Category: LGBTI

The Importance of Ireland’s Popular YES Vote in the Global LGBT Arena

May 24, 2015

Why the Irish Vote in favor of marriage equality is so important to Homophobic Countries  and leaders perpetuating lies about LGBTI people By Melanie Nathan, May 24, 2014. Ireland has become the first country in the world to legalize marriage equality by popular vote in a national election. On Friday, May, 22, 2015, Irish voters … More The Importance of Ireland’s Popular YES Vote in the Global LGBT Arena

President Obama and US Organizations Commemorate IDAHOT May 17

May 17, 2015

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

Center for American Progress Brief calls for LGBT Health Care Protections

April 30, 2015

New Rules for Affordable Care Act Implementation Are an Opportunity to Eliminate LGBT Discrimination in Health Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2015. Washington, D.C. – The implementation of the Affordable Care Act is changing the health care landscape for millions of people, including for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, Americans. However, … More Center for American Progress Brief calls for LGBT Health Care Protections

Newly Married Same-Sex Asylum Seeking Couple Grateful for Outpouring of Love

April 26, 2015

By Melanie Nathan,  African HRC, April 24, 2015. After years of persecution, Mari and Cara, a lesbian couple from Angola, whose real names have been withheld to protect family members in Africa, made their way to the Bay Area, San Francisco, where they were married in an historic and moving San Francisco City Hall ceremony … More Newly Married Same-Sex Asylum Seeking Couple Grateful for Outpouring of Love

Senate Fails to Protect Homeless LGBT Youth in Human Trafficking Bill

April 22, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2015. Laura E. Durso, Director of the Center for American Progress’ LGBT Research and Communications Project, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate failed to include reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, or RHYA, as an amendment to the human trafficking prevention legislation currently being considered. … More Senate Fails to Protect Homeless LGBT Youth in Human Trafficking Bill

Landmark Case Settled by DMV where Transgender Teen Forced to Remove Makeup

April 22, 2015

Landmark Federal Lawsuit Against South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2015. SC DMV Agrees to Allow Teen to Retake License Photo Wearing Makeup, Apologize, and Change Policy to Ensure that Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People Will Be Treated Fairly and Respectfully. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) announces … More Landmark Case Settled by DMV where Transgender Teen Forced to Remove Makeup

Xenophobic Mayhem and Murder may make South Africa a Skunk Nation yet again

April 17, 2015

Xenophobia a Scourge and Scapegoat felt by all immigrants also impacting LGBT refugees By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2015. The sordid side of South Africa, reared its ugly head this past week, as Xenophobic mobs attacked foreigners and immigrants, causing at least 5 deaths in the Durban area. This brewing inferno, which spread to other … More Xenophobic Mayhem and Murder may make South Africa a Skunk Nation yet again

Jamaican Activist asks President Obama to keep Visa Ban of gay hate Reggae Artists

April 13, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 2015. A famous Jamaican Reggae artist is begging for a visa so he can come back to the United States. Yes, America is a fine place to make money for recording and performing artists. But should we support hate with our U.S. dollars? As Americans  we should be standing behind … More Jamaican Activist asks President Obama to keep Visa Ban of gay hate Reggae Artists

TLDEF Applauds EEOC Ruling Affirming Right to Bathroom Access For Transgender People

April 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly commends a ruling by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which found that the Army discriminated against a transgender civilian employee when it required her to use a single-user restroom at work and reprimanded her for using the women’s restroom when … More TLDEF Applauds EEOC Ruling Affirming Right to Bathroom Access For Transgender People

Houston Petition Aims to Dismantle Transgender Protections

April 7, 2015

TLDEF Condemns Petition Effort in Houston Aimed at Dismantling Transgender Protections  Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces a petition drive in Houston aimed at removing current protections for transgender people and banning future protections. The petition, spearheaded byHoustonians For Family Values, seeks to amend Houston’s city … More Houston Petition Aims to Dismantle Transgender Protections

New Poll Shows Millennials Support Comprehensive LGBT Protections

April 7, 2015

New Polling Shows Millennials Overwhelmingly Support Comprehensive LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 7, 2015. Despite historic progress on marriage equality over the past decade, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, individuals still lack basic, enumerated protections from discrimination in several areas of life, from the workplace to the public marketplace. However, … More New Poll Shows Millennials Support Comprehensive LGBT Protections

Justice Department’s Historic Action on Transgender Inmate Rights

April 6, 2015

TLDEF Applauds Justice Department’s Historic Action Supporting Transgender Inmate Right To Hormone Treatment Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 6, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that the United States Department of Justice has filed a brief supporting a transgender prisoner’s right to hormone treatment in her federal case against the Georgia … More Justice Department’s Historic Action on Transgender Inmate Rights

Wedding for Asylum Seeking African Lesbian Couple at San Francisco City Hall

March 31, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 30, 2015 After years on the run a young lesbian couple from an African country, surviving terrifying persecution, miraculously made their way to San Francisco where they are seeking asylum.  They will no longer be waiting in the wings as their dream to marry will soon be realized. Back in 2012, … More Wedding for Asylum Seeking African Lesbian Couple at San Francisco City Hall

Technology Giants and Entertainers Condemn Indiana Religious Law

March 26, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 26, 2015. Members of the entertainment industry and technology giants are reacting to the new Indiana law which condemns LGBT people to certain discrimination. Religious Freedom Restoration Act  was passed by a strong majority in the legislature, and  signed today by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, despite pleas from the business industry … More Technology Giants and Entertainers Condemn Indiana Religious Law

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

March 25, 2015

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

Victory as Connecticut Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

March 25, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 25, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the state of Connecticut for making transition-related health care available through its Medicaid program. Connecticut becomes the 7th jurisdiction to expand Medicaid coverage for transgender health care. Yesterday, Connecticut’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee approved a regulation that repeals the … More Victory as Connecticut Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Breaking Indiana Passes Nation’s Most Anti-LGBT Law

March 23, 2015

  We urge all Indianans to contact Governor Pence at 317-232-4567 to ask him to veto this unprecedented attack on religious liberty. Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 23, 2015. Governor Mike Pence (R-Indiana) is being urged to veto SB 101, a piece of legislation that would be one of the most anti-LGBT laws in the … More Breaking Indiana Passes Nation’s Most Anti-LGBT Law

Ugandan Preacher Gets Unexpected ‘Welcome’ in London

March 20, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2015. Prominent Ugandan anti-gay preacher, “Bishop” David Livingstone Kiganda, was greeted to a rowdy welcome when he arrived to speak at a London event. However it was not the welcome he had expected. When Kiganda arrived at  Commission Church, London, to preach last night, LGBTI Ugandan exiles were the first … More Ugandan Preacher Gets Unexpected ‘Welcome’ in London

Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

March 19, 2015

Final Step in Process Ensures Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds news that transgender New Yorkers covered by Medicaid can now access the medically necessary health care they have been denied for nearly two decades. Governor … More Victory as New York State Lifts Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

March 18, 2015

Please sign the Petition below By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015 A Pentecostal reverend, a major anti-gay protagonist, who called homosexuals evil, is set to speak at St James Church, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, in the United Kingdom and activists are outraged. The controversial preacher, Rev. Simon Peter Emiau,  General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies … More Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

MEUSA Files Real People Amicus Brief with SCOTUS

March 9, 2015

MEUSA Amicus Brief: Real Voices, Real People, Real Impact  Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 09, 2015. San Francisco/Washington DC – Today, Marriage Equality USA announces that it has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the freedom to marry nationwide and full equality under the Constitution for LGBTQ people. The brief, … More MEUSA Files Real People Amicus Brief with SCOTUS

Shocking Report Reveals Uganda Police Abuse Gays

February 27, 2015

 By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2015. A new 27 page report has been published indicating grave violations and human rights abuses in Uganda by Ugandan Police towards people arrested under suspicion of being LGBTI. The report categorically notes that the Ugandan police harass and physically abuse gay (LGBTI) people in custody. Chapter Four Uganda documented … More Shocking Report Reveals Uganda Police Abuse Gays

Justice as Game Ranger in Anti-Gay “Man Up” Camp Found Guilty of Murder

February 27, 2015

Alex de Koker and Michael Erasmus were found guilty of murder, child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, by the Vereeniging Regional Court in South Africa, today. By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2015. Finally, after years of uncertainty and trial, Alex de Koker and his henchman Michael Erasmus were found guilty … More Justice as Game Ranger in Anti-Gay “Man Up” Camp Found Guilty of Murder

UNHCR Puts Hold on Registrations of Large Groups of Ugandans

February 20, 2015

Of Large Groups of Ugandans who claim to have an LGBT Profile By Melanie Nathan, February 20, 2015. I reported at African HRC that unscrupulous people may be conducting scams and taking advantage of LGBTI people who seek to escape their countries of origin. Of the several problems that seem to be happening at this … More UNHCR Puts Hold on Registrations of Large Groups of Ugandans

Obama High Horse Reflection Forgot Current Christian Persecution of Global Gays

February 10, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2015. President Obama raised a brow or two when reflecting on extremist violence perpetrated in the name of Islam as not being the only religion used in such egregious a fashion. When the President raised Christianity’s history of tyranny, he failed to reflect on how it is still being used … More Obama High Horse Reflection Forgot Current Christian Persecution of Global Gays

1AngryOldLesbian.org seeks assistance from the Dalai Lama

February 4, 2015

“It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act.” – His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama By Cathy Kristofferson, February 4, 2015 Once again, 1AngryOldLesbian.org will demonstrate outside the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB) early Thursday morning. But this year, we heard news that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had agreed to attend! We wondered if His … More 1AngryOldLesbian.org seeks assistance from the Dalai Lama

Report Shows Difficulties Faced by Transgender Homeless Youth

February 2, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 02, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Youth homelessness in America is nearing epidemic levels, and the problem among the transgender community is disproportionately acute. At least one in five transgender young people have experienced homelessness, and many of them have encountered discrimination, harassment, and abuse in shelters and other services meant … More Report Shows Difficulties Faced by Transgender Homeless Youth

African Gays Still Suffer as Oscar Nominated Film Sparks Call for Mass UK Pardon

February 2, 2015

While Mass Pardons Sought in UK, Africans are Still being Arrested Under old Penal Codes Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 2, 2015 While the United Kingdom seeks to right the wrong against homosexuals, its influence in the form of Colonial era Penal Codes, still haunt Africa. The Penal Codes serving to underpin much of the … More African Gays Still Suffer as Oscar Nominated Film Sparks Call for Mass UK Pardon

NQAPIA Announces New Executive Director

February 2, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2015. The Board of Directors of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) is excited to announce that Glenn D. Magpantay is NQAPIA’s new Executive Director. Glenn has been with NQAPIA since the beginning, as one of the organization’s founders. Since 2009, he has served as NQAPIA’s Co-Director of … More NQAPIA Announces New Executive Director