LGBT News
Judy Arnold becomes First Vice President, Damon Connolly Second VP Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 06, 2015 San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors conducted its annual reorganization on January 4 and voted District 4’s Steve Kinsey as its President during his final year as a Board member. Kinsey, first elected in … More Kinsey Takes Helm on Marin Board of Supervisors
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
By Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2015. BETWEEN THE SHADES is a feature film documentary exploring the shades of being gay; discussing what connects us all: Our desire to love. I had the great privilege of interviewing award-winning filmmaker, Jill Salvino. We discussed Between the Shades, her new project, and first feature length documentary. As an … More Documentary that Transcends Equality
AIDS Quilt Documentary The Last One Gears Up for Fall 2015 Screenings and 2016 National Youth Outreach Campaign Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 20, 2015. 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 … More Film About AIDS Memorial Quilt Covers its Birth and Impact
Screen Shot 2015-10-09 at 10.57.40 AMThe women, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, were assaulted in Boston and Charleston, South Carolina, according to the complaint. Both drivers are accused of taking the women to a secluded area, locking the car doors, and forcing themselves on their passengers. … More Uber Sued Over Allegations of Driver Rape
n a landmark victory for the electronic privacy rights of all Californians, Governor Jerry Brown today signed Senator Mark Leno’s California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (CalECPA, SB 178). … More Digital Privacy Victory for California as Gov. Brown Signs Leno’s SB 178
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Let the Mayor of San Francisco Know your thoughts! Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 07, 2015. Last week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the crucial measure, Tenant Protections 2.0, to protect tenants in the City of San Francisco. However, Mayor Ed Lee is apparently considering a veto of these … More Tell Mayor Ed Lee NOT to Veto Tenant Protections 2.0
Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million … More New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC
October 06, 2015, Cross Blog from The Recorder. A federal appellate panel on Monday questioned whether California prison officials accelerated the release of a transgender female prisoner to avoid having to provide her with sex-reassignment surgery. In April, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar of the Northern District of California ordered state officials to provide sex-reassignment … More Suspicious Timing in Release of Transgender Prisoner
By Melanie Nathan, Oct 01, 2015. A former San Francisco police officer has been arrested and charged with embezzlement. Mike Evans, 34, was booked into San Francisco County Jail on Wednesday, charged with felony embezzlement and felony grand theft of $16,000 in dues from the department’s Pride Alliance for LGBT officers, according to SF Gate report. … More San Francisco Police Officer Charged with Embezzlement from Pride Alliance
CAP Report Outlines Barriers Homeless Queer Youth Face in Obtaining Important Identification Documents Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, youth experience homelessness at a much higher rate than their non-LGBT peers. Like for most homeless youth, this leads to significant challenges … More Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents
Festivals, Events, and Exhibitions this Winter and Fall for LGBT Travellers Posted by Melanie Nathan, October, 01, 2015. PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 2015 – A welcoming and diverse destination that celebrates its LGBT pride every day, Philadelphia offers a range of cultural and social events perfect for gay and lesbian travelers this fall. Highlights: OutFest, the … More A Lot of Fun for LGBT Travelers to Philadelphia
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Planned Parenthood Patients Hold Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2015. Washington, D.C. – In the face of a looming government shutdown, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-04), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), will … More Press Conference to Underscore Planned Parenthood’s Vital Work in African American Communities
By Jennifer Davis, Guest Contributor, September 2015 I feel like I am “coming out” all over again! Guess what everyone – I not only stand with PLANNED PARENTHOOD, I HAVE USED PLANNED PARENTHOOD!!! OMG, I know… the stigma and shaming associated with this proven effective national healthcare organization is astounding to me. So many people … More Coming OUT as Pro-Abortion
Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 21, 2015. WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 21, 2015 — On the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, the National LGBTQ Task Force is making the following statement – through the words of Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director. “As an LGBTQ catholic myself, … More National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.
The festival is in partnership with Outfest, and presented by HBO – Runs October 22-27 Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 21, 2015. New York, NY (September 21, 2015) – NewFest, in partnership with Outfest, today announced the lineup of their 27th annual celebration of the year’s best LGBT films from around the world. The program of nearly 100 … More New York LGBT Newfest Film Festival Announces Lineup
Gregg Jaffe at The Washington Post seems to think so…. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2015. President Obama will apparently nominate Eric Fanning to lead the United States Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services. While the Washington Post reports that this is … More Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?
1AngryOldLesbian.org puts spotlight on Brad Dacus and Pacific Justice Institute Update: Event photos below An otherwise idyllic year-round vacation spot became host today to a fear mongering, falsehood generating, anti-LGBT hate group—The Pacific Justice Institute and its President, Brad Dacus—speaking at the Estero Bay Republican Women Federated luncheon at the Morro Bay Golf Course, the … More Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group
Leno Bills Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees, | Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Pass Assembly Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2015. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed two bills authored by Senator Mark Leno that provide protections and equal benefits to transgender Californians. The first bill, SB 703, prohibits state agencies from doing … More Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly
“Ah- I am so sorry madam, I cant serve you today its against my religious beliefs to deal with your bacon breath! I don’t want to put my signature on a piece of paper for the marriage of an non-kosher Goy!” By Melanie Nathan, September 01, 2015. Rowan County Clerk, Kentucky, Kim Davis has … More Other Religions are the Victims of Radical Christian County Clerk
O-blog-dee-o-blog-da 