Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender news and perspectives of LGBT community
Passover is the Jewish people’s original story of becoming strangers in a strange land. It is the story that reminds us that we, too, have stood in the shoes of refugees and asylum seekers in search of safety and liberty. The HIAS Haggadah, available to all for free at HIAS.org (or in paperback from Amazon), … More Prepare for Passover With The HIAS Haggadah
Congress Must Act to Reduce Jail, Prison and Immigrant Detention Populations, Support Safe Community Reentry and Protect the Health of Incarcerated People March 25, 2020 – Washington, D.C. – Below is a statement from Maritza Perez, Director of the Office of National Affairs of the Drug Policy Alliance, expressing grave concern over Congress failing to adequately … More Congress Failing to Protect Incarcerated People in COVID-19 Stimulus Deal
Oakland, CA, Wednesday, March 25, 2020… In the rush to protect vulnerable populations from the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk to people struggling with addiction is especially high. And health professionals suggest this could undermine efforts to control the coronavirus spread. According to experts, people who use drugs are doubly at risk during this epidemic, not … More Broken Access to Treatment makes Drug Users Vulnerable in COVID-19 Pandemic
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which also serves as the Board of Commissioners for the Community Development Commission, today passed the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance, effective immediately for 60 days after the end of the local and public health emergency. The new ordinance aligns with the Governor’s Executive Order N-28-20 which authorized local jurisdictions … More SONOMA Board of Supervisors Approves Eviction Defense Ordinance
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
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
In times of crisis, transgender and non-binary people among other communities are often at higher risk of violence and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a series of unique challenges that may have long-term impact on transgender people and their families. Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has prepared Know Your Rights guide for transgender and non-binary … More Know Your Transgender Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic
Day 06 of Shelter in Place, Marin: Photo of the day- My daughter, now in quarantine – just in case- took this photo of JFK airport upon her return home to Marin this weekend. Everything changed overnight for this NYU grad, as she left her NYC Apartment to join her family here in Marin. Out … More Photo of the Day: A Deathly Quiet JFK Airport on March 21, 2020
Public Health issues order to stem influx of selfish visitors – ruining spaces for locals….. ugh… San Rafael, CA – The Public Health Division of Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an order March 22 for the immediate closure of all Marin parks – from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area down … More All Marin Parks Closed Amid COVID-19 Spread
Visitors Pack Coastal Marin Despite Order Public Health authorities urge that now is not the time to visit San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) is urging Bay Area residents not to travel beyond their communities as they engage in outdoor activities during the statewide shelter-in-place order. On Saturday, … More Dammit Marin This is not a Vacation its a Pandemic
Amidst the spread of coronavirus, communities are increasingly concerned about making the choice between taking unpaid sick leave and making rent. NYC activist and drag queen, Marti Gould Cummings, among other activists, is fighting to protect all New Yorkers from making this impossible decision. In a petition to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Marti is asking the … More COVID-19 Sign Petitions to Suspend Rents and Mortgage Payments
Senator Wiener and Assemblymember Gloria’s Statement Regarding Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the LBGTQ Community Sacramento – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego), on behalf of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, issued the following statement: “Coronavirus is impacting everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status. Yet, … More California Legislators on COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on LGBTQ Community
Message from African Human Rights Coalition on this Historic anniversary: “Today is the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act, the landmark legislation signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 17, 1980, that established the contemporary U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. This legislation reflects the values of the American people. That we are bound … More On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act
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
The Refugee Coalition of East Africa,(RefCEA) a strong body of refugees representing LGBTQI refuges in Kenya, is proving how dialogue and compromise can lead to solutions, through a series of meetings in Kenya. These meetings are undoubtedly serving the best interests of the tenuous LGBTQI refugee program’s ability to survive its stress and tests in … More LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions
AHRC ADVISORY: In the face of the sudden uncertainty and vulnerability of the COVID-19 virus as it spreads, our thoughts are with the millions of displaced people around the world. During this time we will continue to advocate in solidarity and for durable solutions for refugees and asylum seekers. Not everyone is at risk for … More UNHCR: World Response to COVID-19 Must Focus on ALL Including Displaced Persons
Modern Ghana Reports: Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how – By Boniface Ushie & Chimaraoke Izugbara & Frederick Wekesah – The Conversation:- Questions of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression have continued to divide opinion across the globe. This is primarily driven by legal, cultural and religious beliefs … More Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace
Last week I happened to tune into my local San Anselmo Town Council meeting, only to hear neighbors speak for and against the Town Council’s attempts to refuse to permit legal cannabis stores under Proposition 64, where Marin County voted to legalize marijuana. Last night, the Town Council sought to take extreme measures with a … More At Town Council Meeting President of San Anselmo Chamber Shocks with White Only Remark
UPDATED March 16,2020: Marin County Health & Human Services On March 16, the public health officers of seven Bay Area jurisdictions, including Marin, issued a legal order directing residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning March 17. The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. Scientific evidence … More Marin HHS recommending cancellation postponement of nonessential indoor gatherings
RefCEA Responds to Cessation of Funding with a call for a Community Planning Session: First Reported at AFRICAN HRC HERE. Tuesday 10 March 2020, NAIROBI, KENYA – In recent weeks, HIAS (the Refugee Trust of Kenya) announced the cessation of funding for urban refugees located in greater Nairobi. These LGBTQI refugees were transplanted from the … More LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest
Residents can slow disease spread with simple, everyday behaviors San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) is working with medical staff at a local hospital to treat a Marin resident diagnosed with COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. The individual diagnosed was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship that … More Marin Confirms First In-County Case of COVID-19
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are urgently appealing for US$621 million to support refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who have sought safety in neighboring countries as well as to assist hosting communities. The DRC Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) 2020-2021 launched today by UNHCR and its partners covers … More Urgent Appeal by UNHCR in DRC
Over 100 LGBT Filmmakers Abroad Call for Boycott of Tel Aviv LGBTQI Film Festival Haaretz is reporting that more than 100 LGBT filmmakers abroad have signed a petition calling for a boycott of the annual LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv, TLVFest, out of solidarity with the struggle by the Palestinian queer community. What a … More Filmmakers Try to Shut Down LGBTQI Israel Film Festival
From African Human Rights Coalition HERE: A WARNING Regarding Refugee Protests 2020-03-06 | AFrican HRC, Volunteer Staff WARNING: WE ARE URGING LGBTI REFUGEES IN KENYA TO READ OUR ADVISORY BELOW AND CONSIDER REFRAINING FROM PROTESTS ANYWHERE IN KENYA AT THIS TIME WE ARE URGING POTENTIAL FUNDERS OF PROTESTS TO NOTE THIS ADVISORY To ALL refugees in Kenya: … More Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees
50+ Groups Release Letter Asking HFAC to Investigate Report on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants Washington, DC – Earlier today, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and immigration experts gathered to call on the House of Representatives to investigate the Trump administration’s termination of TPS in coordination with his 2020 re-election campaign. … More Asking for Investigation on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants
Updated: The below Article was written before the COVID-19 postponement of the Sonoma Film Festival’s decision to screen its Festival Online. Happily Elephant Refugees will be screened on the opening night platform , July 30, 2020: Sales have opened NOW as a package with another film, The Guardian Elephant Warriors Of Reteti. BOTH FILMS CAN BE … More Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival
Marin County Schools Prepare for Coronavirus/COVID-19 Marin County, CA – School leaders and health experts in Marin County are coordinating efforts to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 and determine how schools will respond in the event that a case is identified at a school site. Working closely Dr. Matt Willis, Public Health … More Marin County Schools Prepare for Coronavirus/COVID-19
Proactive move increases eligibility for COVID-19 cost reimbursement The County of Marin is taking steps to proclaim a local health emergency and a local state of emergency to prepare for impacts associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has raised concerns worldwide. San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services … More Coronavirus – Marin Proclaims Health Local Emergencies Increasing Eligibility
With a Focus on Kenya In a recent advisory written for African Human Rights Coalition it is noted that leadership has a heightened responsibility when staging protests, especially under circumstances that have wide far reaching impacts on entire LGBTQI refugee resettlement and protection programs. There has been widespread appreciation by those impacted, who have expressed … More Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI
San Francisco, CA (February 28, 2020) – Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Trump Administration’s dangerous Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the policy which forcibly returns asylum seekers to Mexico to await their immigration court dates in perilous conditions. The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and … More Ninth Circuit Halts Trump Administration’s Forced Return to Mexico Policy
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