By Melanie Nathan, August 01, 2013. Midnight July 31, 2013, heralded the start of an equal Minnesota, as the Mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak married the first same-sex couple under the new law, making it legal for all couples to enjoy the same legal rights in the State of Minnesota. After years of battling against … More Mazeltov Minnesota
“…but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 1, 2013 A series of tweets from @r_sport, who bills themselves as the “Official host news agency for @Sochi2014”, alerted me to renewed confirmation that Sochi Olympic athletes will NOT in fact be … More Russian Sports Minister confirms Olympic athletes are NOT exempt
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 31, 2013 Today kicked off Embassy and Consulate protests in the U.S. against Russia’s LGBT human rights violations with actions in New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. We have blogged on the protests as actions people can take to help raise awareness about the worsening conditions for the Russian … More Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 31, 2013 Bradley Manning was charged in a 22 count indictment for releasing classified intelligence information to WikiLeaks. Yesterday the judge found Manning innocent of the most serious charge of ‘aiding the enemy’ and just one of the charges of violating the WW1 era Espionage Act. For the remaining 20 charges, … More Bradley Manning now facing 136 years raises questions
63 same-sex couples marrying on the first day it is legal to do so in Minnesota and generous City comes through with flowers to music, photography to wedding cake, and everything in between, Minneapolis steps up to donate to city’s first legal same-sex weddings By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2013. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and … More Minnesota will celebrate marriage equality at midnight
“Gay haters attacked the Swedish Minister with eggs” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 27,2013 After months of court battles, Baltic Pride 2013’s March for Equality, today successfully proceeded along Gediminas Avenue in the center of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city. Escorted by 500 police, fire brigade and a helicopter overhead, an estimated 600 proud marchers were met by an array … More Success at Baltic Pride 2013 March despite eggs and bottles thrown
We can try and change the tide of hate through education but will we if fail to hold leadership accountable? By Melanie Nathan, July 26, 2013. The United Nations is launching an unprecedented freedom, equality and anti-homophobia campaign amidst clashing ideologies in Southern Africa, not to mention the rest of Africa too. The launch of … More As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays
By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2013. This week Ugandan Constitutional Court saw protests when, according to the Daily Monitor, “minority groups stormed the Constitutional Court in Kampala on Tuesday, protesting what they called ‘delayed justice’. The potential landmark case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General Constitutional Petition No.1 of 2009, has yet to receive a ruling, … More Outrcry as Petitioners Protest Delayed Justice in Ugandan Minorities Case
A question never considered is now finally addressed by the person who advocated for the Porterville LGBT Pride Proclamation By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2013. Brock Neeley (Pictured right) and his husband were the first same-sex male couple to marry in Tulare County, and Neeley was the person who first approached the Mayor of Porterville, Mayor … More The critical intent of the person behind the Porterville Proclamation
to support the Kill the Gays Bill By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2012. Do you recall the American evangelicals who attended a conference in Kampala causing anti-gay panic and heightened hate sentiment in that country, leading to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, calling for the death penalty to gays? Do you recall that conference where these radical … More Ugandan Langa prepares to use imported anti-gay propaganda to raise more money
The world is watching as Baltic Pride will March For Equality and it will be in city center By Cathy Kristofferson, July 23, 2013 Today, some happy news out of Lithuania. The Lithuania Tribune is reporting that the “Chief Administrative Court of Lithuania … ordered Vilnius Municipality to allow a gay pride parade through the Lithuanian … More Baltic Pride 2013 wins court battle
One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia Three arrested in act of civil disobedience protesting shameful rescission of Pride proclamation SEE ARREST VIDEO Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2913 On June 04, 201, Mayor Virginia Gurolla of Porterville, issued proclamation recognizing the month of June as Pride Month in Porterville. A month later … More One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia
“We’ll kill them, we’ll destroy them because we don’t need that in our country.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 19, 2013 Wednesday we posted about religious groups, under the umbrella of the Haitian Coalition of Religious and Moral Organizations, planning to march against homosexuality. Today over 1,000 people took part in that Port-au-Prince demonstration. The protesters, urging … More Rally against gays in Haiti includes death threats
The Dream Defenders have taken over Florida Capitol to demand the #TrayvonMartinAct. Sign the petition here: http://bit.ly/fldreamdef By Melanie Nathan, July 18, 2013. Since Tuesday morning, July 16, 2013, Dream Defenders have maintained a presence at the Capitol for an extended stay to apply pressure and demand that Governor Rick Scott call for a special … More Taking Over Florida’s State Capitol | Racism in America
“Politicians specifically sought to avoid debating the bill in public.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 18, 2013 An article introduced in the Parliament of Moldova on May 23rd titled “Public activities with negative impact on minors” has now been secretly passed and adopted. Today, the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights is reporting that “A new … More Moldova secretly adopts anti-propaganda law
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 15, 2013 Maurice Tomlinson, the Jamaican attorney and HIV activist who recently sued three Jamaican TV channels for refusing to broadcast gay positive public service announcements, will be in court again Wednesday. This time for the first hearing of his challenge to the immigration entry bans of both Belize and the Republic of … More Challenging gay immigration entry bans in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago
And the excuse – the fear of the marriage equality gains in the West By Cathy Kristofferson, July 17, 2013 Just as marriage equality’ is being celebrated in England and Wales, religious leaders in Haiti become the latest to use the threat of similar marriage legislation coming to that island as an excuse to march … More Haiti Religious Leaders to March Against LGBT Community
Council chamber is in chaos as vote to rescind LGBT proclamation causes chamber to erupt in protest, with LGBT protesters arrested, and led out by Police. Mayor in tears. By Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2013. Tonight a coalition of LGBT groups and allies attended the Porterville City Council meeting, to oppose the efforts of the … More Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation
The South African political party showing up for votes is reprimanded and words are not enough as LGBTI community screams for action By Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2013. A rainbow flag flies amidst the dust as Duduzile Zozo is laid to rest. The beloved daughter and lesbian community member from Thokoza township, Johannesburg, was remembered … More Moving pictures as slain lesbian laid to rest amidst controversial memorial
By Melanie Nathan, July 13, 2013 In the midst of the not guilty verdict a few hours ago, in the George Zimmerman trial for the murder of Trayvon Martin, the NAACP is calling for justice in the case. Here is a letter which they have sent to supporters:- Melanie , A jury in Sanford, Florida … More NAACP Outrage as Jury finds Zimmerman not guilty in Trayvon Martin murder
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 13, 2013 Baltic Pride 2013, while still battling Lithuanian authorities to hold the July 27th Parade in the capital Vilnius’ main avenue, has their advertising ‘deemed detrimental to minors’ in the same way as advertising alcohol or tobacco. Lithuania’s national broadcaster, The Lithuanian National Radio and Televison (LRT), has decided that the PSAs can … More Baltic Pride 2013 advertising ranked detrimental as alcohol and tobacco
Transphobia murders endemic in Turkey By Cathy Kristofferson, July 11, 2013 Update: July 12, 2013 Photos of today’s events below Tuesday, Dora Özer was found stabbed to death in her home by her roommate. Dora, only 24, is the latest victim of the rampant transphobia in Turkey. According to Transgender Europe, at least 30 transgender individuals were … More Protests across Turkey sparked by latest trans murder
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 11, 2013 LGBT rights issues have been boiling over for a while in Belize. Caleb Orozco of the The United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) pursued a constitutional challenge of the country’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law, which we covered here on OBLOGDEE in May (see links below). Shortly after that court case, the … More Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 10, 2013 Today in a wham bam no discussion just majority and minority opening statements hearing, Senate Bill 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) in a 15-7 vote. All Democrats voted in favor joined by 3 Republicans – … More ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes
Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2013. Today the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation (ACLU-NCLF) announced plans to challenge North Carolina’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples by amending a federal lawsuit filed against the state last year on behalf of six same-sex couples and their children … More ACLU challenging NC ban on same-sex marriages
Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on … More Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder
Budapest Pride 2013: Rise up for diversity and human rights By Cathy Kristofferson, July 06, 2013 Today Budapest celebrated its 18th annual Gay Pride Parade. The Budapest Pride Film & Cultural Festival 2013 has been held on the first Saturday of July every year since 1997. This year’s seems to be wildly successful as HVG.HU reported: “The Andrássy … More Wildly successful Budapest Pride March 2013 attended by U.S.’s Stuart Milk
By Cathy Kristofferson, July 05, 2013 Today, the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) won another step in their struggle for Baltic Pride 2013. The Vilnius Regional Administrative court directed municipal leaders to allow LGL their right to march on the city’s main avenue. This judgement is the latest move in an ongoing months-long battle to hold … More Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court
See Video – And a Gay Tenor sings his way into the hearts of America By Melanie Nathan, July 04, 2013. The weeks leading up to this 4th of July have been historic for America – the horrendously discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) came crashing down after decades of hell for many Americans and … More Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America
“We’re simply not going to support them institutionally as in the past.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 02, 2013 Last week when the DOMA ruling was handed down by the Supreme Court, the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) excitedly posted and tweeted inviting all to marry at the museum. Their website reads almost as an advertisement: “The … More MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding
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