Category: Advocacy & Activism

Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

December 23, 2014

Gambians struggle to get refugee Status in Senegal By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2014 The Gambian authorities have arrested three men, accused of committing homosexual acts. The Gambian authorities have been conducting door-to-door witch hunts seeking out gays or responding to suspicious neighbors for several months. The men if found guilty can receive a maximum … More Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

December 16, 2014

Welcome Home Junior! By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2014. I first met Junior Mayema back in 2011 when I was invited to keynote speak at Cape Town Pride’s Pink Gala in South Africa. At the time Junior, approached me along the Pride parade route. He told me that he was an LGBTI refugee from the … More From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

December 16, 2014

Department of Health Proposes Regulation to Ensure Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Certain Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 16, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for proposing a new regulation to end … More New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

December 12, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014 United States Senator Jeff Merkley formally announced at the Center for American Progress that he plans to introduce a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill in the next Congress. This is excellent news. The LGBT community in the United States America must include a full compliment of stakeholders working together … More Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

December 11, 2014

“UK has been very supportive of the Uganda Gay rights movement and it will be an embarrassment that your office doesn’t live up to its expectations in protecting those that need the protection most from persecution..” Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014. Despite appeals and petitions the United Kingdom’s Home Office informed … More Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

December 10, 2014

By Melanie Nathan. December 10, 2014. While the Ugandan Parliament is working hard to bring a new more vibrant Anti-gay bill into legislation, after the last Anti-Homosexuality Act was invalidated by the Courts on a technicality, the US Ambassador Scott H Delisi warns that it is scaring away United States investors who are considering doing … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

December 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

December 8, 2014

Passes Legislation Eliminating Surgery Requirement for Transgender People Seeking to Align Their Birth Certificates with Their True Selves | Action Comes After TLDEF Sues City for Discriminating Against Transgender People Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 08, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the New York City Council … More New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

December 5, 2014

In the face of much evidence this United Nations delay is dangerous and inexplicable. Ugandan gays and those perceived as gay, are targets while refugees in Kenya and their cases must be expedited. By Melanie Nathan, December 05, 2014. After you have finished reading this story, I ask you to consider this question:  Should Andrew … More UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

UK About to Deport Ugandan Lesbian Defies New EU Landmark Ruling

December 3, 2014

Protest outside the Home Office on Friday Morning, 5th, requires urgent signing of this Petition- Please help save Judith! | PETITION: SIGN HERE and be sure to pass it along. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 03, 2014. There is an urgent petition and plea to the U.K.  Home Office to stop the deportation of Judith T. Twikereza, … More UK About to Deport Ugandan Lesbian Defies New EU Landmark Ruling

Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

December 2, 2014

Special refugee programs for gays should include all LGBTI people worldwide seeking to escape criminalization, harsh penalties and rampant persecution By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. While Spectrum Human Rights continues to lobby the US Congress, the US State Department and the White House to establish a special refugee program for Russian LGBT people, we … More Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

November 28, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 28, 2014. A Ugandan human rights defender and activist known in the LGBT community has been brutally attacked today by a mob and rushed to a Kampala emergency hospital. After a loss of blood, from what seems like multiple injuries, including a badly injured eye, Kelly Mukwano, was administered first aid,  … More Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

November 27, 2014

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

Generals Call on Military to Comply with DOD Transgender Rules

November 26, 2014

Retired General and Flag Officers Call on Military Services to Comply with Recent Department Of Defense Rules Affecting Transgender Personnel Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, Major General Vance Coleman, and Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett, issued a joint statement today to accompany a new report showing that the Army, Air … More Generals Call on Military to Comply with DOD Transgender Rules

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

November 26, 2014

“Quite frankly I am sick of hearing how ‘upset’ everyone is about this new law, while doing absolutely nothing to help our fellow LGBTI in The Gambia” By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. While Gay people from The Gambia are on the run, the U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president … More Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

