Solidarity with ACT UP at Human Rights Campaign D.C. HQ

Activists in New York City, San Francisco and Washington D.C. target HRC… Santa sent the 1AngryOldLesbian.org (1AOL) elves out again for the second time this first month of 2015 with a lump of coal to the Human Rights Campaign DC flagship in support of the demonstration being orchestrated by ACT UP NY at the HRC … More Solidarity with ACT UP at Human Rights Campaign D.C. HQ

HRC Calls in San Francisco Police for LGBT Castro Protest

Peaceful Protest attracts curious tourists, reporters and Castro community By Melanie Nathan, January 31, 2015. About 2 dozen LGBT activists from San Francisco and community members held a vigil outside the San Francisco Human Rights Campaign (HRC) souvenir store in the Castro today. The gathering, which took the form of a sidewalk noon brunch, outside … More HRC Calls in San Francisco Police for LGBT Castro Protest

Activists to Protest 1% HRC Elitism and AIDS Neglect

New York and San Francisco By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2015. The AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP) and other HIV activist organizations will converge to protest the neglect of the AIDS crisis by mainstream LGBT organizations at the annual self-congratulatory gala held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City by Human Rights Campaign … More Activists to Protest 1% HRC Elitism and AIDS Neglect

Ugandan Activists David Kato Never to be Forgotten

By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2015. On January 27, 2011, the most outspoken gay rights advocate in Uganda, at a time when the country’s Parliament was considering a bill to execute gay people, was murdered. Today the LGBTI Ugandan community and global activists around the world, remember David Kato Kitsule  and his untimely passing. Kato  … More Ugandan Activists David Kato Never to be Forgotten

President Obama’s Speech and Impact on Global LGBT Persecution

By African HRC, January 21, 2015. The American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community is thanking President Barack Obama this morning for his historic inclusion of all LGBT people in last night’s State of the Union address before the US Congress, the American people, and the world. This is the first time that Transgender people … More President Obama’s Speech and Impact on Global LGBT Persecution

Should we be Reporting Gay Men Executions by ISIS

Are we playing ball spreading the terror on behalf of ISIS? By Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2014. Today when I awoke here in California my feed was abuzz with disturbing pictures and articles of (purportedly) gay men being thrown from a rooftop by ISIS, which appears to have taken place in Mosul. The internet is … More Should we be Reporting Gay Men Executions by ISIS

United Kingdom Political Parties Urged to Adopt LGBT Global Human Rights Platform

By Melanie Nathan, January 16, 2015. Out & Proud Diamond Group, an international LGBTI organization is urging political parties in the United Kingdom to include in their upcoming General Election Manifesto, a commitment to work toward LGBTI equality and human rights worldwide, especially in Africa. The following has been included in a written appeal appeal … More United Kingdom Political Parties Urged to Adopt LGBT Global Human Rights Platform

Breaking U.S. Supreme Court to Review Bans on Same-Sex Marriage

Current Statistics thanks to Williams Institute By Melanie Nathan, January 16, 2015 The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will review the constitutionality of bans on same-sex marriage in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. The Court’s ruling is expected in June 2015 and will likely impact not only the same-sex couples in these four … More Breaking U.S. Supreme Court to Review Bans on Same-Sex Marriage

HRC Now Accepts Religious Liberty Bigotry

by Cathy Kristofferson, January 11, 2015 Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) received their first lump of coal from Santa for 2015. Deliverers of Santa’s naughty list and coal at Christmastime, 1angryoldlesbian.org, returned barely two weeks into the new year following Thursday’s Washington Post article in which HRC’s vice president Fred Sainz gushed over presidential hopeful Jeb Bush’s new … More HRC Now Accepts Religious Liberty Bigotry

One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

As the Commonwealth enacts law to improve housing and services for homeless youth… By Cathy Kristofferson, December 31, 2014. Two years ago, on January 1st 2013, I posted here on OBLOGDEE about the ongoing plight of homeless queer youth. Every now and then that post gets renewed interest when someone quotes and/or links to it. That happened again … More One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

Ugandan President Museveni Receives Gay Animals Book for Xmas Present

German Dating Group Blasts the Ugandan Myth that homosexuality is unnatural By Melanie Nathan, December 24, 2014. The German online dating company Gleichklang.de has sent a book on homosexuality in animals to the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. “Biological Exuberance – Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity”, which was written by the Canadian biologist Bruce Bagemihl. … More Ugandan President Museveni Receives Gay Animals Book for Xmas Present

