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
Employment protections bill introduced for the 20th time… but will expanded religious exemptions doom ENDA before it’s even reintroduced? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 25, 2013 The 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) will be introduced into Congress today by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in the Senate and Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) in the … More The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 will be introduced with problems
By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2013. It was indeed another crushing blow for the mythological story that the religious right has been touting, as poster child of ex-gay therapy John Paulk comes out as persona non-ex-gay, and apologizes for his years of misrepresentation. But not all may be quite so forgiving, as his apology and … More John Paulk’s crushing blow to Ex-Gay movement calls for religious right to make amends
By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2013. Today, April 24, on the two year anniversary of the brutal rape and murder of 24 year old LGBT activist, Noxolo Nogwaza, a day of remembrance was held at Ekhaya Center (PicknPay), Kwa-Thema, a short distance from where Noxolo’s body was found, while activists called on the South African … More Fallen lesbians and gays remembered amidst calls for justice
And you thought refusal of service ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 23, 2013 In Massachusetts one of the legislative campaigns we are working on is the Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public. … More NOM’s new “Right to Refuse Service” campaign harkens to pre-Civil Rights days
Please show solidarity on April 24th with Tweets and Facebook messages for Noxolo By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013 April 24, 2013 marks the two year anniversary of the brutal death of Noxolo Nogwaza. In 2011, twenty-four year old Noxolo Nogwaza, a South African lesbian and LGBT rights activist, the organizer of the Ekurhuleni Pride … More And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action
By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013. After the recent reports about anti-gay surge in Zambia with the unlawful detention of a well known HIV/AIDS activist, Paul Kasonkomona, after he was picked up for speaking about LGBT issues on a radio show, and the further reports that gay Zambians have gone into a hiding due to … More Zambian Justice Minister seeks to justify persecution of gays
By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2013. In a case filed by Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, a Judge has ruled that a lesbian couple facing immigration discrimination has the legal standing to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA, because it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants … More Judge rules lesbian binational couple can challenge DOMA
Editor’s Post, April 21, 2013. Fordham and the University of Pretoria formalized their relationship with a memorandum of understanding that allows for the exchange of students and faculty, joint research, and the exchange of scientific and educational literature, the universities have announced. Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., provost and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Fordham, … More U.S. Fordham and University of Pretoria formalize exchange of students
Apartheid in the Boy Scouts Movement is not the way to evolve By Cathy Kristofferson, April 21, 2013 I keep seeing articles and posts about how great it is that the Boy Scouts are now, once again, considering allowing gay scouts (an idea that was proposed and went down in flames not that long ago) … More Boy Scouts Apartheid is bigotry not evolutionary
By Melanie Nathan, April 20, 2013. The News Publication, WND, with an extreme right wing slant describes itself on its about page as “an independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism, seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty.” And continues to note: “We remain faithful … More WND promoting anti-gay Scott Lively’s revisionist Pink Swastika and the call to kill gays
Begging for money to fund a failed strategy for immigration inclusiveness is a waste of time, money and resources | It is too late because even if UAFA is included in CIR, it will be the demise of DOMA that get binational spouses their green cards. Immigration Equality has always described itself as the preeminent … More Immigration Equality begs on backs of binationals | Failed strategy has its remedy in death of DOMA
By Melanie Nathan, April 20, 2013. After a 102 hour manhunt ending in the backyard of a Watertown residence, the capture of the Boston Marathon Bomber, yields many questions yet to be answered and charged still to be filed. Here are 2 of many Statements circulating in social media today commenting on the judicial process … More Boston Marathon Bombing 2 Perspectives Enemy Combatant or Murderous Criminal
By Cathy Kristofferson, April 19, 2013. First things first – we all know the Boston Marathon Bombing is the gays fault. I’m a Massachusetts native and have been waiting for the sky to fall or the apocalypse to occur since 2004; so I guess this is it. And the Phelps girls (courtesy Westboro Baptist Church) … More The Boston Marathon bombers right wing blame game
By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2013. Two reports have appeared out of Ghana, using the usual anti-gay rhetoric to describe the mass expulsion of students from local schools. Falsely blaming recruitment, the expelled were likely forming support groups. The reports reads: “19 ‘homosexual’ students of Opoku Ware SHS sacked Date Posted: April 15, 2013: 19:55 … More Ghana’s press vilify students in mass expulsions for forming of LGBT support group
By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Well there are many of these types of people. I could write for a month pointing out their sites, Facebook pages, and the vitriol of the minority that seems to be increasing as we achieve more and more progress toward equality. These people hate and they shoot their venom … More What do we call Christians who call for death of Gays in the name of the Bible?
By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Prof C Mischke, Faculty of Law, Department of Mercantil, University of Johannesburg An accomplished Professor of law, Carl Mischke, was brutally murdered this week in Norwood, a suburb of Johannesburg where I spent my teens. Like me he too was a member of the Johannesburg’s LGBTI community and also … More Gay Professor Murdered in Norwood | Carl Mischke More than just another number
As more killings of Gay men continue to plague the area By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013 Three men, believed to be part of a gang targeting gay men in a series of murders were arrested, charged and now a trial date has been set in the murder of gay man Barney van Heerden, from … More Trial date set for 3 Accused in Murder of South African Gay Man
By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Norwood – South African press is reporting that a University of Johannesburg professor of law, might be the ninth victim in a series of serial murders of gay men. The latest victim is Dr Carl Mischke, 47, whose body was discovered on Monday morning, laying on his bed, face … More Gay Professor Ninth Victim of South African Serial Murders of Gay Men
PLEASE help spread the word By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. Our Family Coalition is a Bay Area organization committed to promoting the equality and well-being of LGBTQ families. The organization strives to provide programs responsive to the evolving need of the communities they serve. With many challenges ahead, OFC needs your critical input; they … More San Francisco’s Our Family Coalition Survey Needs You Now
Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. A few hours ago, President Obama stood with parents who lost children in the Newtown tragedy and said: “All in all, today was a pretty shameful day for Washington.” That’s because a minority of senators blocked legislation that would have made America safer and better protected our kids. … More Senators Block Gun Violence Legislation | U.S. President says its a ‘Shameful Day for Washington’
By Melanie Nathan, April 17, 2013. The Supreme Court has ruled in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, a case that raised the question of whether corporations could be held accountable for human rights abuses and whether U.S. federal courts can hear claims arising from human rights violations committed abroad under the Alien Tort Statute. The … More Scotus ruling on Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum concern for human rights cases
Is this a tacit call to violence? By Cathy Kristofferson, April 17, 2013 Yesterday was day two of the United Nations International Conference on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. A conference at which Ban Ki Moon, its Secretary General, said: “Religion and culture cannot justify discrimination against gays and lesbians“. Also yesterday, Pat Buchanan penned a … More Pat Buchanan calls for new era of civil disobedience in response to UN’s calls for equality
By Cathy Kristofferson, April 15, 2013 “Ladies, gentlemen, and all those in between” is how Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the United Nation’s Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ conference today in Oslo. Potential for something good, I thought. He spoke not only of grave human rights violations (in general … More Keeping the UN Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Opening Remarks Lively
By Melanie Nathan, April 15, 2013. As Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered patient, especially those who have yet to come out, and others who are less pronounced in their declaration of being gay, those who live in less accepting communities, can pose different challenges for doctors and professional medical staff, starting with language and trust. … More Medical schools innovate on care for LGBT patients
By Melanie Nathan, April 14, 2013. The ANC South African government on Saturday condemned all forms of violence against homosexuals following the assault of a gay man in a Cape Town township. However one incident used to spark the warnings involved aspects of custom that may without education continue to be the root cause of … More South African Government condemns attacks on gays as custom and constitution clash
Press Release invokes questions The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States’ commitment to promoting human rights.” –President Barack Obama By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson April 14, 2013. The Press release: Secretary of State John Kerry has … More Will Sec. John Kerry do enough to help LGBT international human rights?
By Cathy Kristofferson, April 13, 2013 Very early this morning (7am BST) HIV/Aids activist Paul Kasonkomona was to speak on the Crossfire BlogRadio program about his recent arrest for advocating for gay rights. Due to legal issues surrounding his going on the radio similar to the TV appearance which sparked his arrest, along with death … More Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’
By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 1013. Haaretz is reporting that a high school English teacher could face disciplinary action for giving a writing assignment that asked students to make a persuasive argument blaming Jews for the problems of Nazi Germany, as noted by Albany school district officials on Friday. School district spokesman Ron Leskosaid administrators … More Albany N.Y. teacher assignment asked students to argue that Jews are evil
National Fair Housing Alliance Report Calls for Modernizing Fair Housing Act to Include Protection for LGBT People and Source of Income By Melanie Nathan, April 13, 2013. Washington, DC – Today the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) released “Modernizing the Fair Housing Act for the 21st Century,” its 2013 Fair Housing Trends Report. This year’s … More Housing Discrimination against Gays, Lesbians, and Poor Still Legal in Most States
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