Category: History

Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

March 10, 2021

When I moved to Marin County in 1995, ten years after immigrating to the United States, with Los Angeles my first stop, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was back in Apartheid South Africa. Marin was the white Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg, Marin City was Alexandria Township, Oakland was Soweto – and need I … More Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

January 21, 2021

President Biden’s Historic EO for LGBTQ Rights Yesterday, President Biden issued Executive Orders impacting our LGBTQI communities. President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day one executive order by a … More Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

America Erupts

November 7, 2020

As Biden Harris Elected, Joy and Celebration ERUPTS in Streets across America Today Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the United Sates Presidency, running on the Democratic Party ticket. As multiple news outlets made the call, thousands of masked Americans, from big cities to small towns, took to the streets –  singing, dancing, and chanting. … More America Erupts

U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell Chooses not to attend RBG Memorial and as first Women Lying in State

September 26, 2020

The FIRST Woman – The First Jewish person – What does  THAT tell YOU? I feel rage. For all the underhandedness, hypocrisy and abuse of power wielded by Mitch McConnell, Republican Majority leader in the Senate. Yes, I felt that – and then a friend this morning drew my attention to this, and it threw … More U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell Chooses not to attend RBG Memorial and as first Women Lying in State

AHRC Greetings for a Shana Tova this Jewish New Year 5781

September 18, 2020

Rosh Hashana starts the Jewish New Year. It is a time for renewal and leading into the ‘Days of Awe’ it is a time for contemplation and atonement For many of us this has been an extremely difficult year and we wonder about our World: COVID-19 Over 30 million cases of the deadly Corona-Virus and … More AHRC Greetings for a Shana Tova this Jewish New Year 5781

San Anselmo Council Fails to Hold White Town Accountable in George Floyd Statement

June 15, 2020

San Anselmo finally came out with a statement about the George Floyd murder and surge in Black Lives Matter call for action: This would have been the time for the Town of San Anselmo to own and acknowledge and commit to change. But it failed miserably. When you are a town in America that has … More San Anselmo Council Fails to Hold White Town Accountable in George Floyd Statement

Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

February 4, 2020

Federal District Judge Deborah A Batts, the first openly lesbian federal judge when she was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by President Bill Clinton in in 1994, died Sunday at the age of 72. She was currently overseeing a case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti over allegations … More Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

Historic: Republican Governor Kasich Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

December 19, 2018

Ohio state employees will now be protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ohio Governor John Kasich has signed an historic executive order protecting LGBTQ state employees from discrimination. In what will be a defining element of Governor Kasich’s legacy, he will be the first Republican … More Historic: Republican Governor Kasich Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

December 11, 2018

Kenya is a hostile host to LGBTI refugees:– Thirty LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, mostly Ugandans participating in an approved peaceful demonstration, tried to deliver a document to UNHCR, but after being refused entry into the compound were viciously attacked by police.  I have reached out to UNHCR for comment and will update accordingly. The conditions … More LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

Brett Kavanaugh is a Conduct Unbecoming Liar and should not be on ANY Court Bench

September 29, 2018

By Melanie Nathan, JUST SAY NO!  “I know one thing for sure that if he is nominated to SCOTUS American woman will riot and burn this place down – and you can decide whether that is metaphorical or literal – let us see! So regardless Patriarchy, your days are numbered!” Melanie Nathan. When Donald Trump … More Brett Kavanaugh is a Conduct Unbecoming Liar and should not be on ANY Court Bench

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

January 15, 2018

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. On this day African Human Rights Coalition is quoting the message of the Obama Foundation: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 89 years old today. And as people around the country and the world celebrate his legacy with acts of service, I’m thinking about something … More On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday We Turn to the Obama Foundation Message

Shocking Elimination of Lesbian Rev from MCC is NOT a Restructuring its a Firing

October 30, 2017

“MCC called it “restructuring.” But that usually means shifting people around, not eliminating them without warning or seeking possible alternatives. Instead, Darlene was told “goodbye” with no warning, no severance, and no unemployment compensation from MCC.” Robin Tyler An article by Robin Tyler that appears in The Los Angeles Blade notes: I am shocked and I am … More Shocking Elimination of Lesbian Rev from MCC is NOT a Restructuring its a Firing

OHIO Urgent Call to Action to RESIST Judicial Appointments

July 13, 2017

Thanks to Lambda legal for providing the following call to Action: Two Trump judicial appointees with vicious anti-LGBT views are poised to become some of the most powerful judges in the country. People in Ohio have the chance to stop it. John K. Bush, nominated to fill a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals … More OHIO Urgent Call to Action to RESIST Judicial Appointments

Holocaust Survivor has a Message for Sean Spicer

April 13, 2017

By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 2017. Sean Michael Spicer is the White House press secretary and former communications director for Donald Trump. He apologized profusely for saying saying this while trying to defend the U.S. missile attack on Syria: “We didn’t use chemical weapons in World War II,” Mr. Spicer said. “You know, you had … More Holocaust Survivor has a Message for Sean Spicer

International Human Rights Day 2015 Statement by Secretary Kerry

December 11, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, December 10, 2015. Statement by U.S. Secretary of State , John Kerry, released for International Human Rights day, lacks a robust reflection on all corners of this globe: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was forged in the aftermath of World War II to protect freedom and prevent future atrocities. As we … More International Human Rights Day 2015 Statement by Secretary Kerry

Obama tells African Union Nobody should be president for life

July 28, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 28, 2015. United States President Barack Obama concluded his visit to Africa today after speaking at the African Union’s headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. This was the first time a sitting US president addressed the AU. President Obama asserted that Africa would not advance if its leaders refuse to … More Obama tells African Union Nobody should be president for life

Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

August 1, 2014

Jubilation as the  the Ugandan Court agreed – the AHA is Unconstitutional ! Well done to the Plaintiffs.  Congratulations to the Plaintiff team for your extraordinary courage and your resolve and the credit must go to all those who worked so hard on every front, especially the hard work of the extraordinary legal team – … More Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

June 15, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 16, 2014. Good Morning, Mr Mandela , a memoir by Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, has lifted the veil of secrecy and mystery on the family power struggles that went on in the last few years of his Nelson Mandela’s life, and of the chaos at his funeral last … More Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

EU Catherine Ashton Deeply Concerned by Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 18, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2014. In the face of the new  Anti-Homosexuality law, about to be signed with the assent of President Museveni, in Uganda, Catherine Ashton the High Representative in the European Union, has called on Uganda as follows: “I am deeply concerned about the news that Uganda will enact draconian legislation to … More EU Catherine Ashton Deeply Concerned by Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

December 8, 2013

Songs and prayers in all religious congregations all over South Africa | “As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, its become the central task that we reflect on what needs to be done to sustain his legacy to ensure we do not betray what he and other sacrificed for and stood for” former President … More South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

October 1, 2013

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Eleanor Holmes Norton revisit their part in the Anti-Apartheid movement at the unveiling of the Mandela Statue in Washington D.C. By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013 A statue commemorating former South African President Nelson Mandela was unveiled last week at an historic ceremony in front of the South African Embassy in … More Mandela stands tall in Washington D.C. with 2 U.S. Congresswomen

Budapest to receive $22 million Holocaust memorial center

September 16, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 16, 2013. According to JTA, Budapest will build a $22 million memorial at a train station from which Hungarian Jews were deported during the Holocaust. The Hungarian prime minister’s chief of staff, Janos Lazar,  said the memorial will feature an educational center and will be opened by spring next year … More Budapest to receive $22 million Holocaust memorial center

The Mandela Timeline

July 19, 2013

South African former President Nelson Mandela. This illustration depicts the life of Nelson Mandela and is a good reference for students who want to encapsulate his life in an easy reference time line. However it should not derogate from the extensive information available online to study Mandela in depth. There is so much more…. Source: … More The Mandela Timeline

One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913

June 19, 2013

And then Hello Apartheid…. By Melanie Nathan, June 19, 2013. June 19th 2013 is the 100th anniversary of the now defunct Natives Land Act, 1913 (subsequently renamed Bantu Land Act, 1913 and Black Land Act, 1913; Act No. 27 of 1913) which was an act of the Parliament of South Africa aimed at regulating the … More One Hundredth Anniversary of South Africa’s Native Land Act of 1913