By Melanie Nathan, July 30, 2015. UPDATED: August 02, 2015. I am devastated to report that a beautiful young woman celebrating #PRIDE has been taken from us – Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. May … More Convicted Radical in another Stabbing Attack at Jerusalem Gay Pride
Backlash attacks? By Melanie Nathan, June 28, 2015. In stark contrast to Pride celebrations in the United States, where being lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender was celebrated with joy and a focus on recent equality victories, the Pride parade held in Turkey was marred by police violence against the thousands of LGBT people and allies … More Turkish Police Attack Pride Marchers
June 15, 2015, Posted by Melanie Nathan Respected Nigerian born LGBTI activist and human rights defender, Davis Mac-lyalla, who has personally experienced unconscionable persecution and discrimination, attended what turned out to be Tel Aviv’s largest ever Pride festivities this past week. I asked him to write a brief note about his experience at Pride. Here … More Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride
By Melanie Nathan, January 16, 2015. Out & Proud Diamond Group, an international LGBTI organization is urging political parties in the United Kingdom to include in their upcoming General Election Manifesto, a commitment to work toward LGBTI equality and human rights worldwide, especially in Africa. The following has been included in a written appeal appeal … More United Kingdom Political Parties Urged to Adopt LGBT Global Human Rights Platform
By Melanie Nathan, Oct 08, 2014. The beauty of Soweto Pride could not be better expressed than through the endless photographs displayed on the Inkanyiso website. What better a way than steeped in Pride, to further the celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa. One feels the hope in the beauty, love and smiles, … More The Beauty of Soweto Pride
By Melanie Nathan, September 24, 2014. Jerusalem pride finally took place this year after two prior cancellations attributed to the summer Gaza war. The march took place a few days before Rosh Hashana, heralding the Jewish New Year 5775. Notwithstanding the drop in attendance, it is quite a feat that the organizers were able to … More Jerusalem Pride 2014 a Success
The pink triangle parallel between Nazi Germany and Africa’s Anti-Gay climate By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2014. For me this was a very special San Francisco pride. I had the great honor to be appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as community grand marshal, in recognition of my global LGBT activism, especially for criminalized … More Installation of Pink Triangle – The Speech with a Chilling Nazi Analogy
By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014. Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride I had the great honor this year of being appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as a community Grand Marshal. The popular vote was won by an extraordinary and courageous young woman who I took great joy in getting to know, … More From Pride to Pride
Secretary of State Kerry Pays Lip Service to LGBTI Equality While Denying Pride Visas for LGBTI Africans By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014. Last Thursday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride event. While the secretary gushed about his department’s accomplishments for LGBTI people and reminded … More LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride
Official SF Pride Mainstage Speaker line-up: Janet Mock – Roberta Kaplan – Melanie Nathan , and MC – Marga Gomez and Liam Mayclem June 2014, San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee is excited to announce the 44th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration (SF Pride), … More Official San Francisco Pride 2014 Mainstage Speakers Announced
While asking the community to demand no less than full federal equality… By Cathy Kristofferson, June 8, 2014 This week saw the first national organization come out strongly against the flawed Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA) when the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Thursday announced it “We strongly oppose any religious exemption in ENDA… we will … More Activists at DC Pride attack HRC’s Bad ENDA
An activists choice – How I gave up dancing with Cher to march for Africa By Tony Rowe, June 02, 2014. PALM SPRINGS, CA – When I heard that Cher and Cyndi Lauper would be performing at a concert in Los Angeles on my birthday I was so excited. My partner and I will be … More San Francisco Pride 2014 vs Cher
HOW can we COLOR OUR WORLD WITH PRIDE without our WORLD by our side? #PRIDEVISAS4Africa Criminalizing Homosexuality in Africa – Will not stop our us marching at San Francisco Pride 2014 SAN FRANCISCO – MAY 31, 2014 – Melanie Nathan, a San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal, has started a campaign to bring approximately … More San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal Launches LGBTI Africa Visa Campaign
Reform Jewish Congregations to March together as one Community on June 29, 2014! By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2014. For the first time, the 25 Reform congregations in the greater Bay Area will march together in the San Francisco Pride Parade, June 29, 2014. Reform Jews from across the Bay Area will march together as … More Jewish Congregations Join Forces to March in San Francisco Pride Parade
Posted by Melanie Ntahan, May 29, 2014. From The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is alive and well in rural America and your government wants to hear from you! In a historic partnership, NCLR has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a new … More LGBTQ Organization and USDA Team up for Rural Pride
He braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law #prideflagatopUganda #RepealAHA By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Marin County Founder of Three Twins Ice Cream braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law while issuing a challenge to President Museveni. That is how the … More Marin County Man Mounts Pride Rainbow Flag on Uganda’s Highest Peak
Gary Virginia, of Gays Without Borders and President of the Board of San Francisco Pride provided this compelling speech in San Francisco Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 10, 2014. Gary Virginia of Gays without Borders and President of San Francisco Pride provided this public comment today regarding Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Supervisor’s efforts to get … More A Compelling Call for San Franciso Employee Retirement to Divest from Anti-Gay Russia
By Melanie Nathan, January 07, 2014. The San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration Committee (SF Pride) announces George Ridgely as its new Executive Director. Ridgely brings 11 years of event director and executive director experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors to the job which he began on January 7, 2014. Ridgely … More San Francisco Pride Announces New Director
By Melanie Nathan. December 23, 2013. Amidst years of controversy, the Ugandan Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill last week. Today the LGBTI community of Uganda raised its rainbow flag with pride, as it held its first post- AHB- passage press conference in Kampala. The hope is that the Ugandan media would listen to the statements … More Courageous Ugandan LGBT Community Holds First Press Conference Since the Passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill
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
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
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
A Comment on U.S. and Global LGBTQI Activism By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While we fight for our civil rights and equality in the United State of America, LGBTI people in 76 Countries fight for their lives – they fight not to be beaten – not to be killed – not to be imprisoned … More Like a Party at Pride American Gay Community Must do More for Global Gay Solidarity
By Melanie Nathan, August 06, 2013. Just last year at this exact time, the world was astounded as the first Ugandan Pride Parade emerged after months of secret planning. The Ugandan LGBTI community defied the odds by launching their first ever LGBTI Pride parade. A photo of the decorated truck leading equally decorated marchers to … More Uganda celebrates a successful second Annual Pride Festival
“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
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
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
“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
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
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