesbian issues was questioned by a pastor in another association church. The article goes on to note that Rev. Mark Johnson, pastor … More Kentucky Pastor’s Affirming Gays and Lesbians Splits from Baptist Association

Gaywheels talk KIA, Porsche, as LGBT Americans may be Driving Unfriendly Vehicles

February 24, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, 02/24/2012 I recently read a report fro Gaywheels site that Hyundai, Kia, Porsche, and Suzuki offer no protections or benefits for their LGBT employees. Of the 37 car companies Gaywheels has surveyed,  33 are gay-friendly (at least to some degree).   While only four are lagging behind, it is unconscionable considering that every single … More Gaywheels talk KIA, Porsche, as LGBT Americans may be Driving Unfriendly Vehicles

Ugandan Law Society Speaks out Against The Bahati Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 23, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February, 23, 2012 The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has warned that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, if enacted into law in its current state, would institutionalize discrimination against those ‘who are, or thought to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender’ and have noted that it would be contrary to human rights. The Bill … More Ugandan Law Society Speaks out Against The Bahati Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Immigration Equality Fails Binational Same-Sex Couples Again

February 23, 2012

Immigration Equality Seeks to blame Obama Administration for its own ineffectiveness and fainting mission By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2012 Andrew Harmon at the Advocate reports that The Obama Administration held talks with LGBT groups on January 30, and the “big ask” was rejected.  “While the administration has taken affirmative steps in recent months to … More Immigration Equality Fails Binational Same-Sex Couples Again

Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

February 22, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 22, 2012. San Francisco – Speaker Boehner had made an attempt to fight the Karen Golinski’s case in her quest to seek health care benefits from the court when her Federal employer had declined to provide them, citing the Defense of Marriage Act as reason for its denial. The speaker lost … More Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

February 21, 2012

Or stop being hypocrites by displaying diversity programs on your websites….  LGBT people who work for Barclays worldwide should be asking their employers to speak out against criminalization of homosexuality before it is too late!  This applies to all doing business in Africa! By Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012, (I first wrote this piece on … More Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

February 21, 2012

CA Senator Mark Leno Introduces Bill Reaffirming Religious Freedom . SB 1140 reinforces that no clergy member will be required to perform any marriage that is against his or her belief system. So maybe the religious right can stop whining about lesbian and gay civil rights to marriage equality. by Mel Nathan, February 21st, 2012 … More California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

Liberia New Anti-Homosexuality Bill Text | Death for Gays and Lesbians

February 21, 2012

First viewing of proposed text of bill. By Melanie Nathan,  2/21/2012 Expressed many times on my blog, is the fear that David Bahati’s Kill the Gays Bill, currently before the Ugandan Parliament, could well spread to other parts of Africa , as it is accompanied by the promotion of much anti-gay rhetoric and myth.  It … More Liberia New Anti-Homosexuality Bill Text | Death for Gays and Lesbians

Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries

February 21, 2012

Historic participation as Africa continues draconian criminalization of homosexuality by Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012 For the first time black Africans will participate in the Mr. Gay World contest being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, sending a  powerful message of hope to LGBTI people in Africa and the rest of the World. The delegates representing … More Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries

AIDS Ride Cyclist injured in Hit and Run on Golden Gate Bridge | Authorities Fail to Report

February 19, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, February, 19, 2012 Imagine waking up in hospital, after being transported by paramedics to ICU Emergency, in a metropolis such as San Francisco, unconscious, with broken bones and not a single policing authority has any record or clue what happened to you? That is what happened this weekend to Patrick Shortle and … More AIDS Ride Cyclist injured in Hit and Run on Golden Gate Bridge | Authorities Fail to Report

Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

February 19, 2012

Do Western Activists have a role? This Article explores that question only in part, intending to set up the discussion. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 19, 2012 It seems as if the Ugandan Minister Lokodo thinks he has the right to autocratically order arrests of gays and lesbians before the new  (anti-gay) law in Uganda that … More Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

February 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan,  February 18, 2012. After an exhilarating morning at the historic signing of WA State’s Marriage Equality Bill by Governor Christine Gregoire, Kristina Lapinski of GAY USA the Movie, and I attended the Rick Santorum rally held in Tacoma, at the Washington Historical Museum’s outdoor amphitheater.  Little did we know that we would … More Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

See Video Update | Ugandan Minister Illegally Kicks Gays out of Luxury Resort in Entebbe

February 14, 2012

The minister has had the audacity to overtly act out one very reason the impending Anti-Homosexuality Act should not be passed in that country…. by Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2012 Ethics Minister Fr. Simon Lokodo, who recently said nobody would block the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, has today Tuesday blocked n LGBT conference on the shores of … More See Video Update | Ugandan Minister Illegally Kicks Gays out of Luxury Resort in Entebbe

Ugandans May be Back Peddling on Anti-Gay Bill

February 14, 2012

Stephen Tashobya, chair of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Ugandan Parliament, declines to promise to return the bill to Parliament within the 45 day period required by Parliament rule and he declined to comment about any pressure from the Executive branch to stall the bill. Stephen Tashobya, chair of the Legal and Parliamentary … More Ugandans May be Back Peddling on Anti-Gay Bill

AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

February 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2012. Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California, has now been found by two Federal Courts to be unconstitutional! Prop 8 discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This week a majority from … More AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

Uganda’s Homophobic Parliament vs Concerned Spiritual leaders | Return of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |

February 10, 2012

“If you are Lesbian, when you come to Uganda to entice our young people to join you in the immoral vice of homosexuality, we shall arrest you….” Y. Bihande by Melanie Nathan, 02/10/2012 This week the Ugandan Parliament got one step closer to legalizing persecution in its country.  David Bahati, the MP from Nordwa province … More Uganda’s Homophobic Parliament vs Concerned Spiritual leaders | Return of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |

Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

February 9, 2012

Ugandan  Parliament erupts in applause as Government pretends to distance itself from the kill the Gays Bill  by Melanie Nathan, February 09, 2012 We have been reporting for the past ten days about Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality bill of  2009 which has been reintroduced in its original form into the Ugandan 9th Parliament.   This Bill includes … More Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

Kill The Gays Bahati Says Uganda Will Not be Blackmailed by the West

February 8, 2012

State Department Please take action now – LGBT World time for action now as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is about to Pass the Ugandan Parliament; Is Bahati Booting Gays out of Uganda? No he would rather they languish in prison – he told me so! by Melanie Nathan, 02/08/2012 Today the Ugandan Parliament got one step … More Kill The Gays Bahati Says Uganda Will Not be Blackmailed by the West

Uganda Kill The Gays Bill is read in Parliament Today | Conversation with Bahati

February 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2012, Further to my earlier report and now according to Warren Throckmorton Helen Kawesa, Uganda’s Parliamentary spokesperson informs  today that David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill is on the agenda to be tabled for a first reading in today’s session of Parliament. Throckmorton’s post reads:- Kawesa said, “The bill will go through a … More Uganda Kill The Gays Bill is read in Parliament Today | Conversation with Bahati

California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

February 6, 2012

Breaking News Prop 8 Ruling TOMORROW morning | Events Planned . February 6th, 2012 COMMUNITY EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON DAY NINTH CIRCUIT ANNOUNCES PROP 8 DECISION Please join same-sex couples, LGBTIQ people, friends, family, and clergy for 2 events on the day that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition … More California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

National Center for Lesbian Rights NCLR hires New Deputy Director

February 6, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, Feb. 06, 2012, 10.20 am. After a long and thorough national search for a new deputy director, NCLR is announcing that they have found the perfect fit in Arcelia Hurtado,  who is one of the nation’s leading civil rights attorneys. Hurtado will be joining NCLR staff in April as the new deputy … More National Center for Lesbian Rights NCLR hires New Deputy Director

Uganda Parliament to Debate Anti-Homosexuality Bill Next Week

February 4, 2012

The Anti-homosexuality Bill has become known as the Kill-The-Gays-Bill and has caused an international outcry. by Melanie Nathan, 02/04/2012 7:00 AM Uganda’s, Anti Homosexuality bill of  2009 is due for debate when parliament resumes business in Uganda next week, according to a source who made contact with me.  This Bill includes the death penalty for … More Uganda Parliament to Debate Anti-Homosexuality Bill Next Week

Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

February 3, 2012

Editor’s Advocacy Note:   The Obama Administration has indicated via recent memo and speeches the strong support for International LGBT human rights. As an activist in this arena we implore upon the administration to not mince their words and to show action as well here on home turf!  That would include protecting asylum seekers such as … More Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

February 3, 2012

For White House Briefing:- Young leaders note, I encourage all concerned with LGBT rights in America and globally to consider the question of  the criminalization of being gay as it impacts our LGBTI brothers and sisters and gender free persons on the continent of Africa…. Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, 02/03/2012 Black History Month is … More Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

NLGJA Benefit Hosts | Soledad O’Brien & Jane Velez-Mitchell

February 3, 2012

Hosts for New York Benefit by Melanie Nathan,  02/03/2012 Washington, D.C. – Today the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) announced that CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell will co-host the 17th annual New York Benefit. “Headlines & Headliners” will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2012, from 6:30-9:30pm at the Mitchell Gold … More NLGJA Benefit Hosts | Soledad O’Brien & Jane Velez-Mitchell

Susan G. Komen Cancer Apologizes and now will Fund Planned Parenthood

February 3, 2012

Statement falls short of the truth! Will Susan G. Komen ever be the same? The spin falls short for progressives like me and I will have a hard time trusting their motives again… oh what a shame! by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2012 Smiling faces, pink T-Shirts and pink balloons and the festive atmosphere of … More Susan G. Komen Cancer Apologizes and now will Fund Planned Parenthood

U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni

February 2, 2012

US subtle warnings… diplomacy reigns supreme as US supports the African Union events this past month.. By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2012 US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns has concluded his week-long visit to Africa in Ethiopia, venue of the 18th African Union Summit, the US State Department said in a statement obtained by … More U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni