Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

June 1, 2017

 This morning, for the first time in state history, Wisconsin lawmakers introduced legislation to extend nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment and public spaces to transgender individuals. “We Wisconsinites are proud of our efforts to protect people from discrimination, and deservedly so,” said Katie Belanger the Acting CEO and President of Operation for Freedom for All Americans. … More Wisconsin Lawmakers Introduce Historic Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation

Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

June 1, 2017

By Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition. Or Mere Incompetence of the Trump Administration In my capacity as the Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition, I advocate on behalf of LGBTI refugees in Africa. Since Donald Trump took office the program has been anything BUT smooth sailing!  When Trump took office … More Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

One Last COVFEFE as Donald Trump’s BIggliest Tweet Goes Viral

May 31, 2017

Upon return from his disastrous first presidential tour abroad, plagued by a ferocious Russian controversy, finally there is some good news for Donald J. Trump.  Within minutes of his smartest Tweet to date from this Twitter crazed 45th President of the United States – HIS mother of all tweets went viral – and is continuing … More One Last COVFEFE as Donald Trump’s BIggliest Tweet Goes Viral

7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

May 31, 2017

Ruling upholds transgender boy’s right to use boys’ restroom at school; first-ever ruling of its kind by a federal appellate court Today the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a groundbreaking ruling in Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District, a case involving a 17-year-old transgender Wisconsin student whose school had denied him access to … More 7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

Muslim Ban Loss Highlights Trump and Republicans Failed Their Constitutional Oath

May 25, 2017

This ruling highlights the fact that Trump and the Republican elected politicians and appointed officials, who have supported him in these Executive Orders, have in fact failed to adhere to their oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution,  -Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition Tonight we celebrate the 4th Circuit decision to uphold the … More Muslim Ban Loss Highlights Trump and Republicans Failed Their Constitutional Oath

After 4th Circuit Appeal Loss by TRUMP America Must hold Him and Republicans Accountable

May 25, 2017

“The enormous damage is palpable” -Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition Tonight we celebrate the 4th Circuit decision to uphold the BAN on Trump’s Muslim travel ban and the denial of Trump’s second failed Executive Order which also sought to suspend the entire US Refugee Program. Trump lost because in America it is unconstitutional … More After 4th Circuit Appeal Loss by TRUMP America Must hold Him and Republicans Accountable

TLDEF to Honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at 12th Annual Freedom Awards

May 24, 2017

  New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund will honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at its 12th annual Freedom Awards. The event is set for Thursday, June 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Manhattan Penthouse. The Freedom Awards is TLDEF’s signature cocktail event that brings together 300 guests to celebrate the … More TLDEF to Honor New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at 12th Annual Freedom Awards

LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

May 24, 2017

On its road to acclaim, the new LGBTQI documentary, Between the Shades, has been given a weekend block to premier at The Soho International Film Festival. The film, premiering at the New York venue on June 17th, examines the immense power of labels and the transcendence of love, while putting faces to the letters that … More LGBTQI Documentary to Premiere at Soho International Film Festival.

Wiesenthal Center Urges Ukrainian Authorities to Take Action Against General’s Threats to Murder Jews

May 24, 2017

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has called upon the Ukrainian government to take legal action against retired Security Service General Vasily Vovk in the wake of a recent Facebook post of his in which he wrote that he intends to murder Jews, among them Jewish MP Vadim Rabinovych. In a letter sent to Ukrainian ambassador to … More Wiesenthal Center Urges Ukrainian Authorities to Take Action Against General’s Threats to Murder Jews

Marin County Board of Supervisors Upholds Denial of Medical Cannabis Licenses

May 23, 2017

Revised ordinance to be considered in coming months San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors upheld a decision by the County Administrator and denied appeals to seven prospective applicants who wanted to open medical cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Marin. The Board’s decision May 23 followed an April 10 decision by … More Marin County Board of Supervisors Upholds Denial of Medical Cannabis Licenses

Families Face Unconscionable Deportation

May 23, 2017

CGRS Files Amicus Brief in District Court Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania Case Involving Women and Children Detained at Berks County Family Detention Center in Pennsylvania San Francisco, CA (May 22, 2017) – The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) and pro bono counsel Schnader, Harrison, … More Families Face Unconscionable Deportation

Shame on Advocate Magazine for Exacerbating Humiliation of Gay Victims

May 23, 2017

 Advocate has now in effect participated in the humiliation and hence in doling out the punishment, by taking their humiliation to the world stage! The Advocate Magazine quite rightly posted an online article informing its readers about the public beating in Aceh, Indonesia of 2 gay men, who were allegedly caught having gay sex. Through noting its link, … More Shame on Advocate Magazine for Exacerbating Humiliation of Gay Victims

Historic Stonewall Inn to Launch “Stonewall Inn Gives Back” Initiative

May 23, 2017

Event Set for Thursday, June 1, 2017 NEW YORK, NY (May 19, 2017) – The historic Stonewall Inn, the very place where the spirit of LGBTQ Pride was born, is launching The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative on June 1st. The event will feature remarks by special guest Chelsea Clinton and a performance by out … More Historic Stonewall Inn to Launch “Stonewall Inn Gives Back” Initiative

Official Airlines for 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Offering Discount

May 20, 2017

A message from San Francisco Pride:   We hope that you can join us for the 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade on June 24th and 25th. As San Francisco also commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love, our travel partners are here to ensure that you get the most out of … More Official Airlines for 47th Annual San Francisco Pride Offering Discount

Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

May 20, 2017

According to VICE: An attack in Honduras reported to have been motivated by homophobia has left a Canadian man and his partner dead. Gerard Argiud, 80, described as a Canadian national, and his partner, a 42-year-old Honduran named Jorge Sarmiento, were attacked by multiple people on Friday, May 12 in the home they shared in … More Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

May 19, 2017

Last week we wrote an article about Gretha Wiid’s comments in a manual she wrote which served in effect to  denigrate homosexuals. We also published the letter which I had written her in my capacity as Executive Director of The African Human Rights Coalition, asking her to apologize to South Africa’s LGBT community and to … More SA Human Rights Commission to Investigate Gretha Wiid

IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro

May 18, 2017

Yesterday I was honored to be invited as a featured speaker for the San Francisco Castro IDAHOT rally:   Gary Virginia from Gays Without Borders organized and emceed the rally that featured speakers: • Tom Ammiano, former CA State Assemblyman; • Patrick Carney, Pride Week Pink Triangle , SF Twin Peaks; • Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African Human … More IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro

IDAHOT Remembering Those Fallen to Homophobia Blaming Governments and Preachers

May 16, 2017

South Africa’s Fallen Lesbians – Victims of Homophobia –  In preparing my remarks for tomorrow’s IDAHOT commemoration in San Francisco – I decided to comb through all the articles I have written since 2009 about lesbians who had been victim to a most brutal hate crimes caused by homophobia: so called “corrective” or “curative” rape of … More IDAHOT Remembering Those Fallen to Homophobia Blaming Governments and Preachers

WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

May 16, 2017

The World Bank: Despite some legal and social advances in the past two decades, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people continue to face widespread discrimination and violence in many countries. This leads to exclusion and adversely affects both the lives of LGBTI people as well as on the communities and economies in which they … More WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

SC Mom Reflects on Gay Son’s Murder Speaking Out Against Anti- LGBTQ Violence

May 16, 2017

Greenville, South Carolina– On Tuesday, May 16, Greenville resident Elke Kennedy will observe the 10-year anniversary of her son Sean Kennedy’s death. Sean was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in 2007.  Ms. Kennedy has spent much of the last decade traveling the country and advocating for an end to hate violence. A decade after … More SC Mom Reflects on Gay Son’s Murder Speaking Out Against Anti- LGBTQ Violence

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE 2017 TO FEATURE ANITA BRYANT/BRIGGS “WE FOUGHT BACK!” CONTINGENT

May 16, 2017

San Francisco Pride is pleased to announce veteran organizers of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade will be highlighted in this year’s Pride Parade and March. 1977 and 1978 were turning points in the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people, when they fought back against attacks from political forces, personified by Anita Bryant … More SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE 2017 TO FEATURE ANITA BRYANT/BRIGGS “WE FOUGHT BACK!” CONTINGENT

Brutal Rape and Murder of South African Lesbian Calls Attention to Failing Task Team

May 15, 2017

Warning: Horrific Photo below – An openly lesbian woman from Soweto has been brutalized and murdered in a suspected hate crime, as reported by Mambaonline: On Sunday, the half naked body covered by rocks,  of 27-year-old Lerato Tambai Moloi, described by activists as a “butch” lesbian, was found in Naledi Ext. She was discovered by community … More Brutal Rape and Murder of South African Lesbian Calls Attention to Failing Task Team

San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

May 15, 2017

The date of Chelsea Manning’s liberation coincides with the IDAHOT, on May 17 The San Francisco Bay area community will gather for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on Wed., May 17, 2017, 6 to 7pm, at Harvey Milk Plaza (2401 Market at Castro Street.) Participants in IDAHOT events globally will be posting … More San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

May 14, 2017

When Women Regress in the Name of Progress – This milieu is ripe for scapegoating and what better than to use religion as the tool and women as the fool! By Melanie Nathan. When we move closer to parity between the races and sexes, equality in the realm of sexual orientation, and as we move further … More Backlash – The UNFeminist Movement Mastered by Gretha Wiid

A Bombarded Gretha Wiid Makes Video Excuse for Anti Gay Teachings

May 13, 2017

Our Gretha Wiid Article Goes Viral –  and now she is back-peddling while really doubling down! But still no real correction or apology – just excuses! This past week, after my article broke the story condemning Gretha Wiid’s false assertions about homosexuality, it went viral. We demanded an apology and a correction to her damaging manual.  Many people reported personal … More A Bombarded Gretha Wiid Makes Video Excuse for Anti Gay Teachings

Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

May 13, 2017

This is an update reflecting some new pictures:  We wrote an article this week following the story of 18 LGBTI refugees detained and beaten by Kenyan police while outside UNHCR gates: In general when a refugee escapes war or persecution by entering a host country, they can be assured of support and protection, as by … More Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

May 12, 2017

On Intersex Infants, Including Clitoral Reductions and Vaginoplasties  | Advocates for Intersex Youth  Children born with intersex traits—variations that cause their bodies to transcend typical notions of male and female—continue to suffer brutalizing and traumatic surgeries performed without their consent, often before they are even old enough to speak. Today, May 12th, 2017, marks the opening of … More interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

JENNIFER HUDSON TO HEADLINE 2017 PITTSBURGH PRIDE IN THE STREET

May 10, 2017

DELTA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES: Note: Central Outreach Wellness Center located on the North Side, participants who schedule a free wellness exam will receive a discount of $20.00 off their Pride in the Street ticket. May 10, 2017—Pittsburgh, PA—The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce that Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson … More JENNIFER HUDSON TO HEADLINE 2017 PITTSBURGH PRIDE IN THE STREET

African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

May 9, 2017

“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right … More African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching