Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender news and perspectives of LGBT community
The couple will have a wedding ceremony in Cape Town in May this year. By Melanie Nathan, Jan 01, 2016. It is indeed a happy new year for the Tutu and Furth families, as Reverend Mpho Tutu and Professor Marceline Furth were married earlier this week. Rev. Mpho Tutu is the daughter of the Archbishop … More Rev Mpho Tutu Marries Prof Marceline Furth
Bill Would Punish Transgender People with Jail Time for Using Bathroom Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces an Indiana bill singling out transgender students and adults for discrimination. Introduced by Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes, Senate Bill 35 would prohibit transgender students in … More TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults
By Melanie Nathan, December 25, 2015. A big thank you to our friends and supporters who have supported OblogdeeOblogda, and my work at The African Human Rights Coalition and Peacemaker Museum World Tour. Here are our TOP TEN Heroes and Zeroes of 2015! Please note you get to choose an 11th! Our Annual Heroes and … More Our Annual HEROES and ZEROES 2015
By Melanie Nathan, December 24, 2015. #THANKSfortheLOVE #Heartbreaking I am very very touched by the outpouring of holiday love from the LGBTI refugees who are in contact with me and many who have not previously been in contact with me- from many parts of Africa. I had no idea that many people knew about our … More Xmas Love from LGBTI Refugees in Africa
By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. Who has hurt African LGBT people more? Is that the question? Ask yourself always – where did it start and unless one fails to place a story in its absolute and full context, then we can be assured there is no truth. The New York Times published a somewhat … More New York Times Sparks Breitbart Article Scapegoating against LGBT Human Rights Advocacy
Victory! Union Affirms Ongoing Coverage for Transition-Related Care in Health Plan By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) has secured insurance coverage for a transgender man’s medically necessary care after his union-sponsored health insurance plan refused to cover it. Adrian Sealy works in a … More Transgender Man Wins Health Insurance Coverage for Gender Transition
December 19, 2015 Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African HRC Candidate for the Democratic U.S. Presidential nomination, former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has outlined a comprehensive LGBT policy plan for domestic and global LGBT issues. While we at African Human Rights Coalition are grateful to Secretary Clinton for her recognition of the plight of … More Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs
This is for those Other Sheep who recklessly expose the names and faces of LGBTI people in Africa. By Melanie Nathan, December 09, 2015. A few months ago, I was contacted by a man identifying himself as a gay pastor from an African country. The man sought emergency help. He was on the border between … More Exiled Gay Pastor Struggles to Survive After Being Outed by LGBT Christian Ministry
By Melanie Nathan, December 10, 2015. Statement by U.S. Secretary of State , John Kerry, released for International Human Rights day, lacks a robust reflection on all corners of this globe: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was forged in the aftermath of World War II to protect freedom and prevent future atrocities. As we … More International Human Rights Day 2015 Statement by Secretary Kerry
Trump’s remarks are so outrageous and irresponsible that at this point, although we are not a political organization, we cannot keep silent, to reassure the Muslim community of refugees and to condemn these statements. It is our opinion that all civil society organizations, especially those in the field of equality and human rights should speak out vehemently against Donald Trump’s continued use of the presidential campaign as a security risk and bully pulpit. … More Reassuring LGBT Refugees – Donald Trump is not the Voice of America
“Enough is enough!” By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2015. After the #PlannedParenthood shootings, several members of Congress sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan calling on him to disband the Republicans’ Select Committee to Attack Women’s Health. Democrats are contending that the recent Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs, resulting in three murders, including a … More Members of Congress Send Letter to Speaker Calling for End to Select Panel on Planned Parenthood
December 1, 2015, by Melanie Nathan. World AIDS Day Message: “Today is World AIDS day: While we remember those lost to AIDS we must note that the goal to eradicate HIV/AIDS will never be met for as long as we criminalize sexuality!” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African HRC. On this World AIDS Day, the one … More One Reason We May Never Eradicate AIDS
After much courage and hardship we welcome Andrew Ssebulime, a young hero, to America. An extraordinary journey by a resilient young man. Now our hope is that the Miami community will embrace Andrew and make him feel welcome! By Melanie Nathan, November, 25, 2015. A journalist, who fled Uganda in fear of his life, has … More Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation
” Organizations involved with LGBT issues and human rights defenders will be especially hard hit as the onerous legislation will impinge upon basic freedoms, democracy and human rights. Democracy weeps!” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African Human Rights Coalition. By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2015. We have received a report that the Ugandan Parliament, today, passed … More Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill
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
|Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2015. Police in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria have arrested 21 students who they allege are homosexuals. We have not independently verified this report. Several agencies are reporting and it originated in PUNCH News. According to Punch News, a reliable source reported that the suspects were arrested at two state-owned polytechnics (names … More Bias Media Reports on 21 Nigerian Students Allegedly Involved in Homosexual Activities
hese Democrats allowed themselves to get hauled into a vote on minimal notice and were suckered into the Republican narrative, without doing extensive research. That one terrorist in Paris turned us against refugees is a sign of cowardice and gives the terrorists the upper hand, a victory. We have allowed them to further victimize the most vulnerable victims of their murderous campaign. I am ashamed of these Democrats – truly ashamed!
… More HELP to Express Outrage as 47 Turncoat Democrats Vote Against Syrian Women and Orphan Refugees
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
TAKE ACTION BELOW – Thanks To Campbell’s Soup for Including Everyone! By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2015. The anti-gay organization, One Million Moms, is extremely busy, as of late. They have been asserting their fundamentalist extreme right wing prowess by pretending to be ‘morality’ police. When Campbell’s Soup used a a same-sex married couple with … More One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids
While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation. I have posted the BBC transcript report here. The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report while providing crucial exposure, leaves … More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret
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
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
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
Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2015. The Union for Reform Judaism met in Orlando, Florida this week, for its biennial conference, where it endorsed a policy detailing specific steps to be taken by synagogues to thwart discrimination against transgender people. Included is the crucial adoption of gender-neutral language and the provision of gender-neutral restrooms, … More Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights
Posted by Melanie Nathan, November, 03, 2015. After yesterday’s vote in Houston, Texas that repealed anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, a petition has sprung up on Change.org calling for the NFL to relocate the 2017 Super Bowl from Houston. Michael Jones, Deputy Managing Director, North America, Change.org notes:- “The petition, started by football fan Ben … More Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston
Houston voters reject non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 03, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that voters have repealed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which banned discrimination against Houstonians in housing, employment, public accommodations and city services. It protected residents from public … More Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Repealed
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
TLDEF Condemns New York Senate Majority Leader’s Disingenuous Criticism of Transgender Rights Regulations Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to comments made by New York Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan suggesting that Governor Andrew Cuomo went beyond his authority by proposing new … More Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights
O’MALLEY WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO ENDORSE THE EQUALITY ACT, AND LONG HELD THE BELIEF THAT MARRIAGE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT A STATE RIGHT Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 30, 2015. DES MOINES, IA —Tonight, Governor O’Malley will be the first presidential candidate to address the Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards. Governor O’Malley has a … More Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards
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
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