Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While the less educated on the realities and impacts of boycotting Russia because of its new Putin signed anti-gay laws, are quick to draw conclusions that boycotts are not working, relevant leadership emerges calling for persistent boycotts. Masha Gessen is emerging as the new and prized leadership, an imperative … More Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

Sunday Protest | Gay Oppressor Russian Orthodox Church lives in the Castro By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. This Sunday morning as San Francisco’s Castro awakens to its persistent rainbow flags, the heartbeat of gay America will show solidarity for Russia’s persecuted LGBT community. Who could have imagined that the Russian Orthodox Church would nestle … More San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

“Stephen Fry has called on athletes … to make a symbol at the Games to display their objection to new anti-gay laws.” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 10, 2013 Today’s “UK Supports LGBT Russia” protest in London against Russia’s anti-gay laws and rising homophobia drew an early estimate of 1,100 attending the over 3 hour event.  The … More Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

San Francisco LGBT community calls on Mayor Ed Lee to Boycott Russia

Russia Spills Gay Blood We Spill Russian Vodka at SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL By Melanie Nathan.  August 07, 2013. “Russia Spills Gay Blood We Spill Russian Vodka” read my sign today, as I joined my fellow activists from Gays Without Borders, when we poured Russian vodka onto San Francisco’s street outside City Hall and called … More San Francisco LGBT community calls on Mayor Ed Lee to Boycott Russia

Gay teenager kidnapped and tortured by Russian homophobes believed to have died from injuries

YOU SPILL GAY BLOOD WE SPILL RUSSIAN VODKA | Noon San Francisco City Hall August 06, 2013. By Melanie Nathan, August 05, 2013. PINKNews is Reporting  and we have not yet independently verified: The gay teenager who was kidnapped and tortured by Russian neo-Nazis has died from his injuries it has been claimed. Spectrum Human … More Gay teenager kidnapped and tortured by Russian homophobes believed to have died from injuries

Gays to Fly Rainbow Flag Outside Russian Consulate in San Francisco

Protest Part of Global LGBT Solidarity Campaign By Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2013. San Francisco, CA — On Saturday, August 3, 2013, at 12:00 pm (noon) San Franciscans will gather at the Russian Consulate at 2790 Green Street (near Baker Street) to protest new anti-gay laws passed in Russia that subject LGBT Russians and foreign … More Gays to Fly Rainbow Flag Outside Russian Consulate in San Francisco

Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates

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

As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays

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

Ugandan Langa prepares to use imported anti-gay propaganda to raise more money

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

Rally against gays in Haiti includes death threats

“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

Taking Over Florida’s State Capitol | Racism in America

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

Haiti Religious Leaders to March Against LGBT Community

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

Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation

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

Protests across Turkey sparked by latest trans murder

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

Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy

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

Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

An action to demonstrate the danger of  the new anti-LGBT laws By Cathy Kristofferson, July 2, 2013 Amidst current graphic protests, there is a renewed call for the boycott of the Sochi Olympics, as gay arrests continue in Russia following President Putin’s signing into law the nationwide so-called “anti-propaganda bill,” banning the so called ‘promotion’ … More Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

Violent Arrests at pro-Gay Rally in Russia

Clashes lead to arrests and detentions at St. Petersburg “Ravnopraviye” Pride Event By Cathy Kristofferson, June 29, 2013 Today in St. Petersburg, Russia pro-and anti-gay supporters clashed at a gay pride event organized by “Ravnopraviye” (Equal Rights.) The event had been sanctioned by the authorities.  The rally-march was organized to protest recent legislation banning “promotion of non-traditional … More Violent Arrests at pro-Gay Rally in Russia

Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

 By Melanie Nathan, June 27, 2013. President Barack Obama on Thursday praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage as a “victory for American democracy” and even called the Prop 8 and DOMA Plaintiff’s to congratulate them while he was on board Air Force One heading out to Africa.  However AP has reported that his … More Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Three members of GetEqual were arrested an hour ago in a GetEQqual protest action Marco Rubio’s office in Tampa where they protested to draw attention to his antiquated and anti-gay stances on immigration reform and employment discrimination. Those participating in the action and arrested we believe are Barb GetEqual … More Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 24, 2013 Last night a coalition of U.S. activists answered the call to action made by LGBT activists in Istanbul Turkey. The activists determined to help raise awareness about the Turkish government’s brutality and threatened suppression of Turkey’s Pride march, held a light panel protest in front of the Turkish Embassy … More U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2013. Today eight members of the group Get Equal were arrested while protesting outside speaker Boehner’s office, calling attention to the House’s failure to pursue ENDA, the legislation that would end work place discrimination against LGBT people in America. The protestors were demanding that the speaker hold a floor vote … More Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

AND A Letter from a Get Equal Lead, C.D. Kirven  to the First Lady Explaining the Actions of Ellen Sturtz. The lesbian community was drawn into a controversy this week as Ellen Sturtz, a leader from the group Get Equal, attended a D.C. fundraiser and interrupted the First Lady’s speech calling attention to the fact … More Lesbian Fund Raisers and The Ellen Sturtz Fallout

Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

Despite all odds, the fearless continue …. and the least we can do as an international community is support this imperative statement… By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. Last year, despite the climate of fervent anti-gay hostility, Ugandan volunteer LGBT activists accomplished what seemed impossible – they launched the first every Gay Pride celebration in … More Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

Jesus Christ cited as organizer of violent riot at Tbilisi IDAHO rally

Great new legal defense – “If someone was the organizer, it was Jesus Christ.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 3, 2013 On Friday two priests attended Court to answer charges following their arrest at a riot in Tbilisi, Georgia, when thousands of anti-gay protesters, including Orthodox Church priests, descended upon an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHOT) rally … More Jesus Christ cited as organizer of violent riot at Tbilisi IDAHO rally

Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Update May 26  – Video add down below We reported earlier here on OBLOGDEE about Ukraine’s 1st ever Gay Pride March happily occurring despite multiple political attempts to derail it.  The folks in Moscow were not so lucky. Today in the Russian capital of Moscow, activists and opponents clashed in an unsanctioned … More Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

Ukraine holds their 1st Gay Pride March after all

Using diversion tactics to make it happen By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Yesterday we reported here on OBLOGDEE the week long saga of KyivPride-2013, Ukraine’s LGBT Pride Organization, attempts to hold their 1st Gay Pride March today.  After members of Parliament signed a petition against the, followed by Kiev city authorities filing a suit to ban them, … More Ukraine holds their 1st Gay Pride March after all

Ukraine Forced to Change Gay Pride March to Private Event

LGBT community of Ukraine still trying for their 1st Gay Pride Parade… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 24, 2013 Ukraine, like most ex-Soviet countries, is not kind to their LGBT community despite homosexuality having been decriminalized in the early 1990s. Last Friday Ukraine was one of three countries, along with Jamaica and South Africa, called out … More Ukraine Forced to Change Gay Pride March to Private Event

Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures

Today, we find these same people, abused by the press, actually outraged by the closure and protesting in defense of the press and the importance of its freedoms. By Melanie Nathan, May 23, 2013. Today several human rights defenders were arrested outside of the Daily Monitor as they rallied in solidarity against the Ugandan authorities … More Ugandan LGBT community arrests while protesting media closures