Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

Disney, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Adobe, New York Life and 273 other Employers file amicus brief to support marriage equality

February 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 27, 2013. A team of Bingham McCutchen lawyers today filed on behalf of 278 businesses, cities, and other employers and employer organizations an amicus brief in United States v. Windsor, the United States Supreme Court case concerning the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The brief, a copy … More Disney, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Adobe, New York Life and 273 other Employers file amicus brief to support marriage equality

California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

February 25, 2013

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” By restricting … More California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

Links to Amicus Briefs filed in the Edith Windsor DOMA Case

February 25, 2013

United States v. Edith Schlain Windsor, in Her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, et al. QUESTION PRESENTED: Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines the term “marriage” for all purposes under federal law, including the provision of federal benefits, as “only a legal union between one man … More Links to Amicus Briefs filed in the Edith Windsor DOMA Case

THANK YOU President Obama for filing Brief to Strike Down DOMA

February 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 22, 2013. Activists in the U.S.A. have hoped that the Obama administration would take the imperative step of standing behind the promise for equality.  Now we can truly thank President Obama as the administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act in a brief filed Friday, … More THANK YOU President Obama for filing Brief to Strike Down DOMA

Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

February 14, 2013

WATCH VIDEO Below – “I could have chosen to attend my children’s Valentine events at their elementary school — but I chose instead to get arrested in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to take a stand for LGBTQ equality” Robin McGehee, Director, GetEQUAL! By Melanie Nathan, February 14, 2013 (Photos: Melanie Nathan) San Francisco City … More Same-sex couples and LGBT activists arrested at Valentines Day sit in at San Francisco City Hall

Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

February 12, 2013

The Pitfalls of funding Faith Based Organizations without doing your research first By Cathy Kristofferson, February 12, 2013. It has come to light that the Canadian government, through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) spearheaded by Minister Julian Fantino, has been funding an anti-gay Evangelical organization – Crossroads Christian Communications – to the tune of … More Canadian funding to anti-gay faith based organization in Uganda links to hate speech

Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

February 1, 2013

Straight ally attorney to be honored for equality work at ST. Paul’s dinner – would like to file an Amicus brief in CCR case of  SMUG v. Lively By Melanie Nathan, February 01, 2013. Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, President of St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, recently interviewed Eric Isaacson, a straight attorney and LGBT ally, … More Pastor Scott Lively as pirate | Award winning attorney’s insights into Smug v Lively

Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

January 29, 2013

Lost-n-Found – A do it yourself homeless queer youth shelter By Cathy Kristofferson, January 29, 2013.  Update Feb. 7 2013: Creating Change ’13 Conference session handout. In the fall of 2011 I saw posts online about a new queer youth shelter opening in Atlanta.  Local homeless queer youth were being turned away from shelters and … More Atlanta area gay community’s inspiring project to save homeless queer youth

McCain Calls Binational Same-Sex Couples a Red Flag for Immigration Reform

January 29, 2013

Expectations that Obama to call for inclusion of same-sex couples: UPDATED – CONTRARY TO SPECULATION OBAMA FAILED TO MENTION THE SNUB OF LGBT SAME-SEX BINATIONALS in the McCAIN Schumer immigration reform plan. Maybe it is in his written plan? But Obama does include them in his written Proposal. By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2013, 7.30 … More McCain Calls Binational Same-Sex Couples a Red Flag for Immigration Reform

Immigration Policy Snubs Binational Same-Sex Couples as UAFA is excluded from Bipartisan Plan

January 28, 2013

Bipartisan bound to snub binationals indicative of failed Immigration Equality strategy, as gays tossed under the bus. By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2013 (nathan@privatecourts.com) A bipartisan group of Senators from both parties revealed today the framework of a broad overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, including a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million … More Immigration Policy Snubs Binational Same-Sex Couples as UAFA is excluded from Bipartisan Plan

Gay LGBT Leadership must take note as President Obama establishes the cue for Full Equality

January 22, 2013

The President gives the cue will our leadership follow?  – A FULL EQUALITY BILL is the imperative benchmark; The  Omnibus! Civil Rights Act Amendment to include Gender, Sexual orientation and Gender identity  – if South Africa can do it so can we.. At least set the benchmark. By Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2013. Yesterday, Barack … More Gay LGBT Leadership must take note as President Obama establishes the cue for Full Equality

NLGJA Announces death of Michael Triplett its President

January 17, 2013

Statement by NLGJA, National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association By Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2013. It is with great sadness that we inform you that our friend and leader, NLGJA President Michael Triplett, passed away today after a courageous battle with cancer. While Michael only served as president for a few short months, he has … More NLGJA Announces death of Michael Triplett its President

Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

January 15, 2013

MHRC 31st  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Dinner Jan. 24th | Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Highlights Connections to Civil Rights Movement’s Bayard Rustin The 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Gala will be held by the Marin Human Rights Commission at The Four Points Sheraton on January 24, 2013, to honor Marin’s … More Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

