In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

“We must share this story – to bring awareness, as to criminalization and the homophobia and transphobia that drives it. Often resulting in obscuring the lines between justice, law and how it is used to hunt humans and persecute.” Melanie Nathan, Executive director African Human Rights Coalition.   Police in Ho, Ghana, have arrested 21 … More In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

HUD TO ENFORCE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY HUD directive begins implementation of the policy set forth in Biden executive order to prevent and combat sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will administer and … More Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

LGBTQI Artist Releases New ‘Love Song Gone Wrong’

Joshua Sade James in “All Fall Down” It’s a love song gone wrong for singer/songwriter and multi-talented artist Joshua Sade James and his new single, “All Fall Down”. Fresh from his forthcoming sophomore album release, JSJ — slated for June of this year — “All Fall Down” was written about mistrust, dishonesty, and miscommunication in … More LGBTQI Artist Releases New ‘Love Song Gone Wrong’

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

Report Exposes Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy

A groundbreaking report released by OutRight Action International today exposes the global reach of so-called conversion therapy. Drawing on data from survey results with almost 500 respondents from 80 countries, and in-depth interviews with experts and survivors from more than a dozen countries, the report overwhelmingly shows that so-called conversion therapy efforts occur across the … More Report Exposes Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy

Celebrating This Blog as we Head to One Million

Dear Friends, As we head toward a momentous milestone for O-Blog-Dee-O-BLog-Da, I am posting this to thank you for your ongoing and kind support. A special thanks to the subscribers who for $18.63 per annum each, so kindly contribute to the expenses.  At the time of writing this O-Blog-Dee-O-BLog-Da has had 988,953 reads which means … More Celebrating This Blog as we Head to One Million

UN LGBT Expert Says Policymakers are Making Preconceived Prejudiced Decisions

Sexual orientation and gender identity: policymakers are taking decisions in the dark, says UN expert Information about the lived realities of LGBT people around the world is, at best, incomplete and fragmented, but in most countries it is simply non-existent, said the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual … More UN LGBT Expert Says Policymakers are Making Preconceived Prejudiced Decisions

Jubilation as Botswana High Court Rules to Decriminalize LGBTI

Botswana became the latest country to decriminalize LGBTI individuals  Tuesday when the High Court rejected as unconstitutional sections of the penal code that punish same-sex relations with up to seven years in prison. Jubilant activists in the packed courtroom cheered the unanimous decision in the southern African nation. It came less than a month after Kenya’s … More Jubilation as Botswana High Court Rules to Decriminalize LGBTI

Introduction of Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying

Murray, Baldwin, Pocan Introduce Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying and Harassment at Colleges and Universities Across the Country One in five college students are victims of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly twice as likely to be harassed than their peers | Legislation would require colleges and universities to establish policies to … More Introduction of Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying

Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

The Botswana High Court has announced that it will finally hear a case on the decriminalization of homosexuality next year:  According to our friends at Mamba Online, the full bench of the court ordered that a hearing challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual activities … More Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

Tickets for Los Angeles Premiere of Between the Shades

Fifty voices in a unique and most important reflection on LGBTQ!  Do not miss the LA Premiere of Between the Shades  –  At Dances with Films and Chinese Theatre Hollywood  Between the Shades is a documentary by filmmaker Jill Salvino and features 50+ voices, among them: Beth Malone (of Broadway’s Fun Home & Angels in America), … More Tickets for Los Angeles Premiere of Between the Shades

Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

According to VICE: An attack in Honduras reported to have been motivated by homophobia has left a Canadian man and his partner dead. Gerard Argiud, 80, described as a Canadian national, and his partner, a 42-year-old Honduran named Jorge Sarmiento, were attacked by multiple people on Friday, May 12 in the home they shared in … More Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

WASHINGTON – More than 140 artists and entertainers from across the country released a letter today urging Texas lawmakers to reject SB 6 and other bills currently pending in the legislature that would make it easier to discriminate against LGBT people. Equality Texas, GLAAD and the Ally Coalition released the letter, and signatories include Sting, Connie … More Leading Artists Urge Texas Lawmakers to Reject Anti-LGBT Legislation

Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

International Fashion Model Hanne Gaby Odiele Reveals She is Intersex; Announces Partnership with interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth to Raise Awareness About the Importance of Human Rights Protections for Intersex People Worldwide New York, New York— In an effort to be true to herself and spotlight an often invisible human rights issue, internationally acclaimed fashion … More Fashion Model Reveals She is Intersex

London and African Asylum Seekers Mourn For LGBT Orlando in a Very Big Way

There has been an enormous national and global outpouring of emotion and love for the 49 young LGBT heroes slaughtered in the worst gun massacre in American history, as well as the 53 injured, many of whom lost loved ones and close friends.  Out of all the vigils and rallies I have seen reports on, … More London and African Asylum Seekers Mourn For LGBT Orlando in a Very Big Way

Bias Media Reports on 21 Nigerian Students Allegedly Involved in Homosexual Activities

|Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2015. Police in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria have arrested 21 students who they allege are   homosexuals. We have  not independently verified this report. Several agencies are reporting and it originated in PUNCH News. According to Punch News, a reliable source reported that the suspects were arrested at two state-owned polytechnics (names … More Bias Media Reports on 21 Nigerian Students Allegedly Involved in Homosexual Activities

One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

TAKE ACTION BELOW – Thanks To Campbell’s Soup for Including Everyone! By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2015. The anti-gay organization, One Million Moms, is extremely busy, as of late. They have been asserting their fundamentalist extreme right wing prowess by pretending to be ‘morality’ police. When Campbell’s  Soup used a a same-sex married couple with … More One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in … More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

Gregg Jaffe at The Washington Post seems to think so…. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2015. President Obama will apparently nominate Eric Fanning to lead the United States Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services. While the Washington Post reports that this is … More Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

1AngryOldLesbian.org puts spotlight on Brad Dacus and Pacific Justice Institute Update: Event photos below An otherwise idyllic year-round vacation spot became host today to a fear mongering, falsehood generating, anti-LGBT hate group—The Pacific Justice Institute and its President, Brad Dacus—speaking at the Estero Bay Republican Women Federated luncheon at the Morro Bay Golf Course, the … More Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

This week has been a coup for Uganda’s LGBTI community, as yet again, despite the anti-gay atmosphere in that country, the LGBT leadership and community pulled together a great week of Ugandan Pride.. Ugandan Pride has since come a long way – despite the odds- with great overseas interest, and participants from around the world in attendance. … More Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

A shidduch – Rick marrying Rick is indeed acceptable but not in the way they use it! By Melanie Nathan, July 05, 2015. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) was the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual National Organization for Marriage (NOM) gala in Washington, DC. – not an unusual venue … More Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

Crucial tool for lobbying to misinformed African politicians June 11, 2015, by Melanie Nathan This month by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) countering the notions that underpin homophobia and the criminalization of LGBTI people in Africa and the impact on HIV. Eleven respected experts, mostly academic scientists based in South Africa, authored … More Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

UNHRC Recommends the United States Establish a National Human Rights Body

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 21, 2015. I am posting this Williams Institute report which links to the UNHRC Report.  What stood out for me important to note in this report is the recommendation – “One recommendation asked the U.S. to ensure that religious exemptions are regulated to protect the human rights of LGBT people.”  What … More UNHRC Recommends the United States Establish a National Human Rights Body

President Obama and US Organizations Commemorate IDAHOT May 17

May 17, 2015, Posted by OblogdeeOblogda, IDAHOT was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally. In under a decade, it has established itself as an important annual occasion celebrated in more than 130 countries, with 1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. AFRICAN HRC: Today, … More President Obama and US Organizations Commemorate IDAHOT May 17

Top 10 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton is Good for Gays

By Melanie Nathan, April 12, 2105 Today Hillary Clinton will announce her candidacy for President of the United States of America. While she has yet to outline her campaign goals, the support amongst Democrats for her run has been enormous, with huge expectations by the Gays ( I use term Gays collectively here to represent … More Top 10 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton is Good for Gays

CA Attorney General Goes to Court to stop Murderous Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative

Seeking declaratory Relief before Title and Summary is Issued By Melanie Nathan, March 25, 2015 An intense backlash has developed against Huntington Beach lawyer Matt McLaughlin, who wants to qualify a Ballot initiative calling for the murder of gays for the statewide ballot in November 2016. California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the … More CA Attorney General Goes to Court to stop Murderous Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative