Category: EVENTS

Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

July 26, 2021

United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland Overturns Trump Asylum Precedent Excluding Domestic Violence Survivors: San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2021) – Today Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era asylum precedent that undermined protections for survivors of domestic violence and other gender-related persecution. In 2020 then-Attorney General William Barr issued the precedent, known as Matter … More Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

June 3, 2021

Members of the European Parliament have been discussing the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Commission presented the Pact last September as a “fresh start,” promising to create a comprehensive, regional approach to asylum and migration. Eight months later, negotiations continue with agreement far from sight. The EU is long overdue to establish … More Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

May 28, 2021

CGRS Concerned Biden Policies Will Undermine Fairness, Endanger Refugee Families The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the Biden administration will begin fast-tracking asylum cases for certain families seeking refuge. By establishing a “dedicated docket” for asylum-seeking families, the administration will sacrifice fairness in the name of … More Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

May 20, 2021

In a historic update to exisiting policy, the U.S. State Department made the decision to recognize U.S. citizenship of babies born abroad to same-sex married couples, regardless of whether an American parent is biologically related. More from HuffPost.   In a victory for LGBTQ rights, the State Department updated its policy to recognize the U.S. … More U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

May 15, 2021

“Certain narratives, coupled with false affirmations presented as science-backed fact, feed the fake notion that there is an inherent conflict between these rights of religious freedom and the basic human rights of LGBT individuals. This manufactured contradiction then becomes another tool that perpetuates and aggravates their sociocultural exclusion.” On behalf of the African Human Rights … More Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

Proud Boys Held Accountable for their Racist Attack on Historic Black Church in D.C. 

April 9, 2021

Default Ruling Declares that Proud Boys International, LLC Has Forfeited the Lawsuit, Paving the Way for Further Legal Judgment Washington, D.C. – The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church achieved a significant victory in an initial phase of its lawsuit against members of the Proud Boys, a violent all-male group with ties to white nationalism, and … More Proud Boys Held Accountable for their Racist Attack on Historic Black Church in D.C. 

Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

March 25, 2021

Yesterday news came down of an ultimatum given to UNHCR by the Kenyan Government, declaring the imminent closures of Dadaab and Kakuma Camps, Kenya. The Statement can be read HERE.This statement has occurred in the context of life for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers seeking protection and resettlement from Kenya. The Kenyan Government has maintained … More Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

Shame on San Anselmo – Votes to Keep Slavery Honored

March 13, 2021

No Name Change for Sir Francis Drake Blvd. At their meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Town Council of San Anselmo considered the renaming of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Calls for changing the name of the 40 mile road, that crosses several Marin incorporated and unincorporated jurisdictions, surfaced amid the Black Lives Matter campaign that followed … More Shame on San Anselmo – Votes to Keep Slavery Honored

Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

March 10, 2021

When I moved to Marin County in 1995, ten years after immigrating to the United States, with Los Angeles my first stop, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was back in Apartheid South Africa. Marin was the white Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg, Marin City was Alexandria Township, Oakland was Soweto – and need I … More Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

The Equality Act Re-introduced into U.S. Congress

February 18, 2021

Today the Equality Act (H.R. 5) was reintroduced into Congress. The Bill is a comprehensive federal civil rights bill that would create permanent protections for LGBTQ individuals, women, and people of color from discrimination in seven critical sectors, including healthcare, housing, education, employment, federal funding, and public accommodations. The bill was passed by the House … More The Equality Act Re-introduced into U.S. Congress

Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

February 11, 2021

HUD TO ENFORCE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY HUD directive begins implementation of the policy set forth in Biden executive order to prevent and combat sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will administer and … More Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

January 26, 2021

San Rafael, CA – For more than 20 years, it has been illegal for most California landlords to use a minimum income standard in assessing eligibility for a rental applicant that is not based on the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant, if the tenant has a government subsidy. In January … More Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest

January 22, 2021

Protests erupted around the world today condemning the results of Uganda’s Presidential election earlier this month. National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Parliamentarian Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine remains under inexplicable house arrest, surrounded by Ugandan military troops under the orders of dictator Yoweri Museveni, who has declared victory in the Ugandan Presidential election, and hence … More Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest

Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

January 21, 2021

President Biden’s Historic EO for LGBTQ Rights Yesterday, President Biden issued Executive Orders impacting our LGBTQI communities. President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day one executive order by a … More Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

January 20, 2021

Thanking President Biden on Quick Immigration Action with a Hope for added considerations for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers Newly inaugurated President Joe Biden signed several executive orders today including the repeal of the Trump administration’s travel bans, which barred people from many African and Muslim-majority countries from coming to the United States. The Biden administration … More President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

U.S. Ambassador Denied Access to Ugandan Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine under House Arrest

January 18, 2021

Two days ago, Uganda’s dictator, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in office for over 34 years, declared himself to be the winner for a sixth term in last week’s highly contested Presidential election in Uganda. Many believe the election was rigged and won by contender, Parliamentarian Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, a singer popular among … More U.S. Ambassador Denied Access to Ugandan Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine under House Arrest

Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

January 8, 2021

San Francisco, California (January 8, 2021) – Today the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction blocking a sweeping Trump administration rule that would gut protections for people fleeing persecution and torture. The injunction halts the new rule’s implementation nationwide ahead of its scheduled effective date of Monday, January … More Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

December 26, 2020

Museveni seeks to scapegoat Gays again for his political purposes… weaponizing anti-gay sentiment to rally the vote – while brutally oppressing opposition Last week Ugandan Human Rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was seized by security forces in Kampala. Some days thereafter it was alleged by Ugandan police that he has been arrested on corruption related charges. … More American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

December 24, 2020

San Francisco, California (December 24, 2020) – Four immigrant rights organizations – Pangea Legal Services, Dolores Street Community Services, Inc., Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition – have requested a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit challenging a sweeping new rule that will eviscerate access to protection for people … More New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

December 21, 2020

Each Year I write a top 10 Heroes and Zeroes. This year it is very simple! Or should I say Pandemic worn down – renders it simple- The Heroes in each and every category are LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees and the Zeroes are Donald Trump,  his grifter family and each and every single Republican … More Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

December 10, 2020

“I think it is even worse. I think he knows that this could be the most revengeful parting gift he is capable of delivering to the human rights world and Americans who care!”  Melanie Nathan San Francisco, CA (December 10, 2020) – Today the Trump administration announced the publication of sweeping regulations that will make it virtually impossible … More Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

Celebrating Human Rights Day calls for Complaint

December 10, 2020

In congratulating Bhutan’s Parliament for decriminalizing SOGI today, we call on all Nations who house draconian Colonial laws to do the same… The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document in the history of human rights, drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions … More Celebrating Human Rights Day calls for Complaint

Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

December 7, 2020

EMERGENCY FUNDING: LGBTQI people are criminalized in over 70 countries around the world, of which over 30 are in Africa. This has resulted in persecution, ostracization and physical attacks by governments, community, and even family and friends. Resulting in the need  to exile from one’s own country to seek safety. The stories are many and overwhelmingly … More Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Together We Stand Holiday Gifting Certificates for LGBTQI Refugees

November 27, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition works with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender (LGBTQI) individuals who have been displaced due to persecution, discrimination and in many cases extreme violence.   To support African HRC Safe Shelter Programs we offer attractive and informative TOGETHER WE STAND Gifting Certificates ,where supporters can donate in the name of friends, colleagues, and loved … More Together We Stand Holiday Gifting Certificates for LGBTQI Refugees

People Power Ugandan Presidential Hopeful Bobi Wine Arrested for Holding Rally

November 18, 2020

Nov 18, 2020, By Melanie Nathan The popular Robert Kyagulanyi,  opposition Member of Parliament (MP), otherwise known as Bobi Wine, who is running for President opposing Ugandan dictator Yoweri Musevni, was arrested today, yet again. He has been detained at Nalufenya Police station and charged with an act likely to cause the spread of an … More People Power Ugandan Presidential Hopeful Bobi Wine Arrested for Holding Rally