Category: POLITICAL VIEWS

California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

August 26, 2013

The Noise we are making is working – Keep up the advocacy and activism as SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate  By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Senator Mark Leno that … More California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests

August 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 25 The Russian Church took our protests this Sunday very seriously and below is their response.  After you read it  you will note that nowhere do they take a  single sentence to show care or concern for persecuted LGBTI people in Russia.  The Orthodox Church has refused  to dialogue with us, … More The Russian Orthodox Church provides an official and shameful response to Castro LGBT Protests

Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

August 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, August 22, 2013. While the less educated on the realities and impacts of boycotting Russia because of its new Putin signed anti-gay laws, are quick to draw conclusions that boycotts are not working, relevant leadership emerges calling for persistent boycotts. Masha Gessen is emerging as the new and prized leadership, an imperative … More Crucial leadership emerges on boycotts against anti-gay Russian laws

Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

August 10, 2013

How Many Carrie Prejeans will be at Miss Universe in Russia? By Melanie Nathan, August 10, 2013. Russian President Valdimir Putin has earned a new name – Putin ‘Czar of Homophobia.’ His new anti-gay law and the increase in homophobic violence has led to calls for sanctions against Russia, from boycotts of Russian vodka to … More Donald Trump holding Miss Universe in Russia will earn him Vice Czar of Homophobia Crown

Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

August 10, 2013

“Stephen Fry has called on athletes … to make a symbol at the Games to display their objection to new anti-gay laws.” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 10, 2013 Today’s “UK Supports LGBT Russia” protest in London against Russia’s anti-gay laws and rising homophobia drew an early estimate of 1,100 attending the over 3 hour event.  The … More Over a thousand attend London’s UK Supports LGBT Russia protest

HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws

August 5, 2013

“The contradiction glares when HRC asks the IOC to ensure “special treatment’ for American athletes and visitors. I find it unconscionable of HRC not to be taking the ultimate stand for a BOYCOTT of the Olympic SOCHI Games in Russia and using their immense power and membership to demand that  IOC  move the games out … More HRC Leading U.S. Gays in failing to take the ultimate stand against Russia’s anti-Gay laws

Alabama public meeting abuses prayer to denigrate fellow Americans

August 3, 2013

SEE PETITION below: Gays abused by Abuse of prayer | Calling LGBT Americans to help fight the hate hiding behind religious dogma in Alabama By Melanie Nathan, August 03, 2013. On July 17, Twinkle Cavanaugh, president of the Alabama Public Service Commission, after a detailed glorifying introduction, invited her good friend John Delwin Jordan to … More Alabama public meeting abuses prayer to denigrate fellow Americans

Why UK PM Cameron’s pro-gay remark is pure irresponsibility

July 26, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 25, 2013 British Prime Minister David Cameron declared last night that he wanted to “EXPORT” marriage equality “around the world”.  Mr. Cameron was speaking at a garden party to celebrate the recent passage of ‘his’ Marriage Equality Act for England and Wales. This is the headline in today’s UK Telegraph: The article … More Why UK PM Cameron’s pro-gay remark is pure irresponsibility

Outrcry as Petitioners Protest Delayed Justice in Ugandan Minorities Case

July 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2013. This week Ugandan Constitutional Court saw protests when, according to the Daily Monitor,  “minority groups stormed the Constitutional Court in Kampala on Tuesday, protesting what they called ‘delayed justice’. The potential landmark case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General Constitutional Petition No.1 of 2009,  has yet to receive a ruling, … More Outrcry as Petitioners Protest Delayed Justice in Ugandan Minorities Case

Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

July 21, 2013

How will this not happen during the Olympics! By Cathy Kristofferson, July 21, 2013 Updates posted below. So it has begun.  Russia today arrested tourists ‘violating’ their new anti-gay propaganda law.About an hour ago, the LGBT Russian Network posted on their Facebook wall: “URGENT NEWS! In Murmansk city (North Russia) 3 Dutch citizens detained by the … More Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation

July 16, 2013

Council chamber is in chaos as vote to rescind LGBT proclamation causes chamber to erupt in protest, with LGBT protesters arrested, and led out by Police. Mayor in tears.  By Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2013. Tonight a coalition of LGBT groups and allies attended the Porterville City Council meeting, to oppose the efforts of the … More Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation

Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

July 10, 2013

‘Protecting children from the “advancement and promotion of homosexuality, especially among minors.”‘ By Cathy Kristofferson, July 09, 2013 A few weeks ago rumor had it that Belarus was looking to be the first country in Europe to re-criminalize homosexuality by amending its Criminal Code, to punish gays with up to 10 years imprisonment and confiscation of their … More Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

July 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 10, 2013 Today in a wham bam no discussion just majority and minority opening statements hearing, Senate Bill 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) in a 15-7 vote. All Democrats voted in favor joined by 3 Republicans – … More ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

July 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan. July 01, 2013. On June 29, President Obama spoke to youth audiences across Africa in a televised town hall from South Africa. U.S. Embassy Kampala – We were thrilled that a group of 10 Ugandan youth (pictured here below) joined the President live via satellite from Kampala’s NTV studio. In his remarks, … More Pictures of President Obama’s Town Hall with African Youth in Soweto

President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

June 28, 2013

Vision for Africa | President Obama will engage with young African leaders from across the continent in a live broadcast event from the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus in South Africa. By Melanie Nathan, June 28, 2013. President Obama is on his way to Johannesburg, on his tour of Africa. The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) … More President Obama to enagage youth all around Africa from a Soweto Campus

UN High Commissioner Condemns Nigeria’s pending anti-gay law

June 28, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 28, 2013 Today, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned the so-called same-sex marriage prohibition bill just passed by the Nigerian Parliament last month.  The bill, which in reality has more to do with criminalizing homosexuality rather than stopping same gender marriages in a country where homosexual acts are … More UN High Commissioner Condemns Nigeria’s pending anti-gay law

GAY U.S.A. Marriage Equality Decision Day articles

June 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 27, 2013. Yesterday was an historic day for gay Americans when the Supreme Court of the United States gave tens of thousands of already married same-sex couples in a growing list of states equal access to all benefits that the federal  government provides for those who are wed.  A closely divided Supreme Court … More GAY U.S.A. Marriage Equality Decision Day articles

Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

June 27, 2013

 By Melanie Nathan, June 27, 2013. President Barack Obama on Thursday praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage as a “victory for American democracy” and even called the Prop 8 and DOMA Plaintiff’s to congratulate them while he was on board Air Force One heading out to Africa.  However AP has reported that his … More Obama clashes with Senegal President over gay rights

President Obama Must Speak for Gay Rights in Africa

June 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 26, 2013 President Obama’s comments about LGBT equality which he made today following the Supreme Court marriage equaity rulings challenges him to “walk the walk”— while on his week-long three country tour of Africa.  Today he commented after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled DOMA unconstitutional: “We are a … More President Obama Must Speak for Gay Rights in Africa

Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

June 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Three members of GetEqual were arrested an hour ago in a GetEQqual protest action Marco Rubio’s office in Tampa where they protested to draw attention to his antiquated and anti-gay stances on immigration reform and employment discrimination. Those participating in the action and arrested we believe are Barb GetEqual … More Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

Exodus International gone but Ex-Gay impact continues

June 23, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 22, 2013 Friday morning I received email from a local LGBT activist who is also an ex-gay survivor that read “I am literally crying with happiness.”  The same day I saw a blog post by anti-gay “pray-the-gay-away” promoter Scott Lively proclaiming “Alan Chambers goes back to Egypt”.  Both of these are, of … More Exodus International gone but Ex-Gay impact continues

Idaho GOP resolves to reverse gay rights

June 16, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 16,2013 Idaho, like other states, has gained some protections for its LGBT community through municipal ordinances banning discrimination in housing and employment.  It seems the Idaho State GOP just can’t stand that fact!  Yesterday at their annual Central Committee summer meeting the Republican Party leaders of Idaho passed a non-binding resolution … More Idaho GOP resolves to reverse gay rights

Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation

June 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 14, 2013. Porterville City Council, the only city council in all of California to declare its support for the anti-gay Proposition 8 in 2008, is now threatening to rescind a proclamation signed by its Mayor, who had declared June to be LGBT Pride Month in Porterville. On June 04, despite heated … More Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation

Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

June 14, 2013

“Religious liberty, contrary to what opponents of racial equality argued then and LGBT equality argue now, is not a license to use religion to discriminate.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 14, 2013 Back in April when the 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced into Congress we posted here and here on OBLOGDEE … More Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

June 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2013. Today eight members of the group Get Equal were arrested while protesting outside speaker Boehner’s office, calling attention to the House’s failure to pursue ENDA, the legislation that would end work place discrimination against LGBT people in America. The protestors were demanding that the speaker hold a floor vote … More Video of LGBT ENDA Activists Arrested at Boehner’s Office Today

P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community

June 12, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2013. UPDATED 6/13/20123. P.E. Herald took swift action in  Apologizing to the South African Gay Community for an Ad that was placed on page 3 of their print publication: “The Herald Port Elizabeth – The Herald distances itself from the contents of this advert which goes against the basic tenets … More P.E. Herald Publishes Hate Ad designed to intimidate Gay Community