Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

SEE VIDEO Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 28, 2013. New York, NY (October 28, 2013) — Gay activists directly confronted Russian government officials over that country’s anti-LGBT laws during a forum to promote US investment in Russia, disrupting a panel promoting investment in Moscow.One after another, three members of Queer Nation rose to question the … More Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

The SMUG v. Scott Lively Case is a must attend for LGBT Community

Lively’s hate and persecution continues and so must we! By Cathy Kristofferson, October 25, 2013 Back in January, I blogged “Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go!”  The case is ongoing and heating up.  Until now Scott Lively and his defense team have been mustering up every … More The SMUG v. Scott Lively Case is a must attend for LGBT Community

New Yorkers to Protest with Divest Moscow Message at Russian Officials’ Meeting

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Government  Financial Officials at NYC’s Princeton Club New York, NY (October 24, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, LGBT rights group Queer Nation will demonstrate outside a New York City meeting of Russian government officials. The protest will take … More New Yorkers to Protest with Divest Moscow Message at Russian Officials’ Meeting

Russian Consul Lambasted for anti-gay laws by Seattle Mayor and City Council

Seattle Mayor and City Council take Strong Stand for LGBT Rights against Russian Consul while inviting him to get educated By Melanie Nathan, October 21, 2013. An unanimous City Council of Seattle sent a letter to Russian Consul General, Andry Yushmanov joining Mayor Mike McGinn in condemning Russia’s anti-gay laws, inviting the Russian Consul to … More Russian Consul Lambasted for anti-gay laws by Seattle Mayor and City Council

Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. According to Sapa, police in Gauteng, South Africa have confirmed that a 22-year-old man was arrested in Tokoza in connection with the horrific and brutal murder of a young lesbian, Duduzile Zozo. The man is scheduled to appear for charges, in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday, according … More Arrest in South African Lesbian Murder Case

Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

Are we serious and important enough to find our Mandela? By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. In his first speech upon his release from prison, Nelson Mandela acknowledged the importance of the sanctions and boycotts against the Apartheid regime. Newly free, he asked that those sanctions NOT be lifted until apartheid was completely eradicated and … More Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Scott Lively brags about partnership with Russian Orthodox Church while pushing hate, pimping his book, and posing for the TV cameras… in Russia! By Cathy Kristofferson, October 18, 2013 American Evangelical anti-gay hate monger Scott Lively is currently “on a one-week mission to bolster the Russian pro-family movement” in Russia, he reports on his blog … More Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 17, 2013. San Francisco, 16 October 2013 – Europe’s leading civil society network for refugees accepted its first LGBTI member, last week. ORAM (Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration) – is proud to announce that the European Council of Refugees & Exiles (ECRE) Board has voted to accept ORAM into … More Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays

UN speech is latest of many homophobic rants  | Gay sex & cross-dressing illegal with a Threat to behead LGBTs Posted by Melanie Nathan, 14 October 2013. LGBTI protesters picketed the Gambian High Commission in London last Thursday, October 10,  to condemn the country’s president, Yahya Jammeh, over his repeated homophobic tirades. The protest was … More Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays

Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

By Melanie Nathan, October 14, 2013. Russian lawmakers would rather see infants and children starve and suffer neglect, resulting in deformities and attachment disorders than provide these children with the opportunities for love and health.  A picture speaks a million words – how does one grasp what could have been; and why would Russian lawmakers,  … More Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

“Gergiev, Your Silence is Killing Russian Gays” by Melanie Nathan, Ocytober 10, 2013. New York, NY (October 10, 2013) — Tonight, four members of the LGBT rights group Queer Nation disrupted the performance of the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, demanding that Gergiev oppose the Russian government’s attacks on LGBT Russians and … More Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

LGBT Rights Group Again Targets Conductor Linked to Putin By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. New York, NY (October 9, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, Queer Nation will stage a demonstration at Carnegie Hall on October 10. The target of the protest is … More Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. Johannesburg People’s Pride (JHBPP) took place in Constitution Hill on the 5th of October 2013. The theme People’s Pride indeed spoke for itself, because it embodied all kinds of People. JHBPP was not only for LGBTI people even heterosexuals were there. Lebo Mashile (poet) also graced the day with her presence. … More South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

An open letter to Persecutors of Gays and LGBTI, Rapists, ‘Corrective’ Rapists,  Bullies, Hon. Holomisa, Ambassador Qwelane, Christian Evangelicals and those of you who know who you are – I address you as one in a short simple letter as follows: Dear Homophobes of South Africa, Please heed this simple yet imperative quote: “Never, never … More A letter to Homophobes Living in South Africa

Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

View Moving Pictures By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013. Despite its all inclusive constitution, declaring full equality for all South Africans, including gays, lesbians, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and despite the independence of its judiciary system, South Africa’s LGBTI community still suffers extreme homophobia and it’s LGBTI refugee community suffers Xenophobia in addition to … More Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

Scott Lively Sends Out a Hit List Targets Federal Judge and Lesbian Activist

Is Lively asking his flock to pray or prey? By Cathy Kristofferson, September 25, 2013 After failing, yet again, to have the case against him for Crimes Against Humanity dismissed, Scott Lively has sent what is tantamount to a persecutory email to his followers containing a ‘hit list’ of those who are supporting the prosecution … More Scott Lively Sends Out a Hit List Targets Federal Judge and Lesbian Activist

Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

By Cathy Kristofferson, September 23, 2013 Today Scott Lively suffered another defeat in his quest to have the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) dismissed. As we reported here on OBLOGDEE, the Federal Court in Springfield ruled against Lively on August 14th to deny his first Motion To Dismiss, which … More Scott Lively denied second Motion To Dismiss of Crimes Against Humanity charges

Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Life in prison for being in loving gay relationships compared to 5-15 years for raping students By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2013. Reuters reports from Sierra Leone that Deputy Education Minister Mamoud Tarawali has been charged with raping a university student, according to police. Sierra Leone is a country that criminalizes loving gay relationships. The … More Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

I AM WONDERING when we are going to hear more about this travesty from international activists. Has Russia put us to sleep on Africa? Usurping all our outrage for the human right infractions against LGBT people in Africa? By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The Lusaka High Court has ruled that trial should commence in … More Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The voices are growing and they are becoming louder and clear and let us hope that this statement by Olympic gold snowboarder, Seth Wescott, who is speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law in defense of LGBT athletes, will prompt more athletes to come out against Russia and its … More Olympic Gold Snowboarder Denounces Russian Anti-Gay Law

100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

We Belong Together and allies are turning up the heat in Washington DC! By Cathy Kristofferson, September 12, 2013 As I write this more than 100 women are being arrested in front of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. They are part of a mass civil disobedience action calling on Congress to pass immigration reform that … More 100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate Posted by Editor, September 10, 2013. SACRAMENTO – The full Senate today approved a resolution urging CalPERS and CalSTRS not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia. SR … More CA Senate Approves Resolution Urging Divestment from Russia due to Anti-Gay Laws

Scott Lively says The Rainbow Belongs to God not you Gays!

“A trap being laid for February’s Russian Olympics could give homosexuals a world-wide exclusive claim on the symbol of the rainbow. “ By Cathy Kristofferson, September 11, 2013 A blog post today from Scott Lively declares that “The Rainbow Belongs to God” something we gays apparently didn’t know when “it was appropriated by the homosexual movement.”  … More Scott Lively says The Rainbow Belongs to God not you Gays!

Does Ugandan Speaker Kadaga’s Launch of Human Rights Checklist Impact the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Parliamentarians must apply Human Rights Test for Bills| Does this apply to the Kill the Gays Bill? By Melanie Nathan, September 11, 2013. In an ironic quest for legitimacy on the issue of human rights, Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament has urged Members “to always ensure that the bills and motions they consider pass the … More Does Ugandan Speaker Kadaga’s Launch of Human Rights Checklist Impact the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

Vote for S.F. Pride Board  at Annual General Meeting 2013 Sunday, September 15 at 2pm By Melanie Nathan, September 10, 2013. SF Pride is a member-driven organization. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the largest annual gathering of Pride’s membership. Voting members have the opportunity to participate in elections for the Board of Directors and … More Join San Francisco Pride and Vote for Board at Annual General Meeting

Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

But wait – watch out – what if we get our grubby queer hands on her? By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2013 Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko is the highest-ranking female politician in Russia, the former governor of Saint Petersburg and the current Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. She also hates gays. Valentina … More Russian Anti-Gay Parliamentarian Wants to Talk to United States Congress About Syria

Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening

See Video Below | Highlights from San Francisco Opera’s production of Mephistopheles By Melanie Nathan, September 07, 2013. San Francisco Opera’s 91st season opened last night, with a performance of Arrigo Boito’s Mephistopheles, described as “one of the most impressive productions ever seen at the War Memorial Opera House”. And what made it more impressive … More Vigil for LGBT Russia Greets San Francisco Opera Opening