The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

I have never understood why we in the USA fail this sector of the community | Does the Taboo persist in America?  By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2014. Americans may wonder why African human rights defenders refer to the LGBT community as the LGBTI community.  Whenever I write ‘LGBT’ – for the most part always … More The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

Trans Woman Hunger Strike as South Africa refuses to Change Identity

Willing to die rather than live without authentic identity By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2014. Nadia Swanepoel from Gauteng South Africa is willing to die rather than to be forced to continue to live with the legal identification of a man. Swanepeol began transitioning to a woman over four years ago, has started a hunger … More Trans Woman Hunger Strike as South Africa refuses to Change Identity

Praying For Gay Ugandan Richard to Win Asylum Appeal

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 07, 2014. United Kingdom – Richard M. is a young Ugandan man who fled Uganda after being outed by Red Pepper Magazine. He was apparently falsely accused of promoting homosexuality in the schools. His subsequent asylum journey has been a typical roundabout of hell, exacerbating his abuse. On arrival in the … More Praying For Gay Ugandan Richard to Win Asylum Appeal

Ugandan President Museveni Pens Editorial in New Stance on Anti-Gay Legislation

Museveni Changes the words but keeps the tune…..” the man who chases two animals while hunting, ends up with failing to kill any” By Melanie Nathan, October 03, 2014. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni wrote a piece published in two Ugandan News Magazines, indicating that he has new thoughts about the onerous anti-homosexuality legislation, which he … More Ugandan President Museveni Pens Editorial in New Stance on Anti-Gay Legislation

South African Appeals Court Rejects Fired Methodist Lesbian’s Appeal

By Melanie Nathan, October 03, 2014. The Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein, South Africa, has dismissed an appeal by the Methodist minister who had been fired for marrying her same-sex partner. The Court ruled that courts should not be expected to decide on internal religious matters. Back in March 2011, I was invited to … More South African Appeals Court Rejects Fired Methodist Lesbian’s Appeal

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Corruption is the New Aids

Corruption hurts investment By Melanie Nathan, October 02, 2014. Scott DeLisi, the American ambassador to Uganda, has urged the ruling NRM government to crack down hard on public sector corruption because it is turning away foreign investment, reprots the Ugandan Observer. Speaking at the first  ‘Buy America expo’ at Sheraton hotel, DeLisi described corruption as: … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Corruption is the New Aids

Ugandan Parliament Introduces Registration of Persons Bill

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2014. Uganda has introduced the Registration of Persons Bill into Parliament, which, when passed into law, will make the registration of all persons in Uganda compulsory. Persons requiring a service from a Ministry, government department or agency will have to show proof of registration by providing their National Identification … More Ugandan Parliament Introduces Registration of Persons Bill

Ugandan Judge Speaks of Backlash Since Invalidating Anti-Homosexuality Act

Uganda has a proud history of an independent Judiciary – one wonders how they are to withstand public sentiment when they rule for the Constitution and “against the people’ – or so it seems! By Melanie Nathan, September 30, 2014. The Ugandan Press is reporting on a two-day judicial symposium with judges of the appellate … More Ugandan Judge Speaks of Backlash Since Invalidating Anti-Homosexuality Act

Ugandan religious leader barred from entering the United States

“However, this does not change our stand against homosexuality because it’s a law in the Quran”  Nsereko Mutumba, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council spokesperson. By Melanie Nathan, September 27, 2014. Apparently the U.S. State department is indeed following the Obama administration sanctions against certain Ugandans who support the Anti-Homosexuality (AHA) legislation and who persecute  gays. … More Ugandan religious leader barred from entering the United States

United Nations HRC Passes Resolution Condemning LGBT Discrimination

By Melanie Nathan, September 26, 2014. 25 September 2014 – Bringing homophobia and transphobia to an end is “a great human rights cause,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday, adding that the fight against discrimination “lies at the core of the mission of the United Nations.” In his video message to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and … More United Nations HRC Passes Resolution Condemning LGBT Discrimination

Fallout from Ugandan MP Visit to Gay San Francisco

By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, to meet with Californian leaders, politicians and to participate in an interview / … More Fallout from Ugandan MP Visit to Gay San Francisco

Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

With Homophobia and violence on rise By Melanie Nathan September 26, 2014. On 7th September 2014, Professor Peter Mutharika clocked 100 days of in office , and as a tradition as well as in fulfillment of its human rights and watchdog obligation, The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) partnered with Centre for Development … More Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

THREATS to Lose Voters and Support | accused of “rubbing shoulders with fags” By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, … More Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

