Tag: Africa

Arthur Peter Mutharika

Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

September 26, 2014

With Homophobia and violence on rise By Melanie Nathan September 26, 2014. On 7th September 2014, Professor Peter Mutharika clocked 100 days of in office , and as a tradition as well as in fulfillment of its human rights and watchdog obligation, The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) partnered with Centre for Development … More Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

September 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, September 23, 2014. I participated in this forum back in May, in South Africa, as a panel speaker with Justice Edwin Cameron, on the issue of homophobia in Africa and its impact on key populations, and was also panel chair.  Here is, with thanks to SAfAIDS, the Boksburg Communiqué on the Tweet@ble … More Boksburg Communiqué Report on SRHR and HIV/AIDS Services for Key Populations In ESA

Is the Catholic Church’s Position On Homosexuals in the hands of Ugandan Archbishop

September 18, 2014

Kampala Archbishop Publishes Book on Catholic Church and Homosexuality By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2014. The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kampala, His Grace Dr. Cyprian Lwanga has published a book detailing the position of the Catholic Church in Uganda on homosexuals. The  32 page booklet seems to tout  the official position of the church … More Is the Catholic Church’s Position On Homosexuals in the hands of Ugandan Archbishop

San Francisco Africa Leadership Institute

Ugandan Member of Parliament to meet for Human Rights Town Hall in San Francisco

August 26, 2014

A Courageous and Critical Meeting to help USA LGBT Community Get an Insider’s Perspective San Francisco, August 26, 2014 – The San Francisco Africa Leadership Institute (SFALI) is pleased to announce a Town Hall Forum with Ugandan Member of Parliament, the Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, to be held at The San Francisco LGBT Community Center. … More Ugandan Member of Parliament to meet for Human Rights Town Hall in San Francisco

Africa Business and Human Rights

August 20, 2014

When Business Gets down to the Business of Human Rights Key Stakeholders are excluded Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 20, 2014. “At the U.S.-Africa Business Forum this month, President Barack Obama announced $33 billion in new private and government investment in sub-Saharan Africa, including new projects within Africa’s energy, aviation and construction sectors. Such robust … More Africa Business and Human Rights

Uganda Pride And Court Appeals And Parliament And Tabloids And Here We Go Again

August 11, 2014

 I have not put up any of the numerous Pride photos sent to me this year. By Melanie Nathan, August 11, 2014. The Ugandan Constitutional Court declared the Anti-Homosexuality Act invalid, the Ugandan State launched an appeal, the Parliamentarians calling for a new Bill, and the Ugandan LGBTI community held a “post Anti-Homosexuality Act” Pride … More Uganda Pride And Court Appeals And Parliament And Tabloids And Here We Go Again

Ugandan Attorney General Appeals Anti-Homosexuality Act Court Ruling

August 8, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, August 08, 2014. The Attorney General of Uganda has filed a Notice of Appeal in an attempt to reverse the Constitutional Court of Uganda’s judgment which voided the Anti Homosexuality Act. Advocates, who won the case, and were awarded 50% of the costs and are now preparing to fight the appeal all … More Ugandan Attorney General Appeals Anti-Homosexuality Act Court Ruling

Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

August 1, 2014

Jubilation as the  the Ugandan Court agreed – the AHA is Unconstitutional ! Well done to the Plaintiffs.  Congratulations to the Plaintiff team for your extraordinary courage and your resolve and the credit must go to all those who worked so hard on every front, especially the hard work of the extraordinary legal team – … More Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Uganda Arrests under Anti-Homosexuality Legislation

July 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2014 The Ugandan press is reporting that the Police in Uganda have arrested five people suspected of so called “promotion” of the act of homosexuality. Apparently the the five were arrested during the course of a week, after a tip off by local residents, who accused the suspects of moving … More Uganda Arrests under Anti-Homosexuality Legislation

Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

July 9, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 08, 2014. The Ugandan government issued a statement about a so called misinterpretation of the newly enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act, (see below,) which seems to suggest some back peddling from the “letter of the law.” This flip is nothing more than a flop! At the time of signing the Bill, Uganda’s Government, … More Ugandan Government Flip-Flops Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

Setting the record straight – false rumors about my part with LGBT refugees in Kenya

July 2, 2014

This post serves to correct one of the many untruths being spread on the internet about my work: Unlike some would have you believe, Melanie Nathan did not tell people from Uganda or anywhere else in Africa to seek refuge in Kenya: In fact the opposite is what occurred. I am in possession of many … More Setting the record straight – false rumors about my part with LGBT refugees in Kenya

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

Africa’s First Openly Gay Member of Parliament

May 24, 2014

A must read interview and a testament to progress By Melanie Nathan, May 24, 2014. South Africa has just gone through an election and there is some good news for the LGBT community. Wednesday’s swearing in of the members of parliament, for South Africa’s fifth democratic Parliament,  was an especially historic occasion; it featured the … More Africa’s First Openly Gay Member of Parliament

Gender Controversial South African Olympian Caster Semenya to Marry Girlfriend

May 12, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2014. South African world champion athlete and Olympic silver medallist, Caster Semenya, is marrying her fellow athlete, Violet Raseboya. Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, Semenya had been subjected to gender testing. She was then withdrawn from international competition until 6 July 2010 when the IAAF cleared her … More Gender Controversial South African Olympian Caster Semenya to Marry Girlfriend

Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

May 8, 2014

The World is Watching the Making of Martyrs until all Anti-homosexuality laws are decriminalized By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2014. No matter the outcome, their lives will forever be tarnished, at least in Uganda. However with their faces splashed across world press, many  may come to regard them as martyrs, a symbol for the oppressed … More Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

Belgian Parliament Resolution on Uganda

May 1, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2014. has provided the English translation for the March 22, unanimous Resolution of the Belgian Parliament regarding Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was made official law of Uganda on march 10, 2014. WE REQUEST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: 1. to emphasize the importance of respecting sexual orientation and gender identities in … More Belgian Parliament Resolution on Uganda

South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

April 30, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2014. Back in 2011, when South Africa was exposed internationally for horrific amount of rapes and murders perpetrated on the lesbian community in so called “corrective” or “Curative” rape attacks, Minister Jeff Radebe was taken to task, and now some years later the climate may be set for change. This … More South African Government Launches Historic Program to Attack Homophobia

Uganda Seeks to Introduce More Anti-Gay Laws to Stop NGO Services

April 28, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2014. It is clear that the Ugandan government is doing everything that the Hitler Government did – that which preceded the holocaust. As if the scapegoating and Anti-Homosexuality Bill is not enough, now the Ugandan Government is looking to close loop-holes in its new already onerous law, which became law … More Uganda Seeks to Introduce More Anti-Gay Laws to Stop NGO Services

Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

April 26, 2014

Court denies bail, as Cameroon Police Attempt to coerce Lesbian confession and over hundred of these cases pend trial after years languishing in jails By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2014. Two women have been beaten and arrested in Cameroon and are facing years in prison for allegedly engaging in sexual relations together in the privacy … More Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

Marin County Man Mounts Pride Rainbow Flag on Uganda’s Highest Peak

April 25, 2014

He braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law #prideflagatopUganda #RepealAHA By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Marin County Founder of Three Twins Ice Cream braved not only the challenges of the peak, but also the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality law while issuing a challenge to President Museveni. That is how the … More Marin County Man Mounts Pride Rainbow Flag on Uganda’s Highest Peak

Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

April 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Please read Colin Stewart’s article at 76 Crimes- about the men who are accused of homosexual relations and are not getting bail in Uganda.  The complexity of surety bail can be noted. While the courts may have been willing to grant bail under the old Penal Codes, it is … More Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

Did the Ugandan Ambassador Wonekha Lie About NTA Partnership to Boost Tourism

April 24, 2014

NTA denies it has a Partnership with Uganda to Boost Tourism creating suspicion that Ambassador lied in Embassy Post By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. The Ugandan Ambassador to the United States, Hon Oliver Wonekha,  posted a headline and article on the Ugandan Embassy website declaring a partnership between NTA, National Tour Association, of North America, … More Did the Ugandan Ambassador Wonekha Lie About NTA Partnership to Boost Tourism

Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa Accused of Promoting Homosexuality

April 21, 2014

A New Crime in Uganda By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2014. The Ugandan pastor who promoted and held the huge 10,000 people anti-gay rally celebrating the Anti-Homosexuality Act after it was signed into law, is now being accused of promotion of homosexuality – a crime in Uganda. The only problem with the accusation leveled against … More Ugandan Pastor Martin Ssempa Accused of Promoting Homosexuality

The Pain to Gays in Africa through the Evolution of Joel Osteen

March 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, March 22, 2014. The Public Relations representative of Joel Osteen* sent a huge Timeline Memograph asking me to post it here on my BLOG. It was titled “The Evolution of Joel Osteen.”  I read it and all it did was brag about how he has evolved into the biggest Church in America, … More The Pain to Gays in Africa through the Evolution of Joel Osteen

Protests Planned in Amsterdam against Anti-Gay Uganda and Nigeria

March 12, 2014

 For Global Day Against Homophobia By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2013. On the 20th March  the world will protest homophobia and Uganda Gay On Move (UGOM), a community in the Diaspora, is scheduling a demonstration in Amsterdam, for the world global day of action against homophobia and laws that violate human dignity. The recently enacted … More Protests Planned in Amsterdam against Anti-Gay Uganda and Nigeria

NPR Talks About Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill Impacting Asylum to the U.S.A.

February 26, 2014

‘A Lot Of People Are In Panic Mode’ By NPR, February 26, 2014. Today this report appeared on NPR Radio. “But winning asylum in the United States is no easy feat. Granted, the U.S. has recognized LGBT status as grounds for asylum since 1994, but the government keeps no records on how many claims it … More NPR Talks About Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill Impacting Asylum to the U.S.A.

Tour Operator Cancels Ugandan Safaris due To Anti-Gay Bill

February 24, 2014

“… We must be able to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests regardless of sexual orientation.”” By Melanie Nathan, February, 2014. Many in the tourism industry consider the country of Uganda a jewel, often describing it as “the pearl of Africa.” Wildlife abounds and gorilla tracking is prime.  At Oblogdee we warned … More Tour Operator Cancels Ugandan Safaris due To Anti-Gay Bill

Amnesty International on Museveni’s Signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

February 24, 2014

Uganda: Rights and freedoms under attack with new legislation Posted by Melanie Nathan AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT AI Index: AFR 59/005/2014 24 February 2014 President Yoweri Museveni’s approval by assent of the Anti-Homosexuality Act confirms the Ugandan government’s increasing use of legislation to diminish fundamental rights and freedoms secured under Uganda’s Constitution and in regional … More Amnesty International on Museveni’s Signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Not yet signed the Ugandan President Juggles the Anti-Homosexuality Ball

February 23, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2014. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed the Ugandan parliament on December 20, 2013. Although the Washington Blade and others report that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill has been signed, sources from the State House in Uganda inform us is that it has yet to be signed by president Museveni. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of … More Not yet signed the Ugandan President Juggles the Anti-Homosexuality Ball