U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

“I can’t point to any country of the world today that is a model for the rest of the world, except perhaps for Russia” Scott Lively, radical Christian extremist By Cathy Kristofferson, July 22, 2013 For a while we have been following the ramped up anti-gay extremism taking place in Russia, which culminated with the … More U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

Dutch tourists accused of gay propaganda freed

“They were discussing human rights when suddenly the police and migration officers burst inside.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 22, 2013 Today a court hearing scheduled in Murmansk, Russia for the Dutch tourists arrested on ‘gay propaganda’ charges. It would seem that the judge did not hear the matter but rather “returned the case materials for … More Dutch tourists accused of gay propaganda freed

Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

How will this not happen during the Olympics! By Cathy Kristofferson, July 21, 2013 Updates posted below. So it has begun.  Russia today arrested tourists ‘violating’ their new anti-gay propaganda law.About an hour ago, the LGBT Russian Network posted on their Facebook wall: “URGENT NEWS! In Murmansk city (North Russia) 3 Dutch citizens detained by the … More Russia arrests Dutch tourists on gay propaganda charges

One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia

One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia Three arrested in act of civil disobedience protesting shameful rescission of Pride proclamation SEE ARREST VIDEO Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2913 On June 04, 201, Mayor Virginia Gurolla of Porterville, issued proclamation recognizing the month of June as Pride Month in Porterville.  A month later … More One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia

Rally against gays in Haiti includes death threats

“We’ll kill them, we’ll destroy them because we don’t need that in our country.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, July 19, 2013 Wednesday we posted about religious groups, under the umbrella of the Haitian Coalition of Religious and Moral Organizations,  planning to march against homosexuality. Today over 1,000 people took part in that Port-au-Prince demonstration. The protesters, urging … More Rally against gays in Haiti includes death threats

Moldova secretly adopts anti-propaganda law

“Politicians specifically sought to avoid debating the bill in public.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 18, 2013 An article introduced in the Parliament of Moldova on May 23rd titled “Public activities with negative impact on minors” has now been secretly passed and adopted.  Today, the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights is reporting that “A new … More Moldova secretly adopts anti-propaganda law

Challenging gay immigration entry bans in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago

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

Haiti Religious Leaders to March Against LGBT Community

And the excuse – the fear of the marriage equality gains in the West By Cathy Kristofferson, July 17, 2013 Just as marriage equality’ is being celebrated in England and Wales, religious leaders in Haiti become the latest to use the threat of similar marriage legislation coming to that island as an excuse to march … More Haiti Religious Leaders to March Against LGBT Community

EU recognizes Gay asylees as new social group

As a result of asylum applications lodged by three gay men from Sierra Leone, Uganda and Senegal, seeking refugee status in the Netherlands, with all noting they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries based on their sexual orientation, the EU’s Advocate General,  Eleanor Sharpston, said on July 11, that applicants for … More EU recognizes Gay asylees as new social group

U.S. State Department condemns murder of Gay activist in Cameroon

by Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2013. The U.S. State Department has issued a statement condemning the murder of Eric Ohena Lembembe. Lembembe’s friends discovered his body on Monday evening after being unable to reach him by telephone for two days, and went to his home. They found his front door padlocked on the outside, but … More U.S. State Department condemns murder of Gay activist in Cameroon

Cameroon Gay Rights Activist Tortured and Murdered

By Human Rights Watch, July 16, 2013. Cameroonian authorities should immediately conduct an effective and thorough investigation into the torture and killing of Eric Ohena Lembembe, an activist and journalist who was found dead at his home in Yaoundé on the evening of July 15. Lembembe, executive director of the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (CAMFAIDS), … More Cameroon Gay Rights Activist Tortured and Murdered

Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

by Melanie Nathan, July 15, 2013. Does Edward Snowden know that if he said one pro-gay or LGBTI supportive word Putin could arrest him and he could go to jail? I find Snowden’s actions in complimenting the Russian authorities and their human rights record self serving, unnecessary and nothing more than one big Putanic arse-lick … More Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

Baltic Pride 2013 advertising ranked detrimental as alcohol and tobacco

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

Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 11, 2013 LGBT rights issues have been boiling over for a while in Belize.  Caleb Orozco of the The United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) pursued a constitutional challenge of the country’s Section 53 anti-sodomy law, which  we covered here on OBLOGDEE in May (see links below).  Shortly after that court case, the … More Belize gay hate emerges in the form of hanging effigy

Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

‘Protecting children from the “advancement and promotion of homosexuality, especially among minors.”‘ By Cathy Kristofferson, July 09, 2013 A few weeks ago rumor had it that Belarus was looking to be the first country in Europe to re-criminalize homosexuality by amending its Criminal Code, to punish gays with up to 10 years imprisonment and confiscation of their … More Is Belarus following Russia’s footsteps to ban ‘gay propaganda’?

ENDA passes out of committee push underway for 60 votes

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

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

Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of  Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on … More Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

Wildly successful Budapest Pride March 2013 attended by U.S.’s Stuart Milk

Budapest Pride 2013: Rise up for diversity and human rights By Cathy Kristofferson, July 06, 2013 Today Budapest celebrated its 18th annual Gay Pride Parade. The Budapest Pride Film & Cultural Festival 2013 has been held on the first Saturday of July every year since 1997.  This year’s seems to be wildly successful as HVG.HU reported: “The Andrássy … More Wildly successful Budapest Pride March 2013 attended by U.S.’s Stuart Milk

Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court

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

Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

  The anti homosexuality Bill is still in parliament and on the order paper of business to follow. We urge that you continue consulting activists on the ground as we chose to take on a more subtle way of lobbying as spontaneous actions from our partners especially those not from Africa is always met with … More Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

See Video – And a Gay Tenor sings his way into the hearts of America By Melanie Nathan, July 04, 2013. The weeks leading up to this 4th of July have been historic for America – the horrendously discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)  came crashing down after decades of hell for many Americans and … More Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

Academy Award winner risks arrest by waving rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow

Will the Olympic athletes attending the Sochi Olympic Games follow her lead? By Cathy Kristofferson, July 4, 2013 Academy award winning actress Tilda Swinton yesterday risked arrest by standing with a rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow in clear violation of Russia’s new national so-called anti-gay “promotion” law. The picture was posted to Twitter by … More Academy Award winner risks arrest by waving rainbow flag in Red Square Moscow

MA Art Museum celebrates DOMA win and loses Catholic Church funding

“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

Scott Lively incites war against the homosexualization of states

“But resistance is NOT futile and we must never surrender to evil.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 2, 2013 Posting on his blog today, SPLC-designated anti-gay hater Scott Lively boasted that his prediction came to fruition; yes he was right that one of the two SCOTUS marriage cases did indeed “go to the homosexual movement.”  But … More Scott Lively incites war against the homosexualization of states

Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

An action to demonstrate the danger of  the new anti-LGBT laws By Cathy Kristofferson, July 2, 2013 Amidst current graphic protests, there is a renewed call for the boycott of the Sochi Olympics, as gay arrests continue in Russia following President Putin’s signing into law the nationwide so-called “anti-propaganda bill,” banning the so called ‘promotion’ … More Renewed calls for Olympic boycott as gay arrests continue in Russia

Istanbul LGBT Pride success in wake of Taksim Gezi Park uprising

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 30, 2013 Thousands of gay rights activists were joined by Gezi Park demonstrators as they marched in the 11th annual Istanbul Pride March along the iconic İstiklal Avenue. The violence from the Taksim Gezi Park uprising seemed poised to threaten the parade in Istanbul today and for weeks police & security … More Istanbul LGBT Pride success in wake of Taksim Gezi Park uprising

Making Love a Crime

Report by Amnesty International | Criminalization of Same-Sex Conduct in Sub-Saharan Africa June 28, 2013 This report provides an analysis of the legal environment and wider context of human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent years have seen increasing reports of people being harassed, marginalized, discriminated … More Making Love a Crime