By Cathy Kristofferson, May 14, 2013. Yesterday the Minnesota Senate voted 37 to 30 to approve marriage equality. Their vote followed last Thursday’s 75 to 59 vote in favor in the Minnesota State House. Today Governor Mark Dayton will sign the bill into law at 5 p.m. CT with the bill going into effect on August 1st. … More Minnesota brings marriage equality to an even dozen U.S. States
Gay hate on the rise in Africa attributed to Western Evangelicals and a New push to “Kill the Gays” By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2013. After Uganda, we predicted it would spread. It seems that the Western Evangelicals have found their way into Ethiopia and are repeating the actions that are causing such strong anti-gay … More Lesbian Couple beaten by straight women at Ethiopian nightclub
Anti-gay sentiment increases after the export of more Western Evangelical hate By Cathy Kristofferson Zambia and Ethiopia appear poised to be the next ‘Kill the Gays’ countries. Is that really something nations should aspire to? Melanie Nathan has documented the current struggles in Zambia here on OBLOGDEE , from the arrest of HIV/AIDS rights activist … More Zambia and Ethiopia are the ‘next Uganda’
Will direct action be what it takes to get job protections? By Cathy Kristofferson, May 11, 2013 While nationally the fight for job protections has gone quiet since the re-introduction last month of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) 2013, local activists in Texas have been fired up, and have taken direct action steps that may … More LGBT Job Protections Needs Activist Uprising
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 10, 2013 Court opened for the fourth day in the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General of Belize trial challenging the constitutionality of the Section 53 anti-sodomy penal code trial. The Churches continued their claim that social issues such as public morality and health do not belong before the court. Once again … More Belize anti-sodomy penal code trial wraps-up its final day
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 09, 2013 Day Three of the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General of Belize trial challenging the constitutionality of the Section 53 anti-sodomy penal code started with chatter in the courtroom about the Claimant Caleb Orosco’s home being vandalized: This came on top of new reports last night on Belize Channel 5 … More Belize Attorney General argues to maintain anti-sodomy penal code
By Melanie Nathan, May 09, 2013. A snapshot – from around the world – and there is so much more! 1. MOST HILARIOUS – a must watch NZ MP’s hilarious gay marriage speech 2. MOST MOVING A Love Song New Zealand 3.Uruguay – can you believe it? 4. France – despite major protests and the … More Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments
Reposted from Article by JURIST Guest Columnist Elisabeth McDonald of the Victoria University of Wellington Faculty of Law evaluates the recent legalization of same-sex marriage by the New Zealand House of Representatives.. New Zealand passed same-sex marriage into law which will take effect on August 19, 2013. It does not just provide that same-sex couples … More New Zealand Marriage Equality Law Clear on Trans and Intersex People
By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. We have been reporting on the two young Zambian men charged with sodomy, (see related Articles below). The men are currently detained in deplorable conditions. They have denied the charges. The arrests followed a call by Zambian authorities for people to report gays, noting that authorities were prepared to … More Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 08, 2013. Today, on Day Two of Caleb Orozco and the United Belize Advocacy Movement’s (UBIBAM) constitutional challenge of Belize’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law, lead attorney Christopher Smith‐Hamel SC, made his closing arguments. During his closing, he quoted Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Anglican humanitarian leader from South Africa: “’Our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters … More Belize Court hears Closing argument in Penal code anti-Sodomy case
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 07, 2013 Today began the four day constitutionality challenge trial of Belize’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law in their Supreme Court. I have been watching the #UNIBAM twitter feed all afternoon (Belize = CST) for wonderful live-tweeting from Asa DeMatteo and now have been emailed (thank you!) the Press Release for Day One. … More Opening Arguments in Belize Urge Supreme Court to Uphold the Constitution
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 07, 2013. Tomorrow, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act (ECDF) will be re-introduced in Congress. The Act would ban discrimination in adoption or foster care placement based on the marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity of the potential parent, or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the child. … More Re-introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act
By Cathy Kristofferson, May 05, 2013. First off – Happy Cinco de Mayo! I saw a headline just now – “Gingrich: LGBT rights fight ‘one sided’ because Catholics are oppressed too”. Oh, really. Wonder what in Heaven’s name Newt is whining about now? Then I saw this quote: “But what I’m struck with is the … More Tiny violins for Newt and the oppression of his new-found Catholicism
Getting rid of the old British Colonial penal code criminalizing homosexuality in Central America… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 05, 2013 The nation of Belize, bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, is the last country in Central America where homosexual acts are still illegal and punishable by long prison terms. But that could change for Belize and set … More Belize Government and Christian right fight Supreme Court Challenge to decriminalize homosexuality
Seems to be exactly where the Religious Right is digging in these days. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 02, 2013. Two legislative initiatives now underway on Capital Hill greatly underscore the fact that it is the Religious Right who is seeking ‘special rights’ not the LGBT community, as we are so often accused. The Comprehensive Immigration … More The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform
By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. American Jewish World Service is hosting an event here in San Francisco and I am asking my readers to come and join me in supporting it. And it is free! They will be featuring the documentary film, God Loves Uganda, on Wednesday May 22nd at SFJAZZ Center! See the … More Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco
Lesbian Mom and LGBT Advocate Melanie Nathan Responds By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. Imagine my disgust when I saw the video below. It felt abusive and its horrendous attempt at parody sickened me, as a lesbian mom. Janet Porter and her clan are touting that gay relationships are 3 times more dangerous than smoking … More Janet Porter’s Heather Has 2 Cigarettes Banned by YouTube for Hate Speech
Andre Bekker, Richard Cohen and Christopher Doyle | While their modus operandi may be different to accused murderer de Koker, their ideology stinks the same stink! By Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2013. A South African, Andre Bekker, who proclaims to be an ex-gay and an authority on converting gays, teamed up with tired extremists in … More Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen
National Day of Prayer to be headed by pastor who thinks marriage equality is a Satanic ploy… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 30, 2013 President Obama just, just!, held a press conference where he remarked that “the LGBT community deserves full equality, not just partial equality, not just tolerance, but a recognition that they’re fully a … More Oh no not another anti-gay pastor hosted by President Obama
Lying to fund raise – how low can you go Janet Porter? By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Watch this video by Faith 2 Action – one of the anti-gay groups at war with the idea of equality. In their desperate cling to bigoted ideology and a lost battle, they try and raise money for … More Anti-gay Video stoops comparing gays to adulterers to raise money for documentary
By Cathy Kristofferson, April 29, 2013 Here on this BLOG Thursday, we reported that directly preceding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013, a press release came out expressing “very grave concerns” about the religious exemption clause contained in the Bill. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the National Center for … More Understanding those very grave concerns about ENDA’s religious exemption
By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2013. San Francisco, CA – Gay activists have called a protest against the San Francisco Pride Committee for withdrawing of Bradley Manning as an honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s Pride. Bradley Manning, widely known to be gay, had been selected to be one of the Grand Marshals of the … More San Francisco to protest Pride’s cancellation of Bradley Manning honor
“How would you feel if your own college graduation ceremony was being used as a same-sex marriage publicity stunt?” NOM By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. Guess who I got this news from – I mean the news that David Boies is giving the Commencement speech at NYU? I got the news on my feed … More NOM outraged by David Boies giving commencement speech at NYU
The group raised $1,765,000 in 2011 of which $1,131,220 was used for salaries and compensation, and increased employees to 20 for what? By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. Immigration Equality has failed binational same-sex couples and is now scrambling to stay relevant, with the audacity to create a exploitative lobby event, all leading of course … More Exploitation of binational same-sex couples continues as Immigration Equality continues to fund raise on the back of its failure
SB 10 Marriage equality in Illinois By Melanie Nathan, April, 25, 2013. On February 14, the Illinois State Senate voted to pass the legalization of marriage equality (IL SB10) bill, entitled the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, by a 34-21-2-2 score in favor of marriage equality. The vote is one step closer to making … More Illinois LGBT community urgent call to counter the radical rights efforts to kill marriage equality
UNITE and LGBT Activists Unite | “THIS HOTEL IS OWNED BY HOMOPHOBES” By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2013. Back in February, we reported that gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East … More Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel
Employment protections bill introduced for the 20th time… but will expanded religious exemptions doom ENDA before it’s even reintroduced? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 25, 2013 The 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will be introduced into Congress today by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in the Senate and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in the … More The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems
And you thought refusal of service ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 23, 2013 In Massachusetts one of the legislative campaigns we are working on is the Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public. … More NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days
Please show solidarity on April 24th with Tweets and Facebook messages for Noxolo By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013 April 24, 2013 marks the two year anniversary of the brutal death of Noxolo Nogwaza. In 2011, twenty-four year old Noxolo Nogwaza, a South African lesbian and LGBT rights activist, the organizer of the Ekurhuleni Pride … More And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action
Apartheid in the Boy Scouts Movement is not the way to evolve By Cathy Kristofferson, April 21, 2013 I keep seeing articles and posts about how great it is that the Boy Scouts are now, once again, considering allowing gay scouts (an idea that was proposed and went down in flames not that long ago) … More Boy Scouts Apartheid is bigotry not evolutionary
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