Category: Boycotts

10 Urgent Actions You Can Take Against Anti-Gay Nigeria

January 13, 2014

#NIGERIAJAILSGAYS By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2014. Today we heard in breaking news that Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has surreptitiously signed the so-called Same Sex Prohibition Bill into law. Reports are that Jonathan actually signed the Bill, better known as the “Jail-All-The-Gays” Bill, quietly last week. News of it’s signing has only now been leaked. The … More 10 Urgent Actions You Can Take Against Anti-Gay Nigeria

LGBT Activists in altercation with Olympic Gold Medalist on Anti-Gay SOCHI

January 11, 2014

Queer Nation & GetEqual Disrupt “Road to Sochi” Events Amid LGBT Safety Concerns By Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2014. Three members of Queer Nation and GetEqual Massachusetts disrupted the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour stop in Boston, inquiring about the safety of LGBT Olympians, Spectators & Russians. In particular … More LGBT Activists in altercation with Olympic Gold Medalist on Anti-Gay SOCHI

Courageous Ugandan LGBT Community Holds First Press Conference Since the Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan. December 23, 2013. Amidst years of controversy, the Ugandan Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill last week. Today the LGBTI community of Uganda raised its rainbow flag with pride, as it held its first post- AHB- passage press conference in Kampala. The hope is that the Ugandan media would listen to the statements … More Courageous Ugandan LGBT Community Holds First Press Conference Since the Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

LGBT ACTIVISTS CONFRONT NBC FOR MISLEADING ON RUSSIAN COVERAGE

December 13, 2013

We Demand that NBC Speak out now and Tell the Truth About the Plight of LGBT Russians December 12, 2013 (New York) — Charging that NBC is misinforming its viewers about the dire circumstances of LGBT Russians ahead of its broadcast of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia, LGBT activists demanded at a holiday … More LGBT ACTIVISTS CONFRONT NBC FOR MISLEADING ON RUSSIAN COVERAGE

Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

October 19, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. According to Sapa, police in Gauteng, South Africa have confirmed that a 22-year-old man was arrested in Tokoza in connection with the horrific and brutal murder of a young lesbian, Duduzile Zozo. The man is scheduled to appear for charges, in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday, according … More Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

October 18, 2013

Are we serious and important enough to find our Mandela? By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. In his first speech upon his release from prison, Nelson Mandela acknowledged the importance of the sanctions and boycotts against the Apartheid regime. Newly free, he asked that those sanctions NOT be lifted until apartheid was completely eradicated and … More Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

September 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The voices are growing and they are becoming louder and clear and let us hope that this statement by Olympic gold snowboarder, Seth Wescott, who is speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law in defense of LGBT athletes, will prompt more athletes to come out against Russia and its … More Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

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

September 11, 2013

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

Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

September 8, 2013

But wait – watch out – what if we get our grubby queer hands on her? By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2013 Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko is the highest-ranking female politician in Russia, the former governor of Saint Petersburg and the current Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. She also hates gays. Valentina … More Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

August 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Through the Winter Olympics, the world is endorsing Putin’s homophobic and anti-gay regime by coming to the #GulagOlympics at Sochi. The Russian Orthodox Church stands at the front line of the Putin anti-gay machine, encouraging and endorsing laws that persecute, proclaiming an ideal that gay can be ‘prayed away.’ … More LGBT Russian leadership and the voice of Putin

California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

August 26, 2013

The Noise we are making is working – Keep up the advocacy and activism as SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate  By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Senator Mark Leno that … More California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Due to the passage of extreme anti-gay legislation and the alarming increase in anti-gay violence in Russia, Equality Florida has called upon all Florida cities to suspend their Sister/Friendship City relationships with Russian cities.  Letters have been sent to the mayors of Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee. … More Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

Like a Party at Pride American Gay Community Must do More for Global Gay Solidarity

August 22, 2013

A Comment on U.S. and Global LGBTQI Activism By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While we fight for our civil rights  and equality in the United State of America, LGBTI people in 76 Countries fight for their lives – they fight not to be beaten – not to be killed – not to be imprisoned … More Like a Party at Pride American Gay Community Must do More for Global Gay Solidarity

Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

August 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While the less educated on the realities and impacts of boycotting Russia because of its new Putin signed anti-gay laws, are quick to draw conclusions that boycotts are not working, relevant leadership emerges calling for persistent boycotts. Masha Gessen is emerging as the new and prized leadership, an imperative … More Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

August 21, 2013

Alekseev refuses to talk to Washington Post in his bid to control western media by=ut still wants to come to the US as a guest Of Human Rights First By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. I wrote an article this past weekend about the outrageous social media antics of Russian activist Nikolai Alekseev.  As I … More The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

The White House and HRC must call for complete Boycott of Winter Olympics in Sochi

August 11, 2013

While the kidnapping, torture and outing of young gays continue with public endorsement in Russia through the tacit license of anti-gay laws | And even if we are assured of the safety of our athletes, are we willing to leave Sochi, after a “successful games” only to know that this persecution will continue for LGBT … More The White House and HRC must call for complete Boycott of Winter Olympics in Sochi

Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

August 10, 2013

How Many Carrie Prejeans will be at Miss Universe in Russia? By Melanie Nathan, August 10, 2013. Russian President Valdimir Putin has earned a new name – Putin ‘Czar of Homophobia.’ His new anti-gay law and the increase in homophobic violence has led to calls for sanctions against Russia, from boycotts of Russian vodka to … More Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

Russia: Silencing Activists, Journalists ahead of Sochi Games

August 8, 2013

More reasons to Boycott Sochi as a venue for the Winter Olympic games 2014 – Six Months Before Olympics Launch, Fresh Concerns about Intimidation REPORT by Human Rights Watch: (Aug 07, 2013.) Preparations for the Sochi Games have been plagued with serious human rights abuses and other problems, many of which have only been brought … More Russia: Silencing Activists, Journalists ahead of Sochi Games

Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

August 8, 2013

 Sparking need to increase international outcry and calls for boycotts By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. It would seem that the recent promulgation of anti-gay laws in Russia is spreading in the region.  We are receiving reports from Yerevan, Armenia that  Armenia’s police have proposed a ban on promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships” in the country. … More Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

August 7, 2013

The Facts About Stolichnaya \ What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand – What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. Updates August 11, 2013. – In its attempts to separate itself from the Russian vodka boycotts, Stoli … More The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

August 6, 2013

Ask IOL to move the Olympics from Sochi. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama today criticized a new Russian law cracking down on gay rights activism, saying he has “no patience for countries that try to treat gays and lesbians and transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful … More President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws

August 5, 2013

“The contradiction glares when HRC asks the IOC to ensure “special treatment’ for American athletes and visitors. I find it unconscionable of HRC not to be taking the ultimate stand for a BOYCOTT of the Olympic SOCHI Games in Russia and using their immense power and membership to demand that  IOC  move the games out … More HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws