Category: Advocacy & Activism

Richard Branson Calls for Boycotts to Uganda if Anti-Homosexuality Bill is Law

December 24, 2013

“I would urge other companies worldwide to follow suit.” By Melanie Nathan, Dec 24, 2013, 8:41 am. Richard Branson, was about to do business with Uganda when he changed his mind.  The Virgin founder said Uganda must abandon the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which would make homosexuality punishable by up to life in prison.  Unless the … More Richard Branson Calls for Boycotts to Uganda if Anti-Homosexuality Bill is Law

Defiant Ugandan LGBTI Community Vows to Fight The Anti-Gay Laws

December 23, 2013

“Finally we want to assure you that despite this setback we are not broken AND never will… We refuse to be marginalized!” By Cathy Kristofferson, December 23, 2013 Following the passage through Parliament of The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the LGBT community held a Press Conference today, which was reported here on OBLOGDEE, earlier. Here is the Ugandan Coalition’s … More Defiant Ugandan LGBTI Community Vows to Fight The Anti-Gay Laws

Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

December 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2013. Maleshwane Radebe died from a stab wound to her neck after she and her girlfriend were attacked and robbed in their  East Rand township  shack in Ratanda. Charl Blignaut who blogged this at City Press has spent time with Inkanyiso, the visual activists documenting the ever-growing number of rapes … More Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Township

Zimbabwe Police Raid Annual LGBT Christmas Party Arrest 9

December 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2013. Yesterday I received the disturbing news from Zimbabwe about a police attack on Zimbabwe’s LGBT group, GALZ, with reports of arrests and injuries. I was informed by a source close to GALZ leadership that the annual Christmas party was raided by police in Bulawayo. Nine members of the group … More Zimbabwe Police Raid Annual LGBT Christmas Party Arrest 9

Watch Uganda Vote for its New Hate Gay Bill

December 21, 2013

The Bill once dubbed “Kill the Gays Bill” should now be termed Uganda’s Hate-Gay Bill. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 21, 2013. Yesterday we reported that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill had been passed in Uganda.  While we believe the death penalty has been removed, we assert that its provision for life in prison is equally barbaric and … More Watch Uganda Vote for its New Hate Gay Bill

Catholic Diocese fires administrator in defiance of Pope’s call not to judge gays

December 19, 2013

“If someone who is gay seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis By Cathy Kristofferson, December 19, 2013 The Catholic Church has fired another school administrator for getting same-sex married. Vice Principal Mark Zmuda of Eastside Catholic in Seattle married his husband over the summer. Now that the Catholic diocese of … More Catholic Diocese fires administrator in defiance of Pope’s call not to judge gays

Putin frees Pussy Riot in Sochi Games schmooze

December 19, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 19, 2013 In an act claimed to have nothing to do with who is currently behind bars, nor the upcoming Sochi Olympic Games, or Russia’s abysmal human rights record, Vladimir Putin and his Duma yesterday suddenly decided to create a new law that will allow for the pardon of those currently imprisoned … More Putin frees Pussy Riot in Sochi Games schmooze

Top 11 Articles of 2013 by O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

December 18, 2013

The Best of OBLOGDEEOBLOGDA | Here are the top 11 Articles for 2013. ONE Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding  TWO 10 Actions you can take against Russia | shocking video of Russian Gay Teen torture THREE Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice FOUR Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when … More Top 11 Articles of 2013 by O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow Sochi Tokens

December 17, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 17, 2013 President Obama has chosen the official U.S. delegation to head to the Sochi Olympic Games in Russia. No POTUS, FLOTUS, VPOTUS, or any other OTUS.  However there will be one out athlete at the opening ceremony and another out athlete at the closing ceremony; Billie Jean King and Caitlin … More Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow Sochi Tokens

Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

December 16, 2013

Scott Lively’s campaign motto is “Qualified. Experienced. Electable.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, December 16, 2013 Scott Lively (I-MA) would like to remind everyone that he is still running for Governor of Massachusetts. We presume that his campaign has been suspended while he fights Crimes Against Humanity charges. That pesky trial for persecution on the basis of … More Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

December 13, 2013

Free Party with Auction  | Great thanks to Swirl Radio,  Michelle Meow, and Gold Dust Lounge, for offering to raise money for this cause at their holiday Party Please note – after you have made your donation, please send an email to nathan@privatecourts.com together with your name and address. All amounts of $20.00 and over … More Destitute African Lesbian Refugee Couple Hopes to Benefit from San Francisco Holiday Party

Anti-gay Scott Lively again DENIED attempt to avoid Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit

December 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 10, 2013 Scott Lively has again been DENIED an attempt to halt the proceeding in the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). As OBLOGDEE reported last week, Lively requested the court suspend the case and stop the discovery phase from beginning while he petitions the Federal Court of … More Anti-gay Scott Lively again DENIED attempt to avoid Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit

ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

December 7, 2013

Dec 07, 2013. It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that we learn of the passing of Mr Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton on 5 December. We join the many millions of people across the world in expressing our condolences to his family, to South African nation and the … More ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

December 3, 2013

Activists Demand NBC Denounce Comments & Russian Laws Remarks Made at Forum on Moral Responsibilities of Olympic Athletes VIA Queer Nation December 3, 2013 (New York) — In comments made at a forum on the moral responsibilities of athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia, gay figure skater and NBC Olympics commentator Johnny … More NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

November 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 27, 2013 A South African man has received a 22-year sentence for the ‘corrective’ rape of a lesbian.  Andile Ngcoza, a man with a long history of violent crime, raped Millicent Gaika from Gugulethu to “show her she was a woman” by impregnating her. OBLOGDEE reported extensively (see links below) on the Millicent … More South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 23, 2013. Photos by Matt Davis, Melbourne. Thousand of LGBT people and allies braved the rain and marched in Australia today, in support of marriage equality, in different centers, including Melbourne, where a crowd of about 600 descended on Parliament. Prime Minister Tony Abbott is anti-marriage equality.  Although he attended his … More Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

November 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2013. On Sunday, November 24, 2013,  LGBT activists and allies will be holding an event at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., to “Save Russian LGBT Children.” This event is to support the rights of Russian LGBT teens and kids who are oppressed by Putin and his … More Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

November 21, 2013

AND the best way to do it is through an INVESTIGATION By Melanie Nathan, Nov 21, 2013. We have recently reported on a spate of arrests and now the Ugandan press is reporting that the Ugandan Government is investigating four prominent secondary schools in Kampala and Wakiso districts over allegations that their students are involved … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

APB put out on ENDA

November 20, 2013

Boehner buries ENDA, where is the Executive Order Obama? By Cathy Kristofferson and Ellen Sturtz, November 20, 2013 After the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed the Senate with bi-partisan support, all eyes turned to the House. It seems when we looked there, the Bill had been buried in four different committees and House Speaker John Boehner … More APB put out on ENDA

Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

November 20, 2013

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov. 20, 2013. We pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on … More Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2013

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance  Organization Urges New Yorkers to Reflect on All Those Lost to Anti-Transgender Violence Including Harlem Resident, Islan Nettles New York, NY, November 20, 2013- On this 15th Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is urging New Yorkers to … More New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

November 19, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 19, 2013 The Jamaica Observer is reporting that Jamaican Rastafarian star Sizzla has been denied a visa into the U.S. for his tour scheduled for this month and December. Sizzla has been called out for his homophobic lyrics for at least the last decade. In the past he has had concerts cancelled in multiple … More Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

November 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 18, 2013. Obscuring the photo of a gorilla in the window, an enticement for London’s tourists to keep Uganda’s safari and wildlife tourism going strong, were a group of LGBT human rights defenders and allies, protesting the horror that is now impacting Uganda’s LGBT community.  Many gay people are waiting in … More London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

NOM fails to present public tax returns at deadline

November 17, 2013

By melanie Nathan, Nov 17, 2013. We all know that cashing in can be a lucrative enterprise for those who have declared war on marriage equality in the United States. National Organization for Marriage (NOM) under the leadership of Brian Brown, in the footsteps of Maggie Gallagher, is one such organization. Rights Equal Rights (RER), under … More NOM fails to present public tax returns at deadline

Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

November 16, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 16, 2013 The Jamaica Gleaner is reporting that Maurice Tomlinson has lost his suit against Jamaica’s major television stations TVJ and CVM for refusing to air his gay positive “Love and Respect” Public Service Announcements (PSA). The court found that Tomlinson’s freedom of expression does not give him the right to … More Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

November 15, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 As we posted earlier, friend of OBLOGDEE Ellen Sturtz attended today’s World Congress of Families (WCF) Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” What the WCF believes America should learn sounds like a whole lot of denial! Here are some of the claims and insights … More Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

November 15, 2013

“Cathy, I want to tell you I’m shaking and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Just repulsed. A shower will not help.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 Late last night, The World Congress of Families Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” was denied their original meeting … More Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

November 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. Using an official Senate space, American supporters of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws will come to Capitol Hill tomorrow to argue that these hateful policies should serve as an example for us here in United States. The American anti-gays such as Scott Lively have provoked the Hate Bills in foreign jurisdictions … More Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building