The Real Russia Where Gay People Hunted Like Animals A Must Watch BBC Report

Support for Sochi Olympics Endorses the Freedom of “Vigilante Gangs to Hunt and Catch Gay People for Sport” Channel 4 and BBC TV went to Russia  and did an in depth documentary on what life is really like being Gay in Russia. Will those crowds sitting cheering on the stands of SOCHI say “we did … More The Real Russia Where Gay People Hunted Like Animals A Must Watch BBC Report

Caution! Danger! D.C. #CheersToSochi Demo Anti-gay Laws and Sochi

By Cathy Kristofferson, February 9, 2014 With the Red Army Choir belting out the Russian Anthem in the background, intrepid activists today protested at the Russian Embassy in D.C.  Signs held read “Love Not Hate. Stop Killing Us”, “Discrimination is Incompatible with Olympics” and Scott Wooledge’s masterful “Silence = Death” on the Russian flag. Caution and … More Caution! Danger! D.C. #CheersToSochi Demo Anti-gay Laws and Sochi

Doctors Place an Ad in Ugandan Press Declaring Anti-Homosexuality Bill a Threat to Public Health

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Feb 09, 2014. In the continued controversial drama of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill,  an open letter appeared this week in a Uganda newspaper, sponsored by more than 60 doctors and eight organizations, in the context of President Museveni’s inquiry on homosexuality, as to whether or not it is an abnormality worthy … More Doctors Place an Ad in Ugandan Press Declaring Anti-Homosexuality Bill a Threat to Public Health

Gay Activists in “Bloody” Demonstration Against Sochi

Queer Nation Demo Marks Opening of Sochi Olympics with Fake Blood Poured on Olympic Flag Vladimir Putin’s Anti-Gay Laws  | State-Sanctioned Anti-Gay Violence at Issue By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2014. New York, NY (February 6, 2014) — More than 100 members of the gay activist group Queer Nation and others who oppose the Russian … More Gay Activists in “Bloody” Demonstration Against Sochi

Denied by Ambassador Exiled Ugandans Reflect

I call upon all those than still have some humanity in them to rise up and fight for all marginalized LGBT people across the world.” VictorMukasa,Feb 5 2014 By Cathy Kristofferson, February 6, 2014 Tuesday the Kuchu Diaspora Alliance(KDA) protested in front of the D.C. Ugandan Embassy against the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) along with … More Denied by Ambassador Exiled Ugandans Reflect

National Prayer Breakfast: Inspiring Global Peace or Hate?

By Cathy Kristofferson, February 6, 2014 This morning was the National Prayer Breakfast, the sixth of Obama’s presidency. He spoke of how “history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people — including the freedom of religion — are ultimately more just and more peaceful and more successful.” And “promoting religious freedom is … More National Prayer Breakfast: Inspiring Global Peace or Hate?

Your Dollars Can Help Stop Scott Lively Anti-Gay Extremist

By Cathy Kristofferson, February 5, 2014 The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is now moving to the critical discovery phase of the SMUG v. Lively Crimes Against Humanity case. We have reported on the case extensively here on OBLOGDEE. For that very expensive international endeavor, CCR has set up a CrowdRise fundraising site needing to raise $30,000. “Scott … More Your Dollars Can Help Stop Scott Lively Anti-Gay Extremist

Ugandan exiles protest anti gay laws at D.C. Embassy

Asking to speak to the Ambassador… By Cathy Kristofferson, February 4, 2014 Right now the Kuchu Diaspora Alliance, KDA, is holding a protest at the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. They are asking President Museveni and Uganda lawmakers to withdraw the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) passed by the Parliament December 20th of last year — in its … More Ugandan exiles protest anti gay laws at D.C. Embassy

Ugandan Parliament proceedings for Kill-The-Gays-Bill passage released

By Cathy Kristofferson, February 3, 2014 Today, the website Parliament Watch Uganda released the Hansard, the Parliamentary proceedings, of the Dec 20th 2nd reading of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB). Proponents for the AHB lead off with the tired old need to defend marriage as between one man, one woman argument but quickly got to: “There have … More Ugandan Parliament proceedings for Kill-The-Gays-Bill passage released

Diaspora Gays to protest at Ugandan Consulate and want you to Join them

It is time to go out of our way and to show solidarity with Uganda’s Gay LGBTI community By Melanie Nathan, January 31, 2014. KUCHU DIASPORA ALLIANCE  (KDA), the group of Ugandan LGBT and allies, living in the United States, invites you to join in a critical protest on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 @2pm at … More Diaspora Gays to protest at Ugandan Consulate and want you to Join them

Gays to protest Sochi Olympic opening at Russian Consulate

 GAY PROTESTERS WILL RETURN TO RUSSIAN CONSULATE  | February 6 Queer Nation Demo To Mark Opening of Sochi Olympics Vladimir Putin’s Anti-Gay Laws and State-Sanctioned Anti-Gay Violence at Issue Posted  by Melanie Nathan New York, NY (January 30, 2014) — Members of the gay activist group Queer Nation and others who oppose the Russian government’s … More Gays to protest Sochi Olympic opening at Russian Consulate

FAIR HOUSING OF MARIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO MORRIE TURNER

By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2014. As a past Vice Chair of Fair Housing of Marin I wanted to post this tribute to Morrie Turner, Nationally Syndicated Cartoonist and creator of WEE PALS. WEE PALS was the first syndicated comic strip to portray characters of diverse backgrounds and to bring diversity into the world of … More FAIR HOUSING OF MARIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO MORRIE TURNER

Florida Mayors Urge Putin to End LGBT Discrimination

By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2014 Today, three Florida mayors whose cities have Sister or Friendship City relationships with cities in Russia co-signed a letter to Russian President Vladmir Putin criticizing the anti-gay laws and violence in the country that will host the Winter Olympics at Sochi. Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer … More Florida Mayors Urge Putin to End LGBT Discrimination

Commonwealth Secretary-General on Protection of Dignity for Gays

AS critical to promoting equitable, peaceful and prosperous societies in which we all wish to live: “The people of the Commonwealth are committed to equality and human rights for all…” By Melanie Nathan, 30 January 2014. In the wake of the rising terror now facing LGBT people in Commonwealth countries, where old draconian penal codes … More Commonwealth Secretary-General on Protection of Dignity for Gays

Disturbing Hunt for Gays Heats up in Uganda | Update on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Mob Attacks, Police Parades and Violence on the rise as International Day of Protests in planning statges By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2014. One of the worst fears with regard to the Anti Homosexuality bill was the possibility of witch hunts targeting LGBTI people in Uganda if the bill passed. Unfortunately, this fear has started … More Disturbing Hunt for Gays Heats up in Uganda | Update on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Frank Mugisha speaks about Increased Violence in Uganda due to the Anti-Gay Bill

WATCH the TV Interview with Michele Meow of Swirl below – “The most dangerous person in your life could be your next door neighbor” Mugisha By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2014. Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the award winning LGBT human rights defender from Uganda, who together with other Ugandan … More Frank Mugisha speaks about Increased Violence in Uganda due to the Anti-Gay Bill

Ugandan Police Persecute by Public Parading Men Accused of Being Gay

Showing the World How Unsafe Uganda is for Anyone, Tourists, Foreign Nationals….. By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2014. It seems that the recent passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which has yet to pass the 30 day period of assent by President Museveni, has provided license to fuel police brutality and the unconscionable practice of parading … More Ugandan Police Persecute by Public Parading Men Accused of Being Gay

Coca-Cola Deleting enraged LGBT comments from Facebook Page

The Most Poorly Timed Social Media Post of All Time! By Melanie Nathan, January, 2014. Coca-Cola is not only a sponsor of the Putin Sochi Games, in homophobic Russia, but has now had the audacity to post ad on Facbook using an equality, love and happiness themed song. The LGBT community around the world is … More Coca-Cola Deleting enraged LGBT comments from Facebook Page

Meeting with LGBT Activist Ganafa After Shocking Raid Arrest in Uganda

A witness to government persecution of gays in Uganda Posted by Melanie Nathan, written by JP Conly, January 23, 2014. JP Conly and I were in communication when he was in Uganda late last year. He was  able to make contact with members of the Ugandan LGBT community while working as a nurse volunteer. Here … More Meeting with LGBT Activist Ganafa After Shocking Raid Arrest in Uganda

Groundbreaking Homeless Trans Teen Film

BECOMING MORE VISIBLE,  – A burgeoning crisis Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 25, 2014. From behind the lens of photographer Josh Lehrer, a groundbreaking film will tell the compelling stories of five, homeless transgender teens. Their backgrounds are diverse, but their stories are strikingly similar. Rejected by their families and lured to New York City with … More Groundbreaking Homeless Trans Teen Film

NRM Uganda to Hire Doctors to Decipher Whether Homosexuality is Abnormal or a Choice

Are gays nuts or sinners seems to be the question at hand given the Ugandan context? By Melanie Nathan, January 24, 2014. The NRM, Uganda’s ruling political party, under President Yoweri Museveni discussed the newly passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill at a caucus today. Word has it that the NRM has resolved that they will hire consultant … More NRM Uganda to Hire Doctors to Decipher Whether Homosexuality is Abnormal or a Choice

Chasing Chad

Human Rights Campaign’s Chad Griffin Heading to Sochi Olympics or simply playing footsie with the rest of the 1%? This what Michael Petrelis reports on January 23, 2014 on his BLOG at http://mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2014/01/human-rights-campaigns-chad-griffin.html “Recent history may provide clues about a potential action or two in the near future for the Human Rights Campaign and its new-found … More Chasing Chad

Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative Art for Social Change | Zanele Muholi and Gabrielle Le Roux Posted by Melanie Nathan, January, 23, 2014. The Wits Art Museum, ( The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) in partnership with Wits Centre for Diversity Studies and Inkanyiso, is proud to announce the exhibition Queer and Trans Art-iculations: Collaborative … More Important Queer and Trans Art Exhibit at Wits

Nigerian Court Mayhem as Protestors Riot Calling for Gay Deaths

By Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2014. AP in BAUCHI, Nigeria, is reporting on the increasing anti-gay violence against Nigerians perceived as being gay. Apparently, thousands of protesters showed up at a Shariah court in a north Nigerian city Wednesday, throwing stones at the Court while yelling for the convictions and executions of 11 men arrested … More Nigerian Court Mayhem as Protestors Riot Calling for Gay Deaths

20 year old Azerbaijan LGBT activist commits suicide

Suicide note : “I blame you all for my death. This world is not colorful enough for my colors.” By Cathy Kristofferson, January 22, 2014 This morning I saw tweets that the 20 year old head of Azerbaijan’s LGBT organization had committed suicide. Isa Shahmarli was the chairman of the Azad LGBT (Free Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, … More 20 year old Azerbaijan LGBT activist commits suicide

Eastside Catholic’s Head Resigns in Wake of Mr Z Controversy

By Melanie Nathan, January 21, 2014. The protests and the controversy surrounding Mr. Z of Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Washington firing has taken a new turn. The President of the school has finally resigned in the aftermath. Sister Mary Tracy, who apparently lied about the firing of the popular gay vice principal and swim … More Eastside Catholic’s Head Resigns in Wake of Mr Z Controversy

Obama Appoints NBJC’s ED to Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans –

Cross Posted, January 21, 2014. NBJC BLOG: On the same day President Obama announced his nomination of Staci Michelle Yandle, the first black LGBT judge to be appointed in 20 years, he also made public his intention to appoint 15 individuals to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Among the members that … More Obama Appoints NBJC’s ED to Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans –

The Deadly Silence of Shinners and other Christians on Anti-Gay Ugandan Law

By Melanie Nathan, January 20, 2014 When religious extremists in the form of Lou Engle, Scott Lively and others found that their war against homosexuality was floundering on home turf, they scrambled to capture a world ripe for scapegoating, using the Bible to spin their hateful yarn on African soil. Uganda became a target and … More The Deadly Silence of Shinners and other Christians on Anti-Gay Ugandan Law