Violence and homophobia at IDAHOT rally results in two priest arrests

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 23, 2013 Last Saturday we reported IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly . In the Ugly category we listed the riot that ensued  in Tbilisi, Georgia when thousands of anti-gay protesters, including Orthodox Church priests, united to descend upon an International Day Against Homophobia rally in Freedom … More Violence and homophobia at IDAHOT rally results in two priest arrests

Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2013. No amount of marchers will bring back Mark Carson, who was gunned down by a man shouting anti-gay epithets. He was only 32 years of age. However silence will mean more deaths and speakers at the NYC rally against the murder of Carson called out to end homophobic gay … More Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

First Pride ever in Moldova | Huge Scott Lively Fail

On 19 May, the first Pride March was held in Chisinau, Moldova. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 19, 2013 I just saw this on twitter and cheered out loud: First Pride March held in Moldova http://t.co/NGwq6Bepbr%5B@Eastbook_en%5D EurAlmanac16:15 I cheered not only because I was thrilled for the Moldovan LGBT community, but also for the bitter defeat … More First Pride ever in Moldova | Huge Scott Lively Fail

IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 18, 2013 The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – IDAHO, IDAHOT, IDAHOBIT or however you like it – annually celebrated on May 17, was conceived in 2004 to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1990. This year over 100 … More IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

Bigots stalk, video and harass at Boston Youth Pride

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 18, 2013 I started this piece months ago when there was risk of the delegates from Uganda being exposed at the Scott Lively trial in Springfield MA by those who have the vile habit of exposing members of the gay community in some misguided attempt of shaming them…  ‘straight’ I suppose.  I … More Bigots stalk, video and harass at Boston Youth Pride

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Oh no not another anti-gay pastor hosted by President Obama

National Day of Prayer to be headed by pastor who thinks marriage equality is a Satanic ploy… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 30, 2013 President Obama just,  just!, held a press conference where he remarked that “the LGBT community deserves full equality, not just partial equality, not just tolerance, but a recognition that they’re fully a … More Oh no not another anti-gay pastor hosted by President Obama

Illinois LGBT community urgent call to counter the radical rights efforts to kill marriage equality

SB 10 Marriage equality in Illinois By Melanie Nathan, April, 25, 2013. On February 14, the Illinois State Senate voted to pass the legalization of marriage equality (IL SB10) bill, entitled the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, by a 34-21-2-2 score in favor of marriage equality. The vote is one step closer to making … More Illinois LGBT community urgent call to counter the radical rights efforts to kill marriage equality

Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel

UNITE and LGBT Activists Unite | “THIS HOTEL IS OWNED BY HOMOPHOBES” By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2013. Back in February, we reported that gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East … More Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel

Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

By Melanie Nathan, April 11, 2013. Further to our report about the lowering of rainbow flags to half mast in the Netherlands and protests against Russian PM Vladimir Putin, on April 08, the Dutch LGBT community and allies turned out by the thousands to protest Putin’s proposed anti-gay propaganda law in Russia. On stage performers … More Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. There was no keeping me away from Washington D.C., on Tuesday 26th, the day that The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would be hearing the Prop 8. arguments.  I was there ‘wearing many hats; activist, blogger, co-producer of Gay U.S.A. the Movie, and the most important of … More A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

Believing that Dr. Martin Luther King would have stood for marriage equality. By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. When Dr. Marin Luther King, Jnr. was assassinated on April 04, 1968,  I was a small child in South Africa, living apartheid.  I came to the United States in 1985, before apartheid ended, expecting a country that … More Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. The board of Johannesburg Gay Pride Festival Company (JGPFC) has voted to wind up the Section 21 (not-for-profit­) company that has produced ‘Joburg Pride’ over the past seven years. The voluntary winding up of JGPFC  was decided by an unanimous resolution at a board meeting held on Wednesday, 13 … More Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

After the Apology demands that HRC be all inclusive on all issues

Will HRC put its money where its mouth is? By Melanie Nathan, April 1, 2013 Thousands of LGBT community members and allies showed up at the steps of SCOTUS this past week to support marriage equality, and many were there because of the extraordinary organizing efforts of a coalition of LGBT organizations under the title, … More After the Apology demands that HRC be all inclusive on all issues

