LGBTQ website to provide eye tests and glasses for Homeless Gay Youth

Time to give to our own as http://www.GayEyeglasses.com  sets the tone for 2014. By Melanie Nathan, December 28, 2013. When a trailblazer from the San Francisco Bay Area optical scene went about building an LGBTQ focused eyeglass site, camp became an understatement, and high design was all but blurred in a flurry of retro with … More LGBTQ website to provide eye tests and glasses for Homeless Gay Youth

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

“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

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

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

Somerville Mayor publicly condemns homophobic language directed at appointed official

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 15, 2013 Ah, but were every city’s Mayor so enlightened. The Mayor of Somerville, MA, Joseph Curtatone, has publicly chastised the use of homophobic language against a recently appointed official, Alderman Courtney O’Keefe.  He is using the opportunity to remind everyone demanding the respect of all. Mayor Curtatone’s open letter starts … More Somerville Mayor publicly condemns homophobic language directed at appointed official

Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 29, 2013 Here on this BLOG Thursday, we reported that directly preceding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, a press release came out expressing “very grave concerns” about the religious exemption clause contained in the Bill. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the National Center for … More Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption

San Francisco to protest Pride’s cancellation of Bradley Manning honor

By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2013. San Francisco, CA – Gay activists have called a protest against the San Francisco Pride Committee for withdrawing of Bradley Manning as an honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s Pride. Bradley Manning, widely known to be gay, had been selected to be one of the Grand Marshals of the … More San Francisco to protest Pride’s cancellation of Bradley Manning honor

Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel

UNITE and LGBT Activists Unite | “THIS HOTEL IS OWNED BY HOMOPHOBES” By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2013. Back in February, we reported that gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East … More Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems

Employment protections bill introduced for the 20th time… but will expanded religious exemptions doom ENDA before it’s even reintroduced? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 25, 2013 The 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will be introduced into Congress today by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in the Senate and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in the … More The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems

NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

And you thought refusal of service ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 23, 2013 In Massachusetts one of the legislative campaigns we are working on is the Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public. … More NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days

Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

You MUST come OUT and Rally for Marriage Equality | Let the SCOTUS Justices hear your voice | Join United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice in rallying for equality! By: Cathy Kristofferson and Melanie Nathan On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively,  which are fundamentally … More Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

Disney, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Adobe, New York Life and 273 other Employers file amicus brief to support marriage equality

By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2013. A team of Bingham McCutchen lawyers today filed on behalf of 278 businesses, cities, and other employers and employer organizations an amicus brief in United States v. Windsor, the United States Supreme Court case concerning the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The brief, a copy … More Disney, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Adobe, New York Life and 273 other Employers file amicus brief to support marriage equality

American Ambassador Speaks about corruption at Ugandan Energy Summit

Corruption is a major deterrent to investing in Uganda, and while not discussed perhaps the Anti–Homosexuality Bill, if passed, will make these considerations worse By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2013. While the Ugandan Parliament is about to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  Uganda hosted a key energy and infrastructure summit, to explore private sector involvement lead … More American Ambassador Speaks about corruption at Ugandan Energy Summit

American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. While the Ugandan Parliament is about to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, next week, Uganda will host a key energy and infrastructure summit at the same time, to explore private sector involvement. Kelly Mactavish-Mundar, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda, says the February 22 meeting will … More American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

The Pitfalls of funding Faith Based Organizations without doing your research first By Cathy Kristofferson, February 12, 2013. It has come to light that the Canadian government, through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) spearheaded by Minister Julian Fantino, has been funding an anti-gay Evangelical organization – Crossroads Christian Communications – to the tune of … More Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

MHRC 31st  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Dinner Jan. 24th | Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Highlights Connections to Civil Rights Movement’s Bayard Rustin The 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Gala will be held by the Marin Human Rights Commission at The Four Points Sheraton on January 24, 2013, to honor Marin’s … More Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

By Melanie Nathan, December 18, 2012. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy there has been a dramatic shift in the discussion about guns in America, with some remarkable statistics coming from the NRA, now showing that their membership favors stronger gun control, even though their operatives continue to lobby against. It took twenty dead seven year … More Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

World AIDS DAY | South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Mandela Collectible Coin’s U.S. Beneficiaries

Three U.S.A. Charities to benefit from sales of The Mandela Red Ribbon Twin Set Editorial, December 01, 2012. In honoring Worlds AIDS DAY on December 01, The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) has chosen three renowned charities based in the United States of America, to benefit from the sale of a newly launched Nelson … More World AIDS DAY | South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Mandela Collectible Coin’s U.S. Beneficiaries

Will Barclays Bank speak out against the Ugandan Kill the Gays Bill

By Melanie Nathan, November 10, 2012, As the Kill the Gays Bill heats up for passage, LGBT people who work for  or bank with Barclays Worldwide should be asking their employers to speak out against the impending Anti-Homosexuality Bill which calls for death penalty and  the harsh punishment of homosexuality – before it is too … More Will Barclays Bank speak out against the Ugandan Kill the Gays Bill

Celebrating the Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallions in the United States

South African Gold Coin Exchange, (SAGCE) August 03, 2012 This week, in conjunction with a launch event hosted by The South African Consul General in New York, the South African Gold Coin Exchange  (SAGCE) introduced the first ever Nelson Mandela gold and silver Medallions into the United States Market. The special release, launched to commemorate … More Celebrating the Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallions in the United States

Gays can defeat Chick-fil-A and Dan Cathy employing true American Values

By Melanie Nathan, July 29, 2012 By now you have all read that the inventors of the chicken sandwich, Chick-Fil-A, have gone cuckoo, with clucked anti-gay cluck by owner Dan Cathy, who said the company was “guilty as charged” in its stance against same-sex marriage and equality.  He made  gay-hate comments which fueled protests by … More Gays can defeat Chick-fil-A and Dan Cathy employing true American Values

President Bill Clinton & Chelsea Visit Nelson Mandela for 94th Birthday

By Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2012. Former United States President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea visited former South African President Nelson Mandela this week to celebrate  Mandela’s 94th birthday at the ANC and anti-apartheid  icon’s home in his childhood village. Clinton spent two hours inside Mandela’s family compound in Qunu, the picturesque village where Mandela … More President Bill Clinton & Chelsea Visit Nelson Mandela for 94th Birthday

The South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallion

“AIDS in no longer a disease; it is a human right’s issue,” President Nelson Mandela – South Africa Celebrates Nelson Mandela Day. By Melanie Nathan, July 18, 2012. Capturing the legacy of one of the most influential icons in the world, The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) and The Scoin Shop (Scoin) has announced … More The South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Launch of Nelson Mandela HIV/AIDS Medallion

Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and locally by Southwest Airlines. In March, GLAAD announced … More Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

Last night, Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work — a national organization working to ban workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans — announced the launch of a new campaign and petition aimed at ExxonMobil’s discriminatory policies against LGBT employees. … More Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

Gaywheels talk KIA, Porsche, as LGBT Americans may be Driving Unfriendly Vehicles

By Melanie Nathan, 02/24/2012 I recently read a report fro Gaywheels site that Hyundai, Kia, Porsche, and Suzuki offer no protections or benefits for their LGBT employees. Of the 37 car companies Gaywheels has surveyed,  33 are gay-friendly (at least to some degree).   While only four are lagging behind, it is unconscionable considering that every single … More Gaywheels talk KIA, Porsche, as LGBT Americans may be Driving Unfriendly Vehicles

Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

Or stop being hypocrites by displaying diversity programs on your websites….  LGBT people who work for Barclays worldwide should be asking their employers to speak out against criminalization of homosexuality before it is too late!  This applies to all doing business in Africa! By Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012, (I first wrote this piece on … More Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa