Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

President Zuma returns the Favor to Qwelane – A Defense on a Silver Platter

June 6, 2011

06/06/2011 By Melanie Nathan Johannesburg – South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda, Jon Qwelane, will apply for rescission of a judgment in which he was found guilty of hate speech, his lawyers said on Monday.  The known homophobic envoy, a recent President Jacob Zuma (response to favors) appointee to anti-gay Uganda, will not come home from … More President Zuma returns the Favor to Qwelane – A Defense on a Silver Platter

Bringing Anna Komarova to Life: The Andy Thayer Video Interview

June 6, 2011

06/06/2011, by Melanie Nathan, “Birth of a Transgender Movement in Russia” is how U.S.  LGBTI activist Andy Thayer entitles his Video including an interview with Anna Komarova who was brutally beaten when arrested by Moscow police at the banned gay pride event in Moscow.   Thayer was one of the three international activists arrested together with … More Bringing Anna Komarova to Life: The Andy Thayer Video Interview

Olympian Gary Hall to “Swim for Equality” in San Francisco Bay

June 6, 2011

06/06/2011, by Melanie Nathan San Francisco- On Sunday, June 26, swimmers from throughout the country will swim 1.2 miles in the San Francisco Bay to raise critical awareness and funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in California. The event, benefiting Equality California, will challenge experienced swimmers to a course from Alcatraz Island … More Olympian Gary Hall to “Swim for Equality” in San Francisco Bay

Out Lesbian Alison Nathan will have her Confirmation Hearing

June 6, 2011

06/06/2011, by Melanie Nathan Out Lesbian federal court nominee Alison Nathan will have her confirmation hearing Wednesday, June 8. President Obama nominated Nathan March 31 to a seat on the U.S. District Court for Southern New York, which covers Manhattan. Nathan, as an attorney at the Wilmer Cutler, Pickering Hale and Dorr law firm, represented … More Out Lesbian Alison Nathan will have her Confirmation Hearing

Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses

June 4, 2011

06/04/2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, Note: This letter has been submitted by OUT 4 Immigration, whom I consider to be the most sincere and miraculous group in the LGBT community with regard to the plight of same-sex couples who have no immigration equality under the federal law of the U.S.A. Dear Senator Feinstein — For … More Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses

Apartheid Against LGBTI Americans – A View via the Hate Speech Ruling for South African Envoy to Uganda Jon Qwelane

June 4, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, When I immigrated to the United States in 1985, I marveled at the U.S. Constitution. It protected everything.   I left a place where it was constitutional to discriminate – in fact it was required that one discern between races when it came to where people could live, who could vote and … More Apartheid Against LGBTI Americans – A View via the Hate Speech Ruling for South African Envoy to Uganda Jon Qwelane

Illinois Now Pronounces you Civil Union -ed!

June 2, 2011

June 2, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, San Francisco: “Today we celebrate and raise a toast to the couples in Illinois who have joined together in civil unions”, said Dave Janis-Kitzmiller, MEUSA’s Vice President. “Civil unions are an important stepping stone toward providing equal protection to all of Illinois’ families. We celebrate with all who have … More Illinois Now Pronounces you Civil Union -ed!

UCSF to Honor Three With Chancellor’s Award for GLBT Leadership

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, Three members of the UCSF community will be awarded the 2011 Chancellor’s Award for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and/or Transgender (GLBT) Leadership on Monday, June 13. Included is my friend and fellow activist on immigration equality issues, Chris Waddling of the grassroots organization OUT4Immigration.  Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, will present awards … More UCSF to Honor Three With Chancellor’s Award for GLBT Leadership

California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, SACRAMENTO – Eleven bills authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) – the openly gay California State Senator from San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma Counties- passed the Senate this week and will proceed to the Assembly. The measures include legislation that allows farmers in California to cultivate hemp, a bill that … More California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

GetEQUAL North Carolina LGBT Activists Arrested at State Capitol

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan RALEIGH, NC – Following GetEQUAL NC’s — a direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization; “Rally in Raleigh” today — an event to protest the anti-gay Senate Bill 106 — local gay activists were arrested for disrupting the legislative session in progress when they demanded full legal recognition … More GetEQUAL North Carolina LGBT Activists Arrested at State Capitol

California Assembly Passes Anti-LGBT Bullying Bill for Colleges and Universities

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, By Melanie Nathan, Sacramento – Yesterday, the California State Assembly passed the Equality and Equal Access in Higher Education bill (AB 620) in a 51-24 vote. Introduced by Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California, the bill would help reduce bullying and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students … More California Assembly Passes Anti-LGBT Bullying Bill for Colleges and Universities

CA Legislation to Close Gap between Marriage and Domestic Partnership Advances

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan Sacramento – Yesterday, the California State Senate passed legislation that would eliminate a statutory difference and inequity between marriage and domestic partnerships. Authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California, the Domestic Partnership Equality Act (SB 651) passed in a 23-15 vote. Specifically, the bill would eliminate … More CA Legislation to Close Gap between Marriage and Domestic Partnership Advances

CA State Senate First Bill in Nation to Include Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Relationship Status in Two Statewide Government Surveys

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, Sacramento – Authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California, the bill would enable the state to gather vital data about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; no that yesterday, the California State Senate passed the Survey Data Inclusion Act (SB 416). This requires the state … More CA State Senate First Bill in Nation to Include Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Relationship Status in Two Statewide Government Surveys

Pride Pride Pride 2011

June 2, 2011

06/02/2011 Melanie Nathan העמוד הרשמי של שבוע הגאווה העירוני. יועלו עדכונים שוטפים על כל האירועים, המסיבות ומה שאסור לפספס במהלך שבוע הגאווה שיתחיל ב -03/06 ויגיע לשיאו במצעד הגאווה ב 10/06 תחת הכותרת ״גאה להיות שווה- צועדים יחד למען שוויון חברתי״. Tel Aviv Pride June 03, 2011 -העמוד הרשמי This is the official page for … More Pride Pride Pride 2011

California State Senate passed the Insurance Nondiscrimination Act (SB 757) in a 24-13 vote.

June 1, 2011

o6/01/2011, by Melanie Nathan Sacramento-Yesterday, the California State Senate passed the Insurance Nondiscrimination Act (SB 757) in a 24-13 vote. Authored by Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) and sponsored by Equality California, the bill would eliminate an exemption in state law that enables insurance companies to discriminate against same-sex couples. Under California law, insurance companies and … More California State Senate passed the Insurance Nondiscrimination Act (SB 757) in a 24-13 vote.

Au Pair – New Lesbian Book Bound to be a Classic

June 1, 2011

06/01/2011, by Melanie Nathan Falling madly in love, even when you know that by loving you risk all you have…it could happen to anyone! So is the premise of this extraordinary journey, by an author into a realm of truth; one which may have, like many, remained unexplored, even when wrenched by voracious desire. The … More Au Pair – New Lesbian Book Bound to be a Classic

D.C. Capital Pride Announces Jennifer Holliday

June 1, 2011

06/01/2011, by Melanie Nathan Washington, D.C., June 1, 2011 – Capital Pride announced that Tony Award-winner Jennifer Holliday will replace Kelly Rowland as the Capital Pride Festival’s headlining entertainer. Jennifer Holliday is best known for her debut single, the Dreamgirls showstopper and Grammy Award-winning R&B/Pop hit, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” “We … More D.C. Capital Pride Announces Jennifer Holliday

Ugandan Woman Branded by Iron for being a Lesbian faces deportation from United Kingdom

May 31, 2011

05/31/2011, by Melanie Nathan The Guardian UK is reporting a case similar to many others, which we have reported upon in the past. The Asylum claim of a Ugandan lesbian, attacked by three men in her home country, has been refused by UK immigration authority.  In fear of  fraud, the UK authorities have been known … More Ugandan Woman Branded by Iron for being a Lesbian faces deportation from United Kingdom

Zuma in Libya – Gaddafi to Help Find Body of Photographer Anton?

May 31, 2011

05/31/2011, by Melanie Nathan Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has asked President Jacob Zuma to provide DNA samples from South African photographer Anton Hammerl to help the Libyan authorities find his body. Zuma had promised Hammerl’s family that he would ask Gaddafi for help in locating Hammerl’s remains when he met Gaddafi in Tripoli yesterday to … More Zuma in Libya – Gaddafi to Help Find Body of Photographer Anton?

South Africa Ambassador Jon Qwelane Guilty of Anti-Gay Hate Speech

May 31, 2011

05/31/2011, by Melanie Nathan Back in 2008, Jon Qwelane posted a piece in his column in the Sunday Sun.  Well known to the South African LGBTQI community is the fact that Jon Qwelane, despite protest and outrage, was sent to Uganda as South Africa’s Ambassador to that country. Qwelane, inter alia, writes about the Anglican … More South Africa Ambassador Jon Qwelane Guilty of Anti-Gay Hate Speech

Moscow Pride: Police Attack Genderqueer Activist Anna Komarova – First Interview

May 30, 2011

05/30/2011, Melanie Nathan,  4.03 PM (PST) Moscow: One of the most courageous voices of GayRussia, a group that organizes direct LGBTQI action, is Anna Komarova.   Anna, a genderqueer activist was one of the eighteen LGBTQI rights protesters arrested, as they tried to stage the banned Moscow Gay Pride parade on Saturday.  All were roughly manhandled … More Moscow Pride: Police Attack Genderqueer Activist Anna Komarova – First Interview

GSA Network’s San Francisco Event BIG Ticket – Secret Auction Item

May 30, 2011

05/26/2011, by Melanie Nathan, San Francisco -Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club in a high school or middle school that brings together LGBTQI and straight students to support each other, provide a safe place to socialize, and create a platform for activism to fight homophobia and transphobia. On June 09, 2011, Geoffrey De … More GSA Network’s San Francisco Event BIG Ticket – Secret Auction Item

NCLR’s 34th Annual Celebration in San Francisco Honors Chely Wright, Kye Allums

May 30, 2011

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) presented its highest honors to five trailblazers, including country singer Chely Wright, in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality at its 34th Anniversary Celebration … More NCLR’s 34th Annual Celebration in San Francisco Honors Chely Wright, Kye Allums

Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Bi-national Immigration Equality

May 17, 2010

QUOTES: New York Civil Liberties Union: “Citizen Non-Citizen” highlights the heart-wrenching story of Britta and Carla, a married same-sex bi-national couple living in New York City fighting to stay together in the United States. We’d like to honor the fact that Britta and Carla have been dedicated activists, and indeed without their efforts, and courage … More Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Bi-national Immigration Equality

South Africa; Shocking Photos of Corrective Rape Victim

May 13, 2010

By Melanie Nathan, April 05, 2010 ‘The Victim Millicent Gaika contacted me via a caregiver; I was shocked to receive this and more photos.  They may not be reproduced without my permission The Face Of Corrective Lesbian Rape In South Africa 4/5/10-by Melanie Nathan This is the face of South African lesbian who was beaten … More South Africa; Shocking Photos of Corrective Rape Victim

reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?

May 3, 2010

I found this fascinating quote today: In June 2009, when I heard about Britta, she was being held in detention in a Florida Detention Facility; she had been caught in an ICE sweep and was unable to provide documentation of legal status in the USA and I was on my way to D.C. for the … More reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?