Category: LGBT

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

September 6, 2013

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

September 5, 2013

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, was introduced again in Congress this year — if passed, it would make sure that no one can legally be discriminated against in the workplace for being gay or transgender. By Melanie Nathan, September 05, 2013. We all know we have a Congress that will not work with this … More Shame on President Obama’s Jon Carson for not getting the ENDA Picture

Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

September 5, 2013

Press Release: Contact Melanie Nathan: nathan@privatecourts.com Dated: September 05, 2013. https://www.facebook.com/events/433652160084761/ Tomorrow night, Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm, the coalition, including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com and PCI-Justice, will stage an informational vigil, outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness and Grove.  … More Opera Couple Patricia Racette and Beth Clayton to Support LGBT Vigil for Russia

The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

September 5, 2013

“If anything this should be a wake-up call to our President and to Congress to act in like, to go even further. ….our goal of Full Federal Equality” By Jennifer McGuire, September 05, 2013. It was announced yesterday that spouses of Lesbian and Gay veterans will be eligible for benefits.  In the recent stream of … More The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. Rosh Hashana, (“Head of the Year”,) which begins at sundown this evening, ushers in ten days of Jewish soul-searching, known as the “Days of Awe.” It ends with the “closing of the gates” on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider giving. This two-day holiday begins on 1 Tishrei, … More Shanah Tovah to the organizations who love and support LGBT

Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

September 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. A group of LGBT activists will stage an informational vigil including members of Gays Without Borders, BoycottRussianVodka.com will be holding a fun informational vigil on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm outside the San Francisco Opera’s gala opening night at the War Memorial Opera House, located at Van Ness … More Vigil to be held at San Francisco Opera Opening for solidarity with Russian Gays

President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

September 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2013. Buzzfeed is reporting that President Obama will be meeting with Russian LGBT activists while in Russia. The President had cancelled a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin while there for the G20 summit. I agree with Buzfeed that Obama may anger the Kremlin further by meeting with Russian … More President Obama to Meet with LGBT Russians During G20 Summit

Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

September 1, 2013

Human Rights Infractions Threaten Lives of Two 21 year old Men Perceived as Gay Couple By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2013. For almost five months, two young men have been languishing in an overcrowded and disease ridden Zambian jail, and while a Magistrate keeps them incarcerated with little evidence to an alleged crime, witnesses fail … More Zambian Gay Trial Continues as Medical Sodomy Witnesses Fail to Testify

Gay hater Scott Lively Sends Pink Swastika to Putin

August 31, 2013

AND Congratulates Vladimir Putin for Anti-Gay Persecution | “Along with this cover letter, I am enclosing a copy of The Pink Swastika (Fourth Edition) in English that is autographed by my co-author and I” Scott Lively By Cathy Kristofferson, August 31, 2013 Anti-gay radical Christian extremist and gay hater Scott Lively, fresh from being denied … More Gay hater Scott Lively Sends Pink Swastika to Putin

Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

August 31, 2013

Our March Campaign Will Not Be Silenced By Cathy Kristofferson, August 30, 2013 At Wednesday’s 50th anniversary March on Washington celebration Dream Defender’s Philip Agnew and United We Dream’s Sofia Campos were denied their opportunity to speak at the last minute. The excuse given?  Officials said they had “run out of time.”  This follows the … More Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

August 29, 2013

By Melanie Nathan,  Thursday, August 29, 2013 The Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) issued this Press release to inform about the fabulous business forum being held in Dallas, Texas between the Eastern Africa Diaspora Business Council (EADBC) and the Uganda North America Association (UNAA) , for the Annual Trade and Investment Forum. And now … More Anti-Gay Ugandan Parliament visiting Texas, U.S.A.

Vigils around the world demand justice for murdered Jamaican LGBT youth

August 29, 2013

Justice for Dwayne Jones By Cathy Kristofferson, August 29, 2013 Light panels calling for justice illuminated the street outside the Jamaican Embassy in Washington D.C. last night, as a coalition of organizations including GetEQUAL, Stop The Hate and Homophobia Coalition (Springfield, MA), The DC Center, Center Global, Spectrum Human Rights, CodePINK, and Light Brigade Maryland … More Vigils around the world demand justice for murdered Jamaican LGBT youth

The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

August 29, 2013

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on two cases involving California’s law banning so-called LGBT ‘conversion therapy’. The appeals court has reversed a grant of a preliminary injunction in one challenge, and it has affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction in another. This means the law will be in effect during the proceedings. … More The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

August 29, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 28, 2013 The hate speech case against homophobic journalist Jon Qwelane is set to continue to drag on into its sixth year without finality, notes South African site, MambaOnline: In addition, Qwelane will be challenging the constitutionality of the Equality Act, under which he was convicted, in an effort to … More Ambassador to Uganda Qwelane still running from the law

Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

August 27, 2013

 Putin’s Anti-gay law provides impetus for building to post shocking notice By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. For those of you who believe the Putin lies, that LGBTI people are safe, can be left alone entitled to privacy, and are not persecuted in Russia under his new law, here is a shocking example. This notice … More Putin’s Anti-gay law causes shocking “Beware of Homosexuals” Notice

Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. Due to the passage of extreme anti-gay legislation and the alarming increase in anti-gay violence in Russia, Equality Florida has called upon all Florida cities to suspend their Sister/Friendship City relationships with Russian cities.  Letters have been sent to the mayors of Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee. … More Call for Florida Cities to Suspend Relationships with Russian Sister Cities

Putin bans meetings and protests during Sochi Winter Olympics

August 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 23, 2013. In an atmosphere of LGBTI oppression and calls for the removal of the Winter Olympics from Sochi, Russia because of recent anti-gay laws, an ABC News reporter is tweeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned all meetings, protests and demonstrations during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. … More Putin bans meetings and protests during Sochi Winter Olympics

Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

August 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While the less educated on the realities and impacts of boycotting Russia because of its new Putin signed anti-gay laws, are quick to draw conclusions that boycotts are not working, relevant leadership emerges calling for persistent boycotts. Masha Gessen is emerging as the new and prized leadership, an imperative … More Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

August 21, 2013

Sunday Protest | Gay Oppressor Russian Orthodox Church lives in the Castro By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. This Sunday morning as San Francisco’s Castro awakens to its persistent rainbow flags, the heartbeat of gay America will show solidarity for Russia’s persecuted LGBT community. Who could have imagined that the Russian Orthodox Church would nestle … More San Francisco Castro to Protest Russian Anti-Gay laws

The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

August 21, 2013

Alekseev refuses to talk to Washington Post in his bid to control western media by=ut still wants to come to the US as a guest Of Human Rights First By Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2013. I wrote an article this past weekend about the outrageous social media antics of Russian activist Nikolai Alekseev.  As I … More The good news is Nikolai Alekseev not willing to talk to U.S. Press

Scott Lively’s accountability for Crimes Against Humanity should now extend beyond Uganda to the FSU

August 18, 2013

“…widespread, systematic persecution of individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity constitutes a crime against humanity.” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 15, 2013 On August 14 we reported here on OBLOGDEE that Springfield U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Posner, ruled against radical Christian Evangelical Scott Lively in his motion to dismiss the case … More Scott Lively’s accountability for Crimes Against Humanity should now extend beyond Uganda to the FSU

MA court declares evangelical pastor Lively must stand trial for Crimes Against Humanity

August 14, 2013

Evangelical homophobia spread in Uganda same as done in Russia and worldwide By Cathy Kristofferson, August 14, 2013 We are rejoicing today in Massachusetts. The Springfield Federal Court has ruled favorably, denying the motion to dismiss, in the Crimes Against Humanity case brought against the Commonwealth’s most anti-gay resident Scott Lively. The Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. … More MA court declares evangelical pastor Lively must stand trial for Crimes Against Humanity

Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

August 10, 2013

How Many Carrie Prejeans will be at Miss Universe in Russia? By Melanie Nathan, August 10, 2013. Russian President Valdimir Putin has earned a new name – Putin ‘Czar of Homophobia.’ His new anti-gay law and the increase in homophobic violence has led to calls for sanctions against Russia, from boycotts of Russian vodka to … More Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

August 10, 2013

“Stephen Fry has called on athletes … to make a symbol at the Games to display their objection to new anti-gay laws.” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 10, 2013 Today’s “UK Supports LGBT Russia” protest in London against Russia’s anti-gay laws and rising homophobia drew an early estimate of 1,100 attending the over 3 hour event.  The … More Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

August 8, 2013

 Sparking need to increase international outcry and calls for boycotts By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. It would seem that the recent promulgation of anti-gay laws in Russia is spreading in the region.  We are receiving reports from Yerevan, Armenia that  Armenia’s police have proposed a ban on promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships” in the country. … More Armenia next as Russia’s anti-gay laws start to spread

The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

August 7, 2013

The Facts About Stolichnaya \ What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand – What Stolichnaya Execs, its PR Firm and Ad Agency Say About the Brand By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2013. Updates August 11, 2013. – In its attempts to separate itself from the Russian vodka boycotts, Stoli … More The truth about Russian Vodka Boycotts, Stoli Stolichnaya and ALL OUT Boycotts

Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

August 7, 2013

 and then have the courage of our convictions to insist “NO AMERICAN IN SOCHI” until the Russians rescind their anti-gay laws and start treating LGBTI people with the dignity they deserve. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. As soon as the Russian DUMA legislated its anti-gay Propaganda law, we here at OBLOGDEE called for an … More Boycott Sochi Games and Stephen Fry’s compelling letter

President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws

August 6, 2013

Ask IOL to move the Olympics from Sochi. By Melanie Nathan, August 07, 2013. U.S. President Barack Obama today criticized a new Russian law cracking down on gay rights activism, saying he has “no patience for countries that try to treat gays and lesbians and transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful … More President Obama Condemns Russia’s Anti-Gay laws