AIDS Quilt Documentary “The Last One” Plans World AIDS Day Screenings

Film Spotlights AIDS Memorial Quilt; Reveals Progress, Setbacks and Hope in the Quest to End AIDS; Youth Campaign (Combining the Quilt Display with Screenings of the Film) Aims to Remind Young People About the History of HIV/AIDS and the Seriousness of the Disease Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2015. NEW YORK, NY–  Red Thread Productions … More AIDS Quilt Documentary “The Last One” Plans World AIDS Day Screenings

Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

TLDEF Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 20, 2015. New York, NY- The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commemorates the 17th Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to memorialize all those lost to anti-transgender violence and to honor the spirit and resilience of transgender people worldwide. TDOR began in … More Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. The Western New England University School of Law faculty voted unanimously on Friday, November 6, 2015, in favor of a resolution of support for pending legislation that would expand nondiscrimination protection for transgender individuals in businesses and other facilities that are open to the public, including within higher … More University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Submits Comments to HHS Supporting Broadest Possible Rule to Ban LGBT Health Care Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressing support for improving the health and wellness of transgender Americans … More TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

By Melanie Nathan, November 06, 2015. In a victory for the country’s LGBT community, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled on November 4, 2015, that same-sex couples in Colombia can adopt children. Previously couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners, but after hours of debate a 6-2 … More Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in … More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

Rugby Breakthrough as First Openly Gay Referee Chosen for World Cup Game

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October, 28, 2015. In the traditionally macho sport of rugby, the World Cup will break new ground this weekend, when for the first time it will be refereed by an openly gay man. While we look forward to the day when homosexuality is so acceptable that sexuality warrants no mention,  and … More Rugby Breakthrough as First Openly Gay Referee Chosen for World Cup Game

Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

  By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and  … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

Film About AIDS Memorial Quilt Covers its Birth and Impact

AIDS Quilt Documentary The Last One Gears Up for Fall 2015 Screenings and 2016 National Youth Outreach Campaign Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 20, 2015.   Film Spotlights AIDS Memorial Quilt; Reveals Progress, Setbacks and Hope in the Quest to End AIDS; Youth Campaign (Combining the Quilt Display with Screenings of the Film) Aims to … More Film About AIDS Memorial Quilt Covers its Birth and Impact

UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

where the revised rules could be strengthened from a human rights perspective..
The first concerns the prohibition of discrimination,” he said, adding that he is “disappointed that sexual orientation and gender identity were not explicitly recognized as grounds for discrimination, given their recognition by most human rights treaty bodies.
More UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

YES! for Gay People in Dutch Reformed Church – NG Kerk  – There were Tears of joy after the announcement. By Melanie Nathan, October 08, 2015. History was made in South Africa today, when the synod of  what was once probably the most conservative church on the planet, the Dutch Reformed Church, (NG Kerk/ DRC) … More History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

October 06, 2015, Cross Blog from The Recorder. A federal appellate panel on Monday questioned whether California prison officials accelerated the release of a transgender female prisoner to avoid having to provide her with sex-reassignment surgery. In April, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California ordered state officials to provide sex-reassignment … More Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner

Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 02, 2015. A few days ago, the Sharia police, in Indonesia, arrested  two young women aged 18 and 19, when they saw the pair hugging in a public place in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital. A police official told reporters that they “suspected the women were lesbians.” Yes with a mere … More Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug

Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents

CAP Report Outlines Barriers  Homeless Queer Youth Face in Obtaining Important Identification Documents Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, youth experience homelessness at a much higher rate than their non-LGBT peers. Like for most homeless youth, this leads to significant challenges … More Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents

Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

Gregg Jaffe at The Washington Post seems to think so…. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2015. President Obama will apparently nominate Eric Fanning to lead the United States Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services. While the Washington Post reports that this is … More Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

Ugandan Chris Mubiru Sentenced to 10 years in Sodomy Case

By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2015. Buganda Road Court in Kampala, Uganda, has sentenced the former soccer manager of the team Uganda Cranes, Christopher Mubiru Kisingiri, to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of fifty million Ugandan Shillings, approximately $14,000 USD. In the highly controversial case, Mubiru was found guilty of … More Ugandan Chris Mubiru Sentenced to 10 years in Sodomy Case

Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

1AngryOldLesbian.org puts spotlight on Brad Dacus and Pacific Justice Institute Update: Event photos below An otherwise idyllic year-round vacation spot became host today to a fear mongering, falsehood generating, anti-LGBT hate group—The Pacific Justice Institute and its President, Brad Dacus—speaking at the Estero Bay Republican Women Federated luncheon at the Morro Bay Golf Course, the … More Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

Ugandan Sports Club Manager Convicted in Sodomy Case

The former Uganda Cranes Manager, Christopher Mubiru Kisingiri has been convicted of sodomy. By Melanie Nathan, September 08, 2015. The Court in Kampala, Uganda,  has convicted  former Uganda Cranes Manager, Christopher Mubiru Kisingiri, of sodomy. Mubiru,  also the former Sports Club Villa manager, could be sentenced up to 18 years in prison. The Magistrate, Flavia … More Ugandan Sports Club Manager Convicted in Sodomy Case

Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

Leno Bills Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees, | Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Pass Assembly Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2015. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed two bills authored by Senator Mark Leno that provide protections and equal benefits to transgender Californians. The first bill, SB 703, prohibits state agencies from doing … More Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

Transgender Woman Files Federal Suit in Bloodworks Firing

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2015. A transgender woman has filed a federal suit against Bloodworks Northwest, formerly known as Puget Sound Blood Center, a Seattle-based blood clinic, for terminating her employment on the basis of sex. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle, alleges that … More Transgender Woman Files Federal Suit in Bloodworks Firing

17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

Reposted by Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2015. An Israeli woman, Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. Banki was one of the six people injured, two seriously, in a stabbing at Jerusalem Gay Pride. The detained … More 17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

See Shackled Rapist Murderer of South African Lesbian as Judge announces Sentence

Sitting in the dock, shackled in chains, a murdering rapist awaits his fate.  By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2015. Thabo Molefe, 47, has been sentenced to a concurrent 22 years for murder and 12 years for raping Lihle Sokhela, 28, a lesbian from Daveyton, Gauteng, South Africa. A large group of lesbians and supporters descended … More See Shackled Rapist Murderer of South African Lesbian as Judge announces Sentence

Convicted Radical in another Stabbing Attack at Jerusalem Gay Pride

By Melanie Nathan, July 30, 2015. UPDATED: August 02, 2015. I am devastated to report that a beautiful young woman celebrating ‪#‎PRIDE‬ has been taken from us – Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. May … More Convicted Radical in another Stabbing Attack at Jerusalem Gay Pride

9.5M LGBT Adults in U.S. would be Protected under New Equality Bill

Public opinion polling indicates that 78% of Americans support federal protections from discrimination for LGBT people. Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. According to the Williams Institute, The Equality Act, introduced today in Congress, would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, federal funding and … More 9.5M LGBT Adults in U.S. would be Protected under New Equality Bill

Landmark LGBT Equality Act Introduced into U.S. Congress

By Melanie Nathan, July, 23, 2015. The Equality Act, was introduced today by U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) to provide protections against discrimination for LGBT Americans in all aspects of life, including housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education. Finally, federal comprehensive … More Landmark LGBT Equality Act Introduced into U.S. Congress

Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. A new revealing report on persecution and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBTI community has been released by the Consortium on Monitoring Violations Based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The report refers to 89 verified documented violations in 2014 in Uganda. That was the year the Anti-Homosexuality Act … More Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

Trial to Commence as Justice sought in rape and murder of South African Lesbian

By Melanie Nathan, July 22, 2015. After sloppy police work, as alleged by the organization IRANTI, the trial against Thabo Molefe, charged with the murder of Thembelihle Sokhela,  a lesbian from Daveyton, will finally be heard at the Pretoria High Court on Monday July 27. Lihle was a 28-year old lesbian from Daveyton,  murdered on … More Trial to Commence as Justice sought in rape and murder of South African Lesbian