Category: Intersex

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

More than 80,000 LGBT Dreamers

June 23, 2020

81,000 ‘Dreamers’ identify as LGBT and 39,000 have participated in DACA. As our country continues to push back against racial inequality and structural violence, this report highlights the importance of sound policy to preserve the health and safety of marginalized populations. Created in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows undocumented immigrants … More More than 80,000 LGBT Dreamers

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

April 23, 2020

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

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

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

December 3, 2019

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

First Study on The Prevalence of Asexual Identity

August 8, 2019

Findings from the first representative sample of U.S. sexual minority adults estimating the prevalence of asexual identity. According to a recent study by the Williams Institute, the first in the US to examine the prevalence of asexuality among sexual minority adults, finds that an estimated 1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual. The study also … More First Study on The Prevalence of Asexual Identity

Trump Admin Report on Global Religious Freedom Smacks with Hypocrisy

June 26, 2019

The US Secretary of State Pompeo released the 2018 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom. The report highlighted some of the successes for religious freedom of the past year, such as the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey, and of Asia Bibi from Pakistan. But it also pointed to the increasing persecution of believers … More Trump Admin Report on Global Religious Freedom Smacks with Hypocrisy

MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

June 10, 2019

7 MASKS 1 STORY – This is MASK 01 out of 7 MASK stories which will be told each day this week: If you care you will share! For the past ten years I have been working with LGBTQ individuals and communities in several African Countries in the global attempt to thwart homophobia and deal with … More MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

Honoring Lesbian Survivors on International Women’s Day #IWD 2019

March 8, 2019

Today is International Women’s Day #IWD2019: We celebrate and stand in solidarity with all women, noting their tenacity and fortitude, especially those who courageously survive violence and defy patriarchy.  At African HRC with global lesbians and transgender women our family, we continue to fight for the basic human right to autonomy of mind and body. Here … More Honoring Lesbian Survivors on International Women’s Day #IWD 2019

LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Controversial Decision to Disinvite Lesbian Police Officer

January 27, 2019

Lesbian Police Officer disinvited from Creating Change  When diverse individuals and groups bring their intersections to a conference that purports to ‘create change,’ what we may find is a complex puzzle. The question is whether the connecting of ALL pieces to the puzzle is possible? Not if pieces are lost! Mixing people from diverse backgrounds, … More LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Controversial Decision to Disinvite Lesbian Police Officer

Inter Parliamentary Union Votes to Ban LGBT Debate as led by Homophobic Ugandan Delegation

October 18, 2018

At the Legislators meeting in Geneva of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), a majority voted a ban debate on the subject of LGBT human rights  – and according to Ugandan reports this is a forever-enduring ban. Some nations brought the subject to the floor, in the hope of passing an amendment to include LGBT people in … More Inter Parliamentary Union Votes to Ban LGBT Debate as led by Homophobic Ugandan Delegation

Why Sacramento State LGBTQI Community Should Welcome the President of Ghana

April 24, 2018

Our responsibility as American LGBTQI on the global front is to first and foremost follow the lead and direction of the Ghanaian gay community … In writing this response to “EDITORIAL: Sac State shouldn’t break bread with repressive leaders – Persecution of LGBTQ, …….”,  and the Article of Claire Morgan, Managing editor, published in the online Sacramento State student … More Why Sacramento State LGBTQI Community Should Welcome the President of Ghana

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

Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates

July 25, 2017

Medically Unnecessary Operations Risk Lifelong Suffering (Chicago, July 25, 2017) – Doctors in the United States continue to perform medically unnecessary surgeries that can inflict permanent harm on intersex children, Human Rights Watch and interACT said in a report released today. Despite decades of controversy over the procedures, doctors operate on children’s gonads, internal sex … More Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates

San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

May 15, 2017

The date of Chelsea Manning’s liberation coincides with the IDAHOT, on May 17 The San Francisco Bay area community will gather for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on Wed., May 17, 2017, 6 to 7pm, at Harvey Milk Plaza (2401 Market at Castro Street.) Participants in IDAHOT events globally will be posting … More San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

May 13, 2017

This is an update reflecting some new pictures:  We wrote an article this week following the story of 18 LGBTI refugees detained and beaten by Kenyan police while outside UNHCR gates: In general when a refugee escapes war or persecution by entering a host country, they can be assured of support and protection, as by … More Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

May 12, 2017

On Intersex Infants, Including Clitoral Reductions and Vaginoplasties  | Advocates for Intersex Youth  Children born with intersex traits—variations that cause their bodies to transcend typical notions of male and female—continue to suffer brutalizing and traumatic surgeries performed without their consent, often before they are even old enough to speak. Today, May 12th, 2017, marks the opening of … More interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

Groundbreaking Fourth International Intersex Forum

April 27, 2017

Between the 20th and 23rd of April 2017, a Fourth International Intersex Forum was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The world’s largest intersex human rights forum to date was attended by 40 representatives of intersex organizations and independent advocates across all regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Post-Soviet countries, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania. The depth and breadth … More Groundbreaking Fourth International Intersex Forum

New HHS Appointment Severino is Anti Planned Parenthood And Anti Choice

March 24, 2017

Appointment of Roger Severino  yields an Anti Reproductive Rights Director to Lead Office for Civil Rights At Department of Health and Human Services WASHINGTON, DC, March 24, 2017 –Today, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement in response to the appointment of Roger Severino … More New HHS Appointment Severino is Anti Planned Parenthood And Anti Choice

Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

January 23, 2017

International Fashion Model Hanne Gaby Odiele Reveals She is Intersex; Announces Partnership with interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth to Raise Awareness About the Importance of Human Rights Protections for Intersex People Worldwide New York, New York— In an effort to be true to herself and spotlight an often invisible human rights issue, internationally acclaimed fashion … More Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

San Francisco Pride to Hold Forum on African American LGBTQI Contributions

February 26, 2016

San Francisco Pride is pleased to announce the first in a series of forums to explore and elucidate the 2016 San Francisco Pride theme, “For Racial and Economic Justice.”

The forum, African American Contributions to LGBTQI Culture in the American Experience, will be held at 6:30 PM, immediately following the 6:00 PM San Francisco Pride monthly membership meeting, where members will vote for one of the 2016 SF Pride community grand marshals. … More San Francisco Pride to Hold Forum on African American LGBTQI Contributions

BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

November 10, 2015

While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation.  I have posted the BBC transcript report here.  The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report  while providing crucial exposure, leaves … More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

August 10, 2015

This week has been a coup for Uganda’s LGBTI community, as yet again, despite the anti-gay atmosphere in that country, the LGBT leadership and community pulled together a great week of Ugandan Pride.. Ugandan Pride has since come a long way – despite the odds- with great overseas interest, and participants from around the world in attendance. … More Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

June 12, 2015

Crucial tool for lobbying to misinformed African politicians June 11, 2015, by Melanie Nathan This month by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) countering the notions that underpin homophobia and the criminalization of LGBTI people in Africa and the impact on HIV. Eleven respected experts, mostly academic scientists based in South Africa, authored … More Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

President Obama and US Organizations Commemorate IDAHOT May 17

May 17, 2015

May 17, 2015, Posted by OblogdeeOblogda, IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally. In under a decade, it has established itself as an important annual occasion celebrated in more than 130 countries, with 1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. AFRICAN HRC: Today, … More President Obama and US Organizations Commemorate IDAHOT May 17

The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

October 10, 2014

I have never understood why we in the USA fail this sector of the community | Does the Taboo persist in America?  By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2014. Americans may wonder why African human rights defenders refer to the LGBT community as the LGBTI community.  Whenever I write ‘LGBT’ – for the most part always … More The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates