One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

As the Commonwealth enacts law to improve housing and services for homeless youth… By Cathy Kristofferson, December 31, 2014. Two years ago, on January 1st 2013, I posted here on OBLOGDEE about the ongoing plight of homeless queer youth. Every now and then that post gets renewed interest when someone quotes and/or links to it. That happened again … More One Step Closer for MA Homeless Queer Youth

On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

…and the letter from Santa tells Chad why! 12/24/2014 By Cathy Kristofferson. Santa Claus asked the members of 1AngryOldLesbian.org (1AOL) if they wouldn’t mind delivering a letter to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and they merrily agreed. Though the weather outside was frightful, their spirits were high as they donned their rainbow Santa hats while listening to the … More On Santa’s Naughty List HRC Gets Coal Delivery

Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014 United States Senator Jeff Merkley formally announced at the Center for American Progress that he plans to introduce a comprehensive LGBT civil rights bill in the next Congress. This is excellent news. The LGBT community in the United States America must include a full compliment of stakeholders working together … More Merkley’s Process for Federal LGBT Equality Must Include All Stakeholders

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

LGBT Organizations Should Not Criticize Obama’s Immigration Move

A Statement on President Obama’s Immigration Announcement November 20, 2014, addressed to the  LGBT community of activists and organizations. By Melanie Nathan, of Private Courts, Inc. Conflict Resolution & Human Rights Advocacy Nathan@privatecourts.com Dear LGBTI Activists, Advocates and Organizations, Now that the dust is settling I want to again applaud President Barack Obama for his … More LGBT Organizations Should Not Criticize Obama’s Immigration Move

Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

People are speculating about corruption and ineptitude in the South African Embassy in Uganda | Why is High Commissioner seat in Uganda Vacant? By Melanie Nathan, November 17, 2014. Following the story in South African press that Jon Qwelane is back in Court, I noted terminology referring to Mr. Qwelane as the “former high commissioner” … More Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2014. Two Ugandans charged under a draconian anti-homosexuality Penal Code in Uganda have had all charges against them dismissed by the Magistrates Court, in Buganda. The charges in the case of Uganda v. Mukisa Kim and Mukasa Jackson, Criminal Case No. 0085 of 2014 have been dropped as the prosecution, … More Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

Ugandan President Museveni Pens Editorial in New Stance on Anti-Gay Legislation

Museveni Changes the words but keeps the tune…..” the man who chases two animals while hunting, ends up with failing to kill any” By Melanie Nathan, October 03, 2014. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni wrote a piece published in two Ugandan News Magazines, indicating that he has new thoughts about the onerous anti-homosexuality legislation, which he … More Ugandan President Museveni Pens Editorial in New Stance on Anti-Gay Legislation

United Nations HRC Passes Resolution Condemning LGBT Discrimination

By Melanie Nathan, September 26, 2014. 25 September 2014 – Bringing homophobia and transphobia to an end is “a great human rights cause,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday, adding that the fight against discrimination “lies at the core of the mission of the United Nations.” In his video message to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and … More United Nations HRC Passes Resolution Condemning LGBT Discrimination

Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

THREATS to Lose Voters and Support | accused of “rubbing shoulders with fags” By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, … More Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

By Melanie Nathan, September 23, 2014. I participated in this forum back in May, in South Africa, as a panel speaker with Justice Edwin Cameron, on the issue of homophobia in Africa and its impact on key populations, and was also panel chair.  Here is, with thanks to SAfAIDS, the Boksburg Communiqué on the Tweet@ble … More Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

Tulsa is the New Ferguson |The Truth about the Death of Benny Longoria

False Reports to the Media, Suppressing Evidence, Refusing to take Witness Statements, Covering up a Possible Murder and Police Misconduct are some of the Horrifying Facts surrounding Benny Longoria’s death By Cd Kirven, September 22, 2014. DALLAS — Last month’s news, from NewsOn6.com report titled; “Tulsa Police: Dallas Article About Death Of Gay Man Is … More Tulsa is the New Ferguson |The Truth about the Death of Benny Longoria

A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Bridges between San Francisco and Kampala By Melanie Nathan, September 20, 2014. On the day that the majority of Ugandan Parliamentarians signed a petition to bring back the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which had been invalidated by the court, one unexpected Member of Parliament made a disappointing about turn. Honorable Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, woman MP for … More A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Museveni Fires the Prime Minister Who Was Against The Anti-Homosexuality Act

By Melanie Nathan, September 19, 2014. Some call it a firing and others a reshuffle: “Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has been appointed as Uganda’s new Prime Minster in a cabinet reshuffle,” notes the Daily Monitor’s politcally correct emphasis. “He replaces Kinkiizi West MP Amama Mbabazi who has been the Prime Minister since June 2011.” Some believe … More Museveni Fires the Prime Minister Who Was Against The Anti-Homosexuality Act

Nigerian LGBT Defenders Await Court Decision on Anti-Gay Law

By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2014. Courageous Nigerian human rights defenders and the Nigerian LGBT community, in Nigeria and exile, anxiously await the outcome of Justice Abdu Kafarati ‘s ruling in the claim filed against the Federal Government in the Abuja High Court from earlier this year. The ruling will be handed down on September … More Nigerian LGBT Defenders Await Court Decision on Anti-Gay Law

Caution as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Heads Back To Ugandan Parliament

A cautious response on both sides of the issue and a member of the opposition party speaks her truth By Melanie Nathan, September 07, 2014. Members of  Uganda’s Parliament have reaffirmed their commitment to pass the Anti-Homosexuality Act which was recently invalidated by the Constitutional Court on a technicality.  The Act was set aside by … More Caution as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Heads Back To Ugandan Parliament

LGBT Activists Target Democrats on Civil Rights

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 21, 2014. New York, NY (Aug. 21, 2014) – In its ongoing effort to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same rights and protections that all other … More LGBT Activists Target Democrats on Civil Rights

LGBT Activists Target Tammy Baldwin on Civil Rights

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 14, 2014. New York, NY (Aug. 14, 2014) – In its ongoing effort to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same rights and protections that all other … More LGBT Activists Target Tammy Baldwin on Civil Rights

Kenya Proposes Life for Local Gays and Stoning for Foreigners

By Melanie Nathan, August 11, 2014. The Kenyan Republican Liberty Party has proposed Anti-Homosexuality legislation to stone gays to death in public or to punish with life in prison. A draft Bill has been sent to the National Assembly.  All a great irony since so many Ugandans fled to Kenya, seeking refuge with UNHCR after … More Kenya Proposes Life for Local Gays and Stoning for Foreigners

Did Yoweri Museveni Hire a US Lobby firm to Improve his Image in the West

OK LOL – seriously? Is that how dictators hold on these days?  I wonder how those poor women who have sold themselves into prostitution to feed their kids feel about THIS allocation of funds?  If I am wrong please let me know…. By Melanie Nathan, AUG 06, 2014, I have unconfirmed reports that President Yoweri … More Did Yoweri Museveni Hire a US Lobby firm to Improve his Image in the West

Betrayed by Obama – Museveni in OUR White House

BY MELANIE NATHAN, AUGUST 05, 2014.   BETRAYAL BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE FIRST LADY! My Message to President Obama:  WTF!……. PRESIDENT Obama – I have been a huge supporter of yours. Where are your principles?  – You and the First Lady have now welcomed this gay hating corrupt dictator into OUR White House! “On … More Betrayed by Obama – Museveni in OUR White House

First Annual International Day of Action against Jamaican Homophobia

CALL TO ACTION and  ADVISORY – Activists in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom Protest Jamaica’s Buggery Law By Melanie Nathan, August 05, 2014. NEW YORK – On August 6, human rights activists from across the globe will protest against the Jamaican government’s continuing inaction on repealing the anti-LGBT buggery law. There will … More First Annual International Day of Action against Jamaican Homophobia

Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Jubilation as the  the Ugandan Court agreed – the AHA is Unconstitutional ! Well done to the Plaintiffs.  Congratulations to the Plaintiff team for your extraordinary courage and your resolve and the credit must go to all those who worked so hard on every front, especially the hard work of the extraordinary legal team – … More Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Installation of Pink Triangle – The Speech with a Chilling Nazi Analogy

The pink triangle parallel between Nazi Germany and Africa’s Anti-Gay climate By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2014. For me this was a very special San Francisco pride. I had the great honor to be appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as community grand marshal, in recognition of my global LGBT activism, especially for criminalized … More Installation of Pink Triangle – The Speech with a Chilling Nazi Analogy

LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

Queer Nation Demands Comprehensive Federal Civil Rights Legislation  By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 1204. Continuing to pressure Congressional Democrats to advance comprehensive federal civil rights legislation that will give lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans the same legal rights and protections that all other Americans currently have, Queer Nation is targeting Rep. Mike Michaud … More LGBT Activists Target Congressional Democrats for Federal Civil Rights Legislation

Christians and Anti-Gay Groups of Uganda Fight To Save Anti-Homosexuality Act

By Melanie Nathan, July 30, 2014. In a further attack against gays, the Christian and anti-gay groups of Uganda are trying a desperate move to try and defeat the Ugandan Human Rights defender Plaintiff’s from succeeding to prove that the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was signed into law in February of this year, is unconstitutional. These … More Christians and Anti-Gay Groups of Uganda Fight To Save Anti-Homosexuality Act

Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2014. When it was the colonial power in the nineteenth century, Britain imposed most of the existing anti-gay laws on its Colonies.  Homosexuality was not illegal in these countries prior to British colonization. A rally will take place this week, against anti-LGBT persecution in the Commonwealth, with activists urging … More Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

From Pride to Pride

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014. Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride I had the great honor this year of being appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as a community Grand Marshal. The popular vote was won by an extraordinary and courageous young woman who I took great joy in getting to know, … More From Pride to Pride