Category: Advocacy & Activism

UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

October 9, 2015

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

California Governor Signs Bill Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees

October 7, 2015

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

Tell Mayor Ed Lee NOT to Veto Tenant Protections 2.0

October 7, 2015

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

Wisconsin Republican Bill will Hurt Transgender Students

October 7, 2015

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

New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

October 7, 2015

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

Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

October 6, 2015

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

Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug

October 3, 2015

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

Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents

October 1, 2015

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

Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities

September 25, 2015

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

National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.

September 21, 2015

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.

Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

September 18, 2015

Gregg Jaffe at The Washington Post seems to think so…. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2015. President Obama will apparently nominate Eric Fanning to lead the United States Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services. While the Washington Post reports that this is … More Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959

September 15, 2015

LGBT Disparities Reduction Act Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 15, 2015. This call to action to urge California Governor Jerry Brown to support the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, AB 959, has been sent tout by EQCA – please participate and pass around: As LGBT people in California, we are invisible. We’re invisible because the state … More EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959

Ugandan Sports Club Manager Convicted in Sodomy Case

September 8, 2015

The former Uganda Cranes Manager, Christopher Mubiru Kisingiri has been convicted of sodomy. By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2015. The Court in Kampala, Uganda,  has convicted  former Uganda Cranes Manager, Christopher Mubiru Kisingiri, of sodomy. Mubiru,  also the former Sports Club Villa manager, could be sentenced up to 18 years in prison. The Magistrate, Flavia … More Ugandan Sports Club Manager Convicted in Sodomy Case

Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

September 2, 2015

Leno Bills Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees, | Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Pass Assembly Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2015. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed two bills authored by Senator Mark Leno that provide protections and equal benefits to transgender Californians. The first bill, SB 703, prohibits state agencies from doing … More Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

Other Religions are the Victims of Radical Christian County Clerk

September 1, 2015

“Ah- I am so sorry madam, I cant serve you today its against my religious beliefs to deal with your bacon breath!   I don’t want to put my signature on a piece of paper for the marriage of an non-kosher Goy!” By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2015. Rowan County Clerk, Kentucky, Kim Davis has … More Other Religions are the Victims of Radical Christian County Clerk

Transgender Woman Files Federal Suit in Bloodworks Firing

September 1, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2015. A transgender woman has filed a federal suit against Bloodworks Northwest, formerly known as Puget Sound Blood Center, a Seattle-based blood clinic, for terminating her employment on the basis of sex. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle, alleges that … More Transgender Woman Files Federal Suit in Bloodworks Firing

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

Teacher Denies Riot at Ntare School was due to Homosexuality

August 6, 2015

Accusations of Homosexuality causes Mob Justice, Violence at School and Police Closure By Melanie Nathan, August 06, 2015. A near riot occurred at a reputable all boys school in Uganda, with conflicting reports as to the reason behind the violence, which caused police and administrators to send the students home, closing the school early before … More Teacher Denies Riot at Ntare School was due to Homosexuality

17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

August 2, 2015

Reposted by Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2015. An Israeli woman, Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. Banki was one of the six people injured, two seriously, in a stabbing at Jerusalem Gay Pride. The detained … More 17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

See Shackled Rapist Murderer of South African Lesbian as Judge announces Sentence

August 1, 2015

Sitting in the dock, shackled in chains, a murdering rapist awaits his fate.  By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2015. Thabo Molefe, 47, has been sentenced to a concurrent 22 years for murder and 12 years for raping Lihle Sokhela, 28, a lesbian from Daveyton, Gauteng, South Africa. A large group of lesbians and supporters descended … More See Shackled Rapist Murderer of South African Lesbian as Judge announces Sentence

Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

July 29, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 29, 2015. The Ugandan media has named the issue of homosexuality as a reason President Obama may have snubbed Uganda by not visiting that country while on his recent trip to Africa.  The President visited only two countries; Ethiopia and Kenya. I think that President Obama did not overlook Uganda. I … More Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

Obama Defies Kenya Anti-Homosexuality Stance by Speaking for Equality

July 25, 2015

And warns that treating people unequally leads to bad things By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2015. At a news conference held in in Nairobi with U.S. President Barack Obama and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, both spoke in agreement on all issues, except that of gay human rights.  President Obama responded to the question with brazen … More Obama Defies Kenya Anti-Homosexuality Stance by Speaking for Equality

9.5M LGBT Adults in U.S. would be Protected under New Equality Bill

July 23, 2015

Public opinion polling indicates that 78% of Americans support federal protections from discrimination for LGBT people. Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. According to the Williams Institute, The Equality Act, introduced today in Congress, would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, federal funding and … More 9.5M LGBT Adults in U.S. would be Protected under New Equality Bill