Tag: EQUALITY

Celebrate Respect for Marriage Act and Confer on GLOBAL Criminalization

December 13, 2022

AHRC celebrates the signing of The Respect for Marriage Act at the White House in the U.S.A. today. It was signed by President Joe Biden, who stood up for same-sex marriage equality in Washington DC while vice president, even before President Obama did, back in 2008. Now same-sex marriage receives Federal law recognition – to … More Celebrate Respect for Marriage Act and Confer on GLOBAL Criminalization

Singapore Decriminalizes and Discriminates

August 23, 2022

It is very good news that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that SINGAPORE would repeal the controversial 377A law – effectively legalizing homosexuality. However PM Lee followed this welcome announcement with his determination that same-sex marriage would be ruled out at this time through a push to amend the Constitution to define marriage … More Singapore Decriminalizes and Discriminates

The Audience is Back for INTERLUDE at New Conservatory Theatre Center

October 17, 2021

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE STAGE ADAPTATION OF HARRISON DAVID RIVERS’ CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED INTERLUDE  – See you there! I am so excited and so honored to be on the Board of NCTC in San Francisco and even more excited that I have  tickets in hand, and after 18 months in our COVID corners, … More The Audience is Back for INTERLUDE at New Conservatory Theatre Center

Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

March 9, 2021

Join in and help decriminalize LGBTQI people in Uzbekistan Although the Uzbekistani Constitution guarantees privacy, equality and non-discrimination, Uzbekistan is one of the only two Central Asian countries that retain legislation criminalising private, consensual same-sex conduct between men. Article 120 of the Criminal Code in force stipulates that “bezakalbazlyk” (sodomy), voluntary sexual intercourse between two … More Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

September 26, 2020

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills into Law SACRAMENTO- Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two of Senator Scott Wiener’s bills promoting LGTBQ rights and equality: Senate Bill 932 mandates that health care providers in California report sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, if known, for all reportable communicable … More California New LGBTQ Civil Rights and Health Care Bills Signed into Law

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

May 8, 2020

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple to Have Their Day in Court in Challenge to HHS and South Carolina Foster Care Policy. District court allows lawsuit to go forward challenging HHS waiver that permits a government-funded South Carolina foster care agency to reject applications from same-sex parents   A U.S. District Court today denied an effort by … More VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

April 14, 2020

Having been a Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride in 2014 and also having served on the San Francisco Pride Board as vice president, I find it very sad but absolutely necessary to support the following Statement from the executive director of San Francisco Pride, considering the dangers we face as a result of … More Our San Francisco Pride Will Not be Defeated by COVID-19

An Unusual Seder Plate: Seeking Freedom this Pesach

April 8, 2020

What is Pesach / Passover: Passover is a celebration of spring, of birth and rebirth, of a journey from slavery to freedom, and of taking responsibility for yourself, the community, and the world. … The Torah states that Jews are to observe Passover for seven days, beginning on the 15th of the Jewish month Nisan … More An Unusual Seder Plate: Seeking Freedom this Pesach

2019 LGBT Law Changes

December 30, 2019

2019 This year, per EQAULDEX – there were 10 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 76 changes made. A total of 1256 legal changes have been made so far since 2010 in the decade….. July 8 Ecuador Same-sex marriage becomes legal. Civil marriage between same-sex couples is already a … More 2019 LGBT Law Changes

Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

October 10, 2019

Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights By Jocelyn Samuels The Supreme Court will soon decide whether it’s legal for an employer to fire a gay man because the employer disapproves of his sexual orientation, or to refuse to hire a trans woman because the employer is uncomfortable with her gender identity. … More Amicus Briefs Inside This Week’s Supreme Court Arguments on LGBT Workers’ Rights

2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality

August 20, 2019

Women’s rights in the U.S. have made leaps and bounds since the passage of the 19th Amendment. Yet many women still struggle to break the glass ceiling because of unequal treatment in society. Unfortunately, the gender gap in 21st century America has only expanded. In 2018, the U.S. failed to place in the top 10 … More 2019’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality

“Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

March 17, 2019

Theater on the Cusp presents “Love & Pride” – a new musical that turns the conversation on gender, sex, and sexuality on its head – Support Queer Theatre- See discount code below! San Francisco, CA  – Theater on the Cusp presents Love & Pride at the EXIT Theatre for an 8-show run. This will be the 4th production in … More “Love & Pride” a New Musical in San Francisco – Link to Discount Tickets

Jane Castor for Mayor Endorsed by Equality Florida Action PAC and LGBTQ Victory Fund

January 31, 2019

Tampa, FL – Today, Equality Florida Action PAC, Florida’s largest political committee working to elect pro-equality candidates, joined with LGBTQ Victory Fund to announce the endorsement of Jane Castor’s historic race for Mayor of Tampa. Term limits restrict current Mayor Bob Buckhorn from seeking a third term making this an open and highly competitive race … More Jane Castor for Mayor Endorsed by Equality Florida Action PAC and LGBTQ Victory Fund

Republican Governor Mike DeWine Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

January 15, 2019

Ohio state employees will continue to be protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression WASHINGTON, D.C. – On his first day in office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in state employment. This executive order extends a previous order signed by … More Republican Governor Mike DeWine Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