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

Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

By Melanie Nathan, September 23, 2014. I participated in this forum back in May, in South Africa, as a panel speaker with Justice Edwin Cameron, on the issue of homophobia in Africa and its impact on key populations, and was also panel chair.  Here is, with thanks to SAfAIDS, the Boksburg Communiqué on the Tweet@ble … More Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

South Africans Concerned About Government Supporting LGBT in UN Resolution

Our friends in South Africa are tackling this issue with concern. Here are 2 reports which can be fully read on their respective sites: GROUPS SAY SA GOV MUST BACK UN LGBTI RESOLUTION Updated – South Africa did support the Resolution – See  http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/09/26/united-nations-hrc-passes-resolution-condemning-lgbt-discrimination/ posted by Luiz DeBarros | September 24, 2014 |  Human rights … More South Africans Concerned About Government Supporting LGBT in UN Resolution

A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Bridges between San Francisco and Kampala By Melanie Nathan, September 20, 2014. On the day that the majority of Ugandan Parliamentarians signed a petition to bring back the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which had been invalidated by the court, one unexpected Member of Parliament made a disappointing about turn. Honorable Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, woman MP for … More A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Why Human Rights Resolution of Chile’s UN Ambassador Includes All

The Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva explains why she is tabling a resolution this afternoon on the human rights of everyone regardless of our sexual orientation or gender identity. The International Service for Human Rights is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. We achieve this by supporting human rights defenders, … More Why Human Rights Resolution of Chile’s UN Ambassador Includes All

Museveni Fires the Prime Minister Who Was Against The Anti-Homosexuality Act

By Melanie Nathan, September 19, 2014. Some call it a firing and others a reshuffle: “Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has been appointed as Uganda’s new Prime Minster in a cabinet reshuffle,” notes the Daily Monitor’s politcally correct emphasis. “He replaces Kinkiizi West MP Amama Mbabazi who has been the Prime Minister since June 2011.” Some believe … More Museveni Fires the Prime Minister Who Was Against The Anti-Homosexuality Act

Applicant suing Nigerian Government to Nullify Anti-Gay Law Speaks out before Judgment

Judgment is being handed in a week – the Petitioner’s thoughts about the Judge and a message to fellow straight Nigerians Updated 9/25/2014.: The judgment in the case was postponed today until October 21, 2014. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2014. On Jan. 7 of this year, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the … More Applicant suing Nigerian Government to Nullify Anti-Gay Law Speaks out before Judgment

Is the Catholic Church’s Position On Homosexuals in the hands of Ugandan Archbishop

Kampala Archbishop Publishes Book on Catholic Church and Homosexuality By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2014. The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kampala, His Grace Dr. Cyprian Lwanga has published a book detailing the position of the Catholic Church in Uganda on homosexuals. The  32 page booklet seems to tout  the official position of the church … More Is the Catholic Church’s Position On Homosexuals in the hands of Ugandan Archbishop

Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Daveyton as Known Rapist Turns Himself In

By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2014. Distraught South African LGBTQI community is reporting another  murder of a lesbian, Thembelihle,  described by friends as a butch lesbian who lived at Sgodi Phola Section in Daveyton, a South African Township in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality of Gauteng. Affectionately known as Lihle by her friends, she was last … More Another South African Lesbian Murdered in Daveyton as Known Rapist Turns Himself In

Nigerian LGBT Defenders Await Court Decision on Anti-Gay Law

By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2014. Courageous Nigerian human rights defenders and the Nigerian LGBT community, in Nigeria and exile, anxiously await the outcome of Justice Abdu Kafarati ‘s ruling in the claim filed against the Federal Government in the Abuja High Court from earlier this year. The ruling will be handed down on September … More Nigerian LGBT Defenders Await Court Decision on Anti-Gay Law

The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act is an Anti-Ugandan American Import

Wake Up Ugandan Parliament this is an American Bill not a Ugandan Bill – By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2014. As sources in Uganda reveal that increasing pressure is being brought to bear on the speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, to bring the second Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHA) to Parliament for passage, as a matter of … More The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act is an Anti-Ugandan American Import

Imminent Terror Attack Thwarted in Uganda

Uganda Arrests 19 Linked to ‘Imminent’ Terror Attack Ugandan security forces have thwarted a cell of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab insurgents apparently “planning for an imminent attack,” the US embassy said Saturday. Ugandan police arrested 19 people in connection with a foiled attack in central Kampala that the United States has said was hatched by Somali … More Imminent Terror Attack Thwarted in Uganda

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