Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

April 17, 2013

PLEASE help spread the word By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. Our Family Coalition is a Bay Area organization committed to promoting the equality and well-being of LGBTQ families. The organization  strives to provide programs responsive to the evolving need of the communities they serve. With many challenges ahead,  OFC needs your critical input; they … More San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now

Senators Block Gun Violence Legislation | U.S. President says its a ‘Shameful Day for Washington’

April 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. A few hours ago, President Obama stood with parents who lost children in the Newtown tragedy and said: “All in all, today was a pretty shameful day for Washington.” That’s because a minority of senators blocked legislation that would have made America safer and better protected our kids. … More Senators Block Gun Violence Legislation | U.S. President says its a ‘Shameful Day for Washington’

Will Sec. John Kerry do enough to help LGBT international human rights?

April 14, 2013

Press Release invokes questions The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States’ commitment to promoting human rights.” –President Barack Obama By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson April 14, 2013. The Press release:  Secretary of State John Kerry has … More Will Sec. John Kerry do enough to help LGBT international human rights?

Albany N.Y. teacher assignment asked students to argue that Jews are evil

April 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 1013. Haaretz is reporting that a high school English teacher could face disciplinary action for giving a writing assignment that asked students to make a persuasive argument blaming Jews for the problems of Nazi Germany, as noted by Albany school district officials on Friday. School district spokesman Ron Leskosaid administrators … More Albany N.Y. teacher assignment asked students to argue that Jews are evil

USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

April 9, 2013

$11 million, four-year initiative to further LGBT equality worldwide By Cathy Kristofferson, April 08, 2013 Following the United Nations’ historic resolution endorsing LGBT human rights in 2011, President Obama issued a mandate to all agencies involved with foreign aid and development to “enhance their ongoing efforts with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector … More USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

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

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

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

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

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

Equality is waiting, History is watching….

March 20, 2013

How long will we have to wait to get our Constitution’s promise of  Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? By Cathy Kristofferson, March 20, 2013. The United in Marriage: Light the Way to Justice coalition has reached 160+ events in all 50 states and Washington D.C.  before and during the Supreme Court oral arguments … More Equality is waiting, History is watching….

Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

March 18, 2013

VISIT SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT AND ASK PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR A MEDAL OF FREEDOM FOR BAYARD RUSTIN Posted by Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2013. On Bayard’s 101st birthday (March 17), we are well into the 50th anniversary year of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Many consider the March the highpoint of the African-American civil … More Changing America and Bayard Rustin as we head to D.C. to rally for marriage equality

Video Hillary Clinton talks about the importance of marriage equality

March 18, 2013

‘That more perfect union promised to us all” Hillary Clinton By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson, March 18, 2013. Former Secretary of State speaks out about marriage equality and respect for LGBT Americans, through her international experience and as a mother. “Full and Equal rights and deserve full citizenship -“ Marriage is a fundamental building … More Video Hillary Clinton talks about the importance of marriage equality

Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

March 17, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, March 17, 2013. nathan@privatecourts.com Further to our post yesterday, (http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/03/16/rallies-across-the-united-states-for-marriage-equality/)  about the LGBT community and supporters converging on D.C. to attend the events surrounding  the SCOTUS opening arguments for marriage equality in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases, and the 150 nationwide events, to rally in support of marriage equality and full … More Red White and Blue is for ALL as LGBT Americans prepare Marriage Rally Signs for SCOTUS

Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

March 16, 2013

You MUST come OUT and Rally for Marriage Equality | Let the SCOTUS Justices hear your voice | Join United for Marriage: Light the Way to Justice in rallying for equality! By: Cathy Kristofferson and Melanie Nathan On March 26th and 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, respectively,  which are fundamentally … More Rallies Across the United States for Marriage Equality

Breaking: Lee Boys pull out from NOM’s rally against marriage equality

March 15, 2013

NOM’s National Organization for Marriage Rally Entertainment is falling apart By Melanie Nathan, March 15, 2013. It would seem that the vast majority of the entertainment world may not be available to those who rally against marriage equality. They should stick with Ted Nugent or a few bigots that are left in the world of … More Breaking: Lee Boys pull out from NOM’s rally against marriage equality

Katie Herzig says I DO support marriage equality

March 15, 2013

While NOM surreptitiously uses her music in must watch VIDEO to attract Marriage foes to rally at SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan, March 15, 2013. Updated March 19, 2013. There are a good many fallacious tidbits surrounding the NOM rhetoric and their call to thousands of their supporters to show up in D.C. to march against marriage … More Katie Herzig says I DO support marriage equality

National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

March 14, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, March 14, 2013. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) specializes in insults.  Usually such insults are directed at the gay community – our love, our marriages, our families.  But today they struck out against adopted children.  And not just children in gay adoptions, but all adoptions!  NOM’s chairman, John Eastman, said: “Certainly … More National Organization for Marriage insults all adopted children by calling adoption ‘second best’

Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

March 13, 2013

The issue comes down to this: there’s a big difference between uncomfortable and unsafe By Cathy Kristofferson, March 13, 2013. Last night at the Medford City Council meeting we witnessed round three of the organized attempt to derail the MA Dept. of Ed’s Gender Identity Policy guidelines at the hands of one city councilor and … More Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

Gay binational couple commit suicide within a week of each other

March 12, 2013

The suicide of this couple should be blamed squarely on the laws of the United States that specifically excludes gay spouses  By Melanie Nathan, March 11, 2013. Wilfried Knight may be remembered as yet another adult industry porn star who happened to commit suicide; but there is much more and so that is not the … More Gay binational couple commit suicide within a week of each other

School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

March 7, 2013

Transgender students bullied by legislators and hate groups line up to oppose implementation and launch attack on Commissioner By Cathy Kristofferson, March 07, 2013. A couple of weeks ago I saw a post “Massachusetts Takes The Lead On Rights For Transgender Students“.  Being a MA native I smiled and perused probably while mumbling “of course … More School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

March 4, 2013

Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller receives up to 27 months but is released pending appeal By Cathy Kristofferson, March 04, 2013. The Burlington Free Press is reporting that Virginia pastor Kenneth Miller has been sentenced in the lesbian custody case that led to one mother, Lisa Miller, fleeing the country with the pastor’s help rather than share … More Pastor sentenced to federal prison in Vermont lesbian custody dispute

Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

March 4, 2013

Mere Stupidity or myth and lies;  Lively’s lack lustre impact in the LG community denotes time to tackle the BT community – Read this article and indulge in a big LMFAO By Melanie Nathan, March 04, 2013. “Is “bi-sexual marriage” really relevant?” asks fervently anti-gay pastor Scott Lively, in a recent post which appeared on … More Scott Lively’s desperation means multiple marriage partners for bisexuals

Fair Housing of Marin Pursues and Settles Systemic Race Discrimination Complaints

February 28, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 25, 2013. Fair Housing of Marin conducted two race discrimination audits in Solano County and the City of Richmond, during 2011, that revealed multiple instances of race discrimination. Fair Housing of Marin’s investigation uncovered evidence that multiple housing providers consistently offered Caucasian testers better terms and more attractive conditions than similarly-situated … More Fair Housing of Marin Pursues and Settles Systemic Race Discrimination Complaints

LGBT activists should be fighting for Supreme Court Justice Scalia to recuse himself from DOMA and Prop 8 Cases

February 28, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 28, 2913. Based on this latest news, noting that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has vented his belief through his skeptical questions about a key portion of the Voting Rights Act, a cornerstone of the civil rights movement that brought an end to Jim Crow-era racial discrimination at the polls in … More LGBT activists should be fighting for Supreme Court Justice Scalia to recuse himself from DOMA and Prop 8 Cases