Category: NEWS

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

Dutch Pride flags at half mast, thousands set to protest Putin visit

April 8, 2013

Putin’s  proposed ban on homosexual ‘promotion’ just as Scott Lively drew it up… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 08, 2013 Update from Amsterdam press conference: When asked today about whether gay rights are violated in Russia, in true bigot form Putin responded with a comparison to pedophilia: “Can you imagine an organization promoting pedophilia in Russia? … More Dutch Pride flags at half mast, thousands set to protest Putin visit

‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

April 8, 2013

Gay icon, or just a supporter of ‘individual liberty’? By Cathy Kristofferson,  April 08, 2013 The BBC is reporting that The Iron Lady ex-Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher has died.  Thatcher, a staunch conservative, supported the decriminalization of homosexuality back in 1967.   As PM her government later legalized homosexuality in both Scotland and Northern … More ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

Gay-hating Pastor Scott Lively finds new foothold in Oklahoma

April 7, 2013

Lively’s new mission is to secure the 1st amendment for religious bigotry By Cathy Kristofferson, April 07, 2013 A year ago last April, some of us, ever vigilant on “Scott Lively Watch” and his rein of hate towards the gay community, were poised to warn those next in his path. So when we noticed that … More Gay-hating Pastor Scott Lively finds new foothold in Oklahoma

Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding

April 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2013. South Africa is a leader in the world of equality, enjoying an all inclusive constitution, where same-sex marriage is legal and discrimination against LGBTI people outlawed. However that has not stopped homophobia and fear to embrace LGBTI South Africans as fully equal. This video  and the report of the … More Breaking ground in South Africa with a traditional Zulu gay wedding

Today is World Health Day | focus high blood pressure and salt

April 7, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Sunday April 07, 2013. So while there are probably many health issues we should be considering and on more days than once per year, here is what we can think about today- it may save your life. The World Health Organization (WHO) theme for World Health Day in 2013 is high blood … More Today is World Health Day | focus high blood pressure and salt

Report says Uganda likely to have violent instablity 2014

April 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 06, 2013. Uganda is “at risk of violent instability” come next year (2014), a US Intelligence threat assessment report has stated. This report is released every four years after the US President is elected, by the National Intelligence Council, and it names Uganda among 14 other countries that risk becoming a … More Report says Uganda likely to have violent instablity 2014

Fearful Ugandan Parliamentarians want to vote in secret for the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

April 6, 2013

If the Bill does see passage, in whatever form, with or without the death penalty, this Ugandan Parliament will go down in global history as one which legislated hate and genocide and all of them will be held accountable, both as a group and as separate individuals. By Melanie Nathan, April 06, 2013. An article … More Fearful Ugandan Parliamentarians want to vote in secret for the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Anti-Gay Pastor Rick Warren’s son committs suicide

April 6, 2013

The 27-year-old son of the Rev. Rick Warren, one of America’s most influential religious anti-gay leaders, committed suicide, Mr. Warren said in an e-mail released on Saturday to staff members and congregants at his 20,000-member Saddleback Valley Community Church. NBC News reported that Warren was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound around 10 a.m. … More Anti-Gay Pastor Rick Warren’s son committs suicide

Watch UN recieve Award for Social Cohesion and Economic Development

April 6, 2013

 Award Ceremony for the 2013 New Economy Forum Prize for Social Cohesion and Economic Development, presented to United Nations in Spain. In a profound and moving acceptance speech,  the UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon noted that we need to be Global citizens, while he received the award in the name of democracy and human rights, for  … More Watch UN recieve Award for Social Cohesion and Economic Development

Gay Man in San Diego immigration detention ailing and desperate to reunite with Fiancé

