Category: NEWS

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

Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries

February 21, 2012

Historic participation as Africa continues draconian criminalization of homosexuality by Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012 For the first time black Africans will participate in the Mr. Gay World contest being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, sending a  powerful message of hope to LGBTI people in Africa and the rest of the World. The delegates representing … More Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries

AIDS Ride Cyclist injured in Hit and Run on Golden Gate Bridge | Authorities Fail to Report

February 19, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, February, 19, 2012 Imagine waking up in hospital, after being transported by paramedics to ICU Emergency, in a metropolis such as San Francisco, unconscious, with broken bones and not a single policing authority has any record or clue what happened to you? That is what happened this weekend to Patrick Shortle and … More AIDS Ride Cyclist injured in Hit and Run on Golden Gate Bridge | Authorities Fail to Report

Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

February 19, 2012

Do Western Activists have a role? This Article explores that question only in part, intending to set up the discussion. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 19, 2012 It seems as if the Ugandan Minister Lokodo thinks he has the right to autocratically order arrests of gays and lesbians before the new  (anti-gay) law in Uganda that … More Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

February 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan,  February 18, 2012. After an exhilarating morning at the historic signing of WA State’s Marriage Equality Bill by Governor Christine Gregoire, Kristina Lapinski of GAY USA the Movie, and I attended the Rick Santorum rally held in Tacoma, at the Washington Historical Museum’s outdoor amphitheater.  Little did we know that we would … More Rick Santorum Stands by as Violence Erupts at Rally – Marriage Equality Filmmakers Attacked

See Video Update | Ugandan Minister Illegally Kicks Gays out of Luxury Resort in Entebbe

February 14, 2012

The minister has had the audacity to overtly act out one very reason the impending Anti-Homosexuality Act should not be passed in that country…. by Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2012 Ethics Minister Fr. Simon Lokodo, who recently said nobody would block the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, has today Tuesday blocked n LGBT conference on the shores of … More See Video Update | Ugandan Minister Illegally Kicks Gays out of Luxury Resort in Entebbe

Ugandans May be Back Peddling on Anti-Gay Bill

February 14, 2012

Stephen Tashobya, chair of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Ugandan Parliament, declines to promise to return the bill to Parliament within the 45 day period required by Parliament rule and he declined to comment about any pressure from the Executive branch to stall the bill. Stephen Tashobya, chair of the Legal and Parliamentary … More Ugandans May be Back Peddling on Anti-Gay Bill

AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

February 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 10, 2012. Proposition 8, the 2008 measure that stripped same-sex couples of the right to marry in California, has now been found by two Federal Courts to be unconstitutional! Prop 8 discriminates against same-sex couples in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This week a majority from … More AFER VIDEO | Prop 8 Unconstitutional AFER Press Conference Highlights

Uganda’s Homophobic Parliament vs Concerned Spiritual leaders | Return of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |

February 10, 2012

“If you are Lesbian, when you come to Uganda to entice our young people to join you in the immoral vice of homosexuality, we shall arrest you….” Y. Bihande by Melanie Nathan, 02/10/2012 This week the Ugandan Parliament got one step closer to legalizing persecution in its country.  David Bahati, the MP from Nordwa province … More Uganda’s Homophobic Parliament vs Concerned Spiritual leaders | Return of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill |

Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

February 9, 2012

Ugandan  Parliament erupts in applause as Government pretends to distance itself from the kill the Gays Bill  by Melanie Nathan, February 09, 2012 We have been reporting for the past ten days about Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality bill of  2009 which has been reintroduced in its original form into the Ugandan 9th Parliament.   This Bill includes … More Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

Kill The Gays Bahati Says Uganda Will Not be Blackmailed by the West

February 8, 2012

State Department Please take action now – LGBT World time for action now as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is about to Pass the Ugandan Parliament; Is Bahati Booting Gays out of Uganda? No he would rather they languish in prison – he told me so! by Melanie Nathan, 02/08/2012 Today the Ugandan Parliament got one step … More Kill The Gays Bahati Says Uganda Will Not be Blackmailed by the West

Uganda Kill The Gays Bill is read in Parliament Today | Conversation with Bahati

February 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2012, Further to my earlier report and now according to Warren Throckmorton Helen Kawesa, Uganda’s Parliamentary spokesperson informs  today that David Bahati’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill is on the agenda to be tabled for a first reading in today’s session of Parliament. Throckmorton’s post reads:- Kawesa said, “The bill will go through a … More Uganda Kill The Gays Bill is read in Parliament Today | Conversation with Bahati

California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

February 6, 2012

Breaking News Prop 8 Ruling TOMORROW morning | Events Planned . February 6th, 2012 COMMUNITY EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON DAY NINTH CIRCUIT ANNOUNCES PROP 8 DECISION Please join same-sex couples, LGBTIQ people, friends, family, and clergy for 2 events on the day that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition … More California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

National Center for Lesbian Rights NCLR hires New Deputy Director

February 6, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, Feb. 06, 2012, 10.20 am. After a long and thorough national search for a new deputy director, NCLR is announcing that they have found the perfect fit in Arcelia Hurtado,  who is one of the nation’s leading civil rights attorneys. Hurtado will be joining NCLR staff in April as the new deputy … More National Center for Lesbian Rights NCLR hires New Deputy Director

Uganda Parliament to Debate Anti-Homosexuality Bill Next Week

February 4, 2012

The Anti-homosexuality Bill has become known as the Kill-The-Gays-Bill and has caused an international outcry. by Melanie Nathan, 02/04/2012 7:00 AM Uganda’s, Anti Homosexuality bill of  2009 is due for debate when parliament resumes business in Uganda next week, according to a source who made contact with me.  This Bill includes the death penalty for … More Uganda Parliament to Debate Anti-Homosexuality Bill Next Week

Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

February 3, 2012

Editor’s Advocacy Note:   The Obama Administration has indicated via recent memo and speeches the strong support for International LGBT human rights. As an activist in this arena we implore upon the administration to not mince their words and to show action as well here on home turf!  That would include protecting asylum seekers such as … More Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

February 3, 2012

For White House Briefing:- Young leaders note, I encourage all concerned with LGBT rights in America and globally to consider the question of  the criminalization of being gay as it impacts our LGBTI brothers and sisters and gender free persons on the continent of Africa…. Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, 02/03/2012 Black History Month is … More Black History Month | NBJC Creating Change & LGBT White House Briefing

NLGJA Benefit Hosts | Soledad O’Brien & Jane Velez-Mitchell

February 3, 2012

Hosts for New York Benefit by Melanie Nathan,  02/03/2012 Washington, D.C. – Today the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) announced that CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell will co-host the 17th annual New York Benefit. “Headlines & Headliners” will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2012, from 6:30-9:30pm at the Mitchell Gold … More NLGJA Benefit Hosts | Soledad O’Brien & Jane Velez-Mitchell

Susan G. Komen Cancer Apologizes and now will Fund Planned Parenthood

February 3, 2012

Statement falls short of the truth! Will Susan G. Komen ever be the same? The spin falls short for progressives like me and I will have a hard time trusting their motives again… oh what a shame! by Melanie Nathan, February 03, 2012 Smiling faces, pink T-Shirts and pink balloons and the festive atmosphere of … More Susan G. Komen Cancer Apologizes and now will Fund Planned Parenthood

U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni

February 2, 2012

US subtle warnings… diplomacy reigns supreme as US supports the African Union events this past month.. By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2012 US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns has concluded his week-long visit to Africa in Ethiopia, venue of the 18th African Union Summit, the US State Department said in a statement obtained by … More U.S. Deputy Sec. of State talks Human Rights to Uganda’s President Museveni

Uganda Embarks Upon Aggressive HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan includes Circumcision

February 1, 2012

To include the 2008 Circumcision Plan The Ugandan government has launched a new HIV/AIDS prevention strategy and plan for the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV by 2015.  The Program  Manager at the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) Zainab Akol said under the plan, measures are to be adopted to include a more cost-effective … More Uganda Embarks Upon Aggressive HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan includes Circumcision

AIDS ACTION ALERT | Protect the Health of All People Living with HIV/AIDS

February 1, 2012

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has issued this important alert; and your comments are needed: Posted by Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2012 In 2014, thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS will have access to private insurance—many for the first time—thanks to the leadership of President Obama and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and to the … More AIDS ACTION ALERT | Protect the Health of All People Living with HIV/AIDS

South Africa Lesbian Killers| Zoliswa Gets Justice at Last

February 1, 2012

Lesbian Murderers Receive 18 years and Magistrate sets hate crimes acknowledgment precedent by Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2012. A cheer rang out and the crowd sang and danced outside the Khayelitsha Courthouse, Cape Town, South Africa, the scene of over thirty postponements in a murder trial that shocked the world, taking five years to meter … More South Africa Lesbian Killers| Zoliswa Gets Justice at Last

HUD Announces LGBT Equal Access to Housing Guidelines

January 30, 2012

HUD has officially announced publication of the final rule entitled Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today new regulations intended to ensure that HUD’s core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of … More HUD Announces LGBT Equal Access to Housing Guidelines

United Arab Emirates LGBT | Scrub the Gay Away Video Mockery

January 30, 2012

LGBT people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have attacked a YouTube video ‘tutorial’ which may depict an attempt to scrub away the gay, under the guise of a title “Be Yourself.” However, from a Western point of view, is the tutorial a mockery of the process of curing homosexuality through a rendition of a … More United Arab Emirates LGBT | Scrub the Gay Away Video Mockery

New HIV/AIDS Analysis | Failure to Address Pandemic Among Gay Men Imperils Goal of “AIDS-Free Generation”

January 29, 2012

Includes Other Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) | The report examines the progress and shortcomings of PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and the UNGASS reporting system, managed by UNAIDS, and draws on data collected from on-the-ground researchers in eight countries: China, Ethiopia, Guyana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Viet Nam. NEW YORK, January 18, … More New HIV/AIDS Analysis | Failure to Address Pandemic Among Gay Men Imperils Goal of “AIDS-Free Generation”

New AIDS Research | Examine Risks with Long-Term ARV Use

January 28, 2012

New research finds no evidence of increased risk of all-cause and non-AIDS death with long-term ARV use.. Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. When several such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART. The American … More New AIDS Research | Examine Risks with Long-Term ARV Use

South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

January 27, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2012 UPDATED Cape Town, January 28, 2012:  The Flag Boys did it! The won best dressed couple – Imagine gay boys dressed in camp Zulu warrior garb, protesting Zulu King’s homophobic remarks, win best dressed couple at H&B Met Red Carpet event! Read our pre-event report …… South African gay … More South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

Teen Suicide Note | Excerpts from GAY U.S.A. the Movie, SDGLN and Huffington Post Gay Voices

January 26, 2012

The eulogies effectively conveyed the message that EricJames had sought to impart, when he noted so succinctly in his final written words: “My pain is not caused because I am gay. My pain was caused by how I was treated because I am gay.” Never before had the sound of ‘Edge of Glory’ been so … More Teen Suicide Note | Excerpts from GAY U.S.A. the Movie, SDGLN and Huffington Post Gay Voices