Ugandan anti-gay pastors hold hate rally next to gay hero David Kato’s grave

“Say No To Homosexuality” Campaign officially launched By Melanie Nathan, March 31, 2013. Ugandan Pastors Solomon Male & Rev. Musoke are conducting an anti gay rally next door to David Kato ‘s burial grounds in Mukono Uganda to not only further persecute LGBTI Ugandans, calling for hate in the name of Christianity, but also to … More Ugandan anti-gay pastors hold hate rally next to gay hero David Kato’s grave

Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

as the Human Rights Campaign exhibits their typical lack of inclusivity… By Cathy Kristofferson, March 29, 2013. During the SCOTUS trials the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) convinced many in the Facebook world to change their avatars to red.  Following the hearings many activists are seeing a different red now that two incidents – insulting both the … More Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

Dan Choi ‘s trial day starts with DADT activists re-living arrests at White House

by Melanie Nathan, March 28, 2013 I joined a group U.S. service members,  GetEQUAL activists, as well as well known U.K. activist Peter Tatchel at the White House today, for a rally in support of Lt. Dan Choi ,who is being tried by the U.S. Government, after he was arrested in November 2010, together with … More Dan Choi ‘s trial day starts with DADT activists re-living arrests at White House

Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Photo impressions from the first day’s activities.. I sure hope NOM comes back tomorrow, they were fun! By Cathy Kristofferson, March 26, 2013 This blog piece should really be titled ‘O-Blog-Dee goes to Washington, too busy to blog…’!  Both Melanie and I are here in Washington D.C. trying to keep up with all that’s going … More Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

172 events start in all 50 states, with all eyes on Washington, D.C., as people start record breaking queue outside SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan & Cathy Kristofferson, March 24, 2013. 3/25 UPDATE:  over 2500 people have gathered at events ranging from Casper, Wyoming, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Cleveland, Ohio already.  And tonight is the big “night … More Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

VISIT SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT AND ASK PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR A MEDAL OF FREEDOM FOR BAYARD RUSTIN Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2013. On Bayard’s 101st birthday (March 17), we are well into the 50th anniversary year of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Many consider the March the highpoint of the African-American civil … More Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

You MUST come OUT and Rally for Marriage Equality | Let the SCOTUS Justices hear your voice | Join United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice in rallying for equality! By: Cathy Kristofferson and Melanie Nathan On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively,  which are fundamentally … More Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

Breaking: Lee Boys pull out from NOM’s rally against marriage equality

NOM’s National Organization for Marriage Rally Entertainment is falling apart By Melanie Nathan, March 15, 2013. It would seem that the vast majority of the entertainment world may not be available to those who rally against marriage equality. They should stick with Ted Nugent or a few bigots that are left in the world of … More Breaking: Lee Boys pull out from NOM’s rally against marriage equality

Katie Herzig says I DO support marriage equality

While NOM surreptitiously uses her music in must watch VIDEO to attract Marriage foes to rally at SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan, March 15, 2013. Updated March 19, 2013. There are a good many fallacious tidbits surrounding the NOM rhetoric and their call to thousands of their supporters to show up in D.C. to march against marriage … More Katie Herzig says I DO support marriage equality

Murder of Ugandan lesbian deportee at the hands of UK authorities, Reliance Security and Qatar Airlines

U.K. Activists demand justice By Melanie Nathan, March 14, 2013. Yesterday we reported the story of the death of Jackie Nanyonjo.  Now U.K. activists are calling it murder – read  The Movement for Justice report below.  The question is who is responsible. Evidence is emerging that Jackie was not well while incarcerated by U.K. authorities … More Murder of Ugandan lesbian deportee at the hands of UK authorities, Reliance Security and Qatar Airlines

St. Neots U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners has yet to answer questions about his anti-gay remarks

Should apologize to Uganda’s Gay community, the U.K. LGBTI Community and to Bloggers he unjustly accused By Melanie Nathan, Feb 20, 2013. Since exposing Paul Shinners, as an Evangelical Christian extremist, who spoke at the Ugandan New years eve Rally, where much anti-gay sentiment was expressed by a group of pastors, local UK activists are … More St. Neots U.K. Preacher Paul Shinners has yet to answer questions about his anti-gay remarks

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

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

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

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

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

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