Category: Advocacy & Activism

LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

July 31, 2014

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 1204. Continuing to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same legal rights and protections that all other Americans currently have, Queer Nation is targeting Rep. Mike Michaud … More LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

Inter Religious Council of Uganda Admits on Court Record to key influence of the Anti-Homosexuality Act

July 31, 2014

A Wake up call to funders and others such as The Catholic Church which supports this organization through memberships, grants or donations. By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2014. The Christian group, Inter-Religious Council of Uganda has admitted on the record to its direct participation in the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) of Uganda, by asking to be … More Inter Religious Council of Uganda Admits on Court Record to key influence of the Anti-Homosexuality Act

Malawi Religious Leaders Take Stand Against the Discrimination Fueling HIV

July 25, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2014. The Malawi Network of Religious Leaders  Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (MANERELA+) is a voluntary membership network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS in Malawi. It is an interfaith network, hence, people from any faith community are eligible to … More Malawi Religious Leaders Take Stand Against the Discrimination Fueling HIV

Transgender Organization Wins Landmark Case in Kenya

July 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2014.The Kenya  Court  has ruled that a transgender advocacy group has the right to official registration The Daily Nation reports in Nairobi Kenya, that the high court in Kenya, in a landmark ruling , ordered the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) coordination board in Kenya to register an advocacy group for transgender people … More Transgender Organization Wins Landmark Case in Kenya

Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

July 14, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2014. When it was the colonial power in the nineteenth century, Britain imposed most of the existing anti-gay laws on its Colonies.  Homosexuality was not illegal in these countries prior to British colonization. A rally will take place this week, against anti-LGBT persecution in the Commonwealth, with activists urging … More Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

July 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2014. In a landmark ruling in a case brought by Detention Action, the High Court has today found that the way the government operates the Detained Fast Track asylum system is unlawful. Read the full judgment here and a summary briefing here. The charity Detention Action challenged the operation … More UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

July 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 08, 2014. The Ugandan government issued a statement about a so called misinterpretation of the newly enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act, (see below,) which seems to suggest some back peddling from the “letter of the law.” This flip is nothing more than a flop! At the time of signing the Bill, Uganda’s Government, … More Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

From Pride to Pride

July 4, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014. Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride I had the great honor this year of being appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as a community Grand Marshal. The popular vote was won by an extraordinary and courageous young woman who I took great joy in getting to know, … More From Pride to Pride

Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

June 25, 2014

The fault of indisposed Magistrate By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Philip Mubiana, a hair dresser, and his alleged partner James Mwape, a brick-layer, have been held without bail in Zambia for well over a year, while their case has been stalled at the dilatory hand of the State. How many times can a magistrate … More Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

Video Proof that UK Christian Extremist Shinners Supported Kill the Gays Bill

June 25, 2014

Paul Shinners lie finally exposed after he tried to accuse me of defamation By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Since exposing Paul Shinners, the U.K. St. Neots owner of Cornerstone Christian Coffee and Bookstore,  as an Evangelical Christian extremist, who spoke at the Ugandan New Years Eve Rally, commending Ugandans for their legislative stance against … More Video Proof that UK Christian Extremist Shinners Supported Kill the Gays Bill

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

June 24, 2014

Secretary of State Kerry Pays Lip Service to LGBTI Equality While Denying Pride Visas for LGBTI Africans By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014. Last Thursday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride event. While the secretary gushed about his department’s accomplishments for LGBTI people and reminded … More LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

The White House Slams Uganda for Anti-Homosexuality Act

June 19, 2014

Sending a strong statement to Uganda for its human rights abuses and diverting money earmarked for Uganda to South Africa The White House Statement: June 20, 2014. Our hopes for a more peaceful and just world depend on respect for the rights and dignity of all people. It is for this reason that our foreign … More The White House Slams Uganda for Anti-Homosexuality Act

U.S.A. to announce punitive measures for those Implementing Anti-Gay Law in Uganda

June 19, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 20, 2014. Word has it that later today the United States will make an a long awaited announcement of some action against Uganda for its harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law in February by President Yoweri Museveni. The new measures against Uganda are expected to impose punishment on those implementing the … More U.S.A. to announce punitive measures for those Implementing Anti-Gay Law in Uganda

Why I am Happy that Ugandan Foreign Minister is Now President of the United Nations

June 14, 2014

He is compelled to enagage with civil societies and now lets compel him to hear LGBTI truths | Let us bombard him with appointments! By Melanie Nathan, June 14, 214. Much to the horror of the world’s LGBTI community, the United Nations has gone ahead with designating Ugandan Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, … More Why I am Happy that Ugandan Foreign Minister is Now President of the United Nations

STOP San Francisco Catholic Archbishop Marching with Extreme Anti-Gay Haters

June 11, 2014

Why is one of the nation’s most prominent Catholic archbishop scheduled to speak at a virulently anti-gay rally? By Melanie Nathan, June 11, 2014. Well when we protested his installation we knew he would hurt us and we were right! (See picture of Melanie at protest against his installation.) Perhaps he is drunk again – … More STOP San Francisco Catholic Archbishop Marching with Extreme Anti-Gay Haters

