Category: Advocacy & Activism

Nigerian Catholic Bishops Reject Pope’s Same-Sex Policy

January 5, 2024

Nigerian Catholic Bishops Reject Pope’s Same-Sex Policy first reported at African Human Rights Coalition. By Melanie Nathan, Jan 05, 2024 In response to the recent landmark ruling by the Vatican allowing priests to bless same-sex couples under certain circumstances, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has affirmed that Catholic churches in the country will not … More Nigerian Catholic Bishops Reject Pope’s Same-Sex Policy

Pope’s Same-Sex Blessings a Danger to African Clergy

December 30, 2023

Zimbabwe Bishops Refuse to Abide By Melanie Nathan, December 28, 2023, The Pope has placed many in danger while perhaps having some positive impact. How does his new policy impact criminalizing countries that can send people to jail for so called “promotion of homosexuality,” or for “holding out as LGBTQI” (Ghana’s new law before Parliament) … More Pope’s Same-Sex Blessings a Danger to African Clergy

Ugandan Police Arrest 4 on Homosexuality Charges

August 30, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2023. Ugandan police on Monday announced the arrest of four people for allegedly engaging in same-sex activity, three months after the introduction of anti-LGBTI legislation that has sparked international outrage and hunts by the Ugandan Government. The law — considered one of the harshest of its kind in the world … More Ugandan Police Arrest 4 on Homosexuality Charges

ANTI-LGBTQI Violence and Arrests on Rise in Uganda Since passage of KILL TH GAYS BILL of 2023

August 9, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, Aug 09, 2023. In March of 2023 the Ugandan parliamentarians, all bUt for one, HON. ODOI-OYWELOWO voted for THE KILL HE GAYS BILL, ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT OF 2023, (AHA) THAT WAS DULY SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT MUSEVENI. Since that date violence has increased against LGBTI people in the country exponentially: HRAPF has … More ANTI-LGBTQI Violence and Arrests on Rise in Uganda Since passage of KILL TH GAYS BILL of 2023

LESBIANS ARE BEING TARGETED FOR BLACKMAIL – in “Kill the Gays” Uganda

August 2, 2023

UGANDAN LESBIANS ARE BEING TARGETED FOR BLACKMAIL – AHRC WARNING TO UGANDAN LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY By Melanie Nathan, Aug 02, 2023, Executive Director african Human Rights Coalition and Country Conditions Expert Witness for asylum seekers from African countries, to include Uganda. We are receiving numerous accounts of BLACKMAIL occurring through social media platforms such as Facebook. … More LESBIANS ARE BEING TARGETED FOR BLACKMAIL – in “Kill the Gays” Uganda

California Bill To Protect LGBTQ Foster Youth Passes Senate Committee

April 18, 2023

Passes Senate Human Services Committee SACRAMENTO – The Senate Human Services Committee passed Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) bill SB 407, which helps ensure LGBTQ foster youth are not placed in hostile foster homes. SB 407 passed 3-0 and heads next to the Judiciary Committee. “LGBTQ youth are being scapegoated and attacked across the country, … More California Bill To Protect LGBTQ Foster Youth Passes Senate Committee

Melanie Nathan College Talks – Spring 2023 – The Lion, the Waterhole and The Wallet

February 2, 2023

Title of Talk: The Lion, the Waterhole and The Wallet –  Understanding Africa, Colonization of SOGIESC and Migration By Melanie Nathan: Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition, U.S.A. and Kenya. Link to BIO: https://www.melnathan.com/   (Bookings still open for Spring, Pride Season and the Fall: commissionermnathan@gmail.com) Apple, led by an openly Gay CEO, has a … More Melanie Nathan College Talks – Spring 2023 – The Lion, the Waterhole and The Wallet

Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

July 26, 2021

United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland Overturns Trump Asylum Precedent Excluding Domestic Violence Survivors: San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2021) – Today Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era asylum precedent that undermined protections for survivors of domestic violence and other gender-related persecution. In 2020 then-Attorney General William Barr issued the precedent, known as Matter … More Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

June 3, 2021

Members of the European Parliament have been discussing the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Commission presented the Pact last September as a “fresh start,” promising to create a comprehensive, regional approach to asylum and migration. Eight months later, negotiations continue with agreement far from sight. The EU is long overdue to establish … More Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda’s Anti-Gay Hunt

June 2, 2021

44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda Under Suspicion of Being LGBTQI with forced Anal Exams Below is the Report and request for assistance from the Human Rights Legal Team in Uganda. It is our belief at African Human Rights Coalition that this group was targeted under suspicion that it is a shelter for homeless LGBTQI … More 44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda’s Anti-Gay Hunt

Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

May 28, 2021

CGRS Concerned Biden Policies Will Undermine Fairness, Endanger Refugee Families The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the Biden administration will begin fast-tracking asylum cases for certain families seeking refuge. By establishing a “dedicated docket” for asylum-seeking families, the administration will sacrifice fairness in the name of … More Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

Trans Women Get 5 Years Jail in Cameroon and America is Silent

May 23, 2021

Several years ago at an event in San Francisco I asked renowned trans American Actress Laverne Cox if she would be interested in speaking out for transgender people who are being criminalized in African countries. She was on an event stage when asked the question, and in front of all present answered along the following … More Trans Women Get 5 Years Jail in Cameroon and America is Silent

In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

May 21, 2021

“We must share this story – to bring awareness, as to criminalization and the homophobia and transphobia that drives it. Often resulting in obscuring the lines between justice, law and how it is used to hunt humans and persecute.” Melanie Nathan, Executive director African Human Rights Coalition.   Police in Ho, Ghana, have arrested 21 … More In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

May 20, 2021

In a historic update to exisiting policy, the U.S. State Department made the decision to recognize U.S. citizenship of babies born abroad to same-sex married couples, regardless of whether an American parent is biologically related. More from HuffPost.   In a victory for LGBTQ rights, the State Department updated its policy to recognize the U.S. … More U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

May 15, 2021

“Certain narratives, coupled with false affirmations presented as science-backed fact, feed the fake notion that there is an inherent conflict between these rights of religious freedom and the basic human rights of LGBT individuals. This manufactured contradiction then becomes another tool that perpetuates and aggravates their sociocultural exclusion.” On behalf of the African Human Rights … More Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

Uganda Passes Onerous Sexual Offenses Act and Impact on LGBT Individuals

May 6, 2021

Here is the HRAPF Analysis of the newly legislated Ugandan Sexual Offenses Act, 2021: While HRAPF notes that the “The Act does not specifically target LGBT persons, sex workers or persons living with HIV since its aim is to consolidate criminal provisions on sexual offenses generally. However, many of its provisions directly affected these criminalised … More Uganda Passes Onerous Sexual Offenses Act and Impact on LGBT Individuals

Garland Must Act Now to STOP Trump Policy Harm

April 30, 2021

This morning NPR aired a great story on how Trump’s Justice Department rulings continue to place domestic violence survivors and others at risk of deportation. The story features  Ms. A.B. (Matter of A-B-) and Cristina, one of the many women wrongly denied asylum due to these rulings. We are calling on A.G. Garland to vacate … More Garland Must Act Now to STOP Trump Policy Harm

2021’s Most Diverse Cities in America

April 20, 2021

With the U.S. needing to stamp out hatred after anti-Asian hate crimes spiked by nearly 150% in 2020, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Most Diverse Cities in America, as well as accompanying videos. To determine the places in the U.S. with the most mixed demographics, WalletHub compared the profiles of … More 2021’s Most Diverse Cities in America

Biden Reverses Cruel Reversal for Refugee Admissions Cap

April 16, 2021

Today, the Biden administration made the shocking announcement that the U.S.’s refugee admissions cap this year will remain at its all-time low level of 15,000. Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition joined a chorus of advocates immediately criticizing the move. Nathan noted, “How can the Biden admin endorse and amplify the cruelty of the … More Biden Reverses Cruel Reversal for Refugee Admissions Cap

Proud Boys Held Accountable for their Racist Attack on Historic Black Church in D.C. 

April 9, 2021

Default Ruling Declares that Proud Boys International, LLC Has Forfeited the Lawsuit, Paving the Way for Further Legal Judgment Washington, D.C. – The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church achieved a significant victory in an initial phase of its lawsuit against members of the Proud Boys, a violent all-male group with ties to white nationalism, and … More Proud Boys Held Accountable for their Racist Attack on Historic Black Church in D.C. 

Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

March 25, 2021

Yesterday news came down of an ultimatum given to UNHCR by the Kenyan Government, declaring the imminent closures of Dadaab and Kakuma Camps, Kenya. The Statement can be read HERE.This statement has occurred in the context of life for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers seeking protection and resettlement from Kenya. The Kenyan Government has maintained … More Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

March 19, 2021

Following is the latest in several UNHCR updates regarding the condition of two LGBTQI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, who were burned in a fire where arson, under investigation, is suspected: “Update on the situation of the two persons who suffered burn injuries in the 15 March 2021 fire in Kakuma: As notified in our … More UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

Shame on San Anselmo – Votes to Keep Slavery Honored

March 13, 2021

No Name Change for Sir Francis Drake Blvd. At their meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Town Council of San Anselmo considered the renaming of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Calls for changing the name of the 40 mile road, that crosses several Marin incorporated and unincorporated jurisdictions, surfaced amid the Black Lives Matter campaign that followed … More Shame on San Anselmo – Votes to Keep Slavery Honored

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

Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

March 10, 2021

When I moved to Marin County in 1995, ten years after immigrating to the United States, with Los Angeles my first stop, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was back in Apartheid South Africa. Marin was the white Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg, Marin City was Alexandria Township, Oakland was Soweto – and need I … More Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

March 9, 2021

Join in and help decriminalize LGBTQI people in Uzbekistan Although the Uzbekistani Constitution guarantees privacy, equality and non-discrimination, Uzbekistan is one of the only two Central Asian countries that retain legislation criminalising private, consensual same-sex conduct between men. Article 120 of the Criminal Code in force stipulates that “bezakalbazlyk” (sodomy), voluntary sexual intercourse between two … More Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government

February 28, 2021

AHRC joins UNHCR in appealing for access to detained asylum-seekers in Tanzania On Thursday, as Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC), I received an urgent message of distress from a group of refugee/ asylum seekers in Tanzania who noted that they were about to be “deported” back to their home country, Uganda. They … More UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government