December 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2012. Amongst its many human rights related missions, Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues. According to their LGBT mission statement  they “document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including … More UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

December 23, 2012

Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go! By Cathy Kristofferson, December 23, 2012. On Monday January 7th 2013 in Federal Court Springfield, opening oral arguments will be heard for the motion to dismiss the case of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. Scott Lively.  This is not the … More Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

December 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 18, 2012. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy there has been a dramatic shift in the discussion about guns in America, with some remarkable statistics coming from the NRA, now showing that their membership favors stronger gun control, even though their operatives continue to lobby against. It took twenty dead seven year … More Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

Lying Dykes in Uganda | Pastor Promotes More Hate

December 17, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 17, 2012. After watching Pastor David Dykes from Texas, in the Video below, yet another U.S.A. pastor in Uganda, touting the legislature’s duty to pass the pending Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise dubbed “The Kill the Gays Bill,” my original reaction was to ignore his babble and not give him media time.  However … More Lying Dykes in Uganda | Pastor Promotes More Hate

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality

December 12, 2012

Watch Video below where Yvonne Chaka Chaka overtly declares her support for Uganda’s Gay Community By Melanie Nathan,  12/12/2012 At the same time as the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as ‘The Kill the Gays Bill’ moves from the number one spot to number six on the Ugandan Parliament’s Order Papers, the United Nations played … More United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality

Ugandan Award Winning Activist Frank Mugisha Joins U.S. Protests

December 8, 2012

SMUG’s Mugisha protests at the place where Scott Lively Case will be heard. By Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2012. Until recently the Ugandan activists, who could face death or life imprisonment in Uganda, were asking international activists to tread cautiously when protesting the impending passage of the Anti-Homsexuality Bill (AHB).  Protests have now started ramping … More Ugandan Award Winning Activist Frank Mugisha Joins U.S. Protests

Marriage Equality Comes to Life in Washington State

December 6, 2012

Same Sex Couples in King County  (Seattle) Set Marriage License record By Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2012 Seattle saw marriage equality come to life. At 12.01 am the King County Administrative building erupted into cheer as the doors opened for over 300 couples who had lined the cold streets for hours, waiting to be amongst … More Marriage Equality Comes to Life in Washington State

Dan Savage Amongst First to Get Marriage License in Washington State

December 6, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2012. Author, media pundit, journalist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller, were amongst the first couples to obtain marriage licenses in Seattle today, in a same-sex marriage license opening ceremony held at the King County Administrative building, officiated by County Executive Dow Constantine. Savage and Miller have been previously … More Dan Savage Amongst First to Get Marriage License in Washington State

Clayton County Detectives Fail to respond to missing Lesbian Lisa Lawson’s Disappearance

December 4, 2012

SEE VIDEO Pleading with Authorities and  LGBT COMMUNITY TO RALLY TO FIND LISA LAWSON By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012. UPDATED 6. 41 AM DEC 5 2012: Chuntrey Equality Pheap REPORTS via facebook :- “IMPORTANT!!! FROM MICHELLE (Lisa’s Girlfriend): It is with the greatest level of sadness that I have to come to you all … More Clayton County Detectives Fail to respond to missing Lesbian Lisa Lawson’s Disappearance

Uganda’s Parliamentary Process | How Easy to Pass The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 1, 2012

As of Dec 03, 2012, this is what is left of the process needed to pass The AHB By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2012. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill is first on the Order Papers in Uganda’s Parliament and could proceed as early as Monday December 03, 2012.  How long the Bill, otherwise known as The Kill … More Uganda’s Parliamentary Process | How Easy to Pass The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

World AIDS DAY | South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Mandela Collectible Coin’s U.S. Beneficiaries

December 1, 2012

Three U.S.A. Charities to benefit from sales of The Mandela Red Ribbon Twin Set Editorial, December 01, 2012. In honoring Worlds AIDS DAY on December 01, The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) has chosen three renowned charities based in the United States of America, to benefit from the sale of a newly launched Nelson … More World AIDS DAY | South African Gold Coin Exchange Announces Mandela Collectible Coin’s U.S. Beneficiaries

Bermuda considering Equality Act can be an example to USA Gay leadership

November 4, 2012

Can the Gay Movement in the USA learn from Bermuda By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2012. While the USA enters this critical election  week with its anti-gay same sex marriage ballot initiatives in various States and its two prominent parties at opposite ends of the spectrum on the issue LGBTI rights and equality, the world … More Bermuda considering Equality Act can be an example to USA Gay leadership

Petition to Fight Maryland Anti-Gay Pastor’s Kill the Gays Rhetoric

October 25, 2012

Make It Stop. By Melanie Nathan, Oct 25, 2012. Today I received this e-mail from Heather Cronk, Managing Director of GetEQUAL , who describes herself as a “proud Maryland resident.”  Maryland is one of hte states where an anti- same-sex marriage appears on the ballot for next month.  Heather describes the Kill the Gays rhetoric … More Petition to Fight Maryland Anti-Gay Pastor’s Kill the Gays Rhetoric