Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

EMERGENCY FUNDING: LGBTQI people are criminalized in over 70 countries around the world, of which over 30 are in Africa. This has resulted in persecution, ostracization and physical attacks by governments, community, and even family and friends. Resulting in the need  to exile from one’s own country to seek safety. The stories are many and overwhelmingly … More Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Sam Equality Deetz Remembered by African HRC

African HRC Mourns the Passing of Sam Deetz, by Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African HRC. African Human Rights Coalition is deeply saddened to report the sudden passing of our Advisory Committee member, Sam Deetz, from Pennsylvania. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends, to Sam’s devoted husband Jim Zeigler, who he had shared … More Sam Equality Deetz Remembered by African HRC

ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

On 20 March, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 13th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia, authored by Lucas Ramón Mendos. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation – a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general … More ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

A Critical frontier for Human Rights Advocacy – Melanie Nathan (2019) – the subject of 2 Articles in global press- Harpers and Mamba-Online – elucidating a critical mess for LGBTQI refugees!  This week two articles have been written by accomplished journalists at two different corners of the world, reflecting on the stories of refugees attempting to avail … More Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

Anti-Gay Gambian President Ousted

Yahya Jammeh, the Gambian president, known for his virulent homophobia and vicious anti-gay threats, has been ousted in this week’s presidential election in The Gambia. Jammeh, an authoritarian president for 22 years, suffered this surprise defeat in the country’s general election. He will be replaced by a property developer, Adama Barrow, who won more than 45% of … More Anti-Gay Gambian President Ousted

Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Gambians struggle to get refugee Status in Senegal By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2014 The Gambian authorities have arrested three men, accused of committing homosexual acts. The Gambian authorities have been conducting door-to-door witch hunts seeking out gays or responding to suspicious neighbors for several months. The men if found guilty can receive a maximum … More Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

“Quite frankly I am sick of hearing how ‘upset’ everyone is about this new law, while doing absolutely nothing to help our fellow LGBTI in The Gambia” By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. While Gay people from The Gambia are on the run, the U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president … More Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

By Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. For the first time, an African LGBTI group will stage a demonstration at The Hague in the Netherlands, to draw attention to complaints arising out of how the Netherlands Immigration authorities treat the claims of  LGBTI Africans seeking asylum in that country. Out and Proud Diamond Group, an LGBT … More African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

London Protest at The Gambia Embassy Urging Jammeh to Not Sign Jail The Gays Bill

London’s Exiled LGBT Africans Protest The Gambia Embassy Against Jail The Gays Bill By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Exiled LGBT activists from Africa, in the United Kingdom, held a protest at The Gambian Embassy in London, to urge the Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, not to sign the new onerous anti-gay law that punishes LGBT people … More London Protest at The Gambia Embassy Urging Jammeh to Not Sign Jail The Gays Bill

Gays from The Gambia need Urgent humanitarian help

A President and His Tacit Call to Kill Gays with little to no help for survival By Melanie Nathan, September 09, 2014. Under The Gambian law Homosexual acts are punishable by up to 14 years to include men and woman. However now the law has bee amended to include so called “aggravated homosexuality” with terms … More Gays from The Gambia need Urgent humanitarian help

LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

Secretary of State Kerry Pays Lip Service to LGBTI Equality While Denying Pride Visas for LGBTI Africans By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014. Last Thursday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride event. While the secretary gushed about his department’s accomplishments for LGBTI people and reminded … More LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

Protests Planned in Amsterdam against Anti-Gay Uganda and Nigeria

 For Global Day Against Homophobia By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2013. On the 20th March  the world will protest homophobia and Uganda Gay On Move (UGOM), a community in the Diaspora, is scheduling a demonstration in Amsterdam, for the world global day of action against homophobia and laws that violate human dignity. The recently enacted … More Protests Planned in Amsterdam against Anti-Gay Uganda and Nigeria

Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays

UN speech is latest of many homophobic rants  | Gay sex & cross-dressing illegal with a Threat to behead LGBTs Posted by Melanie Nathan, 14 October 2013. LGBTI protesters picketed the Gambian High Commission in London last Thursday, October 10,  to condemn the country’s president, Yahya Jammeh, over his repeated homophobic tirades. The protest was … More Protestors Condemn Gambian President’s Persecution of Gays