Category: Academic

UMB Names First Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer

April 2, 2021

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, has concluded a national search with the appointment of the University’s first Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO/VP). Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, will assume the position on July 1, reporting directly to the president. As CDEIO/VP, she will steward UMB’s … More UMB Names First Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer

The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

March 10, 2021

If you know who Harvey Milk is but do not know who Sally Miller Gearhart is – then you are a victim of the impact of lesbian erasure. Read on and erase the injustice – you can participate in this important correction. Not only have lesbians suffered taking a back seat to gay men in … More The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy

April 16, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition is a proud signatory to this letter, in coalition with CGRS, tASISTA, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Tahirih Justice Center, and over 180 other organizations, which was sent today to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, calling on DHS to immediately rescind its policy of expelling asylum seekers at … More DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy

Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

December 14, 2019

Queer Asylum in Germany: Better visibility and access to legal and social support needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany Human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity are grounds for seeking asylum in Europe. However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people claiming asylum face particular legal and social … More Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

Reclaiming Lesbian Space and Fighting Erasure with Sally Miller Gearhart

June 19, 2019

Hey, Lesbians and Feminists Let’s start with a much watch documentary: A Great Ride It is Pride month. This year San Francisco Pride’s theme is Generations of Resistance. In 2017 San Francisco Pride honored Sally Miller Gearhart with a long overdue Heritage of Pride, Pride Freedom Award.  Now Sally shines in a new documentary directed … More Reclaiming Lesbian Space and Fighting Erasure with Sally Miller Gearhart

Listing 300 Anti-LGBTQ Lawyers Working with Alliance Defending Freedom

February 22, 2019

NEW REPORT: Here is a List of 300 Anti-LGBTQ Lawyers Working with Alliance Defending Freedom | Report Provides Names of ADF Allied Attorneys Serving in the Federal Government  and the Country’s Top Law Firms (New York, New York) – A new report released by Media Matters provides 300 names of Alliance Defending Freedom’s 3,300 allied attorneys … More Listing 300 Anti-LGBTQ Lawyers Working with Alliance Defending Freedom

University of California sues Trump administration on unlawful repeal of DACA program

September 8, 2017

The University of California today (Sept. 8) filed suit in federal court against the Trump administration for wrongly and unconstitutionally violating the rights of the University and its students by rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on “nothing more than unreasoned executive whim.” The lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California … More University of California sues Trump administration on unlawful repeal of DACA program

Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

August 30, 2017

OutRight Action International has launched a new report titled, ‘Arab Mass Media: A Monitoring Report Looking at Sexuality and Gender Identity in Arabic Media from 2014 to 2017.’ The report is available in both English and Arabic. The report monitors widespread local and national newspapers in 14 countries in the Arab region, radio, TV channels, … More Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

January 27, 2017

I Googled my late mother, Professor Carmen Nathan, who died many years before social media and Internet was really happening, (1990).  I came upon an honor bestowed upon her by the South African government in 2014 when they celebrated 20 years of the new SA constitution. I never knew about this until I found this and … More Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

November 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. The Western New England University School of Law faculty voted unanimously on Friday, November 6, 2015, in favor of a resolution of support for pending legislation that would expand nondiscrimination protection for transgender individuals in businesses and other facilities that are open to the public, including within higher … More University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

March 19, 2015

Final Step in Process Ensures Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds news that transgender New Yorkers covered by Medicaid can now access the medically necessary health care they have been denied for nearly two decades. Governor … More Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

February 12, 2015

 By Melanie Nathan, February 12, 2015. Two men involved in the murder of Professor Carl Mischke  turned on each other in court, with each blaming the other for the beating that claimed the University of Johannesburg academic’s life, during an apparent robbery.  At the time of the murder it was speculated that the Professor was … More Johannesburg Gay Murder Trial Accused Expresses Backhanded Remorse

ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

November 5, 2014

Geneva, November 3, 2014 As Uganda debates the re-introduction of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, ORAM publishes a comprehensive Country of Origin Report on the conditions of LGBTI individuals in the country ORAM has published an extensive report titled “Country of Origin Report: Sexual and Gender Minorities – Uganda.” The  report includes an extensive case law section, … More ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree

May 26, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 26, 2014. On Saturday a group of 25 LGBTQ activists protested controversial Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller as she received an honorary degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The activists, who chanted “Gay rights Portia!” for two hours, were at one point called “trash” by some Lafayette graduates and … More LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree

Dangerous Costly Bed Quotas hurts LGBT Detainees

May 12, 2014

Center for American Progress  | RELEASE: New Analysis and Infographics Show the Dangerous and Costly Effects of Detainee Bed Quotas Washington, D.C. — New CAP analysis and infographics detail the dangerous and costly toll of the congressionally mandated bed quota on our immigration system. Beginning in 2009, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or … More Dangerous Costly Bed Quotas hurts LGBT Detainees

Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

May 7, 2014

Federal Court Rejects Discrimination Claim Against Catholic Hospital’s Refusal to Cover Same-Sex Spouse Under Employee Benefit Plan and ENDA is in danger Why I am calling on Freedom to Marry, NCLR, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, ACLU, Transgender Law Center,  GetEQUAL to thwart the HRC push for Senate’s ENDA By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2014. Although both … More Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

Ugandan Scientists Say Homosexuality is an Abnormal Practice That Requires Regulation

February 15, 2014

AND because of this President Yoweri Museveni says he will assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill By Melanie Nathan, February 15, 2014. Findings by a group of Ugandan scientists from Makerere University and government have turned the anti-homosexuality bill debate around, according to the Ugandan Press. The report by Ugandan Scientist’s turned out as expected, ‘from … More Ugandan Scientists Say Homosexuality is an Abnormal Practice That Requires Regulation

Gay Activists in “Bloody” Demonstration Against Sochi

February 7, 2014

Queer Nation Demo Marks Opening of Sochi Olympics with Fake Blood Poured on Olympic Flag Vladimir Putin’s Anti-Gay Laws  | State-Sanctioned Anti-Gay Violence at Issue By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2014. New York, NY (February 6, 2014) — More than 100 members of the gay activist group Queer Nation and others who oppose the Russian … More Gay Activists in “Bloody” Demonstration Against Sochi

Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

January 23, 2014

Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change | Zanele Muholi and Gabrielle Le Roux Posted by Melanie Nathan, January, 23, 2014. The Wits Art Museum, ( The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) in partnership with Wits Centre for Diversity Studies and Inkanyiso, is proud to announce the exhibition Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative … More Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Eastside Catholic now planning nationwide “Z-Day” protest

January 4, 2014

“We are not doing this to get on TV or be famous.  It is time for the Church to change its attitude.  We are going to stick around, no matter what.” By Cathy Kristofferson, January 4, 2014 At the second consecutive Saturday protest outside the Archdiocese of Seattle this afternoon, the students of Eastside Catholic announced … More Eastside Catholic now planning nationwide “Z-Day” protest

Nelson Mandela WITS Alumni MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

December 10, 2013

The University of the Witwatersrand, will host a memorial service in honor of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, unequivocally one of the greatest leaders of all time. Wits Chancellor, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke will open the ceremony. Speakers include: Advocate George Bizos Dr Ahmed Kathrada Parks Tau, Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Dr Randall … More Nelson Mandela WITS Alumni MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

October 18, 2013

Noting the important historical content and lest we forget the roots of South Africa’s New Democracy – heads up Holomisa Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. When reading this critical speech, please keep in mind that some of the members of the traditional leadership, to whom this was addressed, have attempted in recent years,  … More Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

The Mandela Timeline

July 19, 2013

South African former President Nelson Mandela. This illustration depicts the life of Nelson Mandela and is a good reference for students who want to encapsulate his life in an easy reference time line. However it should not derogate from the extensive information available online to study Mandela in depth. There is so much more…. Source: … More The Mandela Timeline

NOM outraged by David Boies giving commencement speech at NYU

April 26, 2013

“How would you feel if your own college graduation ceremony was being used as a same-sex marriage publicity stunt?” NOM By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. Guess who I got this news from – I mean the news that David Boies is giving the Commencement speech at NYU?  I got the news on my feed … More NOM outraged by David Boies giving commencement speech at NYU

U.S. Fordham and University of Pretoria formalize exchange of students

April 21, 2013

Editor’s Post, April 21, 2013. Fordham and the University of Pretoria formalized their relationship with a memorandum of understanding that allows for the exchange of students and faculty, joint research, and the exchange of scientific and educational literature, the universities have announced. Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., provost and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Fordham, … More U.S. Fordham and University of Pretoria formalize exchange of students

Medical schools innovate on care for LGBT patients

April 15, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 15, 2013. As Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered patient, especially those who have yet to come out,  and others who are less pronounced in their declaration of being gay, those who live in less accepting  communities, can pose different challenges for doctors and professional medical staff, starting with language and trust.  … More Medical schools innovate on care for LGBT patients

Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

March 13, 2013

The issue comes down to this: there’s a big difference between uncomfortable and unsafe By Cathy Kristofferson, March 13, 2013. Last night at the Medford City Council meeting we witnessed round three of the organized attempt to derail the MA Dept. of Ed’s Gender Identity Policy guidelines at the hands of one city councilor and … More Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

March 7, 2013

Transgender students bullied by legislators and hate groups line up to oppose implementation and launch attack on Commissioner By Cathy Kristofferson, March 07, 2013. A couple of weeks ago I saw a post “Massachusetts Takes The Lead On Rights For Transgender Students“.  Being a MA native I smiled and perused probably while mumbling “of course … More School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies