Global news drenched in Activism
By Melanie Nathan, November 06, 2015. In a victory for the country’s LGBT community, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled on November 4, 2015, that same-sex couples in Colombia can adopt children. Previously couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners, but after hours of debate a 6-2 … More Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt
Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2015. The Union for Reform Judaism met in Orlando, Florida this week, for its biennial conference, where it endorsed a policy detailing specific steps to be taken by synagogues to thwart discrimination against transgender people. Included is the crucial adoption of gender-neutral language and the provision of gender-neutral restrooms, … More Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights
Posted by Melanie Nathan, November, 03, 2015. After yesterday’s vote in Houston, Texas that repealed anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, a petition has sprung up on Change.org calling for the NFL to relocate the 2017 Super Bowl from Houston. Michael Jones, Deputy Managing Director, North America, Change.org notes:- “The petition, started by football fan Ben … More Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston
Houston voters reject non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 03, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that voters have repealed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which banned discrimination against Houstonians in housing, employment, public accommodations and city services. It protected residents from public … More Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Repealed
By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in … More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions
TLDEF Condemns New York Senate Majority Leader’s Disingenuous Criticism of Transgender Rights Regulations Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to comments made by New York Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan suggesting that Governor Andrew Cuomo went beyond his authority by proposing new … More Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights
O’MALLEY WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO ENDORSE THE EQUALITY ACT, AND LONG HELD THE BELIEF THAT MARRIAGE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT A STATE RIGHT Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 30, 2015. DES MOINES, IA —Tonight, Governor O’Malley will be the first presidential candidate to address the Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards. Governor O’Malley has a … More Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards
Posted by Melanie Nathan, October, 28, 2015. In the traditionally macho sport of rugby, the World Cup will break new ground this weekend, when for the first time it will be refereed by an openly gay man. While we look forward to the day when homosexuality is so acceptable that sexuality warrants no mention, and … More Rugby Breakthrough as First Openly Gay Referee Chosen for World Cup Game
By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob
By Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2015. BETWEEN THE SHADES is a feature film documentary exploring the shades of being gay; discussing what connects us all: Our desire to love. I had the great privilege of interviewing award-winning filmmaker, Jill Salvino. We discussed Between the Shades, her new project, and first feature length documentary. As an … More Documentary that Transcends Equality
AIDS Quilt Documentary The Last One Gears Up for Fall 2015 Screenings and 2016 National Youth Outreach Campaign Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 20, 2015. Film Spotlights AIDS Memorial Quilt; Reveals Progress, Setbacks and Hope in the Quest to End AIDS; Youth Campaign (Combining the Quilt Display with Screenings of the Film) Aims to … More Film About AIDS Memorial Quilt Covers its Birth and Impact
Source: Human Rights Fraud Says Gays Are not People and Threatens to Burn Down Organization
By Melanie Nathan, October 19, 2015. Finally a measure of justice has been attained in Russia as nine members of the gang known as Occupy Paedophilia have been sentenced to prison terms or suspended sentences for luring, torturing and publishing the humiliating recorded videos of young men perceived as gay. Here on Oblogdee we covered … More Russians who Tortured Gays on Video get Jail Time
Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that provides new protections for transgender foster youth in California was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 731 ensures that all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender, are placed in appropriate homes where they … More California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law
Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 10.57.40 AMThe women, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, were assaulted in Boston and Charleston, South Carolina, according to the complaint. Both drivers are accused of taking the women to a secluded area, locking the car doors, and forcing themselves on their passengers. … More Uber Sued Over Allegations of Driver Rape
where the revised rules could be strengthened from a human rights perspective..
The first concerns the prohibition of discrimination,” he said, adding that he is “disappointed that sexual orientation and gender identity were not explicitly recognized as grounds for discrimination, given their recognition by most human rights treaty bodies.
… More UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners
n a landmark victory for the electronic privacy rights of all Californians, Governor Jerry Brown today signed Senator Mark Leno’s California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (CalECPA, SB 178). … More Digital Privacy Victory for California as Gov. Brown Signs Leno’s SB 178
YES! for Gay People in Dutch Reformed Church – NG Kerk – There were Tears of joy after the announcement. By Melanie Nathan, October 08, 2015. History was made in South Africa today, when the synod of what was once probably the most conservative church on the planet, the Dutch Reformed Church, (NG Kerk/ DRC) … More History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers
SB 703 takes effect on January 1, 2016. By Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation today that prohibits state agencies from doing business with companies that fail to offer transgender employees the same health care coverage and benefits they provide all other workers. Senate Bill 703, authored by … More California Governor Signs Bill Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Let the Mayor of San Francisco Know your thoughts! Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 07, 2015. Last week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the crucial measure, Tenant Protections 2.0, to protect tenants in the City of San Francisco. However, Mayor Ed Lee is apparently considering a veto of these … More Tell Mayor Ed Lee NOT to Veto Tenant Protections 2.0
TLDEF Denounces Wisconsin Bill Targeting Transgender Students For Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund denounces proposed legislation in Wisconsin that would ban transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that match who they are as boys and girls. The bill, proposed by Republican lawmakers Sen. Steve Nass … More Wisconsin Republican Bill will Hurt Transgender Students
Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million … More New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC
October 06, 2015, Cross Blog from The Recorder. A federal appellate panel on Monday questioned whether California prison officials accelerated the release of a transgender female prisoner to avoid having to provide her with sex-reassignment surgery. In April, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California ordered state officials to provide sex-reassignment … More Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner
By Melanie Nathan, Oct 02, 2015. A few days ago, the Sharia police, in Indonesia, arrested two young women aged 18 and 19, when they saw the pair hugging in a public place in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital. A police official told reporters that they “suspected the women were lesbians.” Yes with a mere … More Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug
By Melanie Nathan, Oct 01, 2015. A former San Francisco police officer has been arrested and charged with embezzlement. Mike Evans, 34, was booked into San Francisco County Jail on Wednesday, charged with felony embezzlement and felony grand theft of $16,000 in dues from the department’s Pride Alliance for LGBT officers, according to SF Gate report. … More San Francisco Police Officer Charged with Embezzlement from Pride Alliance
CAP Report Outlines Barriers Homeless Queer Youth Face in Obtaining Important Identification Documents Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, youth experience homelessness at a much higher rate than their non-LGBT peers. Like for most homeless youth, this leads to significant challenges … More Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents
Festivals, Events, and Exhibitions this Winter and Fall for LGBT Travellers Posted by Melanie Nathan, October, 01, 2015. PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 2015 – A welcoming and diverse destination that celebrates its LGBT pride every day, Philadelphia offers a range of cultural and social events perfect for gay and lesbian travelers this fall. Highlights: OutFest, the … More A Lot of Fun for LGBT Travelers to Philadelphia
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Planned Parenthood Patients Hold Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2015. Washington, D.C. – In the face of a looming government shutdown, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-04), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), will … More Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities
By Melanie Nathan, September 22, 2015. The LGBTI community in Southern Africa is mourning the passing of a friend and comrade, trans activist Comrade Xolile Sane ‘Malume’ Mabuza. As the director of Rock of Hope, Malume fought courageously for the rights of LGBTI people, not only in his home country Swaziland but also across the … More Mourning Trans Activist Malume
Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 21, 2015. WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 21, 2015 — On the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, the National LGBTQ Task Force is making the following statement – through the words of Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director. “As an LGBTQ catholic myself, … More National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.
O-blog-dee-o-blog-da 