Author: Melanie Nathan

Global news drenched in Activism

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Please Mr. President No Mere Nods; we have our Vehicle to Repeal DOMA Now!

September 29, 2009

I wrote this for LGR BLOG today:                                               In your acknowledgment herein-below of our de facto existence is it not time to equate with more than a mere nod, with our de jure rights?lezgetreal.com, Please Mr. President No Mere Nods – we have our Vehicle to Repeal DOMA Now!, Sep 2009 You should read the whole … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Please Mr. President No Mere Nods; we have our Vehicle to Repeal DOMA Now!

Breaking – President Clinton retracts on DOMA and its Impact on Immigration Equality

September 26, 2009

I predict more will come forward and if one looks at the tally, and I can report more later, it is apparent that some who have already in this short spate of time signed on RMA were not signed on to Uniting American Families Act, the immigration legislation. this is the uplift we need. Imagine if our in fact marriages were in fact recognized by the law – hence our relationships – at this level. DADT -ENDA-HATE CRIMES-UAFA- all will be psychologically rolled into this one BIG ENDORSEMENT! … More Breaking – President Clinton retracts on DOMA and its Impact on Immigration Equality

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Breaking – President Clinton retracts on DOMA and its Impact on Immigration Equality

September 26, 2009

I found this fascinating quote today: 09/26/09-by Melanie Nathan It was just several months ago that White House officials were promising that President Obama would address immigration reform before the end of the year. It seems as if the LGBT immigration equality leadership has continued to hang its top hat on the passage of Comprehensive … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Breaking – President Clinton retracts on DOMA and its Impact on Immigration Equality

Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

September 16, 2009

When all was lost and there was no “next step” for Shirley Tan, about to be deported  within mere weeks, Molly McKay of Marriage Equality called my office to see if I could be of assistance.   Unfortunately Shirley’s was a losing case and she was told that there was nothing anyone could do to help … More Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Front Door to Marriage -Respect for Marriage Act (RMA)

September 15, 2009

I found this fascinating quote today: Jerrold Nadler has finally provided us with the Vehicle legislation for UAFA.  I believe this is a bettetr horse to back than Comprehensive Immigration Reform as a means to getting Immigration rights for binational couples.  If RMA passes it seems we will indeed have our path to immigration and … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Front Door to Marriage -Respect for Marriage Act (RMA)

NADLER V. FRANK = LGBT Unity?

September 11, 2009

A  Commentary- by Melanie Nathan of oblogdeeoblogda In response to this  Article By CHRIS JOHNSON,  in today’s Washington Blade  “Nadler to unveil DOMA repeal bill Tuesday  Frank not among legislation’s co-sponsors” at  http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=27153  There is so much LGBT popcorn popping on the Hill (D.C.) that it is tough to discern which bag to choose; the one … More NADLER V. FRANK = LGBT Unity?

THE FALLOUT…… “birds of a feather”

September 10, 2009

http://dl5.activatedirect.com/fs/d:l/x0rye2v8gr4ci1/y9d7bbbp814ysd/2 Duvall’s sex comments at July 8 hearing THE FALLOUT…… “birds of a feather” Miller laughed and now he too has been ousted from the ETHICS Committee:- Assembly member Jeff Miller (R) from Corona laughed, as his resigned GOP colleague, Michael Duvall flagrantly boasted sexual exploits over an open microphone inside the Committee Room in … More THE FALLOUT…… “birds of a feather”

Calling for Leadership to Move LGBT Legislation Forward

September 10, 2009

This past week I was interview by Matthew S. Bajko of the Bay Area Reporter and here is a piece from the column – Article which can be found at http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4188: Political Notebook: LGB pressure builds on Boxer, Feinstein        Published 09/10/2009 Bay Area Reporter: by Matthew S. Bajko “It is unlikely she will face a Democratic … More Calling for Leadership to Move LGBT Legislation Forward

Birds of a feather… Duvall resigns…Jeff Miller caught between a rock and a hard place

September 9, 2009

  Because Duvall, who is married with two children had one of those Internet moments the other day when his dais microphone became live just before the start of a cable-televised committee hearing… and he was talking with one of his fellow committee members about cheating on his wife with a lobbyist forSempra Energy, one … More Birds of a feather… Duvall resigns…Jeff Miller caught between a rock and a hard place

Resolution in Support of UAFA moves through California Assembly –

September 8, 2009

California‘s Assembly has sent a message today – that it will accept no less than full immigration equality for its same-sex partners.   AJR 15 is a Resolution that expresses its support for the Federal bill, UAFA,  that places the words “permanent partner”  next to “souse” in the Immigration and Nationality Act, thereby giving gay and lesbianpartners … More Resolution in Support of UAFA moves through California Assembly –

The Lady in the Wheelchair and the Apartheid for Gay America

September 4, 2009

Today on TV (highlighted by Keith Olberman) I saw a woman who was seriously disabled, trying to express her needs regarding health care reform at a town hall meeting. She was heckled and treated in the most disgusting fashion, by her fellow Americans. For some reason it served as a metaphor for my article today; … More The Lady in the Wheelchair and the Apartheid for Gay America

Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA

August 31, 2009

By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2009 Perhaps more of our congressional representatives would be willing to do what Congresswoman Jackie Speier did for the LGBT community today.  The Congresswoman, a Democrat from California’s 12th district called a meeting today of the LGBT leadership in San Francisco. With not much notice a core group of leaders, … More Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

August 31, 2009

August 30 is International Day of the Disappeared. Only thirteen countries have ratified the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; twenty are needed to bring it into force.  Among those which have not yet signed are the United States and the United Kingdom. I picked up the Blog of a South … More Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

August 29, 2009

THE FIRST WOMAN SENATOR FOR MASSACHUSETTS A KENNEDY May I be so bold – having now met Vickie Kennedy for the first time – sadly at her husband’s funeral, and admittedly by ‘virtual’ means only – I suggest the people of Massachusetts consider an invitation for this accomplished and gracious person to take the seat … More A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

Constituent says “I am a proud right-wing terrorist.” Congressman Herger answered “Amen, God Bless you there goes a great American”

August 27, 2009

At the meeting in Redding,  a man stood up and identified himself as “a proud right-wing terrorist.” Instead of denouncing him, Congressman Herger called the man “a great American.” That’s outrageous — which is why the California Democratic Party is buying newspaper ads next week in the Mt. Shasta Herald and the Redding Searchlight, demanding that … More Constituent says “I am a proud right-wing terrorist.” Congressman Herger answered “Amen, God Bless you there goes a great American”

Senator Ted Kennedy Passed away today. I am so sad.

August 25, 2009

Senator ted Kennedy, Democratic and American Hero passed away today. He will be remembered and sorely missed. May G-d bless his family, his friends and colleagues and all his constituents.  A great man has left our world.     For me its hard to imagine; this day that we mourn the passing of one of … More Senator Ted Kennedy Passed away today. I am so sad.

HIV and the next generation -weighing up sons’ satisfaction versus daughters’ safety

August 25, 2009

Circumcision will be discussed this week at the C.D.C.’s National H.I.V. Prevention Conference in Atlanta, which will be attended by thousands of health professionals and H.I.V. service providers. When I visited South Africa in 2000, I remember reading an article in the Johannesburg newspaper – the financial section- which predicted that HIV virus would infect … More HIV and the next generation -weighing up sons’ satisfaction versus daughters’ safety

AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

August 23, 2009

How the Hate for 8 Hurt my Child… Before the California Court ruled  I asserted in my blog “The fate of California’s same-sex marriage hangs in the balance, as the Justices prepare their ruling on the challenges to the validity of Proposition 8.” Now is has ruled and the impact is so egregious that the … More AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

In the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” Gender Identity Test for South African Teen World Champ Athlete, Caster Semenya

August 20, 2009

Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old South African, dominated the women’s 800 meters in Berlin on Wednesday at the 2009 World Championships. While she ought to be track and field’s newest star, instead, in less than the time it took to win the race, 1:55.45 minutes, the accomplishment produced a hail of speculation, one ominously oozing with … More In the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” Gender Identity Test for South African Teen World Champ Athlete, Caster Semenya

Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

August 20, 2009

API ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA UNITE TO DEMAND FAIR & HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM August 20, 2009 -LOS ANGELES, CA – In Historic Filipinotown, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organizations called on the Obama Administration and Congress for enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform. In simultaneous press conferences held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, community leaders … More Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

Judge Denies Gay Groups in Federal Prop 8 Case, Sets Trial Date

August 19, 2009

  At the hearing I posted about earlier today, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker set a January 11 trial date for a federal challenge to Proposition 8 brought by Ted Olson, David Boies, and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The Alliance Defense Fund, which is defending Prop 8, had argued Friday that the case … More Judge Denies Gay Groups in Federal Prop 8 Case, Sets Trial Date