Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

Court condemns Russia over Pussy Riot convictions –In yet another instance of Russian’s Vladamir Putin’s human rights abuses Members of the punk band spent nearly two years in jail after 2012 protest in a Moscow cathedral: The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ruled against Russia for its treatment of members of the Pussy … More Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

Heathrow Airport Did Something Stunning for Pride

If you fly from the West Coast of the united Sates to South Africa, like me, you have probably spent many hours at Heathrow Airport. I report this with great PRIDE! Heathrow has embraced the colors of the rainbow in celebration of Pride in London and commissioned a unique interpretation of the iconic flag, created … More Heathrow Airport Did Something Stunning for Pride

London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

Keeping things in focus – this is less about the Pride and Parade organizations as a whole and the majority who adhere to inclusion and more about a tiny handful of bigoted jerks who want to exclude members of our community! Most lesbians are not separatists wanting to exclude transgender people from our community. I have … More London Pride and SF Dyke March Note that A Handful of Lesbian Separatists Are not Who We ALL Are!

NAACP Convention to Host LGBTQ Town Hall

Also past San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to receive an award. 109th NAACP Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX, to bring together social justice activists, artists/entertainers, Elected Officials; Civil Rights, Business, Social Justice Leaders   BALTIMORE (July 5, 2018) - Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, and as the nation suffers the effects of President Trump’s administration, thousands … More NAACP Convention to Host LGBTQ Town Hall

Organizations Urge Ken Marcus to Enforce Civil Rights for All Students

Civil Rights Groups to OCR Head Ken Marcus: Enforce Civil Rights for All Students  The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 23 civil rights groups today sent a letter to Kenneth Marcus, the irresponsibly confirmed assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout the confirmation process for assistant secretary, … More Organizations Urge Ken Marcus to Enforce Civil Rights for All Students

A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers

Standing with refugees, asylum seekers immigrants, and orphans because it is persecutory and tragic to separate families… This Mother’s day as we stand with refugee and asylum seeking mothers and the orphans who do not have mothers, I reflect on the tragedy of my own family and how the Trump Administration is working policy to … More A Reflective Mothers Day – Five Generations in My Maternal Line on Five Separate Continents Mothers

HAVANA PRIDE

With thanks to San Francisco LGBTQ activist, Michael Petrelis, and his successful fundraising quest to take rainbow flags and regalia to Cuba for Havana Pride, we present the result in this pictorial from his social media: Havana Pride 2018 Melanie Nathan My e-mail commissionermnathan@gmail.com Support our work at African Human Rights Coalition Check out my … More HAVANA PRIDE

The Cruel America of Trump and Sessions: Where Children are Torn from Loving Parents

Separating Children from Parents as a deterrent to immigration? This is OUR America!?! How could we? My great grandmother was ‘forced’ to separate from her two youngest children when faced with her “Sophie’s choice” during the anti-Jewish Pogroms of Eastern Europe, sending two small children to an orphanage in a remote corner of the globe, … More The Cruel America of Trump and Sessions: Where Children are Torn from Loving Parents

America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

Some international news … absolved from cabin fever – you know that insular stuck in MERICA feeling – read: Thousands strand in flood: Central Somalia has experienced heavy rains which have flooded parts of the country. The resultant effect has been the displacement of thousands. The United Nations estimates that almost half a million people … More America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. On this day African Human Rights Coalition is quoting the message of the Obama Foundation: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. And as people around the country and the world celebrate his legacy with acts of service, I’m thinking about something … More On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

Generations of Strength, noted as Registration for San Francisco Pride 2018 Opens

Pride 2018: “We must ensure the stories of our generations of elders are not lost and that our youth know how to harness the strength built by generations. Most importantly, our youth need to know how to use their own strength both individually and collectively to face the future,” noted Larry Nelson whose San Francisco Pride theme … More Generations of Strength, noted as Registration for San Francisco Pride 2018 Opens

Group Seeks Justice for Those Assaulted During Vietnam War

International Organization  Hosts Event In U.S. On Eve Of Trump Visit To Vietnam New Orleans, La. ( Nov. 6, 2017) — The international group Justice for Lai Dai Han is hosting a U.S.-based event – on the eve of President Trump’s visit to Vietnam to speak at the APEC Summit – to raise awareness of … More Group Seeks Justice for Those Assaulted During Vietnam War

DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

Tuesday: DOJ and EEOC to Oppose Each Other in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit  – The en banc 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will reconsider longstanding legal precedent concerning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the federal government is a house divided NEW YORK CITY – This week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC will hear … More DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit 

Marin New Medicinal Cannabis Draft Ordinance Debuts

New delivery-only retail ordinance to be considered in coming months San Rafael, CA – The public may now review and provide feedback on a new draft ordinance about medicinal cannabis delivery-only retail business regulations for the unincorporated area of Marin County. Following a 30-day feedback period, the ordinance is scheduled to be brought before the Marin … More Marin New Medicinal Cannabis Draft Ordinance Debuts

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California Settle Disability Complaint

Last month, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC, formerly Fair Housing of Marin) and one of its clients settled a housing discrimination complaint, based upon disability, filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing office. The complaint was filed against Schultz Investment Co., Greenbrae Management Incl, Belardo Co., L.P., and Thomas … More Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California Settle Disability Complaint

US Jewish Leaders Plea to Israel for Same-Sex Adoption Rights

In response to the growing controversy in Israel regarding adoption by same-sex couples, A Wider Bridge organized a public letter which was published today. The letter, signed by nearly 200 Jewish Community Leaders from across America, calls on the Israeli Ministries of Justice and Social Affairs to treat same-sex couples equally in the adoption process. Lesbian, … More US Jewish Leaders Plea to Israel for Same-Sex Adoption Rights

Critical Truth in Telling Gay Love Stories of Africa

By Melanie Nathan, July 24, 2017. The importance in showcasing love stories and the relationship evolution to marriage, illustrating how couples avail themselves of tradition and of the laws that equally pertain to all, is critical to an LGBT movement in Africa-  where homophobia is rampant through the lies that have perpetuated misunderstanding. This outward … More Critical Truth in Telling Gay Love Stories of Africa

Speech at the 2017 Installation of Pink Triangle Twin Peaks San Francisco Pride

My SPEECH DELIVERED at PINK TRIANGLE Installation Ceremony today – Sat June 24, 2017 – Melanie Nathan – ED of African Human Rights Coalition and Vice President of San Francisco Pride Board. Thank you all for being here today – greetings to our elected officials, and to Patrick Carney – a big thank you for … More Speech at the 2017 Installation of Pink Triangle Twin Peaks San Francisco Pride

2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced

JUNE 5, 2017 HEARST – 2017 HEARST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED Special congratulations to first place winner of the Hearst National Championship Annual Multi-Media Competition: Claire Collins, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who themed an LGBT refugee.  I was also pleased to participate in the short winning piece – especially because it gives this … More 2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced

LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

On its road to acclaim, the new LGBTQI documentary, Between the Shades, has been given a weekend block to premier at The Soho International Film Festival. The film, premiering at the New York venue on June 17th, examines the immense power of labels and the transcendence of love, while putting faces to the letters that … More LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

When Women Regress in the Name of Progress – This milieu is ripe for scapegoating and what better than to use religion as the tool and women as the fool! By Melanie Nathan. When we move closer to parity between the races and sexes, equality in the realm of sexual orientation, and as we move further … More Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

WASHINGTON – More than 140 artists and entertainers from across the country released a letter today urging Texas lawmakers to reject SB 6 and other bills currently pending in the legislature that would make it easier to discriminate against LGBT people. Equality Texas, GLAAD and the Ally Coalition released the letter, and signatories include Sting, Connie … More Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

President Obama’s Statement on the Death of Israeli Former President Shimon Peres

September 27, 2016 Statement by President Obama on the Death of Former Israeli President Shimon Peres There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of … More President Obama’s Statement on the Death of Israeli Former President Shimon Peres

Sioux Tribe Invites UN Human Rights Council Special Rappateur to Standing Rock

Today at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, in front of representatives from hundreds of countries attending, the Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, David Archambault II, personally handed Ms. Victoria Tauli Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an invitation to come to Standing Rock to witness first-hand how the Dakota … More Sioux Tribe Invites UN Human Rights Council Special Rappateur to Standing Rock

Soccer Legend Wambach tells Her Truth in Memoir, Forward

By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2016. Soccer legend Abby Wambach expresses her “Truth” on her Facebook timeline, while announcing the launch of her memoir, “Forward”. Wambach, an open lesbian, having scored 184 career goals, is the leading career scorer, male or female, in international soccer. She retired in December after 15 years with the U.S. … More Soccer Legend Wambach tells Her Truth in Memoir, Forward

Meet and Greet San Francisco Pride 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshals

San Francisco, CA – On Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00-9:00 PM, San Francisco Pride and AsiaSF are hosting a Meet-n-Greet with the cast of the trailblazing Fuse TV docu-series TRANSCENDENT. The TV show features a group of talented trans women from San Francisco, Bambiana, Bionka, L.A., Nya, and Xristina, as they navigate their professional, personal … More Meet and Greet San Francisco Pride 2016 Celebrity Grand Marshals

The World Congress of GLBT Jews Expanding Membership

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah , NYC, rejoins The World Congress At its Annual General Meeting held in Washington D.C. on April 10, the Board of the World Congress of GLBT Jews voted to expand its membership structure and elected new officers. During the 2015-16 period, the organization, a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around … More The World Congress of GLBT Jews Expanding Membership