San Francisco to protest Pride’s cancellation of Bradley Manning honor

By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2013. San Francisco, CA – Gay activists have called a protest against the San Francisco Pride Committee for withdrawing of Bradley Manning as an honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s Pride. Bradley Manning, widely known to be gay, had been selected to be one of the Grand Marshals of the … More San Francisco to protest Pride’s cancellation of Bradley Manning honor

Judge rules lesbian binational couple can challenge DOMA

By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2013. In a case filed by  Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, a Judge has ruled that a lesbian couple facing immigration discrimination has the legal standing to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA, because it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants … More Judge rules lesbian binational couple can challenge DOMA

San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

PLEASE help spread the word By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. Our Family Coalition is a Bay Area organization committed to promoting the equality and well-being of LGBTQ families. The organization  strives to provide programs responsive to the evolving need of the communities they serve. With many challenges ahead,  OFC needs your critical input; they … More San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

Gay Man in San Diego immigration detention ailing and desperate to reunite with Fiancé

ASKING FOR HELP TO BRING MAX HOME TO DONALD The worst outcome of the unconstitutional DOMA is when it separates spouses and partners | If Max and Donald were a straight couple, this would not be happening By Melanie Nathan and Ken Williams, April 05, 2013. A 26-year-old gay man is being held in immigration … More Gay Man in San Diego immigration detention ailing and desperate to reunite with Fiancé

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

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

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

Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award

PLEASE VOTE \ at http://www.sfpride.org/vote/ By Melanie Nathan, March 21, 2013 UPDATED 3/21/2013. : After informing the San Francisco Pride Board that Ugandan activists were horrified by this nomination and concerned about the harmful backlash that could follow, the Pride organizers agreed to remove Kadaga from the site as a nominee.  They were apologetic for … More Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award

Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

By Melanie Nathan, March 17, 2013. nathan@privatecourts.com Further to our post yesterday, (http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/03/16/rallies-across-the-united-states-for-marriage-equality/)  about the LGBT community and supporters converging on D.C. to attend the events surrounding  the SCOTUS opening arguments for marriage equality in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases, and the 150 nationwide events, to rally in support of marriage equality and full … More Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

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

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

Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

Mere Stupidity or myth and lies;  Lively’s lack lustre impact in the LG community denotes time to tackle the BT community – Read this article and indulge in a big LMFAO By Melanie Nathan, March 04, 2013. “Is “bi-sexual marriage” really relevant?” asks fervently anti-gay pastor Scott Lively, in a recent post which appeared on … More Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” By restricting … More California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

 Activists pledge to boycott hotel in video, citing owner Brunei’s anti-gay policies By Melanie Nathan, Feb 13, 2013. LOS ANGELES – Gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel today, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East Asia where male … More Finger flipping F U Video calling for Boycotts of Anti-gay Brunei owned Beverley Hills Hotel

On the passing of a fellow commissioner Marna (Angell) Cohen

The Marin Human Rights Commission By Melanie Nathan, January, 28,2013. Just last week a Commission to which I was appointed a few years ago, The Marin Human Rights Commission,  held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Gala , where we honored a fellow Commissioner, Marna Cohen, with a Lifetime Social Justice award.  Sadly Commissioner Marna … More On the passing of a fellow commissioner Marna (Angell) Cohen

Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

MHRC 31st  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Dinner Jan. 24th | Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Highlights Connections to Civil Rights Movement’s Bayard Rustin The 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Gala will be held by the Marin Human Rights Commission at The Four Points Sheraton on January 24, 2013, to honor Marin’s … More Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

Support Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence memorial for nuns who have died of AIDS

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,  to remember and honor every Nun of the Above By Melanie Nathan, November 19, 2012. They have supported us for over thirty years and now it is our chance, as the worldwide LGBT community, to show our love and thanks. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are creating a unique place … More Support Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence memorial for nuns who have died of AIDS

GAY U.S.A. Elections 2012 Vote Obama

Tomorrow’s vote for President Barack Obama represents the single most important vote the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex community will ever make – my opinion. While we may still find ourselves with an obstructionist congress, that allows for very little, if any, pro-equality legislation in the USA, setting the tone, maintaining the dignity of … More GAY U.S.A. Elections 2012 Vote Obama

South African Gay Flag at San Francisco Pride 2012

By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2012. Today the Gay Flag of South Africa passed   a million people lining the streets of San Francisco as the LGBTI community celebrated San Francisco Pride 2012. San Francisco Pride parade is a world-renowned LGBT pride parade attracting tourists and Television crews from around the world. Thousands of people … More South African Gay Flag at San Francisco Pride 2012

A Million Cheers for Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo at San Francisco Pride 2012

By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2012. Amidst a sea of rainbows, over one million people lined the streets of San Francisco and cheered as Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, the heroic clergyman and LGBT rights ally activist from Uganda, made his way through the San Francisco Pride 2012 route,  as its Global Grand Marshall leading a fitting … More A Million Cheers for Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo at San Francisco Pride 2012

HRC’s New Chief Chad Griffin gets a GAY Flag of South Africa

Chad Griffin , of  USA Largest LGBT Rights Organization and Dustin Lance Black , Director of MILK, photographed with the  Gay Flag of SA as a Symbol of grass roots activism SA Editorial, June 11, 2012. Sunday in the Castro was buzzing when Chad Griffin, the new President of the Human Rights Campaign,  made a … More HRC’s New Chief Chad Griffin gets a GAY Flag of South Africa

California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

by Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2012 We are on  the home stretch of Proposition 8’s wild ride through the Courts with a set of victories that will either reinstate same-sex marriage for Californians or result in the Supreme Court of the United States hearing the case. I wrote a very personal article back in 2009 … More California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

California Same-Sex Marriage Victory Stands as Ninth Circuit refuses to Re-Hear Prop 8 Case

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied a request from anti-marriage forces to reconsider its landmark ruling in Perry v. Brown that found California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Proposition 8 stripped gay and lesbian Californians of the fundamental freedom to marry. … More California Same-Sex Marriage Victory Stands as Ninth Circuit refuses to Re-Hear Prop 8 Case

Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

By Melanie Nathan, May 11, 2012. BOSTON – Following President Obama’s announcement to support same sex marriage, Senator John Kerry, along with 16 of his Senate colleagues, today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to protect married gay and lesbian couples facing possible deportation. In a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and … More Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2012 It was difficult for me to read Dustin Lance Black’s outlandish article on the Hollywood Reporter.  I found it to be irresponsible, unsophisticated  and quite poorly written. I sent my detailed response to the piece to  both ‘The Advocate’ and ‘LGBTQ Nation’ which are publications I have written several … More Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

California Senator Leno introduces Bill to Limit Strip Searches

For  Non-Violent Detainees By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012 SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno today announced introduction of legislation to protect Californians from intrusive strip and body cavity searches when they are taken into custody for minor offenses that do not involve drugs, weapons or violence. Senate Bill 1536 clarifies existing state law to allow … More California Senator Leno introduces Bill to Limit Strip Searches

Teen Suicide Note | Excerpts from GAY U.S.A. the Movie, SDGLN and Huffington Post Gay Voices

The eulogies effectively conveyed the message that EricJames had sought to impart, when he noted so succinctly in his final written words: “My pain is not caused because I am gay. My pain was caused by how I was treated because I am gay.” Never before had the sound of ‘Edge of Glory’ been so … More Teen Suicide Note | Excerpts from GAY U.S.A. the Movie, SDGLN and Huffington Post Gay Voices