Category: Advocacy & Activism

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

October 1, 2013

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

September 24, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, September 23, 2013 Today Scott Lively suffered another defeat in his quest to have the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) dismissed. As we reported here on OBLOGDEE, the Federal Court in Springfield ruled against Lively on August 14th to deny his first Motion To Dismiss, which … More Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

September 18, 2013

Life in prison for being in loving gay relationships compared to 5-15 years for raping students By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2013. Reuters reports from Sierra Leone that Deputy Education Minister Mamoud Tarawali has been charged with raping a university student, according to police. Sierra Leone is a country that criminalizes loving gay relationships. The … More Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

September 17, 2013

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

September 13, 2013

I AM WONDERING when we are going to hear more about this travesty from international activists. Has Russia put us to sleep on Africa? Usurping all our outrage for the human right infractions against LGBT people in Africa? By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The Lusaka High Court has ruled that trial should commence in … More Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

September 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The voices are growing and they are becoming louder and clear and let us hope that this statement by Olympic gold snowboarder, Seth Wescott, who is speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law in defense of LGBT athletes, will prompt more athletes to come out against Russia and its … More Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

September 12, 2013

We Belong Together and allies are turning up the heat in Washington DC! By Cathy Kristofferson, September 12, 2013 As I write this more than 100 women are being arrested in front of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. They are part of a mass civil disobedience action calling on Congress to pass immigration reform that … More 100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

September 11, 2013

SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate Posted by Editor, September 10, 2013. SACRAMENTO – The full Senate today approved a resolution urging CalPERS and CalSTRS not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia. SR … More CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

September 10, 2013

Vote for S.F. Pride Board  at Annual General Meeting 2013 Sunday, September 15 at 2pm By Melanie Nathan, September 10, 2013. SF Pride is a member-driven organization. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the largest annual gathering of Pride’s membership. Voting members have the opportunity to participate in elections for the Board of Directors and … More Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

September 8, 2013

But wait – watch out – what if we get our grubby queer hands on her? By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2013 Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko is the highest-ranking female politician in Russia, the former governor of Saint Petersburg and the current Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. She also hates gays. Valentina … More Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

September 6, 2013

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

September 5, 2013

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, was introduced again in Congress this year — if passed, it would make sure that no one can legally be discriminated against in the workplace for being gay or transgender. By Melanie Nathan, September 05, 2013. We all know we have a Congress that will not work with this … More Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

September 5, 2013

Press Release: Contact Melanie Nathan: nathan@privatecourts.com Dated: September 05, 2013. https://www.facebook.com/events/433652160084761/ Tomorrow night, Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm, the coalition, including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com and PCI-Justice, will stage an informational vigil, outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.  … More Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

September 5, 2013

“If anything this should be a wake-up call to our President and to Congress to act in like, to go even further. ….our goal of Full Federal Equality” By Jennifer McGuire, September 05, 2013. It was announced yesterday that spouses of Lesbian and Gay veterans will be eligible for benefits.  In the recent stream of … More The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. Rosh Hashana, (“Head of the Year”,) which begins at sundown this evening, ushers in ten days of Jewish soul-searching, known as the “Days of Awe.” It ends with the “closing of the gates” on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider giving. This two-day holiday begins on 1 Tishrei, … More Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

September 4, 2013

Czar meets Czar | After all the only legitimacy left for Alekseev is his stature in anti-semitic circles By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. The highly controversial Russian gay activist, Nikolai Alekseev, (also known as Nikolay Alekseyev,) who recently found himself the center of a storm amongst LGBT communities in Russia and around the world, noted … More Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. A group of LGBT activists will stage an informational vigil including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com will be holding a fun informational vigil on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness … More Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

September 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2013. Buzzfeed is reporting that President Obama will be meeting with Russian LGBT activists while in Russia. The President had cancelled a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin while there for the G20 summit. I agree with Buzfeed that Obama may anger the Kremlin further by meeting with Russian … More President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

September 1, 2013

Human Rights Infractions Threaten Lives of Two 21 year old Men Perceived as Gay Couple By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2013. For almost five months, two young men have been languishing in an overcrowded and disease ridden Zambian jail, and while a Magistrate keeps them incarcerated with little evidence to an alleged crime, witnesses fail … More Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

August 31, 2013

Our March Campaign Will Not Be Silenced By Cathy Kristofferson, August 30, 2013 At Wednesday’s 50th anniversary March on Washington celebration Dream Defender’s Philip Agnew and United We Dream’s Sofia Campos were denied their opportunity to speak at the last minute. The excuse given?  Officials said they had “run out of time.”  This follows the … More Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

August 29, 2013

By Melanie Nathan,  Thursday, August 29, 2013 The Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) issued this Press release to inform about the fabulous business forum being held in Dallas, Texas between the Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) and the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) , for the Annual Trade and Investment Forum. And now … More Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

Vigils around the world demand justice for murdered Jamaican LGBT youth

August 29, 2013

Justice for Dwayne Jones By Cathy Kristofferson, August 29, 2013 Light panels calling for justice illuminated the street outside the Jamaican Embassy in Washington D.C. last night, as a coalition of organizations including GetEQUAL, Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition (Springfield, MA), The DC Center, Center Global, Spectrum Human Rights, CodePINK, and Light Brigade Maryland … More Vigils around the world demand justice for murdered Jamaican LGBT youth

Putin’s Puppeteers Try to Deflect Attention from Olympic Boycott

August 29, 2013

By Attempting to Divide Russian LGBT Movement | List of Trusted Russian LGBT Activists for Media to call upon By Larry Poltavtsev Since last week in a bizarre fashion a number of known to the foreign media Russian LGBT figures started to make polarizing anti-West statements either using their own broadcasting platforms or even utilizing … More Putin’s Puppeteers Try to Deflect Attention from Olympic Boycott

Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

August 27, 2013

 Putin’s Anti-gay law provides impetus for building to post shocking notice By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. For those of you who believe the Putin lies, that LGBTI people are safe, can be left alone entitled to privacy, and are not persecuted in Russia under his new law, here is a shocking example. This notice … More Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

August 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Through the Winter Olympics, the world is endorsing Putin’s homophobic and anti-gay regime by coming to the #GulagOlympics at Sochi. The Russian Orthodox Church stands at the front line of the Putin anti-gay machine, encouraging and endorsing laws that persecute, proclaiming an ideal that gay can be ‘prayed away.’ … More LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

August 26, 2013

The Noise we are making is working – Keep up the advocacy and activism as SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate  By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Senator Mark Leno that … More California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 25 The Russian Church took our protests this Sunday very seriously and below is their response.  After you read it  you will note that nowhere do they take a  single sentence to show care or concern for persecuted LGBTI people in Russia.  The Orthodox Church has refused  to dialogue with us, … More The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests