Category: EVENTS

Unrepentant Convicted Palestinian Terrorist Rasmieh Odeh Plays Victim to get U.S. Citizenship

February 26, 2016

Rasmea Yousef Odeh , born 1947/1948; also known as Rasmea Yousef, Rasmieh Steve, and Rasmieh Joseph Steve) is a Palestinian woman and former United States citizen. She served as associate director at the Arab American Action Network in Chicago, Illinois.

Odeh was convicted in 1970 by an Israeli military court of involvement in fatal terrorist bombings, and in 2014 by a US federal jury of immigration fraud. Odeh was arrested in March 1969, and in 1970 was convicted and sentenced by an Israeli military court to life in prison for her involvement in two terrorist bombings in Jerusalem and involvement in an illegal organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
… More Unrepentant Convicted Palestinian Terrorist Rasmieh Odeh Plays Victim to get U.S. Citizenship

Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

February 24, 2016

Los Angeles — Equality California today announced the endorsements of 10 strong LGBT allies for office in Congress and the California Legislature. “These candidates represent the length and breadth of the state and come from a variety of backgrounds and experience,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California.  “However, they share a commitment to … More Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

Hillary Clinton’s Vote for 2007 Immigration Reform Excluded Same-Sex Couples

February 24, 2016

Hillary can bash Bernie for voting against the 2007 immigration bill — a bill that would’ve separated families, left immigrants vulnerable to deportation, and created a new class of exploited workers — if she wants. I would’ve voted against it, too. Despite how wrong it seems on the surface, Bernie did the right thing. He must’ve had his doubts at the time. He must’ve wondered if he was on the right side of justice, or if he’d just buried his long progressive record in politics. Still, that Bernie’s capable of taking an unpopular position for the right reasons says more about him than Hillary would like you to know. … More Hillary Clinton’s Vote for 2007 Immigration Reform Excluded Same-Sex Couples

Ugandan President Museveni Has Signed the Perilous Anti NGO Bill

February 22, 2016

Warning: Every organization operating in Uganda,  in association with organizations in Uganda, sending funds to Uganda, placing resources in the hands of Ugandans must re evaluate their positions considering the new NGO ACT of 2016 – or alternatively immediately support those who will challenge this law before publication and implementation.  The window of opportunity is … More Ugandan President Museveni Has Signed the Perilous Anti NGO Bill

U.N. Commander Who Tried to Stop Rwanda’s Genocide to Speak AT USF

February 22, 2016

While leading a 1993 United Nations peacekeeping mission in Rwanda, Dellaire became convinced that large-scale ethnic violence was imminent. He warned his superiors and pleaded for additional troops and ammunition, but instead, the U.N. ordered him to withdraw. Dellaire believed that leaving would be immoral, and he stayed in Rwanda with around 500 troops (from the original 2,600) to protect as many people as they could. That decision is credited with saving more than 30,000 lives. Roméo Dallaire will Receive Honorary Doctorate at event which is open to the public
… More U.N. Commander Who Tried to Stop Rwanda’s Genocide to Speak AT USF

Ugandan Presidential Candidate Calls Election Fraud and Sham as Dictator Museveni Declares Victory

February 20, 2016

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s 30-year grip on power looks set to continue, as the country’s election commission declared him the winner Saturday, with nearly twice as many votes as his closest competitor, opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Preliminary figures showed the incumbent with 62% compared to 34% for Besigye. Today I am under house arrest. My home is sealed off and I am not allowed to leave. Nobody is allowed to access my home. I am also under some kind of electronic blockade. I am unable to access any form of internet service in my house. … More Ugandan Presidential Candidate Calls Election Fraud and Sham as Dictator Museveni Declares Victory

Ugandan Communications Commission threaten to Arrest Citizens for using Social Media

February 19, 2016

Yesterday Ugandans went to the polls to vote in a general election for President.  In a robust campaign, where many sought change from the 30 year dictatorial reign of Yoweri Museveni, the Ugandan media outlet WBS TV published a message alleging that the Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) is threatening to arrest those people for treason, … More Ugandan Communications Commission threaten to Arrest Citizens for using Social Media

GSA Day for Racial Justice

February 19, 2016

LGBTQ youth are taking action today–GSA Day for Racial Justice–to fight for our future and celebrate the multiple identities we hold. GSA Day for Racial Justice is more than just a day of action. It has become a movement of LGBT youth who are fighting to end state violence against black lives, who educate each other on sexual health and wellness, and who understand that gender is a social construct that limits people in all races and ethnicities. … More GSA Day for Racial Justice

Sacramento Equality Awards to Honor Members of the LGBT Community

February 12, 2016

Sacramento – Equality California will honor Assemblymember Rich Gordon, Mario Guerrero of SEIU, Executive Secretary to Governor Brown Nancy McFadden, and Dana Williamson, former cabinet secretary to Governor Brown and principal of Grace Public Affairs, for their steadfast support of the LGBT community. This year’s Sacramento Equality Awards will take place Monday, March 7, 2016 at … More Sacramento Equality Awards to Honor Members of the LGBT Community

New York Rally to Protest Transgender Attack

February 11, 2016

THE NYC SGL/LGBTQ COALITION HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE & RALLY TO PROTEST ATTACK ON TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY LEADER WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12th – 5:30 PM WHERE: D-Train Station at West 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue WHY: Transgender Community Leader, NYC SGL/LGBTQ Coalition Member, and Founder and Director of Everything Transgender in New York City, Jennifer Louise Lopez, was … More New York Rally to Protest Transgender Attack

FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

February 3, 2016

Senate Judiciary Committee has stated support for expanding the bill Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2016. The dangerous and so-called Pastor Protection Act (HB 43/SB 110) is scheduled for its last vote before reaching the House Floor in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning at 9:00a.m. The bill passed through its first Senate committee … More FL House Committee to Vote on Bill Could Lead to ​Extreme Anti-LGBT Legislation

Is Hatem Abuddayeh Intersecting at Creating Change 2016

February 2, 2016

Hatem Abudayyeh has been with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) since 1999, and was appointed Executive Director in 2003. The son of Palestinian immigrants who themselves were leaders in Chicago’s Arab community, Hatem was born in Chicago. Back in 2010 the FBI raided the home of Hatem Abudayeh, in connection with a terrorism investigation at Creating Change 2016 … More Is Hatem Abuddayeh Intersecting at Creating Change 2016

Naming Participants in the Creating Change 2016 LGBTQ Jew Bash Fest

January 31, 2016

The Mob: Who screamed for Israel’s destruction; who displayed hate above unity of purpose; who knew exactly what they were doing and who were the nochschleppers ? SCROLL DOWN for names. By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2016 Last week the halls of The Hilton Hotel in Chicago, became the scene of a near riot.  The … More Naming Participants in the Creating Change 2016 LGBTQ Jew Bash Fest

LGBT Leaders Call on Task Force for Independent Review of Creating Change Debacle

January 27, 2016

By Melanie Nathan January 28, 2016. I am proud to be a signatory to this letter addressed to the LGBTQ Task Force. I am also proud to stand with noted and admired leaders in our community.  The letter speaks for itself.  Thank you to Roberta Kaplan and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum for leading the effort on … More LGBT Leaders Call on Task Force for Independent Review of Creating Change Debacle

Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

January 26, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2016. When the National LGBTQ Task Force found itself in the midst of an Anti-Semitic tempest, at their Creating Change Conference this week,  San Francisco activist and blogger Michael Petrelis was curious about the organizations financial health and so he explored.  It seems its heading for change, perhaps downhill!  Carrying … More Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

Equality California Calls Out National LGBTQ Task Force for Disservice to LGBT Movement

January 26, 2016

“…. conference organizers failed to defend these organizations and correct the false information and gross distortions….,” EQCA By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2016. Equality California (EQCA) has posted a strong and pointed statement, calling out The National Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force, for its poor handling of the debacle at Creating Change 2016, … More Equality California Calls Out National LGBTQ Task Force for Disservice to LGBT Movement

National LGBTQ Task Force’s Halfhearted Condemnation After Creating Change Attack on Jews

January 25, 2016

ious protest that led to the shut down of a Jewish Shabbat and reception event at Creating Change Conference 2016, Rea Carey of National LGBTQ Task Force issued a statement which is headed “National LGBTQ Task Force Condemns Anti-Semitism”. But that is not really what her statement says given the veils and context. Instead its a mish-mash of zero apology and a myriad of ineffectual excuses, hiding behind verbiage which, by virtue of its context, halfheartedly condemns Anti Semitism. The below statement by Rea Carey of National LGBTQ Task Force leaves a lot of questions and much to be desired. … More National LGBTQ Task Force’s Halfhearted Condemnation After Creating Change Attack on Jews

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

Apology and Settlement in Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

January 20, 2016

“We are extremely grateful to the EEOC for taking on this important case on behalf of our client and working side by side with us to achieve a settlement that marks yet another Title VII victory for transgender employees,” Weiss said. “The Jillian T. Weiss Law Firm … More Apology and Settlement in Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Lawsuit

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

Landmark Ruling as Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Case Heads to Trial

January 15, 2016

Eleventh Circuit Overturns Lower Court Decision in Chavez v. Credit Nation Auto Sales, LLC  Posted by Melanie Ntahan, January 15, 2016. Tuxedo Park, NY- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled that a transgender woman may take her employment discrimination case against a Georgia auto sales company to trial. The decision (click here) in … More Landmark Ruling as Transgender Woman’s Employment Discrimination Case Heads to Trial

HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

January 14, 2016

Transgender activists, Trans Community and all who care please take note of this call to action by the Federal Government and leading organizations! Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a new regulation that it is considering adopting, one that would, for the first … More HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

January 14, 2016

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016 Lambda Legal today filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Boulder County property owner who violated the federal Fair Housing Act and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to rent a housing unit she owns in Gold Hill, Colorado, to a same-sex couple, one of whom is transgender, … More Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

January 12, 2016

PROTEST: Tomorrow, Jan 12, 2016 LGBTI activists are holding a rally and will march to the Mafatsana Police Station By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2016. Two recent horrific murder cases elucidate the horror that lesbians and trans people encounter when faced with what is still considered endemic homophobia, lesbian hate and transphobia, in South Africa, … More Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

Kinsey Takes Helm on Marin Board of Supervisors

January 6, 2016

Judy Arnold becomes First Vice President, Damon Connolly Second VP Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 06, 2015 San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors conducted its annual reorganization on January 4 and voted District 4’s Steve Kinsey as its President during his final year as a Board member. Kinsey, first elected in … More Kinsey Takes Helm on Marin Board of Supervisors

Broad Coalition File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Challenge to Texas Abortion Restrictions

January 5, 2016

The State of Texas has argued that the law protects the health of women seeking abortion, but the evidence at trial showed just the opposite. In fact, medical organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association have explained that the restrictions imposed by the new law are medically unnecessary and endanger, rather than advance, women’s health. … More Broad Coalition File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Challenge to Texas Abortion Restrictions

Judge Rules Against FedEx in Same-Sex Benefits Case

January 5, 2016

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 05, 2016. Yes there is still fallout from DOMA and it is scandalous to note that FedEx did not have the decency to apply the Edie Windsor case retrospectively. So now let fairness, equality and justice prevail, with thanks to these Plaintiffs, NCLR, Feinberg Jackson Worthman & Wasow, the Civil … More Judge Rules Against FedEx in Same-Sex Benefits Case