Category: Law

Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

July 5, 2015

A shidduch – Rick marrying Rick is indeed acceptable but not in the way they use it! By Melanie Nathan, July 05, 2015. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) was the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual National Organization for Marriage (NOM) gala in Washington, DC. – not an unusual venue … More Rick Santorum Speech at NOM Gala is Last Stand for the Dying Political Ploy

Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

June 26, 2015

America Has Marriage for All | History Made in Landmark SCOTUS Decision Melanie Nathan, June 26, 2015 There is no union more profound than marriage and now the Supreme Court of the United States of America  has ruled that every single person in the USA have an equal right to marriage! This morning at 10.00 … More Landmark SCOTUS Case Confirms Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in All U.S. States

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

UNHRC Recommends the United States Establish a National Human Rights Body

May 21, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 21, 2015. I am posting this Williams Institute report which links to the UNHRC Report.  What stood out for me important to note in this report is the recommendation – “One recommendation asked the U.S. to ensure that religious exemptions are regulated to protect the human rights of LGBT people.”  What … More UNHRC Recommends the United States Establish a National Human Rights Body

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

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

San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

March 18, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015. I recall protesting the installation of viciously anti-LGBTI Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at the Archdiocese in San Francisco. Now it seems that it is not only gays that the Catholic Church in San Francisco has under attack and wants to keep from its opulent doorway. The venom has now spewed … More San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

Proposed Texas Legislation Attacks Transgender People

March 13, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly denounces new proposed legislation in Texas that singles out transgender people for harsh discrimination. Introduced by Republican State Representative Gilbert Peña on March 10, House Bills 2801 and 2802 come on the heels of a string of bills targeting transgender people, including a prior … More Proposed Texas Legislation Attacks Transgender People

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

Why Obama has won on the Immigration EO

February 17, 2015

Republicans roll off the Hill, while Democrats traverse Mt. Everest By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2015. Republicans would be calling the Judge who barred President Obama’s Immigration Executive Orders ‘an activist Judge’ – albeit tit-for-tat – indeed he may be – but did the Judge fall into a trap? Do we really think the appeals … More Why Obama has won on the Immigration EO

South Africa Trial of 2 Men Accused of Raping Lesbian

January 29, 2015

The guise of so called “corrective” rape against lesbians are hate attacks by men who believe woman are there for their use! By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2015. The trial of two men accused of raping a lesbian, to supposedly “correct” her sexual orientation commenced in the South African city of Port Elizabeth, Wednesday. The … More South Africa Trial of 2 Men Accused of Raping Lesbian

Accused Human Rights Group Reopens in Uganda

January 22, 2015

Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2015 The Ugandan Refugee Law Project (RLP) which works directly with refugees and asylum seekers in the refugee settlements was suspended on 14 March 2014 following allegations that RLP was promoting homosexuality under the guise of human rights promotion and protection. This suspension was subsequently extended to their offices in Kampala … More Accused Human Rights Group Reopens in Uganda

President Obama’s Speech and Impact on Global LGBT Persecution

January 21, 2015

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

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

January 16, 2015

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

January 16, 2015

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

January 11, 2015

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

December 31, 2014

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

On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

December 24, 2014

…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

Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

December 17, 2014

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.

December 16, 2014

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

December 12, 2014

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

UK Couple Marry under the New Same-Sex Marriage Conversion Law

December 10, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 10, 2014. At midnight, and with a portrait of the Queen in the background, Philip Glanville and Trey Mcrary took their vows as one of Britain’s first same-sex couples to marry under England’s new marriage equality laws.  Today in the United Kingdom and Wales, the first civil partnership conversion ceremonies and … More UK Couple Marry under the New Same-Sex Marriage Conversion Law

New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

December 8, 2014

Passes Legislation Eliminating Surgery Requirement for Transgender People Seeking to Align Their Birth Certificates with Their True Selves | Action Comes After TLDEF Sues City for Discriminating Against Transgender People Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 08, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the New York City Council … More New York City Council Votes to End Discriminatory Birth Certificate Policy

Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

November 21, 2014

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

Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

November 13, 2014

Indian women die, seriously injured, after mass sterilization drive   Human Rights, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS news making the headlines that you probably will not read anywhere in the USA news – with thanks to the good people at SAfAIDS for their “Zero Tolerance for Homophobia” campaign: Being a sex worker doesn’t give you the right … More Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

October 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2104. Preliminary reports, yet to be verified by the Court, indicate that the Nigerian Abuja High Court has delivered a ruling striking down the case where the Court was asked to nullify the new “Jail the Gays” Act,  signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in January of this year. … More Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law