New Yorkers to Protest with Divest Moscow Message at Russian Officials’ Meeting

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Government  Financial Officials at NYC’s Princeton Club New York, NY (October 24, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, LGBT rights group Queer Nation will demonstrate outside a New York City meeting of Russian government officials. The protest will take … More New Yorkers to Protest with Divest Moscow Message at Russian Officials’ Meeting

Russian Consul Lambasted for anti-gay laws by Seattle Mayor and City Council

Seattle Mayor and City Council take Strong Stand for LGBT Rights against Russian Consul while inviting him to get educated By Melanie Nathan, October 21, 2013. An unanimous City Council of Seattle sent a letter to Russian Consul General, Andry Yushmanov joining Mayor Mike McGinn in condemning Russia’s anti-gay laws, inviting the Russian Consul to … More Russian Consul Lambasted for anti-gay laws by Seattle Mayor and City Council

Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

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

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

Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

Noting the important historical content and lest we forget the roots of South Africa’s New Democracy – heads up Holomisa Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. When reading this critical speech, please keep in mind that some of the members of the traditional leadership, to whom this was addressed, have attempted in recent years,  … More Nelson Mandela’s Speech at Inauguration of The National Council of Traditional Leaders

Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Scott Lively brags about partnership with Russian Orthodox Church while pushing hate, pimping his book, and posing for the TV cameras… in Russia! By Cathy Kristofferson, October 18, 2013 American Evangelical anti-gay hate monger Scott Lively is currently “on a one-week mission to bolster the Russian pro-family movement” in Russia, he reports on his blog … More Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays

UN speech is latest of many homophobic rants  | Gay sex & cross-dressing illegal with a Threat to behead LGBTs Posted by Melanie Nathan, 14 October 2013. LGBTI protesters picketed the Gambian High Commission in London last Thursday, October 10,  to condemn the country’s president, Yahya Jammeh, over his repeated homophobic tirades. The protest was … More Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays

Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

For Crimes Against Humanity by Magembe Norman, October 12, 2013. Uganda is one of the most homophobic nations in the world and it is estimated that over 500,000 L.G.B.T people in the country are at risk of harassment and discrimination. With Homosexuality already illegal in the country punishable by incarceration, there is no single law … More Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

“Gergiev, Your Silence is Killing Russian Gays” by Melanie Nathan, Ocytober 10, 2013. New York, NY (October 10, 2013) — Tonight, four members of the LGBT rights group Queer Nation disrupted the performance of the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, demanding that Gergiev oppose the Russian government’s attacks on LGBT Russians and … More Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

LGBT Rights Group Again Targets Conductor Linked to Putin By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. New York, NY (October 9, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, Queer Nation will stage a demonstration at Carnegie Hall on October 10. The target of the protest is … More Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. Johannesburg People’s Pride (JHBPP) took place in Constitution Hill on the 5th of October 2013. The theme People’s Pride indeed spoke for itself, because it embodied all kinds of People. JHBPP was not only for LGBTI people even heterosexuals were there. Lebo Mashile (poet) also graced the day with her presence. … More South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

View Moving Pictures By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013. Despite its all inclusive constitution, declaring full equality for all South Africans, including gays, lesbians, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and despite the independence of its judiciary system, South Africa’s LGBTI community still suffers extreme homophobia and it’s LGBTI refugee community suffers Xenophobia in addition to … More Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

By Cathy Kristofferson, September 23, 2013 Today Scott Lively suffered another defeat in his quest to have the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) dismissed. As we reported here on OBLOGDEE, the Federal Court in Springfield ruled against Lively on August 14th to deny his first Motion To Dismiss, which … More Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

I AM WONDERING when we are going to hear more about this travesty from international activists. Has Russia put us to sleep on Africa? Usurping all our outrage for the human right infractions against LGBT people in Africa? By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The Lusaka High Court has ruled that trial should commence in … More Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

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

100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

We Belong Together and allies are turning up the heat in Washington DC! By Cathy Kristofferson, September 12, 2013 As I write this more than 100 women are being arrested in front of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. They are part of a mass civil disobedience action calling on Congress to pass immigration reform that … More 100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

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

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

Scott Lively says The Rainbow Belongs to God not you Gays!

“A trap being laid for February’s Russian Olympics could give homosexuals a world-wide exclusive claim on the symbol of the rainbow. “ By Cathy Kristofferson, September 11, 2013 A blog post today from Scott Lively declares that “The Rainbow Belongs to God” something we gays apparently didn’t know when “it was appropriated by the homosexual movement.”  … More Scott Lively says The Rainbow Belongs to God not you Gays!

Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

Vote for S.F. Pride Board  at Annual General Meeting 2013 Sunday, September 15 at 2pm By Melanie Nathan, September 10, 2013. SF Pride is a member-driven organization. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the largest annual gathering of Pride’s membership. Voting members have the opportunity to participate in elections for the Board of Directors and … More Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

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

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

Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening

See Video Below | Highlights from San Francisco Opera’s production of Mephistopheles By Melanie Nathan, September 07, 2013. San Francisco Opera’s 91st season opened last night, with a performance of Arrigo Boito’s Mephistopheles, described as “one of the most impressive productions ever seen at the War Memorial Opera House”. And what made it more impressive … More Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

Press Release: Contact Melanie Nathan: nathan@privatecourts.com Dated: September 05, 2013. https://www.facebook.com/events/433652160084761/ Tomorrow night, Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm, the coalition, including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com and PCI-Justice, will stage an informational vigil, outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.  … More Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. Rosh Hashana, (“Head of the Year”,) which begins at sundown this evening, ushers in ten days of Jewish soul-searching, known as the “Days of Awe.” It ends with the “closing of the gates” on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider giving. This two-day holiday begins on 1 Tishrei, … More Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. A group of LGBT activists will stage an informational vigil including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com will be holding a fun informational vigil on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness … More Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

By Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2013. Buzzfeed is reporting that President Obama will be meeting with Russian LGBT activists while in Russia. The President had cancelled a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin while there for the G20 summit. I agree with Buzfeed that Obama may anger the Kremlin further by meeting with Russian … More President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

Human Rights Infractions Threaten Lives of Two 21 year old Men Perceived as Gay Couple By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2013. For almost five months, two young men have been languishing in an overcrowded and disease ridden Zambian jail, and while a Magistrate keeps them incarcerated with little evidence to an alleged crime, witnesses fail … More Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify