Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

December 4, 2013

GALZ Chairperson summoned to appear in court By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2013. The Chairperson of GALZ, Martha Tholanah has been summoned to appear in Rotten Row Magistrate Court on the12th of December 2013 to answer charges accusing her of running an “unregistered” organization. The summons was served on Tholanah’s Lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, a member … More Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

December 3, 2013

Activists Demand NBC Denounce Comments & Russian Laws Remarks Made at Forum on Moral Responsibilities of Olympic Athletes VIA Queer Nation December 3, 2013 (New York) — In comments made at a forum on the moral responsibilities of athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia, gay figure skater and NBC Olympics commentator Johnny … More NBC’s Johnny Weir dismisses Russian Anti-Gay laws and violence

Croatians deny LGBT community, defeat marriage referendum by 64%

December 1, 2013

“Homosexuality is not a choice, hate is a choice” By Cathy Kristofferson, December 1,2013 Today, voters in Croatia went to the polls to decide the fate of the country’s anti-gay marriage referendum. They decided by a 64% margin to deny the Croatian LGBT community equality. The Croatian constitution will now be amended to ban same-gender … More Croatians deny LGBT community, defeat marriage referendum by 64%

South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

November 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 27, 2013 A South African man has received a 22-year sentence for the ‘corrective’ rape of a lesbian.  Andile Ngcoza, a man with a long history of violent crime, raped Millicent Gaika from Gugulethu to “show her she was a woman” by impregnating her. OBLOGDEE reported extensively (see links below) on the Millicent … More South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov. 23, 2013. On Friday a Zimbabwe Court discharges the case against Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, who had been on trial for allegedly running an “unregistered” organization in contravention of the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Act (Chapter 17:15). Magistrate Elijah Makomo, from Harare ‘acquitted’ … More Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 23, 2013. Photos by Matt Davis, Melbourne. Thousand of LGBT people and allies braved the rain and marched in Australia today, in support of marriage equality, in different centers, including Melbourne, where a crowd of about 600 descended on Parliament. Prime Minister Tony Abbott is anti-marriage equality.  Although he attended his … More Huge Marriage Equality Marches Around Australia Stop Traffic

Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

November 22, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2013. On Sunday, November 24, 2013,  LGBT activists and allies will be holding an event at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., to “Save Russian LGBT Children.” This event is to support the rights of Russian LGBT teens and kids who are oppressed by Putin and his … More Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

November 21, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, NOV 20, 2013. Today, Scott Lively, the fervently anti-gay Pastor being sued by Uganda human rights organization Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), under the Alien Torts Act, for persecuting gays in Uganda, filed his “Answers and Defenses to Plaintiff’s first Amended Complaint,” in the  UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS … More Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

November 21, 2013

AND the best way to do it is through an INVESTIGATION By Melanie Nathan, Nov 21, 2013. We have recently reported on a spate of arrests and now the Ugandan press is reporting that the Ugandan Government is investigating four prominent secondary schools in Kampala and Wakiso districts over allegations that their students are involved … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

APB put out on ENDA

November 20, 2013

Boehner buries ENDA, where is the Executive Order Obama? By Cathy Kristofferson and Ellen Sturtz, November 20, 2013 After the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed the Senate with bi-partisan support, all eyes turned to the House. It seems when we looked there, the Bill had been buried in four different committees and House Speaker John Boehner … More APB put out on ENDA

Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

November 20, 2013

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov. 20, 2013. We pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on … More Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2013

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance  Organization Urges New Yorkers to Reflect on All Those Lost to Anti-Transgender Violence Including Harlem Resident, Islan Nettles New York, NY, November 20, 2013- On this 15th Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is urging New Yorkers to … More New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

November 19, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 19, 2013 The Jamaica Observer is reporting that Jamaican Rastafarian star Sizzla has been denied a visa into the U.S. for his tour scheduled for this month and December. Sizzla has been called out for his homophobic lyrics for at least the last decade. In the past he has had concerts cancelled in multiple … More Homophobic Jamaican star Sizzla denied visa to U.S.

