Tag: Gay

South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

June 4, 2012

Intolerance encourages violence as traditional leader chiefs try to rob LGBT South Africans of their entrenched constitutional rights –   Are the Traditional Leaders providing a license to rape lesbians? By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2012. In September 2010 Nontsikelelo Tyatyeka a young 21 year old lesbian disappeared in Nyanga township, Cape town. Her body … More South Africans to Protest Traditional Chiefs at Trial of Accused Murderer of Young Lesbian

Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

May 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012. In an article entitled CNN Anchor: Pedophilia, Incest “Often Are Not By Choice,” But Homosexuality Is “Voluntary” Media Matters America took umbrage with remarks made by Ashleigh Banfield as follows:- During the Thursday edition of CNN’s Early Start, co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield reported on comments made by Kansas Pastor Curtis Knapp, … More Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

May 31, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and locally by Southwest Airlines. In March, GLAAD announced … More Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

May 29, 2012

A disaster looms when politicians who have partisan party affiliations are perceived as spokespersons for all. By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2012. Mr. Gay South Africa is a privately run enterprise, a competition, a money maker, with lucrative sponsorships and a keen eye on the next “South African LGBTI Ambassador.” While the competition has provided … More Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

May 22, 2012

DA Party Manny de Freitas calls protests Gay Pride Parade and Helen Zille remains silent by Melanie Nathan, May 22, 2012. Pursuant to nationwide protests in South Africa this weekend, the opposing Democratic Alliance (DA) party has failed to issue any official  press statement in support of the South African LGBTI community which held events … More South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

May 22, 2012

Last night, Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work — a national organization working to ban workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans — announced the launch of a new campaign and petition aimed at ExxonMobil’s discriminatory policies against LGBT employees. … More Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

May 20, 2012

What happened to the Madibe and ANC assurance that all South Africans will be protected from persecution? Now SA Gays are under attack by members of the ANC. By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2012. South Africans may have been surprised today as hundreds of people took to the streets of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and … More South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

May 19, 2012

South African LGBT Community and allies marching to protect the South African Constitution By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2012. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Johannesburg , Saturday, as the LGBTI community in South Africa today marched, protesting against the Traditional leaders of South Africa’s decision to review the rights of Lesbian Gay … More Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan  May 18,2012, In many countries, around the world LGBTI people face harassment, intimidation, violence, ostracism, hate crimes, and even death, just because of their sexuality. Today at least 100 countries are commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with meetings, praying, rallies and vigils – We are here at United Nations Plaza … More My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

May 14, 2012

We celebrate the founding principles of the new South Africa, a country that knows what courage means. : Democracy, Justice,  Equality, and  Human rights. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. While South African traditional leaders ignore South Africa’s importance in the world with their draconian ideals, as they question the validity of their own equality … More Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

May 13, 2012

Holomisa is saying that LGBTI people should not be protected by the Constitution because some people believe they are not entitled to those rights. He is forgetting that thinking is the very reason why their rights are so protected.

What remains is the question of what next – while traditionalists ought to have a voice in South Africa’s Parliament, they should be banned from sitting on committees where they have an inherent conflict of interest. Which means they should be excused from serving in positions where they risk impacting the entrenched rights of minorities such as gays, lesbians etc. … More Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

May 12, 2012

Please Help my friend  find  her stolen work – What Zanele has lost is a body of history that is irreplaceable – “I have dedicated my life to this work,” Zanele Muholi. By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2012. “Loss, lost, violated, ripped, stripped, ransacked… ngilahlekelwe,” are the devastating words that appear on the Facebook page … More South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

May 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 11, 2012. BOSTON – Following President Obama’s announcement to support same sex marriage, Senator John Kerry, along with 16 of his Senate colleagues, today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to protect married gay and lesbian couples facing possible deportation. In a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and … More Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

May 9, 2012

By The National Black Justice Coalition Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples.The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauded the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry:- “It is an … More President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

May 8, 2012

Despite ongoing progress in combating HIV and Aids, the report warns that considerable gaps remain, including access to HIV services, discrimination against Aids patients and gender inequality. GENEVA —The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued his first report on HIV to the UN General Assembly since the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS. In … More UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

May 8, 2012

WATCH VIDEO The UN  human rights Commissioner’s view of gays vs traditionalist South African view of gays (LGBTI) By Melanie Nathan May 08, 2012 South Africa emerged from the Apartheid era with a “never again” zest; but now that fervor is being tested with members of the South African Parliament, who took oaths to uphold … More Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

May 7, 2012

Explanation and Comments by Mr. Gay South Africa By Melanie Nathan, May 07,2012. On Friday last week I reported that the  South African Constitution  has been lauded for its lead on the entrenchment of anti-discrimination rights that renders it one of the few in the world to protect sexual orientation and gender identity in its … More South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

May 4, 2012

Activists are concerned as decades of lobbying and progress for LGBTI rights in South Africa are under threat. Nelson Mandela: ” Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2012. Since the end of Apartheid and the … More South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

April 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 30, 2012. While the United States has yet to publish its annual (2011)  Human Rights Report, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office issued its  392 page report on human rights today and  the LGBT section can be found at page 68 as follows:- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights The Government is … More United Kingdom Publishes New Human Rights Report

South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

April 27, 2012

We must continue to challenge and pursue true liberation which will only come about when homophobia is stamped out, the poor receive the restoration of their basic human rights and crime is reduced dramatically. By Melanie Nathan, April 27, 2012 Celebrated each year on April 27, Freedom Day is an annual celebration of South Africa’s … More South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

Catholic Church UK letter to Schools to Sign Anti Gay Marriage Petition

April 26, 2012

” The Catholic Church has as much right to influence change to secular law as I do to seducing  the Pope during Sunday Mass!” By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2012. The Catholic Church in the UK, including Wales and Ireland, has apparently sent a letter out to high schools to demand that all students sign … More Catholic Church UK letter to Schools to Sign Anti Gay Marriage Petition

Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

April 25, 2012

Tax Wall Street and End AIDS , Watch Video By Melanie Nathan NEW YORK — With the The U.S.A. gearing up to host the World AIDS Conference in July 2012 in D.C. and in an action reminiscent of the 80’s,  ACT-UP  protests are back with a poignant  combat AIDS message,  in association with the Occupy Movement. … More Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

Ugandan President Museveni tries to Down Play Kill the Gays Bill

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012. The Ugandan President Museveni was interviewed by Christiane Amanpour where  he down played the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as the ‘Kill the Gays Bill,’ by asserting it applies to exhibitionism only. Whether the man is ill informed or  an out and out liar, he was unprepared for a persistent … More Ugandan President Museveni tries to Down Play Kill the Gays Bill

ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012 The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) released its latest publication entitled ‘Rainbow Bridges: A Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers. ‘ This is the first guide of its kind directed at the United States lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and affirming … More ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

San Francisco Yom HaShoah at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

April 16, 2012

Notice Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 16, 2012 San Francisco – The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) invites you to observe Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) on Thursday, April 19. Open from 1-8pm, the Museum offers several meaningful activities throughout the day and evening to observe, remember, and ponder, including: Gallery Talks: Artistic Responses to the … More San Francisco Yom HaShoah at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

April 9, 2012

Mr. Gay New Zealand wins Mr. Gay World 2012 in Johannesburg at the Fourth Annual International Competition.  South Africa is first Runner up, France comes 3rd and  4th Place to Mr. USA. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – from the twenty-two gay men representing their respective countries in the 4th annual Mr. Gay World competition held in … More More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

Mr. GAY World 2012

April 8, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, April 08, 2012 Congratulations to New Zealand  for winning Mr. Gay World 2012, held this past week in South Africa and culminating in a packed finale. Yes my prediction was correct after seeing the man’s man, Andreas Derleth, win the sports challenge, I knew he would be first. Now the contestant from … More Mr. GAY World 2012