Category: POLITICAL VIEWS

South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

May 28, 2012

THE ALLIANCE FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL  AND FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF RURAL AREAS  Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 28, 20212. The Alliance for Rural Democracy calls upon all provincial legislatures to vote against the Traditional Courts Bill in the lead-up to the National Council of Provinces … More South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

May 22, 2012

DA Party Manny de Freitas calls protests Gay Pride Parade and Helen Zille remains silent by Melanie Nathan, May 22, 2012. Pursuant to nationwide protests in South Africa this weekend, the opposing Democratic Alliance (DA) party has failed to issue any official  press statement in support of the South African LGBTI community which held events … More South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

May 16, 2012

This is about protecting the Constitution for ALL South Africans and so whether LGBTI or not, all South Africans should participate. By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2012. A powerful and unified coalition of South African LGBTI groups have formed to promote nationwide marches to protest the House of Traditional Leaders to Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee … More South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

May 15, 2012

Diverse LGBT Speakers List for SF’s May 17 IDAHO at UN Plaza Gays Without Borders has organized an event on Thursday, May 17 , to honor International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The  commemoration will begin at noon at UN Plaza in San Francisco. The commemoration will start off with poignant speeches about the violence … More San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

May 14, 2012

We celebrate the founding principles of the new South Africa, a country that knows what courage means. : Democracy, Justice,  Equality, and  Human rights. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. While South African traditional leaders ignore South Africa’s importance in the world with their draconian ideals, as they question the validity of their own equality … More Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

May 14, 2012

Stop the Deportation of Ugandan Lesbian Nantale Prosscovia. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. Nantale Prosscovia, a Ugandan lesbian held in a Swedish prison, is facing deportation back to the life-threatening situation she fled 6 years ago. Now a Petition has been launched on the site “GO Petition” to try and save her from this … More Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

May 13, 2012

Holomisa is saying that LGBTI people should not be protected by the Constitution because some people believe they are not entitled to those rights. He is forgetting that thinking is the very reason why their rights are so protected.

What remains is the question of what next – while traditionalists ought to have a voice in South Africa’s Parliament, they should be banned from sitting on committees where they have an inherent conflict of interest. Which means they should be excused from serving in positions where they risk impacting the entrenched rights of minorities such as gays, lesbians etc. … More Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

May 12, 2012

Around the U.S.A. May 12, 2012, A lesbian who sought a North Carolina marriage license with her partner and was rejected under a state law banning same-sex marriage was arrested with another person Thursday after they refused to leave a government office where several gay and lesbian couples were turned away. The civil disobedience followed … More North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

May 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 11, 2012. BOSTON – Following President Obama’s announcement to support same sex marriage, Senator John Kerry, along with 16 of his Senate colleagues, today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to protect married gay and lesbian couples facing possible deportation. In a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and … More Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

May 8, 2012

WATCH VIDEO The UN  human rights Commissioner’s view of gays vs traditionalist South African view of gays (LGBTI) By Melanie Nathan May 08, 2012 South Africa emerged from the Apartheid era with a “never again” zest; but now that fervor is being tested with members of the South African Parliament, who took oaths to uphold … More Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

May 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2012. South African ANC Member of Parliament  Nkosi Patekile Holomisa is in the hot seat; he is faced with a conflict of interest, a controversial issue and a remark that renders him unfit to serve in any elected and appointed positions. The comments followed a submission by the House of … More Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

May 7, 2012

Explanation and Comments by Mr. Gay South Africa By Melanie Nathan, May 07,2012. On Friday last week I reported that the  South African Constitution  has been lauded for its lead on the entrenchment of anti-discrimination rights that renders it one of the few in the world to protect sexual orientation and gender identity in its … More South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

May 4, 2012

Activists are concerned as decades of lobbying and progress for LGBTI rights in South Africa are under threat. Nelson Mandela: ” Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2012. Since the end of Apartheid and the … More South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

Minnesota Refuses to Legislate Against Medicaid Paying for Pray the Gay Away

April 25, 2012

Senator asks Sen. Dibble if he believes the power of Jesus Christ can redeem anyone? By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2012. Monday, Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) offered an amendment to a larger omnibus health policy bill that would prohibit state Medicaid dollars from being paid for any “reparative or conversion” therapies geared toward changing an … More Minnesota Refuses to Legislate Against Medicaid Paying for Pray the Gay Away

Calling on Andrew Sullivan to Boycott the Maggie Gallagher Debate

March 29, 2012

Let us declare  Maggie Gallagher –  ‘marriage equality irrelevant’- By Melanie Nathan, March 29, 2012 I received an invitation to attend what is touted by organizers as the “media debate of the year ”  to be held at  Lee Chapel, at Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA – a debate on marriage equality between Maggie … More Calling on Andrew Sullivan to Boycott the Maggie Gallagher Debate

Video Seattle City Council Meeting LGBT Commission Regarding their Discrimination Against Israeli LGBT Guests

March 22, 2012

Incompetency of the Seattle LGBT Commission highlighted by the Council member questions at the end of the discussion in Video By Melanie Nathan Watch the apology and the dramatic and emotional testimony given by leaders from the Seattle LGBT and Jewish community to the Seattle City Council ( Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee … More Video Seattle City Council Meeting LGBT Commission Regarding their Discrimination Against Israeli LGBT Guests

Seattle LGBT Commission Issues Apology to Israeli Guests But Should Still Resign

March 21, 2012

The Seattle City LGBT Commissions has issued a formal apology, by posting it on Facebook, to the LGBT public and the Israeli AILO group, as can be seen below, for its actions in cancelling an event that in essence served to boycott and silence the visiting group from Israel.

It admits the “pain, offense … More Seattle LGBT Commission Issues Apology to Israeli Guests But Should Still Resign

Greater Seattle Business Association Outraged by Seattle LGBT Commission

March 20, 2012

Reacting to last week’s cancellation of a meeting with Israeli equality delegates,the Greater Seattle Business Association, the largest LGBT chamber of commerce in the United States with over 1000 members, wrote a letter to the City of Seattle LGBT Commission, to express their outrage at the commission’s decision to “silence LGBT voices by cancelling the City Hall event with a delegation of Israeli LGBT civil rights leaders.” … More Greater Seattle Business Association Outraged by Seattle LGBT Commission

Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

March 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2012 I often wonder if advisory boards for non-Profit organizations keep a check on what they have tied their names to?  Many are apt to join for an appealing mission statement tied to common causes and very often because a friend or acquaintance pitched the importance. Although I do recognize … More Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

United Arab Emirates LGBT Reports possible Gay Arrests

March 16, 2012

Dan Littauer, Editor GME, 16.3.2012 The United Arab Emirates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group has received reports that 30 people who are believed may be gay were arrested in private ‘after’ party last at 5am, last Friday (9 March) in the Shangri La Hotel, Dubai. It was said the party was ambushed and all present were … More United Arab Emirates LGBT Reports possible Gay Arrests

Seattle LGBT Commission’s Boycott of Israeli LGBTI Guests Opens Wounds

March 16, 2012

By Melanie Nathan and Scott Rose, 03/16/2012 Caving to protests by a small anti-Israel and anti-Jewish contingency, using the guise of so called pinkwashing,  the  Seattle City LGBT Commission has silenced the voices of its Israeli LGBT guests  from the coalition Group AILO,  by cancelling, with less than 24 hours notice,  a dialogue event which … More Seattle LGBT Commission’s Boycott of Israeli LGBTI Guests Opens Wounds

Seattle University Assistant Law Professor Attempts to Silence Visiting Israeli LGBT Voices

March 14, 2012

Denying dialogue is a means to foster hate … By Melanie Nathan, 03/14/2012 In the midst of a visit to the West Coast by a delegation of Israeli LGBT leaders, is a small group of  US anti-Israel proponents determined to silence the visitors. Leading this effort to silence the equality activists from Israel is  an … More Seattle University Assistant Law Professor Attempts to Silence Visiting Israeli LGBT Voices

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

Muslim Groups Oppose United Nations stand on Human Right To Sexuality

March 6, 2012

Tomorrow the UN debates Human Rights for LGBT people By Melanie Nathan, 03/06/2012, For us in the USA, “gay rights” is associated with the debate over equality and is about whether LGBTI people should be allowed to marry, adopt, serve in the military, be subject to baseless firing from jobs. Yet others in the World … More Muslim Groups Oppose United Nations stand on Human Right To Sexuality

Reports of Iraqi Gays Kidnapped, Tortured and Murdered

March 5, 2012

The threats gave the individuals, whose names and ages were listed, four days to stop their behavior or else face the wrath of God, and were to be carried out by the Mujahedin.
According to sources inside Iraq,as reported apparently by IGHLRC, as the result of this new surge of anti-gay violence close to 40 people have been kidnapped, brutally tortured and murdered. … More Reports of Iraqi Gays Kidnapped, Tortured and Murdered