Zambian High Court to hear Freedom of Expression challenge after call to hunt down homosexuals arrest

It is believed that Kasonkomona was specifically targeted amidst the Zambian government’s call to “hunt down homosexuals” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 05, 2013 The court case of Zambian Paul Kasonkomona which we have reported on here on OBLOGDEE was today transferred to that country’s High Court for the constitutional challenge Kasonkomona and his defense are seeking. … More Zambian High Court to hear Freedom of Expression challenge after call to hunt down homosexuals arrest

Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

Despite all odds, the fearless continue …. and the least we can do as an international community is support this imperative statement… By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. Last year, despite the climate of fervent anti-gay hostility, Ugandan volunteer LGBT activists accomplished what seemed impossible – they launched the first every Gay Pride celebration in … More Uganda Prepares for Its Second Gay Pride

Jesus Christ cited as organizer of violent riot at Tbilisi IDAHO rally

Great new legal defense – “If someone was the organizer, it was Jesus Christ.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 3, 2013 On Friday two priests attended Court to answer charges following their arrest at a riot in Tbilisi, Georgia, when thousands of anti-gay protesters, including Orthodox Church priests, descended upon an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHOT) rally … More Jesus Christ cited as organizer of violent riot at Tbilisi IDAHO rally

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

“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

Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity says Men Raping Girls is Natural

Compared to being Gay in privacy of home By Melanie Nathan, May 2013. In the context of Stephen Fry, asking Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo, in a recorded interview, why Ugandans were more concerned with what gays did in the privacy of their homes rather than with the high incidence of … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics and Integrity says Men Raping Girls is Natural

Turkey’s ruling party says LGBTs ‘immoral’

“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’

Istanbul Pride March 2013 under threat of government suppression

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 29, 2013 The Istanbul Pride March of 2013 is under threat of suppression by the Turkish Government security forces. Istanbul Pride,which has been occurring annually since 2003,is a week of events capped off by the Pride March.  From the 30 who marched the first year it has grown to tens of … More Istanbul Pride March 2013 under threat of government suppression

Breaking Nigeria passes sweeping anti-gay legislation

By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2013. Today in Nigeria, lawmakers passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights, setting prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders. Nigeria’s House of Representatives approved the bill in a voice vote. In the meantime there may be  differences between … More Breaking Nigeria passes sweeping anti-gay legislation

ZERO LGBT protections with $44.9 BILLION in profits

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

Puerto Rico’s Governor signs sweeping LGBT legislation into law

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 29, 2013 Today Governor Alejandro García Padilla of Puerto Rico signed into law two LGBT bills recently passed by the island’s Senate and House.  The two bills, which protect LGBT people in employment, housing, governmental services and public accommodations, and adds sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to domestic violence laws, … More Puerto Rico’s Governor signs sweeping LGBT legislation into law

Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

Accused murderer fears for his life in prison after assault By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. The trial of the Afrikaner right wing extremist, accused of murdering  a young man who was sent to his camp to “man up” commenced in Vereeniging, South Africa, yesterday and is set to continue through the next few days, … More Armed Police at trial as right wing militia support “Man-Up” murder accused in South Africa

Censorship of Gay PSA on Jamaican TV Goes to Supreme Court

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 26, 2013 In October of 2012, two major television stations in Jamaica refused to run paid Public Service Announcements (PSA) asking Jamaicans to love and respect their fellow citizens who happen to be homosexuals.  Maurice Tomlinson, the legal advisor for AIDS-Free World, who appears in the PSA’s decided to take the stations to court for … More Censorship of Gay PSA on Jamaican TV Goes to Supreme Court

Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

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

Ukraine holds their 1st Gay Pride March after all

Using diversion tactics to make it happen By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Yesterday we reported here on OBLOGDEE the week long saga of KyivPride-2013, Ukraine’s LGBT Pride Organization, attempts to hold their 1st Gay Pride March today.  After members of Parliament signed a petition against the, followed by Kiev city authorities filing a suit to ban them, … More Ukraine holds their 1st Gay Pride March after all

Ukraine Forced to Change Gay Pride March to Private Event

LGBT community of Ukraine still trying for their 1st Gay Pride Parade… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 24, 2013 Ukraine, like most ex-Soviet countries, is not kind to their LGBT community despite homosexuality having been decriminalized in the early 1990s. Last Friday Ukraine was one of three countries, along with Jamaica and South Africa, called out … More Ukraine Forced to Change Gay Pride March to Private Event

Boy Scouts resolution for vote tomorrow only perpetuates homophobia

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

Poor Scott Lively bullied and intimidated by homo-fascists

Homo-Fascism vs. the First Amendment… By the Editors, May 21, 2013 Scott Lively has long taken full advantage of his First Amendment rights and while no one would ever deny him that right, it certainly becomes pitiful when he whines about us not loving his hate when he exercises it.  He is welcome to scurry … More Poor Scott Lively bullied and intimidated by homo-fascists

Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2013. No amount of marchers will bring back Mark Carson, who was gunned down by a man shouting anti-gay epithets. He was only 32 years of age. However silence will mean more deaths and speakers at the NYC rally against the murder of Carson called out to end homophobic gay … More Thousands turn out in NYC rally against hate murder in the Village

North Jersey Pride Set to Launch Pride Week 2013

Full Slate of LGBT Events Scheduled for June 3 through June 9 By Editors, May 20, 2013. Maplewood, N.J., May 20, 2013-  North Jersey Pride, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equality, awareness, and understanding in the upper Garden State, today announced plans for its 2013 Pride Week. Throughout the week of June 3, the nonprofit is … More North Jersey Pride Set to Launch Pride Week 2013

First Pride ever in Moldova | Huge Scott Lively Fail

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

IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 18, 2013 The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – IDAHO, IDAHOT, IDAHOBIT or however you like it – annually celebrated on May 17, was conceived in 2004 to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1990. This year over 100 … More IDAHOT Around the World | The good, the bad, and the ugly

Bigots stalk, video and harass at Boston Youth Pride

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 18, 2013 I started this piece months ago when there was risk of the delegates from Uganda being exposed at the Scott Lively trial in Springfield MA by those who have the vile habit of exposing members of the gay community in some misguided attempt of shaming them…  ‘straight’ I suppose.  I … More Bigots stalk, video and harass at Boston Youth Pride

9 years of Marriage Equality for Massachusetts and no Apocalypse yet

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

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

By  Rev. Canon Albert Ogle – SDGLN Contributor As 100 countries celebrate IDAHOT today, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for greater education to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by almost 50 million people living in countries (from a total 1.5 billion) where it is still illegal to be LGBT. In his … More Rev. Canon Albert Ogle gives three amazing reasons to celebrate IDAHOT

On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

The threatened LGBTI community, Rainbow Ethiopia HIV and Social Support Services Solidarity Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) 2013 Posted by Melanie Nathan, May, 17th 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Rainbow-Ethiopia joins today the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As every year, May 17th represent for us … More On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

Where the purveyors of hate take funding from State Dept USAID… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 16, 2013 Secretary of State, John Kerry is headed to Ethiopia this weekend for the 21st African Union (AU) summit May 19-27.  While at the summit he will attend the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African … More John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

LA PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2013 ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP

Ciara  and Soon-to-be-Announced Performer Headline This Year’s Main Stage Along With Acts Chiddy Bang, Luciana, and Uh Huh Her Performing Throughout the Three-Day Celebration By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2013. Los Angeles— Two of Friday Night’s performers, have been announced for the LA Pride weekend line up;  Indie/Electro-Rock duo, Uh Huh Her, will be gracing … More LA PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2013 ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP