Category: EVENTS

Croatians deny LGBT community, defeat marriage referendum by 64%

December 1, 2013

“Homosexuality is not a choice, hate is a choice” By Cathy Kristofferson, December 1,2013 Today, voters in Croatia went to the polls to decide the fate of the country’s anti-gay marriage referendum. They decided by a 64% margin to deny the Croatian LGBT community equality. The Croatian constitution will now be amended to ban same-gender … More Croatians deny LGBT community, defeat marriage referendum by 64%

South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

November 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 27, 2013 A South African man has received a 22-year sentence for the ‘corrective’ rape of a lesbian.  Andile Ngcoza, a man with a long history of violent crime, raped Millicent Gaika from Gugulethu to “show her she was a woman” by impregnating her. OBLOGDEE reported extensively (see links below) on the Millicent … More South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov. 23, 2013. On Friday a Zimbabwe Court discharges the case against Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, who had been on trial for allegedly running an “unregistered” organization in contravention of the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Act (Chapter 17:15). Magistrate Elijah Makomo, from Harare ‘acquitted’ … More Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 23, 2013. Photos by Matt Davis, Melbourne. Thousand of LGBT people and allies braved the rain and marched in Australia today, in support of marriage equality, in different centers, including Melbourne, where a crowd of about 600 descended on Parliament. Prime Minister Tony Abbott is anti-marriage equality.  Although he attended his … More Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

November 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2013. On Sunday, November 24, 2013,  LGBT activists and allies will be holding an event at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., to “Save Russian LGBT Children.” This event is to support the rights of Russian LGBT teens and kids who are oppressed by Putin and his … More Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

November 21, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, NOV 20, 2013. Today, Scott Lively, the fervently anti-gay Pastor being sued by Uganda human rights organization Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), under the Alien Torts Act, for persecuting gays in Uganda, filed his “Answers and Defenses to Plaintiff’s first Amended Complaint,” in the  UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS … More Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

November 20, 2013

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov. 20, 2013. We pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on … More Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2013

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance  Organization Urges New Yorkers to Reflect on All Those Lost to Anti-Transgender Violence Including Harlem Resident, Islan Nettles New York, NY, November 20, 2013- On this 15th Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is urging New Yorkers to … More New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

November 19, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 19, 2013 The Jamaica Observer is reporting that Jamaican Rastafarian star Sizzla has been denied a visa into the U.S. for his tour scheduled for this month and December. Sizzla has been called out for his homophobic lyrics for at least the last decade. In the past he has had concerts cancelled in multiple … More Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

November 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 18, 2013. Obscuring the photo of a gorilla in the window, an enticement for London’s tourists to keep Uganda’s safari and wildlife tourism going strong, were a group of LGBT human rights defenders and allies, protesting the horror that is now impacting Uganda’s LGBT community.  Many gay people are waiting in … More London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

November 16, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 16, 2013 The Jamaica Gleaner is reporting that Maurice Tomlinson has lost his suit against Jamaica’s major television stations TVJ and CVM for refusing to air his gay positive “Love and Respect” Public Service Announcements (PSA). The court found that Tomlinson’s freedom of expression does not give him the right to … More Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

November 16, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2013 Lest I forget this caveat, I am co-producing the film GAY U.S.A. the Movie, with Kristina Lapinski, the ‘lesbian filmmaker,’ famed amongst other antics, for tackling Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, at a Tea Party Debate. This, the latest video, poised to go viral, captures a series of extraordinary … More GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

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

Unlawful Arrest of Ugandan LGBT Executive Director

November 14, 2013

Five men detained without cause By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2013 Samuel K Ganafa, The Executive Director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and Board Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), was arrested on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  He had reported to Kasangati Police Station on the outskirts of Kampala pursuant to a phone call from the … More Unlawful Arrest of Ugandan LGBT Executive Director

Pirira|Off Broadway to stage play set in Malawi

November 14, 2013

‘Pirira,’ Set in Malawi & NYC, to debut off-Broadway on Friday, Nov. 15 | Written by J. Stephen Brantley, critically acclaimed ‘Pirira’ will run Nov. 15-24 at West End Theatre By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. As the tiny African nation of Malawi erupts in riots around them, American aid workers Jack and Ericka take … More Pirira|Off Broadway to stage play set in Malawi

Is Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill Going to be THIS year’s XMAS gift?

November 13, 2013

So was the promise really for THIS Xmas? Last year around this time Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga promised the Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Xmas gift to Uganda. But it never happened. The controversial Bil, otherwise known a ” kill the Gays Bill”, continued its dirty dance on the Order Papers, Uganda’s Parliamentary … More Is Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill Going to be THIS year’s XMAS gift?

Russian group visits the Castro to discuss LGBT Human Rights

November 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 11, 2013. I was privileged today to attend a meeting with the the group of LGBT Russians and organizers, at the San Francisco LGBT Center in the Castro, to discuss LGBT human rights in Russia.  The group is visitng the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International … More Russian group visits the Castro to discuss LGBT Human Rights

European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

November 7, 2013

By Oram, November 07, 2013. Lesbian and gay asylum seekers in the European Union can no longer be told to go home and pretend they’re straight. The European Union Court of Justice ruled Thursday, November 7th, that ‘voluntary discretion’ is not an acceptable rationale for rejecting asylum claims based on persecution grounded in sexual orientation. … More European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

Schedule Set for Historic Anti-gay Crimes Against Humanity Trial

November 7, 2013

Community continues to rally in support of LGBT Ugandans’ case against hatemonger Scott Lively  By Cathy Kristofferson, November 7, 2013 Yesterday a scheduling meeting was held at the Crimes Against Humanity trial of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. Scott Lively.  Lively did not appear although he did have one supporter attend. In contrast, about 3 … More Schedule Set for Historic Anti-gay Crimes Against Humanity Trial

Russian Conductor Gergiev Fails to Convince Queer Nation

November 6, 2013

Queer Nation denounces conductor Valery Gergiev’s attempt to defend himself against charges that he is anti-LGBT in New York Times Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 06, 2013. NEW YORK— Valery Gergiev, the Russian conductor whose performances have drawn protests in New York and London this fall from gay-rights advocates opposing Russia’s new law placing restrictions … More Russian Conductor Gergiev Fails to Convince Queer Nation

Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

November 5, 2013

What is the point of ENDA now? By Cathy Kristofferson, November 5, 2013 Republicans have introduced two amendments to the already highly contentious religious exemption of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), further watering down the bill’s protections. With all Democrats already committed to vote Yes and only 59 votes secured, supporting Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) … More Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

South African Student Tortured by Putin’s Anti-Gay Thugs

November 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2013. We have been reporting for some time the attacks of young people, including students, who are lured through the internet, by anti-LGBT, neo-Nazi and ultra-nationalists groups in Russia. We have also been reporting that these groups have gained strength and increased their attacks on young gay (LGBT) people or … More South African Student Tortured by Putin’s Anti-Gay Thugs

Why are LGBT Organizations and Democrats Pushing for a BAD ENDA?

November 4, 2013

IS THIS JUST ABOUT DONATIONS? By Melanie Nathan, November 04, 2013. On Thursday the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).  It stands before the Senate as I write. But is it right? For the past few weeks we have been bombarded with e-mails from Senators and LGBT … More Why are LGBT Organizations and Democrats Pushing for a BAD ENDA?

Tuxedoed Gay Activist Seizes Stage at London Symphony

November 1, 2013

GAY ACTIVIST ONCE AGAIN DISRUPTS CONCERT CONDUCTED BY PUTIN SUPPORTER VALERY GERGIEVAT THE BARBICAN IN LONDON Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 01, 2013. London, November 1, 2013— The opening night of London Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Valery Gergiev’s new concert season at the Barbican in London was disrupted last night (31 October) by a protest … More Tuxedoed Gay Activist Seizes Stage at London Symphony

Gays Protest Putin’s Homophobic Laws at U.S. Olympic Committee SOCHI Launch

October 29, 2013

New York, NY (October 29, 2013) — Two dozen members of Queer Nation interrupted the smooth flow of the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour, which launched in Times Square today. As the Road to Sochi event began at 12:00 pm with a press conference featuring Olympic and Paralympic athletes, … More Gays Protest Putin’s Homophobic Laws at U.S. Olympic Committee SOCHI Launch

Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

October 28, 2013

SEE VIDEO Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 28, 2013. New York, NY (October 28, 2013) — Gay activists directly confronted Russian government officials over that country’s anti-LGBT laws during a forum to promote US investment in Russia, disrupting a panel promoting investment in Moscow.One after another, three members of Queer Nation rose to question the … More Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

The SMUG v. Scott Lively Case is a must attend for LGBT Community

October 25, 2013

Lively’s hate and persecution continues and so must we! By Cathy Kristofferson, October 25, 2013 Back in January, I blogged “Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go!”  The case is ongoing and heating up.  Until now Scott Lively and his defense team have been mustering up every … More The SMUG v. Scott Lively Case is a must attend for LGBT Community