Category: CULTURE

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

March 23, 2013

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

March 20, 2013

“I realized that it was good old fashioned c\Catholic prejudice towards homosexuality, or those who seem to be homosexual.” By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2013. After Ugandan Catholic cleric Fr. Anthony Musaala authored an open letter To Bishops, Priests and Laity, entitled “The failure of Celibate Chastity among Diocesan Priests” accusing his Catholic Church colleagues in … More Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award

March 20, 2013

PLEASE VOTE \ at http://www.sfpride.org/vote/ By Melanie Nathan, March 21, 2013 UPDATED 3/21/2013. : After informing the San Francisco Pride Board that Ugandan activists were horrified by this nomination and concerned about the harmful backlash that could follow, the Pride organizers agreed to remove Kadaga from the site as a nominee.  They were apologetic for … More Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award

Ugandan Catholic Priest suspended for speaking out against sexual immorality and crimes

March 20, 2013

In a bombshell “Open Letter To Bishops, Priests and Laity: The failure of Celibate Chastity among Diocesan Priests” By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2o13. The Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has suspended cleric Fr. Anthony Musaala, who authored a document criticizing Catholic Church colleagues in Uganda, accusing them of sexual immorality and crimes. … More Ugandan Catholic Priest suspended for speaking out against sexual immorality and crimes

Why march in an alternate St. Patrick’s Day parade?

March 19, 2013

An injustice to one… By Cathy Kristofferson, March 18, 2013 Sunday I marched in the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Peace Parade, the alternate to what is now called ‘traditional’ St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Now that I have had a day to thaw and ruminate on why it is I marched for the 3rd year … More Why march in an alternate St. Patrick’s Day parade?

Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

March 17, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, March 17, 2013. nathan@privatecourts.com Further to our post yesterday, (http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/03/16/rallies-across-the-united-states-for-marriage-equality/)  about the LGBT community and supporters converging on D.C. to attend the events surrounding  the SCOTUS opening arguments for marriage equality in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases, and the 150 nationwide events, to rally in support of marriage equality and full … More Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

March 16, 2013

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

House of Lords calls for decriminalization of homosexuality in Commonwealth because of higher HIV rates

March 14, 2013

See the  must watch Video – Criminalization of Homosexuality Kills – The link is made between increase in HIV/ AIDS in countries that criminalize homosexuality – Homophobia causes higher HIV/AIDS rates. By Melanie Nathan, March 14, 2o13. Yesterday Conservative Peer Lord Black of Brentwood,  led a debate on Criminalization of Homosexuality and how it has caused … More House of Lords calls for decriminalization of homosexuality in Commonwealth because of higher HIV rates

The Pope who led the failed crusade against gay marriage in Argentina

March 13, 2013

Just Another Anti-Gay Pope By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson,  March  13, 2013. When white smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel today, heralding a new Pope, LGBTI communities around the world were not expecting anything more than another religious leader to work actively against secular legal rights. Choosing the name Pope Francis,  Cardinal Bergoglio, of … More The Pope who led the failed crusade against gay marriage in Argentina

Gay binational couple commit suicide within a week of each other

March 12, 2013

The suicide of this couple should be blamed squarely on the laws of the United States that specifically excludes gay spouses  By Melanie Nathan, March 11, 2013. Wilfried Knight may be remembered as yet another adult industry porn star who happened to commit suicide; but there is much more and so that is not the … More Gay binational couple commit suicide within a week of each other

No Justice for Thandiswa Qubuda as Rape capital South Africa releases gang of rapists with no bail

February 27, 2013

The high incidence of rape in South Africa has yet to see protests on the scale of that experienced in India. After all if the statistics are one in four women raped – how many men are there left to protest? Most are perpetrators.By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2013. UPDATED: Reports that Thandiswa Qubuda Passed … More No Justice for Thandiswa Qubuda as Rape capital South Africa releases gang of rapists with no bail

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

February 16, 2013

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

Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

February 16, 2013

For statements deemed pro-gay By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. Bishop Zac Niringiye, the retired assistant Bishop of Kampala, known as the leader of the controversial “Black Monday” Movement, was giving presentation to students at Makerere University, Kampala, when a a group of angry anti-gay Christian students turned rowdy and threatened to expel him from … More Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 16, 2013

Looking for a miracle By Melanie Nathan, Feb 16, 2013. Uganda has not lost one shilling yet to the threatened passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill – but it has lost a great deal of financial support because of scandals, corruption and embezzlement and for the latter no one can blame the gays.  Some have threatened … More Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

February 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2013. David Cecil has arrived in the United Kingdom after being deported from his home in Uganda, which he shares with his partner/wife and two small children, and who have now been left behind.  Cecil is not an LGBTI activist; he is the producer of a play, The River and … More British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

February 13, 2013

 Activists pledge to boycott hotel in video, citing owner Brunei’s anti-gay policies By Melanie Nathan, Feb 13, 2013. LOS ANGELES – Gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel today, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East Asia where male … More Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

February 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2013. Although the Ugandan LGBT community braces for a second read of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill today, the Ugandan Parliament’s Oder Papers reflect that the Bill is scheduled to be debated as #7 on the Order Papers.  However sources informed me that the Parliament may randomly pick an order and that … More Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

February 12, 2013

V-Day -A Global call to action By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2014. South Africa – On February 14, South Africa will be part of a global movement for change – ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Sonke … More One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

February 9, 2013

Andrew Mwenda is still a great ally and an important voice and I do not purport to understand Ugandans better than he does, however I believe strongly that it is time for people in his capacity to introduce a much more productive and proactive route toward the truth about homosexuality for presentation to Ugandans. View … More Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS

February 7, 2013

At the NYC LGBT Community Center – and Visual AIDS present an interactive slideshow with four on-the-ground LGBT artists: Amos Mac, Devin Elijah, Ivan Monforte and Jessica Whitbred, hosted by Sacha Yanow. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 07, 2013. The Center is proud to partner with Visual AIDS to present Positive Assertions: Four Artist Snapshots, an … More VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS

David Cecil British Producer detained for Deportation from Uganda

February 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb. 07, 2013.  3:00 am PST Updated: Feb 12, 2013 –  Sources in Uganda confirm that British play producer David Cecil was deported last night.  Also confirmed by  British foreign office spokesman who told the BBC that Mr Cecil was deported on Monday evening. “We are concerned that he was deported without … More David Cecil British Producer detained for Deportation from Uganda

Hundreds of thousands of French Catholics, Evangelicals and Muslims protest at Eiffel Tower against Gay Marriage

January 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2013. The Eiffel Tower was not looking so friendly to Paris and Gays today as several hundred thousand people  converged on the Eifel Tower in Paris on Sunday to protest against President Francois Hollande’s plan to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption by June, 2013. Many came after long train and … More Hundreds of thousands of French Catholics, Evangelicals and Muslims protest at Eiffel Tower against Gay Marriage

New Israeli Gay Film Follows Yossi and Jagger

January 5, 2013

Yossi revisited with Israeli director Eytan Fox Israeli director Eytan Fox’s Yossi & Jagger (2002) was one of the most memorable of gay films, a tale of truly star-crossed lovers—soldiers in the Israeli army. It ended heartbreakingly with the death of Jagger, and for anyone who has ever wondered what became of his partner, Fox’s … More New Israeli Gay Film Follows Yossi and Jagger

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

December 19, 2012

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

A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 16, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2012. A fellow campaigner for the human rights of LGBTI people, Richard Willmer, has been following the saga of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB, a.k.a. Bahati Bill or the ‘Hang-the-Gays’ Bill) in Uganda since the Bill broke cover in late 2009, as it continues its journey and various parliamentary incarnations. Richard … More A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

VIDEO | Ugandan LGBT Activist Kasha Jacqueline Speaks about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 4, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012. A must watch video showing Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera a gay rights activist in Uganda, – the renowned LGBT activist explains how she wants to be free and how the Ugandan Kill the Gays BILL impacts everyone in Uganda. Kasha Jacqueline is the founder and executive director of an LGBT … More VIDEO | Ugandan LGBT Activist Kasha Jacqueline Speaks about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill