Category: Advocacy & Activism

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

The Equality Act Re-introduced into U.S. Congress

February 18, 2021

Today the Equality Act (H.R. 5) was reintroduced into Congress. The Bill is a comprehensive federal civil rights bill that would create permanent protections for LGBTQ individuals, women, and people of color from discrimination in seven critical sectors, including healthcare, housing, education, employment, federal funding, and public accommodations. The bill was passed by the House … More The Equality Act Re-introduced into U.S. Congress

Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

February 11, 2021

HUD TO ENFORCE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY HUD directive begins implementation of the policy set forth in Biden executive order to prevent and combat sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will administer and … More Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

President Biden Raises Refugee Numbers with LGBTQI Historic Mention

February 4, 2021

In an historic foreign policy speech delivered today at the US State Department, President Joe Biden announced his Executive Order raising the Presidential Determination number for the admittance of refugees into the United Sates, this year – from Trump’s 15,000 back to the Obama era number of 125,000. What made this speech so historic and … More President Biden Raises Refugee Numbers with LGBTQI Historic Mention

Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

January 26, 2021

San Rafael, CA – For more than 20 years, it has been illegal for most California landlords to use a minimum income standard in assessing eligibility for a rental applicant that is not based on the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant, if the tenant has a government subsidy. In January … More Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

President Biden Revokes Transgender Military Ban

January 25, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – President Biden issued an Executive Order today repealing the Trump era ban on transgender members serving in the military. Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, made the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s announcement today that it will end the ban on transgender military service, restoring the inclusive … More President Biden Revokes Transgender Military Ban

Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest

January 22, 2021

Protests erupted around the world today condemning the results of Uganda’s Presidential election earlier this month. National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Parliamentarian Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine remains under inexplicable house arrest, surrounded by Ugandan military troops under the orders of dictator Yoweri Museveni, who has declared victory in the Ugandan Presidential election, and hence … More Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest