Category: EVENTS

See Ugandan MP Minority Report Calling for Scrapping of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 17, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2013. Warren Throckmorton, has published a draft copy of a Minority Report which apparently had made its way out of the Ugandan Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Committee on the Anti-homosexuality Bill. The Bill, otherwise known as The Kill the Gays Bill which had reached position number 3 last week on … More See Ugandan MP Minority Report Calling for Scrapping of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Lord of Dance Gay Icon Stephen Fry visits Uganda in the same week Kill the Gays on Parliament’s Agenda

February 17, 2013

Melanie Nathan, February, 17, 2013. Thanks to  Michael Petrelis it has come to my attention that British actor Stephen Fry has been tweeting about his arrival in Uganda.   Fry describes himself on his Twitter accounts as “British Actor, Writer, Lord of Dance, Prince of Swimwear & Blogger – NEVER reads Direct Messages. London · http://www.stephenfry.com/ … More Lord of Dance Gay Icon Stephen Fry visits Uganda in the same week Kill the Gays on Parliament’s Agenda

American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

February 16, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. While the Ugandan Parliament is about to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, next week, Uganda will host a key energy and infrastructure summit at the same time, to explore private sector involvement. Kelly Mactavish-Mundar, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda, says the February 22 meeting will … More American Chamber of Commerce in Uganda to hold summit same week as Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Parliament Agenda

Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

February 16, 2013

For statements deemed pro-gay By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. Bishop Zac Niringiye, the retired assistant Bishop of Kampala, known as the leader of the controversial “Black Monday” Movement, was giving presentation to students at Makerere University, Kampala, when a a group of angry anti-gay Christian students turned rowdy and threatened to expel him from … More Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 16, 2013

Looking for a miracle By Melanie Nathan, Feb 16, 2013. Uganda has not lost one shilling yet to the threatened passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill – but it has lost a great deal of financial support because of scandals, corruption and embezzlement and for the latter no one can blame the gays.  Some have threatened … More Uganda embezzlement should lead to scrapping the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

February 14, 2013

WATCH VIDEO Below – “I could have chosen to attend my children’s Valentine events at their elementary school — but I chose instead to get arrested in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to take a stand for LGBTQ equality” Robin McGehee, Director, GetEQUAL! By Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2013 (Photos: Melanie Nathan) San Francisco City … More Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

February 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2013. David Cecil has arrived in the United Kingdom after being deported from his home in Uganda, which he shares with his partner/wife and two small children, and who have now been left behind.  Cecil is not an LGBTI activist; he is the producer of a play, The River and … More British Producer describes harsh detention conditions and deportation from Uganda

U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners claims he could have stopped the Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda

February 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 13, 2013. After exposing Paul Shinners and his shenanigans in Uganda, the preacher from the United Kingdom, tried to court the U.K. press to refute facts that simply could not be denied; and in doing so, his attempt to discredit my report, did nothing much but bring greater attention by activists … More U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners claims he could have stopped the Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda

Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

February 12, 2013

The Pitfalls of funding Faith Based Organizations without doing your research first By Cathy Kristofferson, February 12, 2013. It has come to light that the Canadian government, through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) spearheaded by Minister Julian Fantino, has been funding an anti-gay Evangelical organization – Crossroads Christian Communications – to the tune of … More Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

February 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2013. Although the Ugandan LGBT community braces for a second read of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill today, the Ugandan Parliament’s Oder Papers reflect that the Bill is scheduled to be debated as #7 on the Order Papers.  However sources informed me that the Parliament may randomly pick an order and that … More Anti-Gay Bill on Ugandan Agenda together with Request to Borrow Millions from Islamic Dev Bank

One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

February 12, 2013

V-Day -A Global call to action By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2014. South Africa – On February 14, South Africa will be part of a global movement for change – ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Sonke … More One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

Ugandan LGBTI Community braces as Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be Debated in Parliament Tomorrow

February 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 11, 2013. Ugandan LGBTI community is bracing itself for the moment that they knew would come, but hoped would not, as they report that The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, also known as the Kill the Gays Bill, is scheduled for its second debate tomorrow, in Uganda’s Parliament. This could lead to swift passage … More Ugandan LGBTI Community braces as Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be Debated in Parliament Tomorrow

Grammy for Lesbian who beats Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other Lesbian

February 10, 2013

OMG and many other of the famed in name… By Melanie’s other personality.. I mean Mel really does NOT write like this… right? Feb 10, 2013. Janis Ian, the lesbian poet /singer, famed for that song about being seventeen or something – happened to beat out Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other of famed … More Grammy for Lesbian who beats Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama and other Lesbian

Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

February 9, 2013

Andrew Mwenda is still a great ally and an important voice and I do not purport to understand Ugandans better than he does, however I believe strongly that it is time for people in his capacity to introduce a much more productive and proactive route toward the truth about homosexuality for presentation to Ugandans. View … More Controversial Journalist Andrew Mwenda on educating Ugandans to counter homophobia

GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

February 8, 2013

LGBT Civil Rights Group GetEQUAL asks President Obama to Keep His ENDA First-Term Promise By Melanie Nathan, Feb 08, 2013. On Sunday, February 10 – just two days before President Obama’s State of the Union Address – members of GetEQUAL DC will gather outside the White House to remind President Barack Obama of a first-term … More GetEQUAL to Protest at White House before President Obama’s State of the Union

President Obama Speaks at Event Sponsored by Secretive Group Known as “The Family”

February 7, 2013

 While the President Eschews LGBT Equality he Supports Group Behind “Kill the Gays” Bill in Uganda and GetEQUAL  did not stage  its annual responsive “Breakfast Without Bigotry” which protests  outside the National Prayer Breakfast because Michael Dixon, the lead organizer died suddenly  last week. He died unequal under the law. WASHINGTON, DC — Today President … More President Obama Speaks at Event Sponsored by Secretive Group Known as “The Family”

VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS

February 7, 2013

At the NYC LGBT Community Center – and Visual AIDS present an interactive slideshow with four on-the-ground LGBT artists: Amos Mac, Devin Elijah, Ivan Monforte and Jessica Whitbred, hosted by Sacha Yanow. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 07, 2013. The Center is proud to partner with Visual AIDS to present Positive Assertions: Four Artist Snapshots, an … More VISUAL AIDS PRESENT POSITIVE ASSERTIONS: FOUR ARTIST SNAPSHOTS

Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples

February 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2013. The Defense of Marriage Act  (DOMA) defines marriage as between a man and woman only, and so a same-sex American spouse (citizen or resident) cannot petition for a foreign spouse to obtain a green card and citizenship.   That means that married same-sex couples cannot benefit from the same Federal … More Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples

David Cecil British Producer detained for Deportation from Uganda

February 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb. 07, 2013.  3:00 am PST Updated: Feb 12, 2013 –  Sources in Uganda confirm that British play producer David Cecil was deported last night.  Also confirmed by  British foreign office spokesman who told the BBC that Mr Cecil was deported on Monday evening. “We are concerned that he was deported without … More David Cecil British Producer detained for Deportation from Uganda

Valentines day petition to Ugandan Parliament

February 6, 2013

Petitioning Members of the Ugandan Parliament to end the push for anti-gay legislation once and for all A Valentine for Frank Mugisha Imagine a life where your sexual orientation or gender identity can be punished by death, by your own government. This is reality for Frank Mugisha and hundreds of thousands of LGBTI people living in Uganda, … More Valentines day petition to Ugandan Parliament

Ugandan Parliament resumes with anti-gay bill 8th on Agenda

February 5, 2013

Keeping guard over the Kill the Gays Bill By Melanie Nathan, Feb. 05, 2013. By the time the Ugandan Parliament went into holiday recess at the end of last year the Anti-homosexuality bill had not yet seen passage.  At that time the Bill had teetered at number one position on the Order Papers (Agenda) for … More Ugandan Parliament resumes with anti-gay bill 8th on Agenda

South African Township Lesbians March for Justice against Corrective Rape

February 2, 2013

Claiming the streets in protest for justice By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2013. Today a large group of lesbians, carrying signs and the South African gay flag,  from a variety of Townships around the Cape Town area, took to the streets singing and chanting for justice to draw attention to the issue of corrective rape … More South African Township Lesbians March for Justice against Corrective Rape

Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

February 1, 2013

Straight ally attorney to be honored for equality work at ST. Paul’s dinner – would like to file an Amicus brief in CCR case of  SMUG v. Lively By Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2013. Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, President of St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, recently interviewed Eric Isaacson, a straight attorney and LGBT ally, … More Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

Scott Lively accuses Oxford Union of disingenuous invite to use his name to attract interest for debate

January 31, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2013. We have been reporting on the recent debacle between Oxford Union, the debating society, in the U.K. and Scott Lively, where something went suspiciously awry with the invitation to Lively to debate the issue of Gay parenting. In a nutshell, Oxford Union’s debate topic ‘This house would be glad … More Scott Lively accuses Oxford Union of disingenuous invite to use his name to attract interest for debate

On the passing of a fellow commissioner Marna (Angell) Cohen

January 29, 2013

The Marin Human Rights Commission By Melanie Nathan, January, 28,2013. Just last week a Commission to which I was appointed a few years ago, The Marin Human Rights Commission,  held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Gala , where we honored a fellow Commissioner, Marna Cohen, with a Lifetime Social Justice award.  Sadly Commissioner Marna … More On the passing of a fellow commissioner Marna (Angell) Cohen

President Obama’s Immigration Reform Proposal Does Include Same Sex Couples

January 29, 2013

A path to citizenship for all, if Obama’s plan is followed and the  U.S. Congress includes binational same-sex couples. Posted by Melanie Nathan, Jan 29, 2013. Today, President Barack Obama announced his support for comprehensive immigration reform that would establish a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and make it possible for US citizens in … More President Obama’s Immigration Reform Proposal Does Include Same Sex Couples

Uganda’s Brave Gay Youth reach out to the World for help

January 27, 2013

Help Youth on Rock Find a Home and a Safe house by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2013. I reported the unlawful arrest of a young leader from the human rights group in Uganda, Youth on Rock Foundation (YRF), around New Year’s Eve, after the break in at SMUG’s offices, where computers containing sensitive information were … More Uganda’s Brave Gay Youth reach out to the World for help

On Holocaust Memorial Day ‘Never Again’ Applies to Gays Persecuted Around the World

January 27, 2013

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”  Elie Wiesel By Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2013. Holocaust Memorial Day  is commemorated throughout different parts of the world, each year on Jan. 27, the day of liberation from Auschwitz. It is … More On Holocaust Memorial Day ‘Never Again’ Applies to Gays Persecuted Around the World