On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

…and the letter from Santa tells Chad why! 12/24/2014 By Cathy Kristofferson. Santa Claus asked the members of 1AngryOldLesbian.org (1AOL) if they wouldn’t mind delivering a letter to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and they merrily agreed. Though the weather outside was frightful, their spirits were high as they donned their rainbow Santa hats while listening to the … More On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Gambians struggle to get refugee Status in Senegal By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2014 The Gambian authorities have arrested three men, accused of committing homosexual acts. The Gambian authorities have been conducting door-to-door witch hunts seeking out gays or responding to suspicious neighbors for several months. The men if found guilty can receive a maximum … More Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

By Melanie Nathan,  December 16, 2014. The United Kingdom wants to deport a persecuted lesbian back to Uganda, where a harsh anti-LGBTI climate awaits, with the certainty of further state sanctioned persecution that will endanger her life. Activists, worldwide have weighed in with letters and reports, in support of Judith Twikirize, 23, a known lesbian, in … More Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

Welcome Home Junior! By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2014. I first met Junior Mayema back in 2011 when I was invited to keynote speak at Cape Town Pride’s Pink Gala in South Africa. At the time Junior, approached me along the Pride parade route. He told me that he was an LGBTI refugee from the … More From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014 United States Senator Jeff Merkley formally announced at the Center for American Progress that he plans to introduce a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill in the next Congress. This is excellent news. The LGBT community in the United States America must include a full compliment of stakeholders working together … More Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

“UK has been very supportive of the Uganda Gay rights movement and it will be an embarrassment that your office doesn’t live up to its expectations in protecting those that need the protection most from persecution..” Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014. Despite appeals and petitions the United Kingdom’s Home Office informed … More Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

By Melanie Nathan. December 10, 2014. While the Ugandan Parliament is working hard to bring a new more vibrant Anti-gay bill into legislation, after the last Anti-Homosexuality Act was invalidated by the Courts on a technicality, the US Ambassador Scott H Delisi warns that it is scaring away United States investors who are considering doing … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Special refugee programs for gays should include all LGBTI people worldwide seeking to escape criminalization, harsh penalties and rampant persecution By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. While Spectrum Human Rights continues to lobby the US Congress, the US State Department and the White House to establish a special refugee program for Russian LGBT people, we … More Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

“Quite frankly I am sick of hearing how ‘upset’ everyone is about this new law, while doing absolutely nothing to help our fellow LGBTI in The Gambia” By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. While Gay people from The Gambia are on the run, the U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president … More Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

New York High Court Allows Retrial in Killing of Transgender Woman

Retrial on Hate Crime Charge in Killing of Lateisha Green Overturns Prior Conviction for Manslaughter As a Hate Crime as Inconsistent | Onondaga County District Attorney Can Resubmit Hate Crime Charge to Grand Jury for Retrial Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) … More New York High Court Allows Retrial in Killing of Transgender Woman

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

By Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. For the first time, an African LGBTI group will stage a demonstration at The Hague in the Netherlands, to draw attention to complaints arising out of how the Netherlands Immigration authorities treat the claims of  LGBTI Africans seeking asylum in that country. Out and Proud Diamond Group, an LGBT … More African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

Posted by Melanie Nathan,  21st November 2014, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL), Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), Rainbow Health Foundation (RHF), and Support Initiative for Persons with Congenital Disorders (SIPD) released a report on violations based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation (SDGISO) (SOGI) . … More Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

Transgender Remembrance Day By Melanie Nathan, November, 20, 2014. Today is Transgender Remembrance Day. It is the day we come together to remember violence perpetrated against the transgender community, so many brutally beaten, murdered and persecuted out of hate and fear of a difference which people do not understand. The latter no excuse, and a … More Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

By Melanie Nathan, November, 18 2014. Jimmy Kyesswa still bears the scars of the inhumanity he suffered and it continues as he seeks asylum in the United Kingdom. This petition will be delivered to: Secretary of State, Hon Theresa May MP in the United Kingdom, thanks to the excellent work of OUT and PROUD Diamond … More Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

Why is Qwelane no longer Ambassador to Uganda – why the secrecy? By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2014. While the Johannesburg High Court must decide whether the Jon Qwelane’s hate speech case and a constitutional challenge to the Equality Act are closely linked enough so that the Court can hear both cases as one, it … More Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court