January 7, 2019

Whitmer’s order will provide nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order this morning which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in state employment, public services, and state contracting. Employees of Michigan’s executive branch and state contractors are now protected on … More Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order

NCLR Pushes for LGBT Rights in Call to Action for Equality Act

October 6, 2016

Now is a Critical Time to participate in your Equality Finally we are seeing a national  LGBTI organization push for passage of the Equality Act that is currently before Congress. Today the National Center for Lesbian Rights, NCLR,  launched a national campaign,  Support the Equality Act,  to urge municipal and state leaders across the country … More NCLR Pushes for LGBT Rights in Call to Action for Equality Act

Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses

June 4, 2011

06/04/2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, Note: This letter has been submitted by OUT 4 Immigration, whom I consider to be the most sincere and miraculous group in the LGBT community with regard to the plight of same-sex couples who have no immigration equality under the federal law of the U.S.A. Dear Senator Feinstein — For … More Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses

Apartheid Against LGBTI Americans – A View via the Hate Speech Ruling for South African Envoy to Uganda Jon Qwelane

June 4, 2011

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, When I immigrated to the United States in 1985, I marveled at the U.S. Constitution. It protected everything.   I left a place where it was constitutional to discriminate – in fact it was required that one discern between races when it came to where people could live, who could vote and … More Apartheid Against LGBTI Americans – A View via the Hate Speech Ruling for South African Envoy to Uganda Jon Qwelane

Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Bi-national Immigration Equality

May 17, 2010

QUOTES: New York Civil Liberties Union: “Citizen Non-Citizen” highlights the heart-wrenching story of Britta and Carla, a married same-sex bi-national couple living in New York City fighting to stay together in the United States. We’d like to honor the fact that Britta and Carla have been dedicated activists, and indeed without their efforts, and courage … More Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Bi-national Immigration Equality

reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?

May 3, 2010

I found this fascinating quote today: In June 2009, when I heard about Britta, she was being held in detention in a Florida Detention Facility; she had been caught in an ICE sweep and was unable to provide documentation of legal status in the USA and I was on my way to D.C. for the … More reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?

Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.

February 3, 2010

SHOCKING REALITY  –  Schumer – NO UAFA in CIR… Current law precludes LGBT couples from sponsoring spouses for immigration.  Many tens of thousands of LGBT families are caught in the quagmire of an anomaly created by the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, which pits State law against the Federal law, giving couples the right to … More Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.

A Binational Xmas Wish in A letter to President Obama

December 25, 2009

  by me on LGR please read the whole thing Mr. President, with great respect, I am mentioning this during the holiday season because this time for many is fraught with sadness, fear and pain.  Exiled Americans, who are with their spouses, cannot come home to spend Xmas with extended families and if they do, they have … More A Binational Xmas Wish in A letter to President Obama

Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT

December 17, 2009

Dear Friends,   Since June of this year I have been critical about Immigration Equality’s strategy – in promoting our UAFA  through inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration reform (CIR) as a priority strategy.   My sense of logic told me that by doing so they would be ‘shooting us in the foot’- as they would in effect limit … More Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT

Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian

October 27, 2009

Tuesday 27th October I blogged for : Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian  same-sex husband denied asylum .. Tagged with: Brazil    Brazillian    Defense of Marriage Act    DOMA    John Kerry    Junior Oliveira    Kerry    Marriage    Melanie Nathan    Obama    Same-sex marriage    Tim Coco    UAFA    United States    Uniting American Families Act    USA BOSTON — Associated Press reports today that a gay Brazilian man has been denied asylum by the Obama administration … More Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian

Senator Gillibrand Tells LGBT audience to PUSH Reps for UAFA…. Must be passed by the Spring….

October 25, 2009

Today a Binational married lesbian couple (names private) attended Senator Gillibrand’s meet and greet at the LGBT Center in NYC. They went armed with a letter setting out their dire circumstances, including reference to the unconscionable detention suffered by one of the spouses. … More Senator Gillibrand Tells LGBT audience to PUSH Reps for UAFA…. Must be passed by the Spring….

Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

September 16, 2009

When all was lost and there was no “next step” for Shirley Tan, about to be deported  within mere weeks, Molly McKay of Marriage Equality called my office to see if I could be of assistance.   Unfortunately Shirley’s was a losing case and she was told that there was nothing anyone could do to help … More Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

August 23, 2009

How the Hate for 8 Hurt my Child… Before the California Court ruled  I asserted in my blog “The fate of California’s same-sex marriage hangs in the balance, as the Justices prepare their ruling on the challenges to the validity of Proposition 8.” Now is has ruled and the impact is so egregious that the … More AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

August 20, 2009

API ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA UNITE TO DEMAND FAIR & HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM August 20, 2009 -LOS ANGELES, CA – In Historic Filipinotown, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organizations called on the Obama Administration and Congress for enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform. In simultaneous press conferences held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, community leaders … More Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA

August 18, 2009

Today, together with Gina Capiro, I had the great honor of providing testimony on behalf of the thousands of binational same-sex partners, for Resolution AJR 15 which in essence will serve to provide California‘s legislature’s support of the Uniting American Families Act and equality in the immigration laws of the US, for same-sex permanent partners.  A … More AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA