Category: Advocacy & Activism

What we can do as dramatic increase in persecution of Ugandan Gays since Anti-Homosexuality Act

May 16, 2014

Updated 7/9/2014. This post had been removed to archives private because it is an OLD post dated May 16, 2014, and its is being misused by some as a reference for a current Relief Fund , which it is not. It referred to an older relief fund campaign which has since closed. A new relief … More What we can do as dramatic increase in persecution of Ugandan Gays since Anti-Homosexuality Act

The Tale of Two Feds | Transgender and The Department of Defense

May 15, 2014

You might be thinking that hearts and minds have transformed. Society might have evolved on gender identity, but not the military’s old guard. By L.S. Kove, May 15, 2014. The Department of Defense (DoD) is different than the rest of the federal government. Not only is it large enough to swallow the rest whole, but … More The Tale of Two Feds | Transgender and The Department of Defense

Outrageous lies by Ugandan Government regarding the Anti-Gay Laws

May 8, 2014

And Lies about Gays not being Persecuted  as Uganda tries to squirm out of aid cuts they once said they did not care about By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2014. The Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs is attempting to avert Ugandan fears that the international community will cut aid to Uganda and has allegedly provided … More Outrageous lies by Ugandan Government regarding the Anti-Gay Laws

Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

May 8, 2014

The World is Watching the Making of Martyrs until all Anti-homosexuality laws are decriminalized By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2014. No matter the outcome, their lives will forever be tarnished, at least in Uganda. However with their faces splashed across world press, many  may come to regard them as martyrs, a symbol for the oppressed … More Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

Ugandan MP’s Face Travel Bans for Anti-Homosexuality Support

May 8, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2014. Members of Uganda’s Parliament and ministers, have according to the Ugandan press, been notified of visa restrictions because of their “public utterances” during the passing of the disputed Anti-Homosexuality Act, which makes same-sex relations  punishable with life imprisonment. International Affairs minister Okello Oryem told MPs on the Foreign Affairs … More Ugandan MP’s Face Travel Bans for Anti-Homosexuality Support

Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

May 7, 2014

Federal Court Rejects Discrimination Claim Against Catholic Hospital’s Refusal to Cover Same-Sex Spouse Under Employee Benefit Plan and ENDA is in danger Why I am calling on Freedom to Marry, NCLR, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, ACLU, Transgender Law Center,  GetEQUAL to thwart the HRC push for Senate’s ENDA By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2014. Although both … More Federal Court’s refusal of benefits in Employee Plan shows why religious exemption hurts ENDA

Call to Boycott Barbaric Brute of Brunei Dorchester Hotels

May 6, 2014

Commonwealth urged to suspend Brunei as Planned Sharia law executions violate Commonwealth Charter By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2014. While activists in the United Kingdom are calling on the Commonwealth to suspend Brunei’s membership because it has introduced stoning to death for consensual, non-violent behavior, including homosexuality, U.S. activists are calling for boycotts of the … More Call to Boycott Barbaric Brute of Brunei Dorchester Hotels

Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

May 4, 2014

Sweden and other allies have a duty to act and not just talk – you need to practice what you preach , says Bob Bwana By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. LGBT activists are very upset about the denial by Sweden of a visa to a Ugandan human rights defender. It is being reported from … More Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

Police Descend on Bekkersdal The ANC Embarrassment

May 4, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. It reminds me largely of the “old” pre-Apartheid South Africa: — Township – a filthy dumping ground languishing in stark contrast to nearby spotless suburbs – no services- the stench of poverty – and then the ultimate reminder THE large police presence – challenging – the obnoxious scent of … More Police Descend on Bekkersdal The ANC Embarrassment

Belgian Parliament Resolution on Uganda

May 1, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2014. has provided the English translation for the March 22, unanimous Resolution of the Belgian Parliament regarding Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was made official law of Uganda on march 10, 2014. WE REQUEST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: 1. to emphasize the importance of respecting sexual orientation and gender identities in … More Belgian Parliament Resolution on Uganda

South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

April 30, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2014. Back in 2011, when South Africa was exposed internationally for horrific amount of rapes and murders perpetrated on the lesbian community in so called “corrective” or “Curative” rape attacks, Minister Jeff Radebe was taken to task, and now some years later the climate may be set for change. This … More South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

Uganda Seeks to Introduce More Anti-Gay Laws to Stop NGO Services

April 28, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2014. It is clear that the Ugandan government is doing everything that the Hitler Government did – that which preceded the holocaust. As if the scapegoating and Anti-Homosexuality Bill is not enough, now the Ugandan Government is looking to close loop-holes in its new already onerous law, which became law … More Uganda Seeks to Introduce More Anti-Gay Laws to Stop NGO Services

Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

April 26, 2014

Court denies bail, as Cameroon Police Attempt to coerce Lesbian confession and over hundred of these cases pend trial after years languishing in jails By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2014. Two women have been beaten and arrested in Cameroon and are facing years in prison for allegedly engaging in sexual relations together in the privacy … More Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

Marin County Man Mounts Pride Rainbow Flag on Uganda’s Highest Peak

April 25, 2014

He braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law #prideflagatopUganda #RepealAHA By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Marin County Founder of Three Twins Ice Cream braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law while issuing a challenge to President Museveni. That is how the … More Marin County Man Mounts Pride Rainbow Flag on Uganda’s Highest Peak

Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

April 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Please read Colin Stewart’s article at 76 Crimes- about the men who are accused of homosexual relations and are not getting bail in Uganda.  The complexity of surety bail can be noted. While the courts may have been willing to grant bail under the old Penal Codes, it is … More Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

Did the Ugandan Ambassador Wonekha Lie About NTA Partnership to Boost Tourism

April 24, 2014

NTA denies it has a Partnership with Uganda to Boost Tourism creating suspicion that Ambassador lied in Embassy Post By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. The Ugandan Ambassador to the United States, Hon Oliver Wonekha,  posted a headline and article on the Ugandan Embassy website declaring a partnership between NTA, National Tour Association, of North America, … More Did the Ugandan Ambassador Wonekha Lie About NTA Partnership to Boost Tourism

Anti-Gay Uganda’s Ambassador Partners with National Tourism Association NTA in U.S.A.

April 23, 2014

To try and attract more U.S. tourism | NTA ignores plight of LGBTI Ugandans By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2014. Given the current state of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, and the profound anger at Uganda’s state institutionalized homophobia, causing horrific persecution of the LGBTI community in Uganda, we are shocked that the National Tour Association (NTA), … More Anti-Gay Uganda’s Ambassador Partners with National Tourism Association NTA in U.S.A.

Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa Accused of Promoting Homosexuality

April 21, 2014

A New Crime in Uganda By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2014. The Ugandan pastor who promoted and held the huge 10,000 people anti-gay rally celebrating the Anti-Homosexuality Act after it was signed into law, is now being accused of promotion of homosexuality – a crime in Uganda. The only problem with the accusation leveled against … More Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa Accused of Promoting Homosexuality

Ugandan Embassy in D.C. Targeted for Homophobia

April 19, 2014

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 19, 2014 Today, demonstrators, with a mural of eight posters, reminded the Ugandan Embassy in Washington D.C. that their country’s state sponsored homophobia has not been forgotten. As Martin Luther King said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The injustice that is the Anti-Homosexuality Act and the persecution the LGBTI … More Ugandan Embassy in D.C. Targeted for Homophobia

Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

April 18, 2014

Department of Homeland Security Routinely Violates Laws Requiring Timely Reasonable Fear Interview Posted by Melanie Nathan April 17, 2014 A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleging the government violated the law in thousands of cases, with individuals waiting in detention for many months for a ruling on their … More Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

Protest at South African Embassy in D.C. Slams Zuma for Failing on Gay Rights

April 17, 2014

Zuma is seen as condoning the new homophobic laws of Uganda, while assaulting the principles of South Africa’s Constitution. By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2014. Today a group of American activists targeted the South African Embassy in Washington D.C., to protest President Jacob Zuma’s recent comments that he supports the Ugandan Governments sovereign right to … More Protest at South African Embassy in D.C. Slams Zuma for Failing on Gay Rights

Lambda Legal Sues Doctor and Clinic for Denying Medical Care to Transgender Woman

April 16, 2014

“Doctors receiving federal funds cannot discriminate in providing patient care just because a person is transgender.” (Urbana, IL, April 16, 2014) – Yesterday, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of Naya Taylor, a transgender woman denied medical care after she … More Lambda Legal Sues Doctor and Clinic for Denying Medical Care to Transgender Woman

Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

April 16, 2014

CONGRATULATIONS and CALL TO ACTION – See BRING BACK DIGNITY CAMPAIGN BELOW Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 16, 2014. A High Court judge in the United Kingdom, ruled that current Home Office policy on asylum support rates is unlawful. Dave Garratt ,Chief Executive, of Refugee Action, Victoria Charity Centretook , U.K., took the Home Office … More Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

GFSA Flags Donated for Melanie Nathan’s Personal Fundraing efforts and GFSA Promotions

April 13, 2014

GFSA donated several flags to Melanie Nathan. They were never paid for the flags as they were donated free of charge for promotional and fundraising purposes. Here is my letter of clarity to answer any questions members of the community may have in this regard. I have provided this letter to GFSA to be used … More GFSA Flags Donated for Melanie Nathan’s Personal Fundraing efforts and GFSA Promotions

A Compelling Call for San Franciso Employee Retirement to Divest from Anti-Gay Russia

April 10, 2014

Gary Virginia, of Gays Without Borders and President of the Board of San Francisco Pride provided this compelling speech in San Francisco Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2014. Gary Virginia of Gays without Borders and President of San Francisco Pride provided this public comment today regarding Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Supervisor’s efforts to get … More A Compelling Call for San Franciso Employee Retirement to Divest from Anti-Gay Russia

Can Someone Please Tell The Ugandans Its Impossible to Recruit Gays

April 9, 2014

BY Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2014. To Team Museveni, Bahati, Lokodo, Kedaga and the rest of you who do not understand homosexuality, and support putting gays in prison forever. PART 1 We are not soldiers. We cannot be recruited! We are human beings. We do not choose our sexual attractions. We are attracted. We cannot … More Can Someone Please Tell The Ugandans Its Impossible to Recruit Gays

Ugandan President Museveni Talks Oral Sex At Anti-Gay Rally

April 7, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 8, 2014. The man who placed his signature to a law that will put gays and LGBTI Ugandans in jail for life, displays his ignorance by equating same-sex love with sex acts such as oral sex. And the people lapped it up! Pun intended. Museveni Signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act on Feb … More Ugandan President Museveni Talks Oral Sex At Anti-Gay Rally