Category: Conferences

LGBT Protesters at Creating Change Call for the Destruction of Israel

January 23, 2016

Has Creating Change taken on a New Meaning: Does that Change involve LGBTQ America Supporting Anti Semitism? By Melanie Nathan, January 21, 2016. This week will go down in history as one of the saddest and most destructive, ever, in the lives of LGBTQ Jews.  We became the target of antisemitism disguised as protesting alleged … More LGBT Protesters at Creating Change Call for the Destruction of Israel

Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

January 18, 2016

The Hypocrisy of Rea Carey and the LGBT Task Force : “Our vision for the future of the movement is one that is broad, inclusive and dynamic” – and yet they ban a pre-arranged and once accepted  Jewish event within days of the Conference. See Call to Action below! By Melanie Nathan, January 18, 2016. … More Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

Anglican Communion Restricts US Church over Gay Marriage and Ugandan Archbishop Runs Away

January 15, 2016

The rifts over homosexuality blew wide open in church in 2003 when the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire.

It is this decision that the conservative church leaders including Ntagali have been fighting. … More Anglican Communion Restricts US Church over Gay Marriage and Ugandan Archbishop Runs Away

Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities

September 25, 2015

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Planned Parenthood Patients Hold Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2015. Washington, D.C. – In the face of a looming government shutdown, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-04), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), will … More Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities

Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

March 18, 2015

Please sign the Petition below By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015 A Pentecostal reverend, a major anti-gay protagonist, who called homosexuals evil, is set to speak at St James Church, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, in the United Kingdom and activists are outraged. The controversial preacher, Rev. Simon Peter Emiau,  General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies … More Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

December 10, 2014

By Melanie Nathan. December 10, 2014. While the Ugandan Parliament is working hard to bring a new more vibrant Anti-gay bill into legislation, after the last Anti-Homosexuality Act was invalidated by the Courts on a technicality, the US Ambassador Scott H Delisi warns that it is scaring away United States investors who are considering doing … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

November 14, 2014

Why is Qwelane no longer Ambassador to Uganda – why the secrecy? By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2014. While the Johannesburg High Court must decide whether the Jon Qwelane’s hate speech case and a constitutional challenge to the Equality Act are closely linked enough so that the Court can hear both cases as one, it … More Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

October 20, 2014

Palm Center and ACLU Host Convening on Lessons Learned from Transgender Service in Foreign Militaries Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2014. WASHINGTON, DC – Currently serving ​transgender service members from five of the 18 foreign militaries that allow transgender service today gathered alongside U.S. service members in Washington D.C. The gathering, Perspectives on Transgender Military Service … More Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

The Pope Tries But Too Many Anti-Gay Bishops

October 18, 2014

By Melanie Nathan OCT 18, 2014. Pope Francis sought to chart a merciful route when it comes to the Catholic Church’s acceptance of gays, but instead seems to have found his navigation compass somewhat impaired. At Vatican City it is apparent that the Catholic bishops scrapped their almost landmark welcome of gays, now revealing what … More The Pope Tries But Too Many Anti-Gay Bishops

Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

September 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, September 23, 2014. I participated in this forum back in May, in South Africa, as a panel speaker with Justice Edwin Cameron, on the issue of homophobia in Africa and its impact on key populations, and was also panel chair.  Here is, with thanks to SAfAIDS, the Boksburg Communiqué on the Tweet@ble … More Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

September 22, 2014

Bridges between San Francisco and Kampala By Melanie Nathan, September 20, 2014. On the day that the majority of Ugandan Parliamentarians signed a petition to bring back the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which had been invalidated by the court, one unexpected Member of Parliament made a disappointing about turn. Honorable Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, woman MP for … More A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

San Francisco Africa Leadership Institute

Ugandan Member of Parliament to meet for Human Rights Town Hall in San Francisco

August 26, 2014

A Courageous and Critical Meeting to help USA LGBT Community Get an Insider’s Perspective San Francisco, August 26, 2014 – The San Francisco Africa Leadership Institute (SFALI) is pleased to announce a Town Hall Forum with Ugandan Member of Parliament, the Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, to be held at The San Francisco LGBT Community Center. … More Ugandan Member of Parliament to meet for Human Rights Town Hall in San Francisco

Malawi Religious Leaders Take Stand Against the Discrimination Fueling HIV

July 25, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2014. The Malawi Network of Religious Leaders  Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (MANERELA+) is a voluntary membership network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS in Malawi. It is an interfaith network, hence, people from any faith community are eligible to … More Malawi Religious Leaders Take Stand Against the Discrimination Fueling HIV

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

Hilary Rosen: The president needs to sign this damn executive order already

May 5, 2014

…so we can stop talking about it!” By Cathy Kristofferson,May 5, 2014 Uncharacteristic disclaimer: Although the following blog post might appear we have distain and regret regarding this event, we really applaud the magazines for bringing this somewhat substantive crowd together during such a star-studded feel-good discourse-free correspondents dinner weekend. We encourage The Atlantic and … More Hilary Rosen: The president needs to sign this damn executive order already

Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

May 4, 2014

Sweden and other allies have a duty to act and not just talk – you need to practice what you preach , says Bob Bwana By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. LGBT activists are very upset about the denial by Sweden of a visa to a Ugandan human rights defender. It is being reported from … More Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

Anti-Gay LaBarbera Arrested At Last

April 16, 2014

“You’re leaving? Are you effing kidding?”  By Cathy Kristofferson, April 16, 2014 Peter LaBarbera, president of the SPLC-designated hate group Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) and co-founder of the Coalition for Family Values with ‘being-sued- for-crimes-against-humanity’, Scott Lively, has had a very bad go of it trying to spread his anti-gay hate this past … More Anti-Gay LaBarbera Arrested At Last

GAY Activists disrupt Brian Boitano NYC Appearance

January 15, 2014

Called a coward by Activists who demand he speak out against Russia’s Anti-LGBT laws when in Sochi By Melanie Nathan, January 15, 2014, Two members of Queer Nation confronted three-time Olympian, figure skater, Brian Boitano tonight, demanding he speak out against Russia’s recently enacted anti-LGBT laws when he represents the U.S. at the Olympics next … More GAY Activists disrupt Brian Boitano NYC Appearance

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

U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

January 8, 2014

Shocking revelation as we in the U.S.A. further the persecution LGBT Asylum seekers through systematic recriminalization of those seeking to escape unjust criminalization! By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2013. Seventy Six countries criminalize homosexuality. Most recently we have focused on, amongst others,  Russia, India, Uganda, Gambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize and Nigerian. We  are … More U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

January 6, 2014

What you can do to help LGBT Asylum Seekers – PLEASE SIGN THE CRITICAL PETITION BELOW By Melanie Nathan, January 6, 2014. Faith Network Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates | LGBT-FAN and the LGBT Congressional Caucus address needs of LGBT asylum seekers On January 8th, there will be a  Faith Network … More Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

Defiant Ugandan LGBTI Community Vows to Fight The Anti-Gay Laws

December 23, 2013

“Finally we want to assure you that despite this setback we are not broken AND never will… We refuse to be marginalized!” By Cathy Kristofferson, December 23, 2013 Following the passage through Parliament of The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the LGBT community held a Press Conference today, which was reported here on OBLOGDEE, earlier. Here is the Ugandan Coalition’s … More Defiant Ugandan LGBTI Community Vows to Fight The Anti-Gay Laws

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

Americans among bigots speaking out for hate and homophobia in Jamaica

December 9, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 8, 2013 This past weekend American, British and Canadian evangelicals were busy in Jamaica spreading hate and homophobia as they urged the country’s leaders not to repeal their colonial era anti-sodomy “buggery law”. The Christian Evangelicals and lobbyists were attending The Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society International Human Rights conference entitled “International Law … More Americans among bigots speaking out for hate and homophobia in Jamaica

ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

December 7, 2013

Dec 07, 2013. It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that we learn of the passing of Mr Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton on 5 December. We join the many millions of people across the world in expressing our condolences to his family, to South African nation and the … More ICASA Statement of the passing of former President Nelson Mandela

Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

November 15, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 As we posted earlier, friend of OBLOGDEE Ellen Sturtz attended today’s World Congress of Families (WCF) Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” What the WCF believes America should learn sounds like a whole lot of denial! Here are some of the claims and insights … More Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

November 15, 2013

“Cathy, I want to tell you I’m shaking and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Just repulsed. A shower will not help.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 Late last night, The World Congress of Families Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” was denied their original meeting … More Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

November 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. Using an official Senate space, American supporters of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws will come to Capitol Hill tomorrow to argue that these hateful policies should serve as an example for us here in United States. The American anti-gays such as Scott Lively have provoked the Hate Bills in foreign jurisdictions … More Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building