Category: WORLD

Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

May 17, 2013

On IDAHO calling also on Ugandan Government to refrain from enacting The Kill the gays Bill by Melanie Nathan,  May 17, 2013 The International Day against Homophobia takes place on May 17th every year. On this day 23 years ago, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of … More Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

May 17, 2013

By  Rev. Canon Albert Ogle – SDGLN Contributor As 100 countries celebrate IDAHOT today, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for greater education to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by almost 50 million people living in countries (from a total 1.5 billion) where it is still illegal to be LGBT. In his … More Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

May 17, 2013

The threatened LGBTI community, Rainbow Ethiopia HIV and Social Support Services Solidarity Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) 2013 Posted by Melanie Nathan, May, 17th 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Rainbow-Ethiopia joins today the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As every year, May 17th represent for us … More On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

May 16, 2013

Where the purveyors of hate take funding from State Dept USAID… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 16, 2013 Secretary of State, John Kerry is headed to Ethiopia this weekend for the 21st African Union (AU) summit May 19-27.  While at the summit he will attend the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African … More John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

May 15, 2013

This Case could have a huge impact on how Gay people’s rights are impacted in Zambia By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. When Zambian Paul Kasonkomona was arrested and detained some minutes after he spoke on a TV show it was clear to many that a flagrant abuse of personal freedoms had occurred and now … More Zambian activist’s constitutional challenge to homophobic arrest and charges

Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

May 15, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 15, 2013. Today  Kasonkomona appeared before the Hon Lemeck Ngambi at Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, charged with “the idle and disorderly offence of soliciting in a public place for immoral purposes.” SBN Legal Practitioners, representing Kasonkomona, filed a constitutional application and so with regard to the criminal case against him,  are asking … More Activist’s challenge to Zambia’s Constitution after “hunt down gays” arrest

Belize: Final thoughts from the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General Case

May 14, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 14, 2013 The dust has now settled a bit in Belize after last week’s whirlwind 4 day trial of the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General.  The case challenged the constitutionality of Section 53, a law inherited from the colonial legal system, that criminalizes same gender sexual conduct in Belize. The case brought … More Belize: Final thoughts from the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General Case

Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

May 14, 2013

AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE | PETITION: It is time to invigorate the sleeping SA Task Task team – we must fight the violence with transparency and a plan By Melanie Nathan,  May 14, 2013 Activists in South Africa are calling for immediate invigoration, transparency and action by the Task Team that was established to combat so … More Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

Lesbian Couple beaten by straight women at Ethiopian nightclub

May 12, 2013

Gay hate on the rise in Africa attributed to Western Evangelicals and a New push to “Kill the Gays” By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2013. After Uganda, we predicted it would spread. It seems that the Western Evangelicals have found their way into Ethiopia and are repeating the actions that are causing such strong anti-gay … More Lesbian Couple beaten by straight women at Ethiopian nightclub

Zambia and Ethiopia are the ‘next Uganda’

May 12, 2013

Anti-gay sentiment increases after the export of more Western Evangelical hate By Cathy Kristofferson Zambia and Ethiopia appear poised to be the next ‘Kill the Gays’ countries.  Is that really something nations should aspire to?  Melanie Nathan has documented the current struggles in Zambia here on OBLOGDEE , from the arrest of HIV/AIDS rights activist … More Zambia and Ethiopia are the ‘next Uganda’

Belize anti-sodomy penal code trial wraps-up its final day

May 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 10, 2013 Court opened for the fourth day in the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General of Belize trial challenging the constitutionality of the Section 53 anti-sodomy penal code trial.  The Churches continued their claim that social issues such as public morality and health do not belong before the court.  Once again … More Belize anti-sodomy penal code trial wraps-up its final day

Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

May 10, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 10, 2013. Responding to Amnesty International’s call for the release of two young Zambian men detained in deplorable conditions, accused of sodomy as being “against the order of nature,” and for being a gay couple, the Zambian Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nixson Chilangwa, has defiantly indicated that Zambia will not abide … More Defiant Zambian Home Affairs Minister Compares Gays to Dogs

Belize Attorney General argues to maintain anti-sodomy penal code

May 9, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 09, 2013 Day Three of the Caleb Orozco v. The Attorney General of Belize trial challenging the constitutionality of the Section 53 anti-sodomy penal code started with chatter in the courtroom about the Claimant Caleb Orosco’s home being vandalized: This came on top of new reports last night on Belize Channel 5 … More Belize Attorney General argues to maintain anti-sodomy penal code

Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

May 9, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 09, 2013. A snapshot – from around the world – and there is so much more! 1. MOST HILARIOUS – a must watch NZ MP’s hilarious gay marriage speech 2. MOST MOVING A Love Song New Zealand 3.Uruguay – can you believe it? 4. France – despite major protests and the … More Around the World | Eleven Most Notable Marriage Equality Moments

New Zealand Marriage Equality Law Clear on Trans and Intersex People

May 9, 2013

Reposted from Article by JURIST Guest Columnist Elisabeth McDonald of the Victoria University of Wellington Faculty of Law evaluates the recent legalization of same-sex marriage by the New Zealand House of Representatives.. New Zealand passed same-sex marriage into law which will take effect on August 19, 2013. It does not just provide that same-sex couples … More New Zealand Marriage Equality Law Clear on Trans and Intersex People

Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

May 8, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. We have been reporting on the two young Zambian men charged with sodomy, (see related Articles below).  The men are currently detained in deplorable conditions. They have denied the charges. The arrests followed a call by Zambian authorities for people to report gays, noting that authorities were prepared to … More Amnesty accuses Zambia of violating treatise in arrests of alleged gay couple

Belize Court hears Closing argument in Penal code anti-Sodomy case

May 8, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 08, 2013. Today, on Day Two of  Caleb Orozco and the United Belize Advocacy Movement’s (UBIBAM) constitutional challenge of Belize’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law, lead attorney Christopher Smith‐Hamel SC,  made his closing arguments.  During his closing,  he quoted Bishop Desmond Tutu,  the Anglican humanitarian leader from South Africa: “’Our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters … More Belize Court hears Closing argument in Penal code anti-Sodomy case

Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

May 8, 2013

Source fears for their lives as they face stiff sentences By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2013. Police in Kapiri Mposhi have revoked police bond for two men arrested over the weekend for engaging in homosexuality after they were found in the act again, according to reports out of Zambia.  ZANIS reports that Central Province Commissioner … More Zambia detains alleged gay couple in deplorable conditions

Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

May 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 06, 2013. 5/7 Update: Today the couple has been re-arrested, now denied bail, and more charges added following another tip off from relatives. We wrote recently about the police hunting for “homosexuals” in Zambia. Well its seems as if neighborhoods have joined in the cry to hunt out homosexuals and turn … More Zambia gay arrests | force medical tests for sodomy on 2 men accused of gay marriage

Belize Government and Christian right fight Supreme Court Challenge to decriminalize homosexuality

May 5, 2013

Getting rid of the old British Colonial penal code criminalizing homosexuality in Central America… By Cathy Kristofferson,  May 05, 2013 The nation of Belize, bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, is the last country in Central America where homosexual acts are still illegal and punishable by long prison terms.  But that could change for Belize and set … More Belize Government and Christian right fight Supreme Court Challenge to decriminalize homosexuality

Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

May 2, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 02, 2013. American Jewish World Service is hosting an event here in San Francisco and I am asking my readers to come and join me in supporting it. And it is free! They will be featuring the documentary film, God Loves Uganda, on Wednesday May 22nd at SFJAZZ Center! See the … More Join me for a screening of God Loves Uganda in San Francisco

Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

May 1, 2013

Andre Bekker, Richard Cohen and Christopher Doyle | While their modus operandi may be different to accused murderer de Koker, their ideology stinks the same stink! By Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2013. A South African, Andre Bekker, who proclaims to be an  ex-gay and an authority on converting gays,  teamed up with tired extremists in … More Ex-Gay extremists try to defend their exploits by distancing their quackery from murderered teen

Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

May 1, 2013

Video report – Brutal murder of gay volunteer in South Africa – confessed accused in court and insight into the life of the murder victim by Melanie Nathan, May, 01, 2013. Thapelo Makhutle, a member and volunteer of LEGBO, was brutally murdered on 9 June 2012, and almost a year later, despite a confession from … More Makhutle Family still waiting for justice for Thapelo as murder case postponed again

Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

April 30, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2013. Botswana a country which, unlike many African countries which still boast old Colonial anti-gay penal codes, has shown a measure of tolerance towards its LGBT community, by not pursuing laws that could be interpreted against homosexuality.  That would account for the fact that a Miss Botswana pageant contestant enraged … More Miss Botswana Finalist Enrages Audience with Anti-Gay Answer

South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

April 26, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. In the very week when the South African LGBT community paid tribute in KwaThema to comrades fallen in violent homophobic attacks, and called for justice in the 2 year unsolved murder of Noxolo Nogwaza, another lesbian was murdered in Daveyton*, a nearby Township. The body of Patricia Mashego, 36,  … More South African lesbian community mourns another brutal township murder

Raymond Buys starved and tortured murdered by de Koker, on his death bed

Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp

April 25, 2013

Were they murdered for being gay? A picture of a beaten dying teen, a picture of a Nazi-like flag – and in between a Game Ranger Camp to make “Moffies” into men By Melanie Nathan . April 25, 2013. Look at this photograph and imagine a 15 year old effeminate teen being sent” by his mother … More Man up or die | murders of effeminate teens at South African Ranger Training Camp

Nice Jewish Girls

April 25, 2013

First Published on September 2, 2010. By Rachel Wahba; September 01, 2010 Yes we were; nice Jewish lesbian feminist girls and we made a book. The first one of its kind – decades ago and it is still being used in Women’s Studies classes, to this day!  And now, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis is … More Nice Jewish Girls

Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel

April 25, 2013

UNITE and LGBT Activists Unite | “THIS HOTEL IS OWNED BY HOMOPHOBES” By Melanie Nathan, April 25, 2013. Back in February, we reported that gay rights activists pledged a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the hotel owner’s state-sponsored homophobia. The hotel is owned by the nation of Brunei, a country in South East … More Gays and Workers Protest Beverley Hills Hotel