Uganda Gay Activsts Arrested in Unlawful Police Raid at Private Hotel Meeting

June 18, 2012

See shocking Video as Gay Activists and foreign visitor allies  unlawfully persecuted in Ugandan raid at hotel denotes a great danger for any group holding a peaceful meeting in Uganda Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2012. Police have unlawfully raided a gay rights meeting in Kampala Uganda and arrested LGBTI activists.  The group of sexual minority … More Uganda Gay Activsts Arrested in Unlawful Police Raid at Private Hotel Meeting

World Refugee Day Highlights Failure to Protect LGBTI Refugees

June 18, 2012

First survey of international refugee assistance organizations finds widespread failures to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex refugees. Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2012. San Francisco – As increasing numbers of refugees flee persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) and Indiana University … More World Refugee Day Highlights Failure to Protect LGBTI Refugees

While this US Secretary of Defense offers Moving Pride Message, Imagine a Romney DOD

June 16, 2012

Can you imagine Romney’s  Secretary of  Defense recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month?  Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta thanks gay and lesbian service members for their dedicated service to the nation. By Melanie Nathan, June 16,2012. The US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, sent a special message to America and the World. … More While this US Secretary of Defense offers Moving Pride Message, Imagine a Romney DOD

Obama ‘s Reprieve for DREAMers While Same-Sex Binational Couples Languish as Exiles & Outcasts

June 15, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, June 15, 2012. The DREAM Act has yet to be passed, but those who could benefit from its passage may well have found some progress today in some good news emanating from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano who informed reporters of  a new policy of “deferred action” for certain young, undocumented immigrants … More Obama ‘s Reprieve for DREAMers While Same-Sex Binational Couples Languish as Exiles & Outcasts

Congressmen & Petition Call on Obama Administration to End Unfair Gay Blood Donation Ban

June 14, 2012

Employee from Country’s Second Largest Blood Bank Joins Call by Sen. John Jerry, Rep. Mike Quigley to End Blood Donation Discrimination- World Blood Donation Day Highlights Need to End Biased Policies Dangerously Limiting American Blood Supply Post by Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2012. WASHINGTON, DC – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Representative Mike … More Congressmen & Petition Call on Obama Administration to End Unfair Gay Blood Donation Ban

First Transgender Person to Provide Testimony to U.S. Senate

June 13, 2012

“Living the truth and pretending to live who I was not…people never understood why I had a female gender marker…I  .. when I used female restrooms police would accost me and I would have to strip….” By Melanie Nathan, June 13, 2012. Kylar Broadus made history Tuesday, after becoming the first openly transgender person to testify … More First Transgender Person to Provide Testimony to U.S. Senate

President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elton John to Address AIDS 2012 Conference in D.C.

June 13, 2012

World’s Leading Scientists, President Bill Clinton, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, philanthropist Bill Gates and humanitarian Sir Elton John to address the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. (AIDS 2012) and Some 25,000 Scientists, People Living with HIV, and Other Stakeholders expected to attend AIDS 2012  Wednesday, 13 June 2012 (Washington, D.C., USA) … More President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Elton John to Address AIDS 2012 Conference in D.C.

World Premiere A MISSIONARY POSITION by Ugandan American Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

June 12, 2012

While the passage of  Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, known as Kill the Gays Bill, remains a threat – Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 12, 2012. LOS ANGELES, CA — Noted Hollywood actor and photographer Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Blood Diamond; Treme; Heroes; CSI) debuts his newest solo work, A Missionary Position, this summer at REDCAT (Roy and … More World Premiere A MISSIONARY POSITION by Ugandan American Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

New EU Commission Report on Transgender and Intersex Discrimination

June 11, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 11th, 2012 The European Commission has just published a new report, ‘Discrimination against trans and intersex people on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression‘. With it, the European Commission looks into the situation of trans and intersex people for the first time. The European Commission had already … More New EU Commission Report on Transgender and Intersex Discrimination

HRC’s New Chief Chad Griffin gets a GAY Flag of South Africa

June 11, 2012

Chad Griffin , of  USA Largest LGBT Rights Organization and Dustin Lance Black , Director of MILK, photographed with the  Gay Flag of SA as a Symbol of grass roots activism SA Editorial, June 11, 2012. Sunday in the Castro was buzzing when Chad Griffin, the new President of the Human Rights Campaign,  made a … More HRC’s New Chief Chad Griffin gets a GAY Flag of South Africa

San Francisco Pride Announces Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo as Global Grand Marshal

June 9, 2012

Watch our Video Interview where Bishop Christopher talks about Desmond Tutu and the exporting of Hate by American Evangelicals to Africa By Melanie Nathan, June, 09, 2012. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Disani Christopher Senyonjo is on tour of the U.S.A. and will be this year’s Global Grand Marshall, as San Francisco Pride recognizes the contributions … More San Francisco Pride Announces Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo as Global Grand Marshal

