Category: POLITICAL VIEWS

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

April 23, 2020

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

Filmmakers Try to Shut Down LGBTQI Israel Film Festival

March 7, 2020

Over 100 LGBT Filmmakers Abroad Call for Boycott of Tel Aviv LGBTQI  Film Festival Haaretz is reporting that more than 100 LGBT filmmakers abroad have signed a petition calling for a boycott of the annual LGBT film festival in Tel Aviv, TLVFest, out of solidarity with the struggle by the Palestinian queer community. What a … More Filmmakers Try to Shut Down LGBTQI Israel Film Festival

LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

February 19, 2020

With thanks to host Michelle Meow, famed Bay Area LGBTQI producer and TV show host, Commonwealth Club of San Francisco is platforming a discussion involving member of San Francisco’s LGBTQI community. This promises to be a robust discussion. Check it out.   Oh yes and I am on the panel too! My position may surprise … More LGBTQI Leaders on Panel at Commonwealth Club: Picking the Democratic Presidential Candidate

Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

January 12, 2020

LEILAH BABIRYE Gwe Is Ye Nze, Lekka Mbele Nze (You Are Not Me, Let Me Be Me) 15 January – 28 February 2020 Artist dialogue with human rights advocate Melanie Nathan: Saturday 18 January, 10 AM  Rebecca Camacho Presents 794 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94109 UNTITLED, ART San Francisco  Booth C11 16 January – … More Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

December 26, 2019

The State Department is pulling the US ambassador to Zambia after the country’s president objected to the ambassador’s harsh criticism of the government’s record on gay rights and corruption. This rare and extraordinary move indicates a vast change in American strength of values abroad as we acquiesce to complaints of this nature. Earlier this month, US … More Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

December 21, 2019

QUESTION:  what if she were asked as an expert witness in her family law custody mediation expert testimony practice to testify in court for or against an Israeli Plaintiff or Defendant? Facebook, the social media platform is that oddity that brings us humans together in cause, kinship, and opinions. Often opinions differ. Often we fail … More Jan Falk Therapist – Is this Anti Semitism Within our Ranks

Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

December 14, 2019

Queer Asylum in Germany: Better visibility and access to legal and social support needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany Human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity are grounds for seeking asylum in Europe. However, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) people claiming asylum face particular legal and social … More Queer Asylum in Germany: More Needed for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum in Germany

Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

December 14, 2019

Zambia Complains to U.S. After Ambassador Condemns Jailing of Gay Couple- And how to start changing the narrative! The president of Zambia plans to issue an official complaint to the United States over remarks its ambassador made after a homosexual couple were jailed for 15 years in the African country. Read my Dec 01 Article … More Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

December 11, 2019

While in general I am  pleased that we are covering some serious issues, make sure manner and implementation is not imposing – Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition  is urging caution on LGBTQI Global Rights – Melanie Nathan The Washington Blade Notes: “Three U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require the … More African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

December 3, 2019

Monument was Removed from Courthouse Circle in Chatham County CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is celebrating a North Carolina court’s decision to dismiss the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s (UDC) lawsuit to stop Chatham County from removing the Confederate monument from the courthouse circle in Pittsboro. The monument … More COURT UPHOLDS DECISION ON REMOVAL OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

December 3, 2019

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

November 26, 2019

LGBTQI Asylum Seekers and Refugees – At Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the honor to work hand in hand with some of the most courageous people on the Planet- Dear Friends, THANK YOU – Let us talk gratitude! Thank you for your ongoing support of African Human Rights Coalition: At African HRC we provide humanitarian services, resources, … More Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

November 21, 2019

Today HIAS,  Church World Service (CWS), and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), took Donald Trump to court over his recent executive order giving state and local officials authority to block refugee resettlement in their jurisdictions. These agencies are suing the administration because it is attempting to enact a state-by-state, city-by-city refugee ban. “It was not … More Refugee Agencies Sue Trump Over Executive Order

FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

October 22, 2019

If you are a ‘Most Powerful Women’ then show us who you truly are! Follow the example of the award-winning filmmaker dream hampton!  Upon hearing that Kirstjen Nielsen, Trump’s former Department of Homeland Security secretary who oversaw the caging of children and separation of families, is being given a platform at this month’s Most Powerful Women … More FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2019 Platforms in Disgrace

Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

October 10, 2019

Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights By Jocelyn Samuels The Supreme Court will soon decide whether it’s legal for an employer to fire a gay man because the employer disapproves of his sexual orientation, or to refuse to hire a trans woman because the employer is uncomfortable with her gender identity. … More Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

SCOTUS Cases Could Dictate Global Harm to LGBTQI Communities

October 8, 2019

When all is said and done there could not be a more serious moment in the lives of LGBTQI Americans and their families – and also for the entire LGBTI world. Any form of inequality or diminishing of our community will serve to justify and hence dictate further global marginalization for all LGBTQI communities. If … More SCOTUS Cases Could Dictate Global Harm to LGBTQI Communities

Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s Jewish New Year Message

September 22, 2019

Rosh Hashanah Walking Together in the New Year By Congressman Jerrold Nadler As we join with family and friends and prepare for the Jewish New Year, let us allow the shofar to call us to unity—and to action. Let the call of the shofar remind us that we must hold fast to our Jewish values … More Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s Jewish New Year Message

Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

September 4, 2019

“Last week, I awoke from a dream where I saw thousands of singers filling up a park, raising their voices against injustice. Now I am working to make that happen.  Please join Close the Camps Choir on Sunday September 15 at the Embarcadero Plaza, San Francisco, from 3.00-5.00 PM and add your voice to our chorus!”  It literally … More Join the Choral Protest in San Francisco to be led by CLOSE THE CAMPS CHOIR

History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

August 21, 2019

The banning of the South African Apartheid Flag as a symbol of hate now historically stands in stark and judicial contrast to the LGBTQI Rainbow flag – in effect expressly ruled a symbol of love! The Black Monday protests, which flared-up in October 2017 in South Africa, forced the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SA Human … More History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

Trump Speaks his Anti-Semite Truth in his attacks on Omar, Tlaib and Democrats

August 20, 2019

And An Ode to Trump’s Disloyalty, By A Jew: Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office today, while meeting with the President of Romania, Donald Trump was asked about his criticisms of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who were barred from entering Israel last week due to their support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions … More Trump Speaks his Anti-Semite Truth in his attacks on Omar, Tlaib and Democrats

Bringing STRAIGHT Money Talk by Suze Orman to GAY (LGBTQ) Journalist Convention

August 8, 2019

Last Day for NLGJA Convention Advance Registration Rate – NLGJA Convention Event of the Week:  Straight Money Talk with Suze Orman: NLGJA’s 2019 National Convention in New Orleans is coming up fast! Each week from now until the convention, NLGJA will be featuring one of the outstanding activities that will be offered throughout the Convention. Be sure … More Bringing STRAIGHT Money Talk by Suze Orman to GAY (LGBTQ) Journalist Convention

Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

August 2, 2019

With special thanks to the featured asylum seekers and refugees Mari, Cheyenne, Junior and Subhi, for having the courage and fortitude to tell your stories before you had barely landed! Dear Friends, This week I had the great honor of accepting the OUTFEST Los Angeles 2019 juried Best Feature Documentary award for the Film UNSETTLED … More Tom Shepard’s UNSETTLED Wins Prestigious OUTFEST, Los Angeles Award

UN Renews Mandate of Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Independent Expert

July 12, 2019

UN Renews Crucial Mandate for Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identit In a defining vote, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert focusing on the protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. … More UN Renews Mandate of Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Independent Expert

I am Named for Excellence in Blogging Award as NLGJA Announces 2019 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients 

June 19, 2019

I am so honored to be named for the Excellence in Blogging Award: Melanie Nathan for “LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya,” www.oblogdee.blog   and congratulations to all the award recipients with thanks for the important work. This is truly an honor, and most especially because it recognizes the subject matter which I … More I am Named for Excellence in Blogging Award as NLGJA Announces 2019 Excellence in Journalism Award Recipients 

Celebrating SCOTUS Decision Limiting Political Interest in Redistricting

June 17, 2019

Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Virginia House of Delegates v. Bethune-Hill affirming the lower courts designation that the Virginia legislature lacks standing to appeal in its own right: SCOTUS dismissed the challenge to a lower court’s findings that some of Virginia’s legislative districts were racially gerrymandered, saying that House Republicans did not have legal standing to challenge the decision. … More Celebrating SCOTUS Decision Limiting Political Interest in Redistricting

UN LGBT Expert Says Policymakers are Making Preconceived Prejudiced Decisions

June 17, 2019

Sexual orientation and gender identity: policymakers are taking decisions in the dark, says UN expert Information about the lived realities of LGBT people around the world is, at best, incomplete and fragmented, but in most countries it is simply non-existent, said the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual … More UN LGBT Expert Says Policymakers are Making Preconceived Prejudiced Decisions

MASK 05: Mistreatment of Lesbian Asylum Seeker Reveals Corrupt South African Officials

June 14, 2019

7 MASKS 1 STORY – This is MASK 05 out of 7 MASK stories which will be told each day this week: If you care you will share! If you have been following the series and already read this intro, you can skip to the header MASK 05, below: For the past ten years I have … More MASK 05: Mistreatment of Lesbian Asylum Seeker Reveals Corrupt South African Officials

MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

June 10, 2019

7 MASKS 1 STORY – This is MASK 01 out of 7 MASK stories which will be told each day this week: If you care you will share! For the past ten years I have been working with LGBTQ individuals and communities in several African Countries in the global attempt to thwart homophobia and deal with … More MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

Introduction of Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying

May 16, 2019

Murray, Baldwin, Pocan Introduce Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying and Harassment at Colleges and Universities Across the Country One in five college students are victims of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly twice as likely to be harassed than their peers | Legislation would require colleges and universities to establish policies to … More Introduction of Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying