Category: NEWS

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender news and perspectives of LGBT community

Coronavirus Patient from Travis Isolated at Marin Hospital

February 27, 2020

Marin assists in regional response to evacuees; No cases have been identified in Marin San Rafael, CA – Marin County Health and Human Services today confirmed the transfer of one patient with laboratory-confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County to a Marin County hospital. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control … More Coronavirus Patient from Travis Isolated at Marin Hospital

LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

February 19, 2020

With thanks to host Michelle Meow, famed Bay Area LGBTQI producer and TV show host, Commonwealth Club of San Francisco is platforming a discussion involving member of San Francisco’s LGBTQI community. This promises to be a robust discussion. Check it out.   Oh yes and I am on the panel too! My position may surprise … More LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

For ARTISTS OF COLOR: THE DISRUPTORS FELLOWSHIP 2020

February 14, 2020

THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL POWER PARTNERS WITH 5050BY2020 TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS OF COLOR February 14, 2020—Oakland, CA — The Center for Cultural Power, formerly CultureStrike, in partnership with 5050by2020 announced today the launch of The Disruptors Fellowship – a five-month program that will be awarded to ten artists of color who identify as … More For ARTISTS OF COLOR: THE DISRUPTORS FELLOWSHIP 2020

The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

February 10, 2020

On January 31st, the Trump administration announced their decision to extend the already-devastating Muslim Ban to Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. In addition to ongoing litigation against the Muslim Ban, this Wednesday, February 12, the House Judiciary Committee plans to mark-up the No Ban Act (HR 2214), introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) … More The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

February 4, 2020

Federal District Judge Deborah A Batts, the first openly lesbian federal judge when she was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by President Bill Clinton in in 1994, died Sunday at the age of 72. She was currently overseeing a case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti over allegations … More Mourning the Passing of First Openly Lesbian Federal Judge

Asking Governor Newsom to Posthumously Pardon Gay Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin

January 21, 2020

Senator Wiener and Assemblymember Weber Ask Governor Newsom to Posthumously Pardon Gay Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin Bayard Rustin was arrested in Pasadena on this day in 1953 on a discriminatory, anti-gay “lewd conduct” charge; a pardon would help shine light on Rustin’s legacy   Sacramento – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember … More Asking Governor Newsom to Posthumously Pardon Gay Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin

African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

January 20, 2020

As Executive Director for African Human Rights Coalition, and as a follow up to the articles that have appeared on this BLOG reporting on the complex and disturbing situation involving LGBTQI refugees in Kenya, and more specifically Kakuma Camp, African HRC has issued 2 advisories on its website. Here is a snippet plus links to … More African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

Trump Loses again as Judge blocks allowing State, Local Officials to Veto Resettlement

January 15, 2020

Judge Blocks Executive Order Giving Veto Power to State and Local Officials in Refugee Resettlement Three faith-based resettlement agencies brought the challenge against the unprecedented order (Greenbelt, MD) – Today, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit HIAS v. Trump, blocking an executive order that for the first time in the history … More Trump Loses again as Judge blocks allowing State, Local Officials to Veto Resettlement

Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

January 12, 2020

LEILAH BABIRYE Gwe Is Ye Nze, Lekka Mbele Nze (You Are Not Me, Let Me Be Me) 15 January – 28 February 2020 Artist dialogue with human rights advocate Melanie Nathan: Saturday 18 January, 10 AM  Rebecca Camacho Presents 794 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94109 UNTITLED, ART San Francisco  Booth C11 16 January – … More Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

2019 LGBT Law Changes

December 30, 2019

2019 This year, per EQAULDEX – there were 10 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 76 changes made. A total of 1256 legal changes have been made so far since 2010 in the decade….. July 8 Ecuador Same-sex marriage becomes legal. Civil marriage between same-sex couples is already a … More 2019 LGBT Law Changes

Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

December 26, 2019

The State Department is pulling the US ambassador to Zambia after the country’s president objected to the ambassador’s harsh criticism of the government’s record on gay rights and corruption. This rare and extraordinary move indicates a vast change in American strength of values abroad as we acquiesce to complaints of this nature. Earlier this month, US … More Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

December 21, 2019

QUESTION:  what if she were asked as an expert witness in her family law custody mediation expert testimony practice to testify in court for or against an Israeli Plaintiff or Defendant? Facebook, the social media platform is that oddity that brings us humans together in cause, kinship, and opinions. Often opinions differ. Often we fail … More Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

December 14, 2019

Zambia Complains to U.S. After Ambassador Condemns Jailing of Gay Couple- And how to start changing the narrative! The president of Zambia plans to issue an official complaint to the United States over remarks its ambassador made after a homosexual couple were jailed for 15 years in the African country. Read my Dec 01 Article … More Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

December 12, 2019

Despite having one of the more progressive legal landscapes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, many LGBT South Africans experience barriers to economic inclusion based on their race, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression. Join us in a discussion of highlights from the new, groundbreaking report, The Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma … More Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

December 11, 2019

While in general I am  pleased that we are covering some serious issues, make sure manner and implementation is not imposing – Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition  is urging caution on LGBTQI Global Rights – Melanie Nathan The Washington Blade Notes: “Three U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require the … More African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

December 3, 2019

Monument was Removed from Courthouse Circle in Chatham County CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is celebrating a North Carolina court’s decision to dismiss the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s (UDC) lawsuit to stop Chatham County from removing the Confederate monument from the courthouse circle in Pittsboro. The monument … More COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

December 3, 2019

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

 History Made as Transgender Woman Awarded Damages by Zimbabwe High Court

December 1, 2019

The High Court in Bulawayo in a groundbreaking judgment, awarded damages against Zimbabwean police in favor of a transgender woman. Honorable Justice Bere awarded Ricky Nathanson, a transgender woman and activist $400,000 in damages for unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and emotional distress. Ms. Nathanson sued Zimbabwe police in 2014, after she was arrested by six riot … More  History Made as Transgender Woman Awarded Damages by Zimbabwe High Court

Peace Boxes in NYC – A Solo Pop-Up Show of Original Works

December 1, 2019

EDGE HOTEL Presents: THE PEACE WALL POP-UP EXHIBIT  Come celebrate in the neighborhood where the artist lives and works. 100 Peace Boxes have been painted for this NYC event to promote and gift peace during the holiday season. Located just steps from Columbia University Medical Center and Washington Heights’ array of cultural and educational institutions, the sleek … More Peace Boxes in NYC – A Solo Pop-Up Show of Original Works

World AIDS Day Reminds Criminalization of Sexuality Impedes Eradication of HIV AIDS

December 1, 2019

On this World AIDS Day we are reminded that it has been almost 40 years since the HIV epidemic hit, taking the lives of so many of our loved ones.  While much progress has been made and AIDS is no longer an absolute death sentence, there is still so much more to be done, as … More World AIDS Day Reminds Criminalization of Sexuality Impedes Eradication of HIV AIDS

Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

December 1, 2019

TWO men who were caught having sex at a lodge in Kapiri Mposhi in 2017 have been sentenced by the High Court in Lusaka, Zambia to 15 years imprisonment. Japhet Chataba, 28, a carpenter of Ndeke Township, and Steven Samba, of Kasenshi in Kapiri Mposhi. The Judge ruled that the men had committed an “act against … More Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

November 26, 2019

LGBTQI Asylum Seekers and Refugees – At Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the honor to work hand in hand with some of the most courageous people on the Planet- Dear Friends, THANK YOU – Let us talk gratitude! Thank you for your ongoing support of African Human Rights Coalition: At African HRC we provide humanitarian services, resources, … More Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

November 21, 2019

Today HIAS,  Church World Service (CWS), and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), took Donald Trump to court over his recent executive order giving state and local officials authority to block refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions. These agencies are suing the administration because it is attempting to enact a state-by-state, city-by-city refugee ban. “It was not … More Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

One Million Hits One Million Thanks from O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

November 15, 2019

Dear Friends, Almost there…… 997,323 ……. The seemingly trite and amusing name of my 8 year old BLOG stands in stark contrast to the mostly serious and not funny subject matter it deals with. I am proud to say that with 2000 to go, we have almost hit the ONE MILLION view mark! O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da has … More One Million Hits One Million Thanks from O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da