Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet

By Melanie Nathan, 01/05/2012 When we as Western tourists go to Africa, we go to view nature – to visit tribal villages, to see the dance and hear song; we sit eagerly at waterholes waiting for the lioness to pounce the unsuspecting deer, while the landscape and the vast bush yields to the pristine African … More Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet

Outsports Persons of the Year Named

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 05, 2012, San Francisco — The National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Sports Project Director Helen Carroll and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Changing the Game Project Director Pat Griffin have been named by Outsports readers as the 2011 “Persons of the Year.” Outsports made the announcement today, noting that … More Outsports Persons of the Year Named

Iowa GOP Caucus Via Log Cabin GAY Republicans: Santorum & Romney Heat

Imagine being Gay and sitting at the IOWA Caucus believing that one of the three currently in a dead heat could be your worthy President. See Clarke Cooper’s Face Book Tweets… by Melanie Nathan, January 03, 2011 Since Updated 10.07 Pm PST,  see below.  Early results reveal the IOWA Republican Caucus is the expected tight … More Iowa GOP Caucus Via Log Cabin GAY Republicans: Santorum & Romney Heat

The State of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual in Irish Catholic Controlled Schools

Irish Education deserves a secular chance too – for what ye teach ye shall reap; waiting for the day the Church takes its teachings back to the Church; Posted by Melanie, Jan 01, 2012 Patrick Dempsey (19) often pretended to be sick in order to avoid attending school in Dublin’s inner city. The State of … More The State of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual in Irish Catholic Controlled Schools

2012 and My Resolution to Support Barack Obama All the Way!

LGBTI rights depend on 2012 – here we come! By Melanie Nathan, Dec 31, 2011 Well in mere hours it will be the year 2012 – I am going to let bygones be bygones! I am holding the Obama administration accountable for the upcoming repeal of DOMA, for the imperative passage of ENDA and for … More 2012 and My Resolution to Support Barack Obama All the Way!

Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 24, 2011. Thanks to all the seventy donors who contributed to bail for Joseph Bukombe, who was released from Otay Mesa  detention center in San Diego late last night. He enjoyed his first meal with friends in San Diego at a Kenyan restaurant  and wanted to express his deep appreciation to … More Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS

Americans must Heed the Cry of African LGBTI Victims

“Actions speak louder than words!” by Melanie Nathan Dec 22, 2011. SAN FRANCISCO – Shorty after Secretary Clinton and President Obama spoke out about LGBTI Global human rights, the bloggers and press began to buzz with statements and comments from those impacted by the speech and memo, respectively.  The most sought after statements came from … More Americans must Heed the Cry of African LGBTI Victims

Saudi Prince Investment in Twitter Could Impact Gay Tweets within Kingdom

Although Liberal in relation to other members of the Saudi Royal Family, what does Saudi prince Twitter Purchase mean for Gay World? by Melanie Nathan, Dec 19, 2011 Reuters is reporting that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the Saudi billionaire and an investor in some of the world’s top companies, has bought a stake in microblogging … More Saudi Prince Investment in Twitter Could Impact Gay Tweets within Kingdom

Tweet: GQ Aplogizes to Adam Lambert for Homophobic Tweet

GQ Sorry for comment! After GLAAD called them out for   insulting Adam Lambert caption read: “If you wear make-up, do not grow a mustache.” The tweet was in connection with the annual Year in Style report in which the magazine lists the best and worst in men’s fashion over the last year.  With a link … More Tweet: GQ Aplogizes to Adam Lambert for Homophobic Tweet

My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2011 I am Not Thankful if I am not Me! It is easy to be thankful if I am simply me!  But what if I allow myself to be someone else – for just a short while?  My head spun this week with images and my thoughts were provoked by … More My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to be Quizzed Over anti-gay laws.

by Paul Canning, Dec 13, 2011- The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, told activists today that she would raise the discriminatory laws at the EU-Russia summit.  She received in Brussels a 246,000 petition along with the Presidents of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT rights, Michael Cashman and Ulrike … More Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to be Quizzed Over anti-gay laws.

Uganda’s LGBTI Leaders Speak Passionately for their Human Rights

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 10,2011 Calls for Dignity and Justice for all :   Reject the Anti-homosexuality bill  ( Kill the gays Bill) that is still pending, as this would further heighten the witch-hunt of LGBTI persons and make it impossible for us to live freely and safely in our country. The Ugandan LGBTI leadership … More Uganda’s LGBTI Leaders Speak Passionately for their Human Rights

USA GAY Lesbian Advocates Applaud Geneva Speech of Secretary of State Clinton

We applaud the First Major Speech to push LGBT rights Abroad. by Melanie Nathan  San Francisco, CA, December 6, 2011—Amongst the many accolades this morning, The National Center for Lesbian Rights applauds Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for her groundbreaking speech today on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people … More USA GAY Lesbian Advocates Applaud Geneva Speech of Secretary of State Clinton

STOP NIGERIA NOW!

“When governments legitimate persecution – they provide the license for genocide! ” –  Melanie Nathan, International Human Rights Advocate… Nigerian Senate Votes for an Anti-Gay Law by Peter Tatchell  Sweeping criminalization contravenes Article 42 of the Nigerian constitution Same-sex marriage and civil unions to be banned 14 years jail for participants, 10 years jail for … More STOP NIGERIA NOW!

CAMEROON Sentences Three ‘Effeminate Men’ to Maximum Prison Time

By Melanie Nathan,   Nov 26, 2011, 2.30 AM PST In Africa: Legislation criminalizing homosexuality permits persecution and cases where people are punished simply for the way they look. Africa is bedrock of anti-homosexual sentiment, and heightened criminalization; with Cameroon emerging as the most punitive of the African countries. Same-sex sexual acts are banned under Cameroonian … More CAMEROON Sentences Three ‘Effeminate Men’ to Maximum Prison Time

My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2011 I am Not Thankful if I am not Me! It is easy to be thankful if I am simply me!  But what if I allow myself to be someone else – for just a short while?  My head spun this week with images and my thoughts were provoked by … More My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

South African Constitutional Court: New Chief Justice belongs to anti-gay Mega Church

Johannesburg, Aug 25, 2011, South African President, Jacob Zuma has nominated Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng as the Chief Justice to the South African Constitutional Court. A social conservative will now be responsible for upholding one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. Critique comes as some believe others are more qualified; 0ne wonders why the … More South African Constitutional Court: New Chief Justice belongs to anti-gay Mega Church

Mazeltov New York City

By Melanie Nathan July 24, 2011 – 12.01.am My friends are getting married today, my community is getting married today and we all rejoice… SPEAKER QUINN, MAYOR BLOOMBERG, AND NEW YORK CITY CLERK MCSWEENEY ANNOUNCE ALL CITY CLERK OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON SUNDAY JULY 24 – THE FIRST DAY OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY … More Mazeltov New York City

Lawsuit Sheds Light on Anoka-Hennepin School District’s LGBT GAG Policy

By Melanie Nathan, (Minneapolis, MN, July 21, 2011)—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and Faegre & Benson, LLP, filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the alarming anti-gay harassment in schools within the Anoka-Hennepin School District as well as the district’s “gag policy” that prevents teachers from discussing issues … More Lawsuit Sheds Light on Anoka-Hennepin School District’s LGBT GAG Policy

Glitter GAY Barbarians Invade The Bachmann Clinic

Cross -Posted by melanie Nathan, July 21, 2011, Gay ‘Barbarians’ Demand Ex-Gay ‘Discipline’ From Bachmann Clinic | Today a group of gay “barbarians” descended upon Marcus Bachmann’s Christian counseling center to protest the harmful ex-gay therapy offered there. During a radio interview in 2010, Bachmann compared gay people to “barbarians” who need to be “disciplined.” Organized … More Glitter GAY Barbarians Invade The Bachmann Clinic

Lawsuit Challenging Anti-LGBT Environment in Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District

July 21, 2011,Melanie Nathan, NCLR and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the “gag policy” at Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District that prevents school staff from talking about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues, and creates an environment where LGBT students are relentlessly bullied. The lawsuit was filed on behalf … More Lawsuit Challenging Anti-LGBT Environment in Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District

South Africa Corrective Rape Task Force Helms Hate Crimes Reform

July 03, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, Early in 2010, I started covering the stories of women in the South African Townships, who were raped by men seeking to “correct” the fact that they were lesbians, touting that rape would change the sexuality of the victim.  I never believed that these brutal crimes ever truly earned the … More South Africa Corrective Rape Task Force Helms Hate Crimes Reform

Calling on President Obama to Stand up for Full Marriage Equality Now

June 24, 2011, Melanie Nathan, The venue and current battle ground for marriage equality is New York State and as it happens, President Barack Obama is in New York  fundraising for the Democratic National Committee (DNC).  The Mammoth in the room is marriage equality, in New York, specifically, because the President is present and has … More Calling on President Obama to Stand up for Full Marriage Equality Now

California Assembly Education Committee Passes Landmark LGBT Education Bill

June 24,2011, by Melanie Nathan Legislation sponsored by Equality California and Gay-Straight Alliance Network aims to stop discriminatory education and promote school safety Sacramento – Yesterday a bill that would require schools to fairly and accurately portray the historic contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in social science instruction passed the Assembly Education … More California Assembly Education Committee Passes Landmark LGBT Education Bill

UCSF to Honor Three With Chancellor’s Award for GLBT Leadership

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, Three members of the UCSF community will be awarded the 2011 Chancellor’s Award for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and/or Transgender (GLBT) Leadership on Monday, June 13. Included is my friend and fellow activist on immigration equality issues, Chris Waddling of the grassroots organization OUT4Immigration.  Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, will present awards … More UCSF to Honor Three With Chancellor’s Award for GLBT Leadership

California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

06/02/2011, by Melanie Nathan, SACRAMENTO – Eleven bills authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) – the openly gay California State Senator from San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma Counties- passed the Senate this week and will proceed to the Assembly. The measures include legislation that allows farmers in California to cultivate hemp, a bill that … More California Eleven Bills Authored by Senator Mark Leno Pass Senate Floor

GSA Network’s San Francisco Event BIG Ticket – Secret Auction Item

05/26/2011, by Melanie Nathan, San Francisco -Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club in a high school or middle school that brings together LGBTQI and straight students to support each other, provide a safe place to socialize, and create a platform for activism to fight homophobia and transphobia. On June 09, 2011, Geoffrey De … More GSA Network’s San Francisco Event BIG Ticket – Secret Auction Item