South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

November 19, 2013

BBC Reports that two people have died and about 40 are feared trapped after a roof collapsed at the construction site of a South African shopping mall, paramedics say. Rescue teams are working in the dark to find those beneath the rubble at the site in Tongaat, north of Durban. Crisis Medical, an emergency service … More South Africa Mall Collapses Traps 40 Construction Workers

London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

November 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 18, 2013. Obscuring the photo of a gorilla in the window, an enticement for London’s tourists to keep Uganda’s safari and wildlife tourism going strong, were a group of LGBT human rights defenders and allies, protesting the horror that is now impacting Uganda’s LGBT community.  Many gay people are waiting in … More London protests Ugandan witch-hunts and show trials of LGBT people

NOM fails to present public tax returns at deadline

November 17, 2013

By melanie Nathan, Nov 17, 2013. We all know that cashing in can be a lucrative enterprise for those who have declared war on marriage equality in the United States. National Organization for Marriage (NOM) under the leadership of Brian Brown, in the footsteps of Maggie Gallagher, is one such organization. Rights Equal Rights (RER), under … More NOM fails to present public tax returns at deadline

South Africans want to Ban Melissa Bachman the Lion Killer

November 16, 2013

Show presenter Melissa Bachman slammed after posting photo of lion she killed in South Africa  By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2013, 5:14 AM “Bachman posted a smiling picture of herself with a dead lion in front of her, gushing about her ‘incredible hunting day.’ Her enthusiasm was not shared by thousands of others, who signed … More South Africans want to Ban Melissa Bachman the Lion Killer

Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

November 16, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 16, 2013 The Jamaica Gleaner is reporting that Maurice Tomlinson has lost his suit against Jamaica’s major television stations TVJ and CVM for refusing to air his gay positive “Love and Respect” Public Service Announcements (PSA). The court found that Tomlinson’s freedom of expression does not give him the right to … More Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

November 16, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2013 Lest I forget this caveat, I am co-producing the film GAY U.S.A. the Movie, with Kristina Lapinski, the ‘lesbian filmmaker,’ famed amongst other antics, for tackling Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, at a Tea Party Debate. This, the latest video, poised to go viral, captures a series of extraordinary … More GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

November 15, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 As we posted earlier, friend of OBLOGDEE Ellen Sturtz attended today’s World Congress of Families (WCF) Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” What the WCF believes America should learn sounds like a whole lot of denial! Here are some of the claims and insights … More Symposium Denies Laws Responsible for Violence in Russia

Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

November 15, 2013

“Cathy, I want to tell you I’m shaking and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Just repulsed. A shower will not help.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, November 15, 2013 Late last night, The World Congress of Families Symposium “Family Policy Lessons from Other Lands : What should America Learn?” was denied their original meeting … More Boehner Houses Anti-gay Family Symposium kicked out of Senate building

Outrage in Ugandan LGBT Community as Activist Faces Possible Life in Prison

November 15, 2013

Outrage as basic rights are infringed  By Melanie Nathan, November 15, 2013. Samuel K. Ganafa,  Executive Director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and Board Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), was arrested on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  He had reported to Kasangati Police Station on the outskirts of Kampala pursuant to a phone call from the … More Outrage in Ugandan LGBT Community as Activist Faces Possible Life in Prison

Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

November 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. Using an official Senate space, American supporters of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws will come to Capitol Hill tomorrow to argue that these hateful policies should serve as an example for us here in United States. The American anti-gays such as Scott Lively have provoked the Hate Bills in foreign jurisdictions … More Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

Unlawful Arrest of Ugandan LGBT Executive Director

November 14, 2013

Five men detained without cause By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2013 Samuel K Ganafa, The Executive Director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and Board Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), was arrested on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  He had reported to Kasangati Police Station on the outskirts of Kampala pursuant to a phone call from the … More Unlawful Arrest of Ugandan LGBT Executive Director

Pirira|Off Broadway to stage play set in Malawi

November 14, 2013

‘Pirira,’ Set in Malawi & NYC, to debut off-Broadway on Friday, Nov. 15 | Written by J. Stephen Brantley, critically acclaimed ‘Pirira’ will run Nov. 15-24 at West End Theatre By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. As the tiny African nation of Malawi erupts in riots around them, American aid workers Jack and Ericka take … More Pirira|Off Broadway to stage play set in Malawi

Is Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill Going to be THIS year’s XMAS gift?

November 13, 2013

So was the promise really for THIS Xmas? Last year around this time Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga promised the Anti-Homosexuality Bill as a Xmas gift to Uganda. But it never happened. The controversial Bil, otherwise known a ” kill the Gays Bill”, continued its dirty dance on the Order Papers, Uganda’s Parliamentary … More Is Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill Going to be THIS year’s XMAS gift?