Category: Education

Bard College Announces Leads for New M.A. Program in Human Rights and the Arts

July 8, 2020

Bard College announced today the appointment of Tania El Khoury as Distinguished Artist in Residence of Theater and Performance and Ziad Abu-Rish as Visiting Associate Professor of Human Rights. Together they will lead a pioneering Master of Arts program in Human Rights and the Arts, planned to commence in Fall 2021. Designed by Bard’s Human … More Bard College Announces Leads for New M.A. Program in Human Rights and the Arts

Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

March 3, 2020

Updated: The below Article was written  before the COVID-19 postponement of the Sonoma Film Festival’s decision to screen its Festival Online. Happily Elephant Refugees will be screened on the opening night platform , July 30, 2020: Sales have opened NOW as a package with another film, The Guardian Elephant Warriors Of Reteti. BOTH FILMS CAN BE … More Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

September 4, 2019

Dear Friends, African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC) is proud to announce its partnership with California Film Institute (CFI) for the upcoming free community impact and educational screening of the award-winning feature documentary Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America, in Marin County, California. You are invited to the screening! Bay Area filmmaker Tom Shepard’s powerful new documentary tells the untold stories … More CFI Hosts Educational and Community Screening in Marin of Award Winning Documentary UNSETTLED

2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality

August 20, 2019

Women’s rights in the U.S. have made leaps and bounds since the passage of the 19th Amendment. Yet many women still struggle to break the glass ceiling because of unequal treatment in society. Unfortunately, the gender gap in 21st century America has only expanded. In 2018, the U.S. failed to place in the top 10 … More 2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality

Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

August 2, 2019

With special thanks to the featured asylum seekers and refugees Mari, Cheyenne, Junior and Subhi, for having the courage and fortitude to tell your stories before you had barely landed! Dear Friends, This week I had the great honor of accepting the OUTFEST Los Angeles 2019 juried Best Feature Documentary award for the Film UNSETTLED … More Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

Gay High Schooler Denied Valedictory Speech to Join Victory Fund at World Pride in NYC

June 17, 2019

Nat Werth to attend World Pride as well as Victory Institute’s Candidate & Campaign Training LGBTQ Victory Fund today announced that Nat Werth – the Wisconsin high school valedictorian who was denied a valedictory speech because he is gay – will march with Victory Fund at World Pride in New York City. He will also … More Gay High Schooler Denied Valedictory Speech to Join Victory Fund at World Pride in NYC

Morehouse College’s Landmark Trans Inclusivity Policy

April 16, 2019

WASHINGTON – Morehouse College, a historically Black men’s college, announced that they would be accepting applications from Transgender men. In response to the news, the National Black Justice Coalition released the following statement: “Every student has a right to an educational experience where they feel safe, engaged and supported. However, the fact remains that far … More Morehouse College’s Landmark Trans Inclusivity Policy

“Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

March 17, 2019

Theater on the Cusp presents “Love & Pride” – a new musical that turns the conversation on gender, sex, and sexuality on its head – Support Queer Theatre- See discount code below! San Francisco, CA  – Theater on the Cusp presents Love & Pride at the EXIT Theatre for an 8-show run. This will be the 4th production in … More “Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Controversial Decision to Disinvite Lesbian Police Officer

January 27, 2019

Lesbian Police Officer disinvited from Creating Change  When diverse individuals and groups bring their intersections to a conference that purports to ‘create change,’ what we may find is a complex puzzle. The question is whether the connecting of ALL pieces to the puzzle is possible? Not if pieces are lost! Mixing people from diverse backgrounds, … More LGBTQ Task Force’s Creating Change Controversial Decision to Disinvite Lesbian Police Officer

Tennessee College Expels Muslim Student for Wearing Hijab

December 11, 2018

 Muslim Advocates Demands Changes WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Muslim Advocates and the law firm Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP sent a demand letter to Georgia Career Institute (“GCI”), a for-profit college operating in several southern states, after GCI staff expelled a college student from its Murfreesboro, Tennessee campus in February 2018 simply for wearing a … More Tennessee College Expels Muslim Student for Wearing Hijab

Connecting Frank Lloyd Wright to Marin Classrooms

August 23, 2018

Teaching by Design brings educational programming to grades 3-5 San Rafael, CA – As the school year gets underway again, students and teachers in Marin County now have a fun way to explore the unique architectural heritage of the Marin County Civic Center and to inspire students to think critically about the designed world around … More Connecting Frank Lloyd Wright to Marin Classrooms

My Tweets to Trump Led to Navy Cancelling my Pride Speaking Tour

July 2, 2018

The navy hired me to speak for their NAVAIR Warfare Weapons Center Division LGBTQI Pride Month event, at 2 bases in Southern California. While filling out the security form to access the base, I received this: “We recently became aware of several comments you’ve made on Twitter regarding our nation’s current administration. While those comments … More My Tweets to Trump Led to Navy Cancelling my Pride Speaking Tour

American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

May 29, 2018

American Family Watch International (FWI)  Misuses its UN Status to Preach Abstinence Trying to Stop Sex Education under the Guise of Sexualization of Children. United States rightwing forces, helmed by Family Watch International and its President Sharon Slater, are exerting their colonialist muscle to prevent and inhibit sex education to Africa’s youth. The ignorant propagandist … More American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

Marin County | California Voting My Recommendations and Endorsements

May 14, 2018

Many of you have received your mail in ballots for the coming June 05, 2018 election. I want to stress the importance of voting for ALL and to take note of the down ballot as well as the top of the ballot races.  Every office up for election plays an important part in the workings … More Marin County | California Voting My Recommendations and Endorsements

Prosecutor: Not talking to your kids about their body is parental malpractice

April 24, 2018

In light of child abuse prevention month – well, let every day be child abuse prevention day! That said:- Florida state prosecutor Stacey Honowitz who has supervised the Child Sex Crimes unit for 27 years, said child sexual assault has become an epidemic. “I had a 3-year-old in my office the other day, three and … More Prosecutor: Not talking to your kids about their body is parental malpractice

Acceptance of LGBT people and rights has increased around the world

April 18, 2018

Conversely, the analysis showed that the least accepting countries have become less accepting over time | New Global Acceptance Index ranks 141 countries on LGBT acceptance and legal protections and provides a link between inclusion and GDP per capita. LOS ANGELES – New research from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds average levels … More Acceptance of LGBT people and rights has increased around the world

Endorsing A Champion For Office of Marin County Assessor

April 15, 2018

I am so proud to endorse Shelly Scott for Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Shelly served on the Marin Human Rights Commission with me and I have known her personally for many years.  And if you go to her endorsement page you will see so many fellow former Human Rights Commissioner’s have endorsed Shelly. I assure … More Endorsing A Champion For Office of Marin County Assessor

Learn About Emergency Preparedness Grants in Marin

February 12, 2018

San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors is sponsoring three workshops offered by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) about how to apply for federal grants earmarked for emergency preparedness uses. The 90-minute workshops will take place at: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, Corte Madera Community Center, 498 Tamalpais … More Learn About Emergency Preparedness Grants in Marin

Dreamers and Allies Speak Out in Purple and Red States Across America

September 29, 2017

Washington, DC – Across the country, DACA recipients and a broad range of their allies are urging Congress to act quickly to legalize America’s Dreamers. This is happening not only in traditionally Democratic states, but in purple and red states as well, and is quantified in a range of recent polling. Below, we highlight some … More Dreamers and Allies Speak Out in Purple and Red States Across America

Campus Pride Releases Shame List of Worst Campuses for LGBTQ

September 13, 2017

Campus Pride today releases its 2017 Shame List highlighting for the second year in a row a national listing of “The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth.” Up from 102 campuses last year, the national listing includes 139 campuses that openly discriminate against LGBTQ youth in policies, programs and practices as documented on the site … More Campus Pride Releases Shame List of Worst Campuses for LGBTQ

Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

August 30, 2017

OutRight Action International has launched a new report titled, ‘Arab Mass Media: A Monitoring Report Looking at Sexuality and Gender Identity in Arabic Media from 2014 to 2017.’ The report is available in both English and Arabic. The report monitors widespread local and national newspapers in 14 countries in the Arab region, radio, TV channels, … More Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

Several Local Measures on Marin Ballot

August 14, 2017

Arguments may be filed with Elections Department by 4:30 p.m. August 21 San Rafael, CA – Marin County residents will have the opportunity on November 7 to vote on local measures that include school, municipal and special district measures.  A special tax assessment for educational programs will be on the ballot for the Lagunitas School … More Several Local Measures on Marin Ballot

Transgender Education Network of Texas Advisory – How to Testify Tomorrow

July 20, 2017

Details for the hearing – Austin Texas The Senate State Affairs committee will hold a hearing on a SB3 and SB91 (the “Bathroom Bills”) this Friday at 9:00am.  We would like to see as many of you turnout to testify as we can. Registration for testifying will be outside of the committee room E1.036 by … More Transgender Education Network of Texas Advisory – How to Testify Tomorrow

World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

March 26, 2016

The World Congress of GLBT Jews, with Bet Mishpachah and GLOE as co-hosts are holding a Shabbaton in Washington DC, at the DC Jewish Community Center, next month from April 8th to April 10th. The Program and contact information is detailed below. The World Congress is a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around the … More World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

November 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. The Western New England University School of Law faculty voted unanimously on Friday, November 6, 2015, in favor of a resolution of support for pending legislation that would expand nondiscrimination protection for transgender individuals in businesses and other facilities that are open to the public, including within higher … More University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

July 21, 2015

TLDEF Applauds New York State Education Department for New Guidance Designed to Protect Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students from Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 21, 2015. New York, NY –The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends the New York State Education Department for releasing comprehensive guidance to help ensure that transgender and … More Praise for NY State Education Department Guidelines to protect against Transgender Discrimination

LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree

May 26, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 26, 2014. On Saturday a group of 25 LGBTQ activists protested controversial Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller as she received an honorary degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The activists, who chanted “Gay rights Portia!” for two hours, were at one point called “trash” by some Lafayette graduates and … More LGBTQ Activists Protest Jamaican Prime Minister Receiving Honorary Degree