April 5, 2013

ASKING FOR HELP TO BRING MAX HOME TO DONALD The worst outcome of the unconstitutional DOMA is when it separates spouses and partners | If Max and Donald were a straight couple, this would not be happening By Melanie Nathan and Ken Williams, April 05, 2013. A 26-year-old gay man is being held in immigration … More Gay Man in San Diego immigration detention ailing and desperate to reunite with Fiancé

Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill April 2013 Updates

April 5, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 05, 2013. We have been watching the progress of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill on this site.Previous updates can be seen at http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/02/19/ugandas-anti-homosexuality-bill-moves-up-to-1-on-parliaments-notice-of-business/ Since the end of March,  Uganda’s Parliament had a  short recess and returned to business on April 03. However something unusual seems to have occurred. The Parliament’s website has suddenly … More Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill April 2013 Updates

San Francisco Pride expects bigger crowd due to SCOTUS Prop 8 and DOMA decisions

April 4, 2013

SF Pride is looking for medical volunteers By Melanie Nathan,  April 04, 2013 In an announcement naming Rock Medicine a partner in services to San Francisco Pride this year, organizers noted that this June, San Francisco Pride will need as many medical volunteers as possible because they will be expecting an increase in Pride attendees … More San Francisco Pride expects bigger crowd due to SCOTUS Prop 8 and DOMA decisions

A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

April 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. There was no keeping me away from Washington D.C., on Tuesday 26th, the day that The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would be hearing the Prop 8. arguments.  I was there ‘wearing many hats; activist, blogger, co-producer of Gay U.S.A. the Movie, and the most important of … More A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

April 4, 2013

Believing that Dr. Martin Luther King would have stood for marriage equality. By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. When Dr. Marin Luther King, Jnr. was assassinated on April 04, 1968,  I was a small child in South Africa, living apartheid.  I came to the United States in 1985, before apartheid ended, expecting a country that … More Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. as a leader in equality for all

Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

April 3, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. The board of Johannesburg Gay Pride Festival Company (JGPFC) has voted to wind up the Section 21 (not-for-profit­) company that has produced ‘Joburg Pride’ over the past seven years. The voluntary winding up of JGPFC  was decided by an unanimous resolution at a board meeting held on Wednesday, 13 … More Johannesburg Gay Pride Cancelled as Board Dissolves

LGBT Groups Challenge Medicare’s Refusal to Provide Healthcare to Transgender Patients

April 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 02, 2013. (Washington, D.C., March 29, 2013)—Last week, several national LGBT groups and a cooperating attorney filed an administrative challenge to Medicare’s ban on medically necessary healthcare for transgender patients. Medicare, which provides healthcare to Americans ages 65 and older and younger people with certain qualifying disabilities, currently prohibits all forms … More LGBT Groups Challenge Medicare’s Refusal to Provide Healthcare to Transgender Patients

After the Apology demands that HRC be all inclusive on all issues

April 2, 2013

Will HRC put its money where its mouth is? By Melanie Nathan, April 1, 2013 Thousands of LGBT community members and allies showed up at the steps of SCOTUS this past week to support marriage equality, and many were there because of the extraordinary organizing efforts of a coalition of LGBT organizations under the title, … More After the Apology demands that HRC be all inclusive on all issues

Ugandan anti-gay pastors hold hate rally next to gay hero David Kato’s grave

March 31, 2013

“Say No To Homosexuality” Campaign officially launched By Melanie Nathan, March 31, 2013. Ugandan Pastors Solomon Male & Rev. Musoke are conducting an anti gay rally next door to David Kato ‘s burial grounds in Mukono Uganda to not only further persecute LGBTI Ugandans, calling for hate in the name of Christianity, but also to … More Ugandan anti-gay pastors hold hate rally next to gay hero David Kato’s grave

Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

March 29, 2013

as the Human Rights Campaign exhibits their typical lack of inclusivity… By Cathy Kristofferson, March 29, 2013. During the SCOTUS trials the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) convinced many in the Facebook world to change their avatars to red.  Following the hearings many activists are seeing a different red now that two incidents – insulting both the … More Activists ‘seeing red’ over HRC antics at SCOTUS hearings

Dan Choi ‘s trial day starts with DADT activists re-living arrests at White House

March 28, 2013

by Melanie Nathan, March 28, 2013 I joined a group U.S. service members,  GetEQUAL activists, as well as well known U.K. activist Peter Tatchel at the White House today, for a rally in support of Lt. Dan Choi ,who is being tried by the U.S. Government, after he was arrested in November 2010, together with … More Dan Choi ‘s trial day starts with DADT activists re-living arrests at White House

DOMA Day at SCOTUS

March 27, 2013

Article by Melanie Nathan – Cross postings – March 27, 2013. PHOTOS by Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson, Oblogdee© A majority of the Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and whether it created unequal classes of married couples by denying federal benefits to legally wed same-sex couples. … More DOMA Day at SCOTUS

Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

March 26, 2013

Photo impressions from the first day’s activities.. I sure hope NOM comes back tomorrow, they were fun! By Cathy Kristofferson, March 26, 2013 This blog piece should really be titled ‘O-Blog-Dee goes to Washington, too busy to blog…’!  Both Melanie and I are here in Washington D.C. trying to keep up with all that’s going … More Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Marriage Equality USA reports from SCOTUS on Prop 8 arguments

March 26, 2013

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HOPEFUL FOR RULING IN FAVOR OF THE  | FREEDOM TO MARRY AFTER UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS After oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court today, Marriage Equality USA is hopeful that the Court will rule in favor of the freedom to marry later this year.  MEUSA was heartened by many … More Marriage Equality USA reports from SCOTUS on Prop 8 arguments

Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

March 24, 2013

172 events start in all 50 states, with all eyes on Washington, D.C., as people start record breaking queue outside SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan & Cathy Kristofferson, March 24, 2013. 3/25 UPDATE:  over 2500 people have gathered at events ranging from Casper, Wyoming, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Cleveland, Ohio already.  And tonight is the big “night … More Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

March 23, 2013

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

The many possible outcomes of the SCOTUS DOMA and Prop8 hearings

March 22, 2013

Is this our chance at our Constitution’s promise of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? By Cathy Kristofferson, March 22, 2013. Next week on Tuesday March 25th and then Wednesday the 26th the Supreme Court will hear the ‘two marriage cases’ deciding if the gay community will be allowed to enjoy the same rights, … More The many possible outcomes of the SCOTUS DOMA and Prop8 hearings

Ugandan President agrees that anti-gay Red Pepper Tabloid is bad news

March 22, 2013

Museveni ‘under pressure to ban’ Red Pepper In an article by Grace Natabaalo it is revealed that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that he is under pressure to ban local tabloids such as Red Pepper for exposing nudity. “We could have closed it but because of the pressure by western powers about the free … More Ugandan President agrees that anti-gay Red Pepper Tabloid is bad news

Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

March 20, 2013

“I realized that it was good old fashioned c\Catholic prejudice towards homosexuality, or those who seem to be homosexual.” By Melanie Nathan, March 20, 2013. After Ugandan Catholic cleric Fr. Anthony Musaala authored an open letter To Bishops, Priests and Laity, entitled “The failure of Celibate Chastity among Diocesan Priests” accusing his Catholic Church colleagues in … More Exclusive: Father Anthony Musaala speaks about his suspension by Ugandan Catholic Archbishop

Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award

March 20, 2013

PLEASE VOTE \ at http://www.sfpride.org/vote/ By Melanie Nathan, March 21, 2013 UPDATED 3/21/2013. : After informing the San Francisco Pride Board that Ugandan activists were horrified by this nomination and concerned about the harmful backlash that could follow, the Pride organizers agreed to remove Kadaga from the site as a nominee.  They were apologetic for … More Uganda Speaker Kadaga nominated for San Francisco Pride most harmful to gays Pink Brick award