Tag: equality

Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

August 31, 2013

Our March Campaign Will Not Be Silenced By Cathy Kristofferson, August 30, 2013 At Wednesday’s 50th anniversary March on Washington celebration Dream Defender’s Philip Agnew and United We Dream’s Sofia Campos were denied their opportunity to speak at the last minute. The excuse given?  Officials said they had “run out of time.”  This follows the … More Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

Scott Lively’s accountability for Crimes Against Humanity should now extend beyond Uganda to the FSU

August 18, 2013

“…widespread, systematic persecution of individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity constitutes a crime against humanity.” By Cathy Kristofferson, August 15, 2013 On August 14 we reported here on OBLOGDEE that Springfield U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Posner, ruled against radical Christian Evangelical Scott Lively in his motion to dismiss the case … More Scott Lively’s accountability for Crimes Against Humanity should now extend beyond Uganda to the FSU

Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates

July 31, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 31, 2013 Today kicked off Embassy and Consulate protests in the U.S. against Russia’s LGBT human rights violations with actions in New York City, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. We have blogged on the protests as actions people can take to help raise awareness about the worsening conditions for the Russian … More Protests of Russian Violations of LGBT Human Rights at U.S. Embassy and Consulates

Bradley Manning now facing 136 years raises questions

July 31, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 31, 2013 Bradley Manning was charged in a 22 count indictment for releasing classified intelligence information to WikiLeaks. Yesterday the judge found Manning innocent of the most serious charge of ‘aiding the enemy’ and just one of the charges of violating the WW1 era Espionage Act.  For the remaining 20 charges, … More Bradley Manning now facing 136 years raises questions

Success at Baltic Pride 2013 March despite eggs and bottles thrown

July 27, 2013

“Gay haters attacked the Swedish Minister with eggs” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 27,2013 After months of court battles, Baltic Pride 2013’s March for Equality, today successfully proceeded along Gediminas Avenue in the center of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city. Escorted by 500 police, fire brigade and a helicopter overhead, an estimated 600 proud marchers were met by an array … More Success at Baltic Pride 2013 March despite eggs and bottles thrown

Why UK PM Cameron’s pro-gay remark is pure irresponsibility

July 26, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 25, 2013 British Prime Minister David Cameron declared last night that he wanted to “EXPORT” marriage equality “around the world”.  Mr. Cameron was speaking at a garden party to celebrate the recent passage of ‘his’ Marriage Equality Act for England and Wales. This is the headline in today’s UK Telegraph: The article … More Why UK PM Cameron’s pro-gay remark is pure irresponsibility

Challenging gay immigration entry bans in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago

July 17, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 15, 2013 Maurice Tomlinson, the Jamaican attorney and HIV activist who recently sued three Jamaican TV channels for refusing to broadcast gay positive public service announcements, will be in court again Wednesday. This time for the first hearing of his challenge to the immigration entry bans of both Belize and the Republic of … More Challenging gay immigration entry bans in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago

Baltic Pride 2013 advertising ranked detrimental as alcohol and tobacco

July 13, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 13, 2013 Baltic Pride 2013, while still battling Lithuanian authorities to hold the July 27th Parade in the capital Vilnius’ main avenue, has their advertising ‘deemed detrimental to minors’ in the same way as advertising alcohol or tobacco. Lithuania’s national broadcaster, The Lithuanian National Radio and Televison (LRT), has decided that the PSAs can … More Baltic Pride 2013 advertising ranked detrimental as alcohol and tobacco

ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

July 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 10, 2013 Today in a wham bam no discussion just majority and minority opening statements hearing, Senate Bill 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was passed out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) in a 15-7 vote. All Democrats voted in favor joined by 3 Republicans – … More ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

MA Bill for Equal Access in Public Accommodations gets public hearing

July 8, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 07, 2013 This Tuesday July 9th, a hearing will be held for the Massachusetts Equal Access in Public Accommodations bill – officially (H.1589/S.643)  An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all other places open to the public – in front of the Joint … More MA Bill for Equal Access in Public Accommodations gets public hearing

Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court

July 5, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 05, 2013 Today, the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) won another step in their struggle for Baltic Pride 2013.  The Vilnius Regional Administrative court directed municipal leaders to allow LGL their right to march on the city’s main avenue.  This judgement is the latest move in an ongoing months-long battle to hold … More Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court

MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding

July 2, 2013

“We’re simply not going to support them institutionally as in the past.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 02, 2013 Last week when the DOMA ruling was handed down by the Supreme Court, the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) excitedly posted and tweeted inviting all to marry at the museum. Their website reads almost as an advertisement: “The … More MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding

UN High Commissioner Condemns Nigeria’s pending anti-gay law

June 28, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 28, 2013 Today, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned the so-called same-sex marriage prohibition bill just passed by the Nigerian Parliament last month.  The bill, which in reality has more to do with criminalizing homosexuality rather than stopping same gender marriages in a country where homosexual acts are … More UN High Commissioner Condemns Nigeria’s pending anti-gay law

Same gender couples risking arrest apply for Marriage Licenses in Russia

June 28, 2013

by Cathy Kristofferson, June 28, 2013 Today 5 same-gender couples applied for marriage licenses in the registry office in the Admiralty Side, a district of St. Petersburg, Russia.  Officials at the registry explained that the licenses are only intended for couples of opposite gender and sent them on their way.  This is a bold move in … More Same gender couples risking arrest apply for Marriage Licenses in Russia

U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

June 24, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 24, 2013 Last night a coalition of U.S. activists answered the call to action made by LGBT activists in Istanbul Turkey. The activists determined to help raise awareness about the Turkish government’s brutality and threatened suppression of Turkey’s Pride march, held a light panel protest in front of the Turkish Embassy … More U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

Poland Pride’s success dampened by first openly gay PM assault

June 17, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson,  June 17, 2013 Saturday about 8 thousand marched in Poland’s annual Equality Parade, Parada Równości 2013, under the slogan ‘Fully-fledged Diversity’.  Since Poland has become more accepting these days, the organizers decided to march for Russia and Eastern Europe where the LGBT communities are currently under attack.  Prior to the parade bout … More Poland Pride’s success dampened by first openly gay PM assault

Idaho GOP resolves to reverse gay rights

June 16, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 16,2013 Idaho, like other states, has gained some protections for its LGBT community through municipal ordinances banning discrimination in housing and employment.  It seems the Idaho State GOP just can’t stand that fact!  Yesterday at their annual Central Committee summer meeting the Republican Party leaders of Idaho passed a non-binding resolution … More Idaho GOP resolves to reverse gay rights

Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

June 14, 2013

“Religious liberty, contrary to what opponents of racial equality argued then and LGBT equality argue now, is not a license to use religion to discriminate.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 14, 2013 Back in April when the 2013 version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was introduced into Congress we posted here and here on OBLOGDEE … More Julian Bond gives powerful statement opposing ENDA’s religious exemptions

Taksim Gezi Park LGBT activists beaten arrested delivering food and medicine

June 12, 2013

“What is wrong to be humankind?” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 12, 2013 This morning I saw a post in my Facebook news feed from Istanbul LGBT Onur Haftası/ Istanbul LGBT Pride Week requesting desperately needed motorcycle helmets for the LGBT BLOCK at Taksim Gezi Park.  I was really trying to figure how to beam them my helmet … More Taksim Gezi Park LGBT activists beaten arrested delivering food and medicine

Guyana: Challenge to colonial era cross-dressing ban after 7 convicted

June 6, 2013

1893 law that makes it a criminal offense for men to wear female attire and for women to wear male attire “in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 06, 2013 Queue up another constitutional challenge outcome to await, this time from Guyana.  On May 10th and June 4th … More Guyana: Challenge to colonial era cross-dressing ban after 7 convicted

Outrage while Google still deciding if to close the Door of Hope ex-gay cure App

June 2, 2013

“Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, you do not have a ’homosexual gene,’ nor were you born this way with no hope of freedom.” Gay Community where is the ourtage –  This app being available is not new news, but Google REFUSING to take it down even after Apple has ought to be big … More Outrage while Google still deciding if to close the Door of Hope ex-gay cure App

Turkey’s ruling party says LGBTs ‘immoral’

June 1, 2013

“Isn’t there a place in Turkey for LGBT’s?” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 1, 2013 Just before Turkey exploded onto the international news scene with the current uprising in Taskim Square now labeled #OccupyGezi , we received a request to publicize the police suppression of this year’s Istanbul Gay Pride March which we did here.  While … More Turkey’s ruling party says LGBTs ‘immoral’

ZERO LGBT protections with $44.9 BILLION in profits

May 29, 2013

Now it is our turn to be heard – read on… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 29, 2013 Once again today, as they have done for the past 14 consecutive years, ExxonMobil shareholders voted down non-discrimination protections for the company’s LGBT employees.  This year the vote was 81-19%, the lowest vote for non-discrimination in all those … More ZERO LGBT protections with $44.9 BILLION in profits

DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story

May 28, 2013

We as a community cannot reject the most vulnerable amongst us | Binational same-sex couples have already paid the heaviest price By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. I started my advocacy work and writing the stories about the horrendous plight of same-sex binational couples back in 2009, when faced with the possible deportation of my … More DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story

Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

May 25, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Update May 26  – Video add down below We reported earlier here on OBLOGDEE about Ukraine’s 1st ever Gay Pride March happily occurring despite multiple political attempts to derail it.  The folks in Moscow were not so lucky. Today in the Russian capital of Moscow, activists and opponents clashed in an unsanctioned … More Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

Boy Scouts resolution for vote tomorrow only perpetuates homophobia

May 22, 2013

No youth may be denied membership, but what about the adults… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 22, 2013 Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have sought to “train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership … More Boy Scouts resolution for vote tomorrow only perpetuates homophobia

First Pride ever in Moldova | Huge Scott Lively Fail

May 19, 2013

On 19 May, the first Pride March was held in Chisinau, Moldova. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 19, 2013 I just saw this on twitter and cheered out loud: First Pride March held in Moldova http://t.co/NGwq6Bepbr%5B@Eastbook_en%5D EurAlmanac16:15 I cheered not only because I was thrilled for the Moldovan LGBT community, but also for the bitter defeat … More First Pride ever in Moldova | Huge Scott Lively Fail

9 years of Marriage Equality for Massachusetts and no Apocalypse yet

May 17, 2013

Happy Anniversary Massachusetts By Cathy Kristofferson, May 17, 2013 We here in Massachusetts are waiting. Waiting for the sky to fall, the apocalypse to occur, the locusts to swarm.  We have been waiting 9 long years now.  Nine years and over 19,000 same-gender couples’ marriages later and none of the promised catastrophes have occurred! We remember May … More 9 years of Marriage Equality for Massachusetts and no Apocalypse yet