Rapist and Murderer of South African Lesbian Sentenced

November 25, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 25, 2014. The South African Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court has sentenced the brutal rapist and murderer of 26-year-old lesbian Duduzile Zozo.  Lekgoa Lesley Motleleng, who pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of the young lesbian, will spend 30 years in prison. The half-naked body of  was found in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, … More Rapist and Murderer of South African Lesbian Sentenced

New York High Court Allows Retrial in Killing of Transgender Woman

November 24, 2014

Retrial on Hate Crime Charge in Killing of Lateisha Green Overturns Prior Conviction for Manslaughter As a Hate Crime as Inconsistent | Onondaga County District Attorney Can Resubmit Hate Crime Charge to Grand Jury for Retrial Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) … More New York High Court Allows Retrial in Killing of Transgender Woman

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

November 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. For the first time, an African LGBTI group will stage a demonstration at The Hague in the Netherlands, to draw attention to complaints arising out of how the Netherlands Immigration authorities treat the claims of  LGBTI Africans seeking asylum in that country. Out and Proud Diamond Group, an LGBT … More African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

November 21, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan,  21st November 2014, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL), Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), Rainbow Health Foundation (RHF), and Support Initiative for Persons with Congenital Disorders (SIPD) released a report on violations based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation (SDGISO) (SOGI) . … More Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

LGBT Organizations Should Not Criticize Obama’s Immigration Move

November 21, 2014

A Statement on President Obama’s Immigration Announcement November 20, 2014, addressed to the  LGBT community of activists and organizations. By Melanie Nathan, of Private Courts, Inc. Conflict Resolution & Human Rights Advocacy Nathan@privatecourts.com Dear LGBTI Activists, Advocates and Organizations, Now that the dust is settling I want to again applaud President Barack Obama for his … More LGBT Organizations Should Not Criticize Obama’s Immigration Move

Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

November 20, 2014

Transgender Remembrance Day By Melanie Nathan, November, 20, 2014. Today is Transgender Remembrance Day. It is the day we come together to remember violence perpetrated against the transgender community, so many brutally beaten, murdered and persecuted out of hate and fear of a difference which people do not understand. The latter no excuse, and a … More Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

November 20, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 20, 2014. Wake Up Americans and get educated on these important human rights issues that you will not find in our USA local or national mainstream media. Thanks to SAfAIDS for the selection of important human rights stories: Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs for recreational use A … More Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

November 18, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November, 18 2014. Jimmy Kyesswa still bears the scars of the inhumanity he suffered and it continues as he seeks asylum in the United Kingdom. This petition will be delivered to: Secretary of State, Hon Theresa May MP in the United Kingdom, thanks to the excellent work of OUT and PROUD Diamond … More Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

November 17, 2014

People are speculating about corruption and ineptitude in the South African Embassy in Uganda | Why is High Commissioner seat in Uganda Vacant? By Melanie Nathan, November 17, 2014. Following the story in South African press that Jon Qwelane is back in Court, I noted terminology referring to Mr. Qwelane as the “former high commissioner” … More Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

November 14, 2014

Why is Qwelane no longer Ambassador to Uganda – why the secrecy? By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2014. While the Johannesburg High Court must decide whether the Jon Qwelane’s hate speech case and a constitutional challenge to the Equality Act are closely linked enough so that the Court can hear both cases as one, it … More Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

November 13, 2014

Indian women die, seriously injured, after mass sterilization drive   Human Rights, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS news making the headlines that you probably will not read anywhere in the USA news – with thanks to the good people at SAfAIDS for their “Zero Tolerance for Homophobia” campaign: Being a sex worker doesn’t give you the right … More Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

November 7, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 07, 2014. The Prohibition of the Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill of 2014 is apparently the possible new replacement for the now invalid Anti-Homosexuality Act: A committee comprising leading members of Uganda’s ruling party have prepared a new draft of legislation targeting LGBT people, according to Nicholas Opiyo, a human … More Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

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

Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

November 3, 2014

Could he have been a target because the Nigerian Court refused to nullify the new Nigerian Anti-Gay law? By Melanie Nathan, November 03, 2014. A well known Nigerian activist in the field of human rights and sexual health, who was detained without cause or charge by Nigerian police, is requesting an order of enforcement against … More Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention