Speaker Accuses World of Bullying Uganda’s Ambassadors as Protests Against Anti-Gay Laws Mount

January 10, 2014

Ugandan Speaker Kadaga and Ambassadors should brace themselves for much more as the the World Community will not tolerate institutionalized persecution of LGBTI people.  By Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2014. Ugandan Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has a lot invested in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and for that reason is again lashing out at a world that … More Speaker Accuses World of Bullying Uganda’s Ambassadors as Protests Against Anti-Gay Laws Mount

Ugandan NRM Caucus to Review the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

January 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 09, 2014. The Ugandan parliamentary cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has agreed at a meeting in Kampala to hold a NRM (party) parliamentary Caucus meeting to review the recently passed Anti-Homosexuality Bill and determine its position. It is clear that the ruling party and cabinet realize that the Bill … More Ugandan NRM Caucus to Review the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

San Francisco Pride Announces New Director

January 8, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 07, 2014. The San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration Committee (SF Pride) announces George Ridgely as its new Executive Director. Ridgely brings 11 years of event director and executive director experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors to the job which he began on January 7, 2014. Ridgely … More San Francisco Pride Announces New Director

U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

January 8, 2014

Shocking revelation as we in the U.S.A. further the persecution LGBT Asylum seekers through systematic recriminalization of those seeking to escape unjust criminalization! By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2013. Seventy Six countries criminalize homosexuality. Most recently we have focused on, amongst others,  Russia, India, Uganda, Gambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize and Nigerian. We  are … More U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

Ready Aim Fire – Eastside Catholic May Have another Gay firing on their hands

January 6, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 06, 2014. Students walked out of Eastside Catholic and several Seattle-area Catholic schools following the firing of Vice Principal Mark Zmuda in December. Zmuda was forced out after marrying his male partner, an act the administration claimed violated church teachings. The students in the school showed support for “Mr. Z” with … More Ready Aim Fire – Eastside Catholic May Have another Gay firing on their hands

Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

January 6, 2014

What you can do to help LGBT Asylum Seekers – PLEASE SIGN THE CRITICAL PETITION BELOW By Melanie Nathan, January 6, 2014. Faith Network Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates | LGBT-FAN and the LGBT Congressional Caucus address needs of LGBT asylum seekers On January 8th, there will be a  Faith Network … More Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

Co-founder of ACT-UP Commits Suicide

January 6, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 06, 2014. Michael Petrelis, LGBT activist from gays without Borders, Blogger on Petrelis Files and one of the original ACT-UP co-founders, reports this heartbreaking story on his blog today. Carl Goodman, one of the original ACT-UP co-founders committed suicide in Rhode Island yesterday. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mario, … More Co-founder of ACT-UP Commits Suicide

Concern as Uganda’s Anti-Gay law impacts HIV AIDS programs

January 6, 2014

Uganda’s Anti-Gay law could halt HIV/ AIDS programs among sexual minorities | A Call to Action by Spectrum Uganda Initiatives  By Melanie Nathan, January 05, 2013. During 2013 Spectrum Uganda Initiatives Inc. provided health care and related services to Uganda’s LGBTI and HIV/AIDS community. The group reached close to 500 men who have sex with … More Concern as Uganda’s Anti-Gay law impacts HIV AIDS programs

Eastside Catholic now planning nationwide “Z-Day” protest

January 4, 2014

“We are not doing this to get on TV or be famous.  It is time for the Church to change its attitude.  We are going to stick around, no matter what.” By Cathy Kristofferson, January 4, 2014 At the second consecutive Saturday protest outside the Archdiocese of Seattle this afternoon, the students of Eastside Catholic announced … More Eastside Catholic now planning nationwide “Z-Day” protest

So called Corrective Rape of Lesbians in South Africa should Embarrass President Zuma

January 4, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 04, 2014. Touted in an article as the most comprehensive report on the issue, “Crisis in South Africa: The shocking practice of ‘corrective rape’ – aimed at ‘curing’ lesbians,” is the work of Clare Carter, who left her home in New York City in 2011 to photograph South Africa’s corrective rape … More So called Corrective Rape of Lesbians in South Africa should Embarrass President Zuma

Ssempa and Red Pepper Could be Toast under Uganda’s Anti Porn Act

January 3, 2014

I had to chuckle…. By Melanie Nathan, January 03, 2014. Media houses in Uganda, especially tabloids such as The Red Pepper, could be the first toasted under Uganda’s new Anti-Pornography law, passed recently and awaiting President Museveni’s assent. And how about we add Mr. pornography himself, Pastor Martin Ssempa. Perhaps this is poetic justice because … More Ssempa and Red Pepper Could be Toast under Uganda’s Anti Porn Act

President Obama Urged to Expand Russian Human Rights Violators on Magnitsky List

January 3, 2014

See Our Open Letter January 3, 2014 Several  prominent human rights, political, community & non-profit organizations, activists and journalists are urging President Obama to reconsider his administration decision, asking the President to expand the Magnitsky List, designed to ban Russian human rights violators from entering the US, and having all their assets at US financial … More President Obama Urged to Expand Russian Human Rights Violators on Magnitsky List

Help Ugandan Gays | An Open Letter To President Barack Obama

January 3, 2014

Actions speak louder than words and now is the time to act By Melanie Nathan, January 03, 2014. I sent a letter off today to President Obama, asking him to help our Kuchu family in Uganda.  We should not be separated by borders when our lives are at stake.  So many of us were rescued … More Help Ugandan Gays | An Open Letter To President Barack Obama

ACT NOW TO STOP THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL IN UGANDA FROM BECOMING LAW

January 2, 2014

A **CALL TO ACTION** by KUCHU DIASPORA ALLIANCE (KDA) | Uniting across continents to amplify the collective voice of our movement Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 02, 2014. The Kuchu Diaspora Alliance (KDA), a network of Ugandan LGBT activists living in the Diaspora is echoing the voice of our comrades on the ground in Uganda, … More ACT NOW TO STOP THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL IN UGANDA FROM BECOMING LAW

CA Supreme Court Rules Undocumented Immigrant to get Law License

January 2, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Jan 02, 2014. This is precisely why we must take note that the words “illegal immigrant” are highly offensive. Undocumented is correct phraseology.  With that said here is a development from today:- SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a Mexican immigrant without a green card may … More CA Supreme Court Rules Undocumented Immigrant to get Law License

The Text of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill as Passed

January 2, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 02, 2014. Here is the first insight we are getting into the text of the Anti-Homosexuality Bills as passed by Uganda’s parliament compiled by a Human Rights coalition, which notes its not the official Bill and includes a disclaimer that it emanates from observations in Parliament.  One notes that the version … More The Text of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill as Passed

An Open Letter to President Museveni from Persecuted LGBT Ugandans in Exile

January 1, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, January 2, 2014 After forming an international alliance, a group of LGBT (Kuchu) Ugandans, persecuted for their sexuality in Uganda and now living in exile, have sent this open letter to Uganda’s President Museveni. The letter follows last months controversial passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Parliament of Uganda.  The Bill … More An Open Letter to President Museveni from Persecuted LGBT Ugandans in Exile

Heroes and Zeroes 2013

December 30, 2013

An OBLOGDEE and Melanie Nathan account of the year 2013. By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2013. As usual at the risk of being controversial, including, excluding, forgetting, remembering, here is my list of the year’s best and worst for 2013. Please feel free to weigh in! This was a year of reckoning for the religious … More Heroes and Zeroes 2013

MassResistance spreads anti-gay hate in Jamaica

December 29, 2013

“What about kids who are sexually molested early on and as a result have homosexual and cross-dressing feelings?” By Cathy Kristofferson, December 29, 2013 Brian Camenker, founder of MassResistance the “other” SPLC-designated hate group of Massachusetts, recently jetted down to Jamaica to spread anti-gay lies & hate in what is already dubbed the “world’s most … More MassResistance spreads anti-gay hate in Jamaica

Spain Sells out to Putin on Same-Sex Adoption

December 29, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 29, 2013. It seems that Spain has agreed to participate in the Russian discrimination of same-sex couples. The Spanish government has caved in to Russia’s demands and signed on to a bilateral agreement that would allow Spanish couples to adopt Russian children by guaranteeing that none of the children could be placed with … More Spain Sells out to Putin on Same-Sex Adoption

LGBTQ website to provide eye tests and glasses for Homeless Gay Youth

December 29, 2013

Time to give to our own as http://www.GayEyeglasses.com  sets the tone for 2014. By Melanie Nathan, December 28, 2013. When a trailblazer from the San Francisco Bay Area optical scene went about building an LGBTQ focused eyeglass site, camp became an understatement, and high design was all but blurred in a flurry of retro with … More LGBTQ website to provide eye tests and glasses for Homeless Gay Youth

Are the Police Doing Enough as Community Searches for Missing LGBT Activist

December 26, 2013

Come out for Tomorrow Night’s Gathering for Frank Goldberg By Melanie Nathan, December 26, 2013. Frank Goldberg, a 36-year-old activist for LGBT groups in Buffalo, New York, has been missing since Monday 16th December. A video put out by friends notes that up to Dec 21, the police had yet to open a file, despite … More Are the Police Doing Enough as Community Searches for Missing LGBT Activist

Putin’s Russia Protects Father Frost From Children

December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas from Russia… By Melanie Nathan, December 25, 2013. When the authorities in Samara, Russia, heard that Father Frost (Santa) was coming to town they decided, in true Putin mode, to ensure that the children would present no danger to …er…. Frost…er, i mean the public…er I mean themselves….. gosh I don’t know…. . … More Putin’s Russia Protects Father Frost From Children

Ugandan Archbishop Approves Hate-Gays Law in Christmas Church Message

December 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, December 25, 2013. The Kampala Archbishop, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has called for an urgent revisit by all Ugandans of their ways of life as they brace to receive the new born baby, Jesus Christ, and welcome the New Year 2014. However he chose to emphasize homosexuality in his sermon: Archbishop Lwanga gave … More Ugandan Archbishop Approves Hate-Gays Law in Christmas Church Message

Video Showdown as Lawmakers in Uganda Accuse Journalists of Unprofessional Conduct

December 24, 2013

Anti-Gay Law: Lawmakers, journalists in fiery exchange By Melanie Nathan, December 24, 2013. After passage in the Ugandan Parliament of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill last week, two Ugandan lawmakers, highly critical of the bill, engaged in a fiery exchange with journalists at Parliament who turned up to cover a news conference. Two MPs, Hon. Sam Otada … More Video Showdown as Lawmakers in Uganda Accuse Journalists of Unprofessional Conduct