California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills into Law SACRAMENTO- Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two of Senator Scott Wiener’s bills promoting LGTBQ rights and equality: Senate Bill 932 mandates that health care providers in California report sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, if known, for all reportable communicable … More California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

Lawsuit Against Trump Admin’s Horrific Rule Removing the ACA Non-Discrimination Protections during Pandemic

TLDEF, TLC, NWLC, Harvard CHLPI, and Firm Hogan Lovells File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration’s Rule Removing ACA’s Non-Discrimination Protections Today, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF), the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Transgender Law Center (TLC), the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) of Harvard Law School, and law firm Hogan Lovells filed … More Lawsuit Against Trump Admin’s Horrific Rule Removing the ACA Non-Discrimination Protections during Pandemic

Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

In 2017 it was widely reported that Egyptian police arrested 57 people after they were allegedly seen raising rainbow flags at a concert in Cairo. They were reportedly detained for “promoting sexual deviancy”. Among them was the only woman arrested, a lesbian activist, Sara El Hegazy, who after finding refuge in Canada, according to media and Twitter … More Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

Trump Trounces Trans with Healthcare Discrimination

New Federal Regulations Encourage Health Care Discrimination Against Transgender People New York, NY – Today the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a devastating new rule that would invite insurance companies, hospitals, and health care professionals to illegally deny transgender people care despite protections mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The … More Trump Trounces Trans with Healthcare Discrimination

STOP Trump’s Wolf and Redfield from Exploiting COVID-19 Against Asylum Seekers and Children

Over 250 Organizations Call on Trump’s Wolf and Redfield to Stop Exploiting COVID-19 Against Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children Today African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) participated, along with 250 organizations, as a signatory to a letter sent to DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and CDC (Center for Disease Control) urging the TRUMP administration to restore … More STOP Trump’s Wolf and Redfield from Exploiting COVID-19 Against Asylum Seekers and Children

Public Health Urges COVID-19 Test for All Workers

MARIN PUBLIC HEALTH – Urges COVID-19 Test for All Workers  Free testing available for those in grocery, construction and other industries San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health is calling on all businesses and employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially where workers have frequent contact with the public – to utilize free COVID-19 … More Public Health Urges COVID-19 Test for All Workers

Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

You can Help by taking action together: Right now, Members of Congress are again discussing legislation to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must make sure that refugees are included in receiving that support. Ask your senator to include refugees in COVID-19 relief legislation. The economic effects of this crisis are disproportionate, and refugees … More Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

UC Hastings, Other Tenderloin Residents Sue San Francisco Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19 – Article in The Recorder accessed below… “The conditions now prevailing in the Tenderloin constitute a violation of the fundamental civil rights of those residing and working there,” wrote lawyers for Tenderloin residents suing to force the city to confront encampments … More San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

Tanzania’s president is under pressure after three MPs die in 11 days and Covid-19 cases spike. Tanzania’s president John Magufuli has described Covid-19 as a “demon” and declared all places of worship remain open because they are where “true healing” will be found. Magufuli has also been relatively relaxed about instituting movement restrictions or lockdowns … More Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) is pleased to partner with our friends at ALIGHT for the ongoing OUR KITCHEN TABLE initiative.  Together with the LGBTI community in Kenya, we are collaborating through this programming in our joint quest to mitigate the hardships that the COVID-19 Pandemic is bringing to LGBTI refugees in Kenya, to support safe shelter, food and hygiene needs … More Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 28th, at 9:00 a.m. or thereafter Effective March 24, 2020, residential and commercial tenants throughout Marin County may not be evicted because of a sudden loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Resolution applies to all rentals in every city, town, and unincorporated area of Marin County and lasts … More Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

Marin HHS sends warning on eve of Child Abuse Prevention Month Calls to Marin County’s child abuse and neglect hotlines has plunged since the start of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, raising concerns of specialists with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to HHS’ Children and Family Services Division, calls to … More Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

Having been a Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride in 2014 and also having served on the San Francisco Pride Board as vice president, I find it very sad but absolutely necessary to support the following Statement from the executive director of San Francisco Pride, considering the dangers we face as a result of … More Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

Ten Point Plan for Roommates and Family Sharing Shelter Place During COVID-19

WHERE at least one is an essential worker, or at lest one needs to leave the Shelter in Place premises for any reason: As the global COVID-19 Pandemic crosses the ONE MILLION CoronaVirus positive number, with USA almost at 250,000, many deaths and an unknown future for us all, here is PLAN for roommates and … More Ten Point Plan for Roommates and Family Sharing Shelter Place During COVID-19

Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

STATEMENT ON THE RAID OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN FOUNDATION SHELTER FOR LGBT YOUTHS IN UGANDA- 3/31/2020 Introduction and overview On the morning of 29th March, a shelter for LGBT youth operated by Children of the Sun Foundations (COSF) was raided by residents, and security forces. 23 people found at the shelter were arrested. … More Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

Concern as COVID-19 Restrictions Trigger Escalated Human Rights Abuses in Uganda

Following my post yesterday ( referenced below) where Ugandan authorities raided a homeless shelter, beating people and threatening beatings in exchange for confessions as to sexuality, reflects not only an abuse of basic human rights, but also an insidious and opportunistic excuse to cite COVID-19 as a justification to victimize the most vulnerable.  As well … More Concern as COVID-19 Restrictions Trigger Escalated Human Rights Abuses in Uganda

Bay Area Extend School Closures through Due to CoronaVirus Pandemic

Campuses remain closed to students; Schools continue to offer meals, resources San Rafael, CA –Marin County has aligned with seven Bay Area county health officers, and county superintendents to make a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through May 1, 2020 to slow the spread of novel … More Bay Area Extend School Closures through Due to CoronaVirus Pandemic

UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

CAUTION: Please refrain from portraying certain situations inaccurately. We would advise you to be cautious and to verify information and facts prior to circulating unconfirmed COVID-19-related information further.  This can cause an enormous amount of harm to everyone. Be sure of your facts before you post them on Social Media. We caution anyone spreading any information to sure off the … More UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

Marin Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban

Board Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban- County efforts aimed at helping our most vulnerable populations The resolution requires renters and lease holders to notify their landlord within 30 days after the rent is due that they are unable to pay because of financial impacts related to COVID-19. A landlord may seek payment of unpaid rent … More Marin Approves COVID-19 Relief Fund, Eviction Ban

Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory

African Human Rights Coalition – COVID-19 Advisory- HERE PLEASE KEEP VISITING KENYAN  MINISTRY OF HEALTH FOR UPDATES: The new Coronavirus – called COVID-19 virus causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. There is no need to panic. It is VERY IMPORTANT at this time for community to work cooperatively and in unity. It … More Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory

SoulCycle, Equinox and Ross Statements exacerbate Call for Boycott

On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that real estate developer and investor Stephen Ross is hosting a fundraising luncheon for Trump’s reelection campaign at his Southampton, New York, home on Friday. Ross is the founder and chairman of the real estate firm Related Companies, which is the financial force behind Hudson Yards, Equinox Fitness Clubs, … More SoulCycle, Equinox and Ross Statements exacerbate Call for Boycott

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

Marin County and Homeward Bound Partner on Shelter Needs

Support for people experiencing homelessness to increase existing capacity San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) and the Novato-based nonprofit Homeward Bound of Marin have established emergency shelter surge capacity to supplement 190 year-round shelter beds during severe weather events.  In the case of a severe weather event, the … More Marin County and Homeward Bound Partner on Shelter Needs

Art a Fire Danger Reminder – Marin to Showcase Human-Sized ‘Nest’

Art installation made from tree limbs serves as fire fuel reduction reminder – with 8 people dead 1000 structures lost in one of the worst fires in California’s history 150 miles to the North of Marin! San Rafael, CA – A County of Marin sponsored art installation, now under construction in San Rafael, will serve … More Art a Fire Danger Reminder – Marin to Showcase Human-Sized ‘Nest’

New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

My family was once on the rough end of America’s immigration law, when faced with the threat of my same-sex spouse having to go back to her country of origin.  Because of DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act) LGBT people could not marry with federal immigration rights to sponsor a same-sex spouse to remain in … More New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

Governor gives go-ahead to legalize discrimination WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today signed SB 1140 into law, codifying discrimination against legally married same-sex couples and others looking to adopt, and imperiling the well-being of youth in the state’s child welfare system. The new law will permit taxpayer funded adoption agencies to turn away same-sex … More Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

Short Memo on Trump Transgender Military Ban by Palm Center

Offers Expert Analysis of Meaning of Latest DOD Announcement  SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Palm Center today released the below short memo describing the impact and status of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members. “Breaking Down the March 23, 2018 Transgender Military Ban” outlines what the Pentagon and White House released on Friday; explains … More Short Memo on Trump Transgender Military Ban by Palm Center

The First Report to Look at HIV Criminalization in Georgia

With thanks to the The Williams Institute (UCLA School of Law) : Georgia, USA, laws that criminalize people living with HIV have resulted in 571 arrests from 1988 to September 2017, according to state-level criminal history record information analyzed by the Williams Institute. Findings show some disparities in enforcement of the laws based on race, … More The First Report to Look at HIV Criminalization in Georgia

Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates

Medically Unnecessary Operations Risk Lifelong Suffering (Chicago, July 25, 2017) – Doctors in the United States continue to perform medically unnecessary surgeries that can inflict permanent harm on intersex children, Human Rights Watch and interACT said in a report released today. Despite decades of controversy over the procedures, doctors operate on children’s gonads, internal sex … More Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates