Category: WORLD

Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

December 2, 2014

Special refugee programs for gays should include all LGBTI people worldwide seeking to escape criminalization, harsh penalties and rampant persecution By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. While Spectrum Human Rights continues to lobby the US Congress, the US State Department and the White House to establish a special refugee program for Russian LGBT people, we … More Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

December 1, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has kept true to her Xmas tradition, packing a Xmas punch against Uganda’s homosexuals. Back in 2012 she promised to deliver the popular Anti-Homosexuality Act as her Christmas gift to the good citizens of Uganda that year. She failed to do so. Then the following … More Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

November 28, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 28, 2014. A Ugandan human rights defender and activist known in the LGBT community has been brutally attacked today by a mob and rushed to a Kampala emergency hospital. After a loss of blood, from what seems like multiple injuries, including a badly injured eye, Kelly Mukwano, was administered first aid,  … More Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

November 27, 2014

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

November 26, 2014

“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

Rapist and Murderer of South African Lesbian Sentenced

November 25, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 25, 2014. The South African Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court has sentenced the brutal rapist and murderer of 26-year-old lesbian Duduzile Zozo.  Lekgoa Lesley Motleleng, who pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of the young lesbian, will spend 30 years in prison. The half-naked body of  was found in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, … More Rapist and Murderer of South African Lesbian Sentenced

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

November 24, 2014

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

Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

November 21, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan,  21st November 2014, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL), Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), Rainbow Health Foundation (RHF), and Support Initiative for Persons with Congenital Disorders (SIPD) released a report on violations based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation (SDGISO) (SOGI) . … More Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released

Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

November 20, 2014

Transgender Remembrance Day By Melanie Nathan, November, 20, 2014. Today is Transgender Remembrance Day. It is the day we come together to remember violence perpetrated against the transgender community, so many brutally beaten, murdered and persecuted out of hate and fear of a difference which people do not understand. The latter no excuse, and a … More Inside the gay and transgender wing at the Los Angeles County jail

Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

November 20, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 20, 2014. Wake Up Americans and get educated on these important human rights issues that you will not find in our USA local or national mainstream media. Thanks to SAfAIDS for the selection of important human rights stories: Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs for recreational use A … More Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

November 18, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November, 18 2014. Jimmy Kyesswa still bears the scars of the inhumanity he suffered and it continues as he seeks asylum in the United Kingdom. This petition will be delivered to: Secretary of State, Hon Theresa May MP in the United Kingdom, thanks to the excellent work of OUT and PROUD Diamond … More Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

November 17, 2014

People are speculating about corruption and ineptitude in the South African Embassy in Uganda | Why is High Commissioner seat in Uganda Vacant? By Melanie Nathan, November 17, 2014. Following the story in South African press that Jon Qwelane is back in Court, I noted terminology referring to Mr. Qwelane as the “former high commissioner” … More Jon Qwelane No Longer High Commissioner to Uganda

Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

November 14, 2014

Why is Qwelane no longer Ambassador to Uganda – why the secrecy? By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2014. While the Johannesburg High Court must decide whether the Jon Qwelane’s hate speech case and a constitutional challenge to the Equality Act are closely linked enough so that the Court can hear both cases as one, it … More Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

November 13, 2014

Indian women die, seriously injured, after mass sterilization drive   Human Rights, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS news making the headlines that you probably will not read anywhere in the USA news – with thanks to the good people at SAfAIDS for their “Zero Tolerance for Homophobia” campaign: Being a sex worker doesn’t give you the right … More Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press

South African Scourge Heightens with Child dragged to Death in Hijacking

November 12, 2014

Twenty years of democracy, one of the most magnificent countries in the world, is there hope? By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2104. Below is a mere smattering of examples of recent Hijackings in South Africa. This horrific criminal behavior has been going on for the past 20 years, since the end of Apartheid. One can … More South African Scourge Heightens with Child dragged to Death in Hijacking

Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

November 7, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, November 07, 2014. The Prohibition of the Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill of 2014 is apparently the possible new replacement for the now invalid Anti-Homosexuality Act: A committee comprising leading members of Uganda’s ruling party have prepared a new draft of legislation targeting LGBT people, according to Nicholas Opiyo, a human … More Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

November 5, 2014

Geneva, November 3, 2014 As Uganda debates the re-introduction of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, ORAM publishes a comprehensive Country of Origin Report on the conditions of LGBTI individuals in the country ORAM has published an extensive report titled “Country of Origin Report: Sexual and Gender Minorities – Uganda.” The  report includes an extensive case law section, … More ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

November 3, 2014

Could he have been a target because the Nigerian Court refused to nullify the new Nigerian Anti-Gay law? By Melanie Nathan, November 03, 2014. A well known Nigerian activist in the field of human rights and sexual health, who was detained without cause or charge by Nigerian police, is requesting an order of enforcement against … More Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

Ugandan Government Lip Service on Repressive Legislation Report

October 25, 2014

What is your opinion on this report and how do you think the Ugandan Government should handle it? By Melanie Nathan, October 24, 2014. On October 16, we reported that Amnesty International concluded a report on repressive and discriminatory legislation enacted over the last 18 months in Uganda that has led to increasing state repression, … More Ugandan Government Lip Service on Repressive Legislation Report

Amnesty Hand Delivers Human Rights Report To Ugandan PM

October 24, 2014

See Video with examples of Police and Public Violence because of Repressive Laws By Melanie Nathan, October 24, 2014. On October 16, we reported that Amnesty International concluded a report on repressive and discriminatory legislation enacted over the last 18 months in Uganda that has led to increasing state repression, violence, homophobic and gender-based discrimination. … More Amnesty Hand Delivers Human Rights Report To Ugandan PM

Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

October 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2014. Two Ugandans charged under a draconian anti-homosexuality Penal Code in Uganda have had all charges against them dismissed by the Magistrates Court, in Buganda. The charges in the case of Uganda v. Mukisa Kim and Mukasa Jackson, Criminal Case No. 0085 of 2014 have been dropped as the prosecution, … More Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

October 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2104. Preliminary reports, yet to be verified by the Court, indicate that the Nigerian Abuja High Court has delivered a ruling striking down the case where the Court was asked to nullify the new “Jail the Gays” Act,  signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in January of this year. … More Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

October 20, 2014

Palm Center and ACLU Host Convening on Lessons Learned from Transgender Service in Foreign Militaries Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2014. WASHINGTON, DC – Currently serving ​transgender service members from five of the 18 foreign militaries that allow transgender service today gathered alongside U.S. service members in Washington D.C. The gathering, Perspectives on Transgender Military Service … More Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

LGBT Exiles Greet Museveni in London with Large Protest

October 20, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2014. President Yoweri Museveni was greeted in London by a large protest when he arrived to attend the Global African Investment Summit. The members of Out And Proud Diamond Group have ensured that their disapproval of the dictator’s human rights infractions are heard loud and clear. The group are amongst … More LGBT Exiles Greet Museveni in London with Large Protest

Amnesty International and Uganda’s Discriminatory legislation

October 16, 2014

All Anti- Human rights legislation fuels repression and abuse By Melanie Nathan, October 16, 2014. Recently at a forum held by SFALI, The San Francisco Africa Leadership Institute, a Ugandan Member of Parliament, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, stressed to the American audience, how important it is for LGBTI and other human rights defenders to address … More Amnesty International and Uganda’s Discriminatory legislation

Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

October 15, 2014

You be the Judge By Melanie Nathan, October 15, 2014. Below you will find a press release which I sent to The Hunts Post,  reporting on a protest which took place outside Cornerstone Cafe, St. Neots, United Kingdom, last week, where LGBT Ugandan exiles demonstrated against Paul Shinners, a radical Christian extremist, who shared a … More Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners

October 11, 2014

Watch Video of Protest | If you have the audacity to go to our Country to preach hate, we will show up in your country, as exiles and on your doorstep to remind you that exporting hate is not okay! By Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2014 St. Neots – A large group of Lesbian, Gay, … More Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners