Join Global Russian Protests in San Francisco

INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS ON 25th ANNIVERSARY  – OF THE DAY OF RUSSIA The Day of Russia (Russian: День России, Den’ Rossii) ) celebrates the end of Communist rule and the beginning of the Russian Federation. It is the national holiday of the Russian Federation. It has been celebrated annually on June 12 since 1992.  It commemorates … More Join Global Russian Protests in San Francisco

PUERTO VALLARTA PRIDE

Vallarta Pride 2017 Reaches Record Figures in Attendance – Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña Joins the Parade  The fifth edition of Vallarta Pride was a historical festival for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and its local and visiting LGBTQI community and its allies. Over 7,000 people attended the parade with 60 floats, a record for the festival which also … More PUERTO VALLARTA PRIDE

2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced

JUNE 5, 2017 HEARST – 2017 HEARST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED Special congratulations to first place winner of the Hearst National Championship Annual Multi-Media Competition: Claire Collins, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who themed an LGBT refugee.  I was also pleased to participate in the short winning piece – especially because it gives this … More 2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced

Group Calls Trump out on Response to Increased Hate Crimes

On June 6, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian racial justice and civil rights organization, participated in a critical hate crimes forum facilitated by the US Department of Justice Community Relations Service in Kansas. Representatives from government agencies, diverse community leaders, and advocacy organizations gathered at the Hindu Temple and Cultural … More Group Calls Trump out on Response to Increased Hate Crimes

Help Amnesty International get Ivanka Trump to Visit Baby Jail

Candles, birthday cake, presents, friends and family. That’s what every parent hopes for their child’s birthday. Instead of festivities, Tomás spent his eighth birthday behind bars—for the second year in a row. The reason why? Because Tomás and his mom were jailed in the only place in the country where you can hold a child … More Help Amnesty International get Ivanka Trump to Visit Baby Jail

Retired Generals Urge Mattis Not to Reinstate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for Transgender Troops

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In response to recent news reports that the Defense Department may reinstate “don’t ask, don’t tell” for transgender individuals because of resistance by some military leaders and social conservatives, three retired General Officers issued the following statement urging  United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis not to reinstate the discriminatory policy: “Anonymous sources … More Retired Generals Urge Mattis Not to Reinstate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for Transgender Troops

Shame on Texas Governor Pushing Anti-LGBT Agenda

Texas Governor Calls Special Legislative Session to Advance Anti-LGBT Agenda – Abbott’s decision is a capitulation to the Lone Star State’s rabidly anti-LGBT lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick WASHINGTON – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today that he is calling a special legislative session to tackle an inordinate agenda — including HB 2899, discriminatory legislation that bans municipalities … More Shame on Texas Governor Pushing Anti-LGBT Agenda

Court Smacks Scott Lively Across his Immoral Face while Dismissing SMUG Case on Jurisdictional Grounds

A Scathing Ruling, Court Affirms SMUG’s Charges Against U.S. Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively While Dismissing on Jurisdictional Ground  – Historic Case Has Broken New Legal Ground, Documented Lively’s Campaign of Persecution in Uganda June 6, 2017, New York – Yesterday, a federal court minced no words in affirming that U.S.-based anti-gay extremist Scott Lively aided and … More Court Smacks Scott Lively Across his Immoral Face while Dismissing SMUG Case on Jurisdictional Grounds

Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

 This morning, for the first time in state history, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced legislation to extend nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment and public spaces to transgender individuals. “We Wisconsinites are proud of our efforts to protect people from discrimination, and deservedly so,” said Katie Belanger the Acting CEO and President of Operation for Freedom for All Americans. … More Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

By Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition. Or Mere Incompetence of the Trump Administration In my capacity as the Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition, I advocate on behalf of LGBTI refugees in Africa. Since Donald Trump took office the program has been anything BUT smooth sailing!  When Trump took office … More Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

One Last COVFEFE as Donald Trump’s BIggliest Tweet Goes Viral

Upon return from his disastrous first presidential tour abroad, plagued by a ferocious Russian controversy, finally there is some good news for Donald J. Trump.  Within minutes of his smartest Tweet to date from this Twitter crazed 45th President of the United States – HIS mother of all tweets went viral – and is continuing … More One Last COVFEFE as Donald Trump’s BIggliest Tweet Goes Viral

7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

Ruling upholds transgender boy’s right to use boys’ restroom at school; first-ever ruling of its kind by a federal appellate court Today the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a groundbreaking ruling in Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District, a case involving a 17-year-old transgender Wisconsin student whose school had denied him access to … More 7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

Muslim Ban Loss Highlights Trump and Republicans Failed Their Constitutional Oath

This ruling highlights the fact that Trump and the Republican elected politicians and appointed officials, who have supported him in these Executive Orders, have in fact failed to adhere to their oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution,  -Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition Tonight we celebrate the 4th Circuit decision to uphold the … More Muslim Ban Loss Highlights Trump and Republicans Failed Their Constitutional Oath

After 4th Circuit Appeal Loss by TRUMP America Must hold Him and Republicans Accountable

“The enormous damage is palpable” -Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition Tonight we celebrate the 4th Circuit decision to uphold the BAN on Trump’s Muslim travel ban and the denial of Trump’s second failed Executive Order which also sought to suspend the entire US Refugee Program. Trump lost because in America it is unconstitutional … More After 4th Circuit Appeal Loss by TRUMP America Must hold Him and Republicans Accountable

LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

On its road to acclaim, the new LGBTQI documentary, Between the Shades, has been given a weekend block to premier at The Soho International Film Festival. The film, premiering at the New York venue on June 17th, examines the immense power of labels and the transcendence of love, while putting faces to the letters that … More LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

Wiesenthal Center Urges Ukrainian Authorities to Take Action Against General’s Threats to Murder Jews

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has called upon the Ukrainian government to take legal action against retired Security Service General Vasily Vovk in the wake of a recent Facebook post of his in which he wrote that he intends to murder Jews, among them Jewish MP Vadim Rabinovych. In a letter sent to Ukrainian ambassador to … More Wiesenthal Center Urges Ukrainian Authorities to Take Action Against General’s Threats to Murder Jews

Marin County Board of Supervisors Upholds Denial of Medical Cannabis Licenses

Revised ordinance to be considered in coming months San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors upheld a decision by the County Administrator and denied appeals to seven prospective applicants who wanted to open medical cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Marin. The Board’s decision May 23 followed an April 10 decision by … More Marin County Board of Supervisors Upholds Denial of Medical Cannabis Licenses

Families Face Unconscionable Deportation

CGRS Files Amicus Brief in District Court Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania San Francisco, CA (May 22, 2017) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) and pro bono counsel Schnader, Harrison, … More Families Face Unconscionable Deportation

Shame on Advocate Magazine for Exacerbating Humiliation of Gay Victims

 Advocate has now in effect participated in the humiliation and hence in doling out the punishment, by taking their humiliation to the world stage! The Advocate Magazine quite rightly posted an online article informing its readers about the public beating in Aceh, Indonesia of 2 gay men, who were allegedly caught having gay sex. Through noting its link, … More Shame on Advocate Magazine for Exacerbating Humiliation of Gay Victims

Historic Stonewall Inn to Launch “Stonewall Inn Gives Back” Initiative

Event Set for Thursday, June 1, 2017 NEW YORK, NY (May 19, 2017) – The historic Stonewall Inn, the very place where the spirit of LGBTQ Pride was born, is launching The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative on June 1st. The event will feature remarks by special guest Chelsea Clinton and a performance by out … More Historic Stonewall Inn to Launch “Stonewall Inn Gives Back” Initiative

Official Airlines for 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Offering Discount

A message from San Francisco Pride:   We hope that you can join us for the 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade on June 24th and 25th. As San Francisco also commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love, our travel partners are here to ensure that you get the most out of … More Official Airlines for 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Offering Discount

Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

According to VICE: An attack in Honduras reported to have been motivated by homophobia has left a Canadian man and his partner dead. Gerard Argiud, 80, described as a Canadian national, and his partner, a 42-year-old Honduran named Jorge Sarmiento, were attacked by multiple people on Friday, May 12 in the home they shared in … More Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

Last week we wrote an article about Gretha Wiid’s comments in a manual she wrote which served in effect to  denigrate homosexuals. We also published the letter which I had written her in my capacity as Executive Director of The African Human Rights Coalition, asking her to apologize to South Africa’s LGBT community and to … More SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro

Yesterday I was honored to be invited as a featured speaker for the San Francisco Castro IDAHOT rally:   Gary Virginia from Gays Without Borders organized and emceed the rally that featured speakers: • Tom Ammiano, former CA State Assemblyman; • Patrick Carney, Pride Week Pink Triangle , SF Twin Peaks; • Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African Human … More IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro

IDAHOT Remembering Those Fallen to Homophobia Blaming Governments and Preachers

South Africa’s Fallen Lesbians – Victims of Homophobia –  In preparing my remarks for tomorrow’s IDAHOT commemoration in San Francisco – I decided to comb through all the articles I have written since 2009 about lesbians who had been victim to a most brutal hate crimes caused by homophobia: so called “corrective” or “curative” rape of … More IDAHOT Remembering Those Fallen to Homophobia Blaming Governments and Preachers

WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

The World Bank: Despite some legal and social advances in the past two decades, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people continue to face widespread discrimination and violence in many countries. This leads to exclusion and adversely affects both the lives of LGBTI people as well as on the communities and economies in which they … More WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

SC Mom Reflects on Gay Son’s Murder Speaking Out Against Anti- LGBTQ Violence

Greenville, South Carolina– On Tuesday, May 16, Greenville resident Elke Kennedy will observe the 10-year anniversary of her son Sean Kennedy’s death. Sean was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in 2007.  Ms. Kennedy has spent much of the last decade traveling the country and advocating for an end to hate violence. A decade after … More SC Mom Reflects on Gay Son’s Murder Speaking Out Against Anti- LGBTQ Violence