Category: WORLD

Secretary-General’s remarks at Nelson Mandela International Day Public Service Activity

July 18, 2014

 Secretary-General’s remarks at Nelson Mandela International Day Public Service Activity Tending to a yellow Wood Tree I am delighted to welcome all of you. We are particularly honoured to have Kweku Mandela here representing the family of his grandfather. Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the work of Madiba, a model … More Secretary-General’s remarks at Nelson Mandela International Day Public Service Activity

Plane with US Soldiers Crash Lands on Ugandan Highway

July 18, 2014

A plane carrying American soldiers crash landed on a highway outside Uganda’s capital Kampala on Friday, with no reported injuries, according to the Telepgraph. The small plane carrying six soldiers from Entebbe airport to neighboring South Sudan was forced to turn back due to bad weather and then land on a highway around 40 miles … More Plane with US Soldiers Crash Lands on Ugandan Highway

Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

July 14, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2014. When it was the colonial power in the nineteenth century, Britain imposed most of the existing anti-gay laws on its Colonies.  Homosexuality was not illegal in these countries prior to British colonization. A rally will take place this week, against anti-LGBT persecution in the Commonwealth, with activists urging … More Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

July 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2014. In a landmark ruling in a case brought by Detention Action, the High Court has today found that the way the government operates the Detained Fast Track asylum system is unlawful. Read the full judgment here and a summary briefing here. The charity Detention Action challenged the operation … More UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

Uganda Arrests under Anti-Homosexuality Legislation

July 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2014 The Ugandan press is reporting that the Police in Uganda have arrested five people suspected of so called “promotion” of the act of homosexuality. Apparently the the five were arrested during the course of a week, after a tip off by local residents, who accused the suspects of moving … More Uganda Arrests under Anti-Homosexuality Legislation

Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

July 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 08, 2014. The Ugandan government issued a statement about a so called misinterpretation of the newly enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act, (see below,) which seems to suggest some back peddling from the “letter of the law.” This flip is nothing more than a flop! At the time of signing the Bill, Uganda’s Government, … More Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

From Pride to Pride

July 4, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014. Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride I had the great honor this year of being appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as a community Grand Marshal. The popular vote was won by an extraordinary and courageous young woman who I took great joy in getting to know, … More From Pride to Pride

Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge

July 3, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014.After over a year of unjust postponements, bail refusals and time spent in jail, waiting for trial, a Zambian magistrate has finally acquitted two men charged with having sexual relations “against the order of nature.” The two men were arrested after being reported to the police by one of Mubiana’s … More Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge

Obama reneges on Uganda sanctions with invitation to LGBT abuser Museveni

July 1, 2014

Does Obama’s fear of Chinese in Africa excuse him from his promise of sanctions for gays? By Melanie Nathan, July 01, 2014. The U.S. President, Barack Obama, seems to have gone ahead with an invitation to the “first abuser” of LGBT Uganda’s human rights, despite his promise to blacklist all such abusers from entering the … More Obama reneges on Uganda sanctions with invitation to LGBT abuser Museveni

Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

June 25, 2014

The fault of indisposed Magistrate By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Philip Mubiana, a hair dresser, and his alleged partner James Mwape, a brick-layer, have been held without bail in Zambia for well over a year, while their case has been stalled at the dilatory hand of the State. How many times can a magistrate … More Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

Video Proof that UK Christian Extremist Shinners Supported Kill the Gays Bill

June 25, 2014

Paul Shinners lie finally exposed after he tried to accuse me of defamation By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Since exposing Paul Shinners, the U.K. St. Neots owner of Cornerstone Christian Coffee and Bookstore,  as an Evangelical Christian extremist, who spoke at the Ugandan New Years Eve Rally, commending Ugandans for their legislative stance against … More Video Proof that UK Christian Extremist Shinners Supported Kill the Gays Bill

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

June 24, 2014

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

Ugandan LGBT Community Loses Workshop Lawsuit Against Minister of Justice

June 23, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 23, 2014. Today the LGBT Community in Uganda suffered a blow when the case they had brought in the Ugandan courts against the Attorney General and the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo, was dismissed with legal costs awarded against them. The case was brought after the Minister closed … More Ugandan LGBT Community Loses Workshop Lawsuit Against Minister of Justice

In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Rockefeller, Founding Member of Doctors Without Borders USA

June 20, 2014

June 16, 2014 Dr. Rockefeller Critical to Launch of Medical Humanitarian Organization in the United States Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Richard Rockefeller, Ed.M., M.D., who died on June 13, 2014, when the single-engine plane that he was piloting crashed outside of Westchester County … More In Memoriam: Dr. Richard Rockefeller, Founding Member of Doctors Without Borders USA

The White House Slams Uganda for Anti-Homosexuality Act

June 19, 2014

Sending a strong statement to Uganda for its human rights abuses and diverting money earmarked for Uganda to South Africa The White House Statement: June 20, 2014. Our hopes for a more peaceful and just world depend on respect for the rights and dignity of all people. It is for this reason that our foreign … More The White House Slams Uganda for Anti-Homosexuality Act

U.S.A. to announce punitive measures for those Implementing Anti-Gay Law in Uganda

June 19, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 20, 2014. Word has it that later today the United States will make an a long awaited announcement of some action against Uganda for its harsh Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law in February by President Yoweri Museveni. The new measures against Uganda are expected to impose punishment on those implementing the … More U.S.A. to announce punitive measures for those Implementing Anti-Gay Law in Uganda

Opening of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Malta

June 19, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 20, 2014. On June 18, 2014, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) opened in Valletta, Malta. U.S. Ambassador to Malta, Gina K. Abercrombie-Winstanley, was joined by Maltese Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella and other senior officials from the twelve IIJ founding member nations (Algeria, France, Italy, … More Opening of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Malta

Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

June 15, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 16, 2014. Good Morning, Mr Mandela , a memoir by Nelson Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, has lifted the veil of secrecy and mystery on the family power struggles that went on in the last few years of his Nelson Mandela’s life, and of the chaos at his funeral last … More Good Morning Mr Mandela Book By Personal Assistant Exposes Family Drama

Why I am Happy that Ugandan Foreign Minister is Now President of the United Nations

June 14, 2014

He is compelled to enagage with civil societies and now lets compel him to hear LGBTI truths | Let us bombard him with appointments! By Melanie Nathan, June 14, 214. Much to the horror of the world’s LGBTI community, the United Nations has gone ahead with designating Ugandan Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, … More Why I am Happy that Ugandan Foreign Minister is Now President of the United Nations

Iceland Receives 5 LGBT Refugees from Africa While Pipleine to USA is slow

June 8, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 08, 2014 Iceland is set to receive approximately 5 LGBT refugees, including one lesbian, from Uganda, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. The Committee on Refugees made the recommendation, accepted by the foreign minister and the minister of welfare. Each of the individuals made application to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The municipalities of … More Iceland Receives 5 LGBT Refugees from Africa While Pipleine to USA is slow

AOL Tech Guru Seeks Justice for Gay Brother’s Killing

June 6, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan June 6, 2014 Journalist Susan Donaldson James has encapsulated the astounding story behind a documentary film to be be shown in the U.S.A., throughout June, on the World Channel, associated with PBS, as part of series of programs for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride month. The story reflects Internet pioneer … More AOL Tech Guru Seeks Justice for Gay Brother’s Killing

Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

June 4, 2014

UPDATED:  July 31, 2014. Harriet Nakigudde has just won her appeal. She has won asylum in the United Kingdom after a hard fought battle by activists and amazing attorneys and a compassionate and experienced barrister who came to her aid. This highlights the cruelty of the UK system – that puts already traumatized people through hell … More Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

June 3, 2014

HERE IS AN UPDATE BY RLP: Letter to the Media; Re: Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Dear Friends and Colleagues, Re:  Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Greetings from the Refugee Law Project (RLP). We are saddened by a number of reports in the media and social networks to the effect that … More Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

Zambian men still in jail while homosexuality case delayed

June 2, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 02, 2014. Two men of Kapiri Mposhi appeared in court, yet again, for allegedly practicing homosexuality. The case which has taken well over a year, should have been concluded on Friday with a judgment from the magistrate. Instead he was unavailable and the Court heard that he was unprepared to issue … More Zambian men still in jail while homosexuality case delayed

San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal Launches LGBTI Africa Visa Campaign

May 31, 2014

  HOW can we COLOR OUR WORLD WITH PRIDE without our WORLD by our side? #PRIDEVISAS4Africa Criminalizing Homosexuality in Africa – Will not stop our us marching at San Francisco Pride 2014  SAN FRANCISCO – MAY 31, 2014 – Melanie Nathan, a San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal,  has started a campaign to bring approximately … More San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshal Launches LGBTI Africa Visa Campaign

Jewish Congregations Join Forces to March in San Francisco Pride Parade

May 29, 2014

Reform Jewish Congregations to March together as one Community on June 29, 2014! By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2014. For the first time, the 25 Reform congregations in the greater Bay Area will march together in the San Francisco Pride Parade, June 29, 2014.  Reform Jews from across the Bay Area will march together as … More Jewish Congregations Join Forces to March in San Francisco Pride Parade

Urgent Stop Ugandan Foreign Minister from Becoming President of UN General Assembly

May 28, 2014

Call to Urgent Action Show your outrage — “Let us tell the United Nations that we do not reward Homophobic countries with positions of global leadership,” Melanie Nathan By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2014. Uganda’s Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa is set to become President of the UN General Assembly on 17 June – unless you … More Urgent Stop Ugandan Foreign Minister from Becoming President of UN General Assembly