Category: U.S.A.

LGBT News

San Francisco Castro Vigil kicks off World Outrage at Gay, Emo, Goth Iraq Massacres

March 14, 2012

“Silence is Complicity! Today we urge the world to show solidarity against the murder of our children. By Melanie Nathan, 03/14/2012 Yes it is raining a much needed rain in San Francisco and with it brings greater tears as we hold a vigil today in the Castro,  starting at 4:00 PM. The group Gays Without … More San Francisco Castro Vigil kicks off World Outrage at Gay, Emo, Goth Iraq Massacres

Iraqi Gay and Emo Murders San Francisco Castro to Hold Vigils Protesting

March 12, 2012

 No genocide in Iraq, Never Again! The World must scream – Americans have a great responsibility By Melanie Nathan, 03/12/2012 Up to a 100 gay and ‘Emo’ youth have been massacred in Iraq, some reports indicate it has been ordered and supported by police and state officials.”  The Government itself seems complicit and that has … More Iraqi Gay and Emo Murders San Francisco Castro to Hold Vigils Protesting

Anti-Gay Santorum and Gingrich Holding Hands with Organization of Islamic Cooperation

March 7, 2012

Geneva and United Nations Human Rights Council “Discrimination directed at people just because they were LGBT was a monumental stain on the collective conscience, and a violation of international law” – Ban Ki-Moon!  And so we fight for a President who is on the side of the International Declaration of Human Rights! Melanie Nathan, 03/07/2012 … More Anti-Gay Santorum and Gingrich Holding Hands with Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Christianity | Apostle Paul Accepts Homosexuals

March 5, 2012

For the last 2,000 years, Christians have been taught to believe that Apostle Paul condemned homosexuality. But a new discovery documents that he deliberately acknowledged that it does not prevent anyone from entering heaven. This discovery by internationally acclaimed cryptographer Michael Wood removes the final barrier to full societal acceptance of gays and lesbians. … More Christianity | Apostle Paul Accepts Homosexuals

IACHR Meeting on Violence and Impunity against LGTBI Persons in the Americas

March 2, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, 03/02/2012, Washington, D.C. – On February 24 and 25, 2012 the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held a meeting of independent experts on “Violence and Impunity against Lesbians, Gays, and Trans, Bisexual and Intersex Persons” (LGTBI). More than 20 experts attended the meeting organized by the IACHR under the auspices of … More IACHR Meeting on Violence and Impunity against LGTBI Persons in the Americas

Kentucky | Feds step up Enforcement of Hate Crimes

February 25, 2012

U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey has issued an alert to those who intend to commit hate crimes in Central and Eastern Kentucky, with a simple message: “Don’t.” To those who might consider attacking people because of their race or sexual orientation, “They need to understand that they’re playing with fire, that it won’t be tolerated,” … More Kentucky | Feds step up Enforcement of Hate Crimes

Kentucky Pastor’s Affirming Gays and Lesbians Splits from Baptist Association

February 25, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2012, In an article by Jim Warren posted on Kentucky.com, Lexington’s Central Baptist Church withdrew from the Elkhorn Baptist Association after its minister’s supportive position on gay and lesbian issues was questioned by a pastor in another association church. The article goes on to note that Rev. Mark Johnson, pastor … More Kentucky Pastor’s Affirming Gays and Lesbians Splits from Baptist Association

Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

February 22, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 22, 2012. San Francisco – Speaker Boehner had made an attempt to fight the Karen Golinski’s case in her quest to seek health care benefits from the court when her Federal employer had declined to provide them, citing the Defense of Marriage Act as reason for its denial. The speaker lost … More Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

February 21, 2012

CA Senator Mark Leno Introduces Bill Reaffirming Religious Freedom . SB 1140 reinforces that no clergy member will be required to perform any marriage that is against his or her belief system. So maybe the religious right can stop whining about lesbian and gay civil rights to marriage equality. by Mel Nathan, February 21st, 2012 … More California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oakland | An Evening Dedicated to Lesbian Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

January 25, 2012

OAKLAND – California,  and a night of poetry, music, and celebration. This event will be featuring local lgbtiqqaa poets of color, and will be dedicated to the poets of the Harlem Renaissance. Interweave and GLBT Historical Society is bringing this important event to Oakland and judging by the program and participants it promises to be … More Oakland | An Evening Dedicated to Lesbian Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

Unprecedented Ruling on Immigrants’ Right | Freedom from Arbitrary Detention

January 23, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 20, 2012 District Court Rules that “Arriving Aliens” May Not Be Subjected to Prolonged Detention Without a Hearing To Determine Whether Detention Is Justified SAN DIEGO — A district court today ruled that the Department of Homeland Security may not detain an immigrant for a prolonged period without proving that … More Unprecedented Ruling on Immigrants’ Right | Freedom from Arbitrary Detention

California Health Care Bill | Senator Leno’s Single-Payer Bill Clears Senate Appropriations

January 19, 2012

SB 810 Creates a Private-Public Partnership That Provides Universal Coverage by Redirecting the Funds Californians Already Spend on Health Care  SACRAMENTO – The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the California Universal Health Care Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 810 guarantees all Californians comprehensive, universal health care while reducing the state’s … More California Health Care Bill | Senator Leno’s Single-Payer Bill Clears Senate Appropriations

Newt Gingrich Defecated on Traditional Marriage

January 19, 2012

Open marriage and divorce seems to be what Newt Gingrich thinks marriage is about. The old news is now well documented, Newt Gingrich, who while engaged in an affair with Callista, so insensitively asked his ex-wife Marianne for a divorce, over the phone while she was attending her mother’s 84th birthday. The would be Republican … More Newt Gingrich Defecated on Traditional Marriage

SOPA BLACKOUT | Google and Wikipedia Go Dark

January 17, 2012

We have come to rely on Wikipedia, Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter – our everyday lives so impacted  and adjusted accordingly. Thousands of websites are going dark today to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act, (SOPA) which is designed to thwart copyright infringement but that Web experts warn could threaten the Internet as we know it. … More SOPA BLACKOUT | Google and Wikipedia Go Dark

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Meet the Press 1965 Watch Video

January 16, 2012

Ned Brooks on NBC’s meet the Press in 1965 with guest Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr., from San Francisco after he delivered his sermon at Grace Cathedral.  A must watch video below will remind us on this important day of the force of the Civil Rights movement and what it takes to bring change. MLK … More Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Meet the Press 1965 Watch Video

Suicide of Gay Anti Bullying Activist EricJames Borges

January 14, 2012

Raised in an extremist Christian household, assaulted in classroom with a teacher present, EricJames Borges, 19,  was repeatedly bullied, tormented, terrorized,  for the duration of his childhood and teen  years. He came out with the video “it Gets better”  below, yet he could not live through the pain. EricJames committed suicide yesterday! “Disgusting, perverted, unnatural … More Suicide of Gay Anti Bullying Activist EricJames Borges

Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

January 13, 2012

Today, the Washington state senate filed a bill that would make the State seventh in the union to legalize marriage equality.  If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, anti-LGBT groups are likely to try and overturn it at the November ballot. The senate bill which is supported by Gov. Christine Gregoire … More Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

Court Rules against Anti-Gay Breakaway Episcopals in Church Property Case

January 12, 2012

A Virginia judge today has ruled against the conservative anti-homosexual breakaway Episcopal Church in Northern Virginia. The conservative group of congregations, which included infamous Truro Church, Fairfax, broke away from the main Episcopal Church … More Court Rules against Anti-Gay Breakaway Episcopals in Church Property Case