Iceland Receives 5 LGBT Refugees from Africa While Pipleine to USA is slow

June 8, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 08, 2014 Iceland is set to receive approximately 5 LGBT refugees, including one lesbian, from Uganda, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. The Committee on Refugees made the recommendation, accepted by the foreign minister and the minister of welfare. Each of the individuals made application to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The municipalities of … More Iceland Receives 5 LGBT Refugees from Africa While Pipleine to USA is slow

Activists at DC Pride attack HRC’s Bad ENDA

June 8, 2014

While asking the community to demand no less than full federal equality… By Cathy Kristofferson, June 8, 2014 This week saw the first national organization come out strongly against the flawed Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA) when the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Thursday announced it “We strongly oppose any religious exemption in ENDA… we will … More Activists at DC Pride attack HRC’s Bad ENDA

NCLR Takes A stand Against Onerous ENDA While HRC Fights for It

June 5, 2014

#ENDAIsNOTequal #DeadENDA #ENDENDA #WTFHRC By Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2014. Washington Blade is reporting that The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)  announced today that it does not support the current version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act pending before Congress because of the bill’s religious exemption. A schism has developed amongst activists with grassroots pitted … More NCLR Takes A stand Against Onerous ENDA While HRC Fights for It

Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

June 4, 2014

UPDATED:  July 31, 2014. Harriet Nakigudde has just won her appeal. She has won asylum in the United Kingdom after a hard fought battle by activists and amazing attorneys and a compassionate and experienced barrister who came to her aid. This highlights the cruelty of the UK system – that puts already traumatized people through hell … More Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

June 3, 2014

HERE IS AN UPDATE BY RLP: Letter to the Media; Re: Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Dear Friends and Colleagues, Re:  Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Greetings from the Refugee Law Project (RLP). We are saddened by a number of reports in the media and social networks to the effect that … More Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal Launches LGBTI Africa Visa Campaign

May 31, 2014

  HOW can we COLOR OUR WORLD WITH PRIDE without our WORLD by our side? #PRIDEVISAS4Africa Criminalizing Homosexuality in Africa – Will not stop our us marching at San Francisco Pride 2014  SAN FRANCISCO – MAY 31, 2014 – Melanie Nathan, a San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal,  has started a campaign to bring approximately … More San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal Launches LGBTI Africa Visa Campaign

North Jersey Pride to Present First “Outstanding Ally Award” at Pride Festival 2014

May 29, 2014

Founders of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, Joseph and Jane Clementi, Will Receive the Honor By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2014.   Maplewood, N.J.- North Jersey Pride, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equality, awareness, and understanding in the upper Garden State will be awarding the inaugural “Outstanding Ally Award” at its fourth annual Pride Festival on Sunday, June … More North Jersey Pride to Present First “Outstanding Ally Award” at Pride Festival 2014

Civil Rights History lost on Chad Griffin and Rea Carey

May 28, 2014

Senate Historical Office offers a Civil Rights Proponents’ Strategy For Success By Cathy Kristofferson, May 28, 2014 Today the United States Senate Historical Office gave a presentation “Civil Rights Act at 50: Civil Rights’ Proponents Strategy For Success”. This seemed a good lesson the LGBT community needs to learn as we fight discrimination, religious bigotry, and our … More Civil Rights History lost on Chad Griffin and Rea Carey

LGBTQ Organization and USDA Team up for Rural Pride

May 28, 2014

Posted by Melanie Ntahan, May 29, 2014. From The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is alive and well in rural America and your government wants to hear from you! In a historic partnership, NCLR has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a new … More LGBTQ Organization and USDA Team up for Rural Pride

LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree

May 26, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 26, 2014. On Saturday a group of 25 LGBTQ activists protested controversial Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller as she received an honorary degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The activists, who chanted “Gay rights Portia!” for two hours, were at one point called “trash” by some Lafayette graduates and … More LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree

White House Demonstration Outside Milk Postage Stamp Dedication

May 22, 2014

36 years after Harvey Milk’s death, demo questions whether there is more Obama can do to stamp out discrimination, than issue a postage stamp… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 22, 2014 Today, the White House saw demonstrators lobbying attendees gathered for the first-day-of-issue ceremony of the Harvey Milk postage stamp. Members of the LGBTQ group 1AngryOldLesbian.org urged attendees to … More White House Demonstration Outside Milk Postage Stamp Dedication

Life or Death to Save Lesbian Aidah from UK Deportation to Uganda Please Sign Now

May 21, 2014

#SAVEAidah Her fast track deportation is set for mere days ahead – May 24 |  we received a desperate request for help from her team here in the UK.  I am meeting with them in London today. They want to hear from you NOW and there is no time to waste! UPDATED MAY 23: LAST … More Life or Death to Save Lesbian Aidah from UK Deportation to Uganda Please Sign Now

A Must See | Uganda The State of Persecution

May 16, 2014

From Torment to Tyranny   162 Incidents of known persecutory actions targeting LGBT Ugandans, reported between December and May, 2014,  indicating an enormous rise in state sponsored persecution of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Ugandans, proving absolutely that the impact of Uganda’s newly enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act is causing grave life threatening injustices. This has been exacerbated … More A Must See | Uganda The State of Persecution