Republicans Denounce Lesbian Commitment Ceremony on Louisiana Miltitary Base

June 9, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, June 09, 2012 NEW ORLEANS  In no great surprise two Republican congressmen denounced a same-sex commitment ceremony held at the Army’s Fort Polk training base in Louisiana, asserting that it violated Defense Department policy. Following last year’s repeal of its “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the Defense Department said chaplains at military … More Republicans Denounce Lesbian Commitment Ceremony on Louisiana Miltitary Base

HRC Turns a Corner – New Youth Study Highlights Struggles of LGBT Youth

June 8, 2012

And shows the Importance of Full Equality and  a Welcome to Chad Griffin By Melanie Nathan, June 08, 2012. The Joe Solmonese reign at HRC hailed what many termed an elitist era at the Human Rights Campaign. But still the organization carried the hope of the T shirt button buying masses.  While personifying the status … More HRC Turns a Corner – New Youth Study Highlights Struggles of LGBT Youth

California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

June 6, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2012 We are on  the home stretch of Proposition 8’s wild ride through the Courts with a set of victories that will either reinstate same-sex marriage for Californians or result in the Supreme Court of the United States hearing the case. I wrote a very personal article back in 2009 … More California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

California Same-Sex Marriage Victory Stands as Ninth Circuit refuses to Re-Hear Prop 8 Case

June 5, 2012

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied a request from anti-marriage forces to reconsider its landmark ruling in Perry v. Brown that found California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Proposition 8 stripped gay and lesbian Californians of the fundamental freedom to marry. … More California Same-Sex Marriage Victory Stands as Ninth Circuit refuses to Re-Hear Prop 8 Case

South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

June 4, 2012

Intolerance encourages violence as traditional leader chiefs try to rob LGBT South Africans of their entrenched constitutional rights –   Are the Traditional Leaders providing a license to rape lesbians? By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2012. In September 2010 Nontsikelelo Tyatyeka a young 21 year old lesbian disappeared in Nyanga township, Cape town. Her body … More South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

Gay Marriage Watch this Week

June 2, 2012

  USA: President Obama Issues Proclamation for Gay Pride Month (LGBTQ Nation) The White House on Friday issued this proclamation by President Barack Obama, declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, calling on Americans to “eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.” http://purpleunions.com/blog/2012/06/usa-president-obama-issues-proclamation-for-gay-pride-month.html USA: … More Gay Marriage Watch this Week

United Kingdom Petitioned not to deport lesbian Linda Nakibbuka to Anti Gay Uganda

June 2, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan.  June 02, 2012 A  campaign has been launched by the Movement for Justice, for the life of Linda Nakibbuka, an Ugandan lesbian at risk of deportation from United Kingdom to Uganda, a nation where both female and homosexual activity is illegal. The petition was launched to try and stop the deportation … More United Kingdom Petitioned not to deport lesbian Linda Nakibbuka to Anti Gay Uganda

Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

May 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012. In an article entitled CNN Anchor: Pedophilia, Incest “Often Are Not By Choice,” But Homosexuality Is “Voluntary” Media Matters America took umbrage with remarks made by Ashleigh Banfield as follows:- During the Thursday edition of CNN’s Early Start, co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield reported on comments made by Kansas Pastor Curtis Knapp, … More Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

May 31, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and locally by Southwest Airlines. In March, GLAAD announced … More Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

May 29, 2012

A disaster looms when politicians who have partisan party affiliations are perceived as spokespersons for all. By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2012. Mr. Gay South Africa is a privately run enterprise, a competition, a money maker, with lucrative sponsorships and a keen eye on the next “South African LGBTI Ambassador.” While the competition has provided … More Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

May 28, 2012

THE ALLIANCE FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL  AND FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF RURAL AREAS  Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 28, 20212. The Alliance for Rural Democracy calls upon all provincial legislatures to vote against the Traditional Courts Bill in the lead-up to the National Council of Provinces … More South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

AIDS 2012 | Preparing for XIX International AIDS Conference Washington D.C.

May 27, 2012

Secretariat announces two off-site conference hubs for sex workers and people who use drugs |Record number of abstracts submitted Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 26, 2012/ Thursday 10 May, 2012 (Geneva, Switzerland, and Washington, D.C., USA)— The International AIDS Conference is the largest gathering of professionals working in the field of HIV, including people living … More AIDS 2012 | Preparing for XIX International AIDS Conference Washington D.C.

South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

May 22, 2012

DA Party Manny de Freitas calls protests Gay Pride Parade and Helen Zille remains silent by Melanie Nathan, May 22, 2012. Pursuant to nationwide protests in South Africa this weekend, the opposing Democratic Alliance (DA) party has failed to issue any official  press statement in support of the South African LGBTI community which held events … More South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights