In a significant win for human rights in Kenya, the Court of Appeals has ruled that the use of forced anal examinations by the state is unlawful. On Thursday 22n d March 2018, a three judge bench handed down a ruling in a case appealing the state’s cruel and degrading treatment of two Kenyan men … More Kenya Appeal Court Rules to End Forced Anal Exams of Men Suspected of Being Gay
This week, the Kenyan Court will be hearing a matter, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, to challenge the Colonial Penal Codes that in essence serve to criminalize homosexuality and target the LGBTI community. The case has been brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC). The case seeks to enforce the … More Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes
Snipers took up positions around the Zimbabwe stadium amid tight security as jubilant Mnangagwa supporters streamed in to hail the new President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he was sworn in on Friday and LGBT community expect a replay of Mugabe’s virulent anti-homosexuality stance. The man known as “The Crocodile” wore a dark suit, red … More New President of Zimbabwe Unlikely Good for Gays
The pleas for help continue to pour in from countries around the world, where people are attacked for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). These are usually people who have been shunned by family, friends and government, alike, with nowhere to turn. While you may feel that there is nothing you can do to … More Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status
… even though for reasons having little to do with his homophobia – but at least there is hope for a future administration that would now be more likely to embrace equality like its neighboring South Africa” Melanie Nathan, African HRC. Like many Africans I am so happy to see Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe ditched by his … More Zimbabwe Ditches Homophobic Mugabe
“Kenya has become a ‘safe haven’ for those fleeing war and famine in neighbouring states. But in secret hideaways and temporary homes, LGBT refugees are being forced – once again – to hide their true selves instead of walking out into the world with pride …” Article by Jacob Kushner – Huck Magazine DONATE TO … More Huck Reflection on Vulnerable LGBT Refugees in Kenya
In a landmark address, the United Nation’s first-ever independent expert investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity warned that LGBTQ people around the world are facing mounting human rights violations. Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Vitit Muntarbhorn, whose position was created last June, presented his full report on the global … More United Nations Human Rights Address warns of Mounting LGBTQI Human Rights Violations
Tuesday: DOJ and EEOC to Oppose Each Other in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit – The en banc 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals will reconsider longstanding legal precedent concerning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the federal government is a house divided NEW YORK CITY – This week, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC will hear … More DOJ and EEOC Rare Opposition in Gay Discrimination Case at 2nd Circuit
Next month my term as Vice President on the Board of San Francisco Pride will be ending. I decided not to run for re-election and am delighted at the newly elected Board members, all of whom, I believe, will serve as excellent and critical additions to the Board of San Francisco Pride. I was proud … More New San Francisco Pride Board & 2018 Pride Theme
Police in Zanzibar are reporting that 20 people have been arrested in the Tanzania semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar in an anti-homosexuality raid. The 12 women and eight men were picked up in a hotel where they were receiving training about HIV/Aids education programs. Earlier this year, authorities banned private health clinics from providing HIV/Aids services, … More Zanzibar Arrests 20 LGBTI People at HIV/AIDS Education Workshop
Is it up to Congress to Step in? This all too clear:- In most democratic countries, a President or Prime Minister – a true leader- would not be playing golf at a property in a manner that serves to enhance his family’s corporate branding on the very day that the Klu Klux Klan and White … More Donald Trump and his Administration Leading White Terrorists in War on Americans
By Melanie Nathan, July 24, 2017. The importance in showcasing love stories and the relationship evolution to marriage, illustrating how couples avail themselves of tradition and of the laws that equally pertain to all, is critical to an LGBT movement in Africa- where homophobia is rampant through the lies that have perpetuated misunderstanding. This outward … More Critical Truth in Telling Gay Love Stories of Africa
Serbia‘s President has nominated the minister Ana Brnabic as Prime Minister, the first woman and first openly-LGBT politician (lesbian) to occupy the role in the highly conservative Balkan country. Ms Brnabic, who is an independent, became Serbia’s first openly gay / lesbian / LGBT minister last year, making headlines around the world because of the country’s … More Serbia’s First Woman and First LGBT Prime Minister
Take Advantage of Pride Weekend Deals GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – Known as a vibrant cosmopolitan city, Guadalajara is set to host one of the top gay pride parades in Latin America. Come June 10, 2017, Guadalajara Pride will see more than 60,000 people turn out for this year’s celebrations, which will be extra special given the … More Guadalajara Pride and LGBTI Summer Events
Advocate has now in effect participated in the humiliation and hence in doling out the punishment, by taking their humiliation to the world stage! The Advocate Magazine quite rightly posted an online article informing its readers about the public beating in Aceh, Indonesia of 2 gay men, who were allegedly caught having gay sex. Through noting its link, … More Shame on Advocate Magazine for Exacerbating Humiliation of Gay Victims
According to VICE: An attack in Honduras reported to have been motivated by homophobia has left a Canadian man and his partner dead. Gerard Argiud, 80, described as a Canadian national, and his partner, a 42-year-old Honduran named Jorge Sarmiento, were attacked by multiple people on Friday, May 12 in the home they shared in … More Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia
Yesterday I was honored to be invited as a featured speaker for the San Francisco Castro IDAHOT rally: Gary Virginia from Gays Without Borders organized and emceed the rally that featured speakers: • Tom Ammiano, former CA State Assemblyman; • Patrick Carney, Pride Week Pink Triangle , SF Twin Peaks; • Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African Human … More IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro
CNN REPORTS: The first ever gay pride event is taking place this week in Lebanon, a country where homosexual acts are still considered a crime. Instead of the usual gay pride parades seen in the West, Beirut Pride will include an exhibition on gender fluidity in fashion as well as a storytelling get-together centered on … More Beirut Lebanon First Gay Pride
South Africa’s Fallen Lesbians – Victims of Homophobia – In preparing my remarks for tomorrow’s IDAHOT commemoration in San Francisco – I decided to comb through all the articles I have written since 2009 about lesbians who had been victim to a most brutal hate crimes caused by homophobia: so called “corrective” or “curative” rape of … More IDAHOT Remembering Those Fallen to Homophobia Blaming Governments and Preachers
Greenville, South Carolina– On Tuesday, May 16, Greenville resident Elke Kennedy will observe the 10-year anniversary of her son Sean Kennedy’s death. Sean was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in 2007. Ms. Kennedy has spent much of the last decade traveling the country and advocating for an end to hate violence. A decade after … More SC Mom Reflects on Gay Son’s Murder Speaking Out Against Anti- LGBTQ Violence
San Francisco Pride is pleased to announce veteran organizers of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade will be highlighted in this year’s Pride Parade and March. 1977 and 1978 were turning points in the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people, when they fought back against attacks from political forces, personified by Anita Bryant … More SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE 2017 TO FEATURE ANITA BRYANT/BRIGGS “WE FOUGHT BACK!” CONTINGENT
This is an update reflecting some new pictures: We wrote an article this week following the story of 18 LGBTI refugees detained and beaten by Kenyan police while outside UNHCR gates: In general when a refugee escapes war or persecution by entering a host country, they can be assured of support and protection, as by … More Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates
“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right … More African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching
Today, a federal appeals court in Chicago ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act also protects LGB employees from workplace discrimination, the first time a federal appellate court has come to that conclusion. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an historic 8-3 en banc ruling, in favor of Kimberly Hively, a math teacher who was fired from … More Appellate Court Affirms Civil Rights Act Title VII Includes Gay, Lesbian and Bi People
Almost 60 Percent of incarcerated girls are sexual minorities Los Angeles – This time focused on youth in detention, a new study by scholars at the Williams Institute found that sexual minority youth are incarcerated at disproportionately high rates. Once they are incarcerated they are more likely to be held for long periods of time and experience sexual … More LGBQ Youth Disproportionately Incarcerated in the U.S. Juvenile Justice System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A three-judge panel on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion in Christansen v. Omnicon, the case of Matthew Christiansen, an HIV-positive gay man who faced extreme harassment and discrimination in his workplace by his supervisor.The panel determined that Christiansen made a successful Title VII claim with regard to gender stereotyping, but that the … More 2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims
The following from African HRC: With a cruel stroke of his pen, Donald Trump on Friday suspended the U.S. refugee program. This has stopped the admission of all refugees to the United States for four months, causing uncertainty and terror for the refugees who had already spent years being vetted for resettlement and who had finally … More LGBTI Refugees Hurt by Trump Ban
* Leadership * Commitment * Impact * NBJC World AIDS Day Statement: December 1, 2016 marks the 28th Anniversary of World AIDS Day. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, joins … More World AIDS Day NBJC Lauds President Obama and What You Can do
“That’s why the stakes in this election are so high.” Clinton While Donald J. Trump and his henchman Mike Pence continue to promise to negate LGBT equality gains, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has penned an historic OP-ED in the Philadelphia Gay News, highlighting her support for LGBT rights (PGN) The editor comment notes the historic … More Hillary Clinton addresses LGBT Equality in Historic PGN Exclusive
By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2016. South Africa has barred the controversial US pastor Steven Anderson from visiting the county, because of his critical remarks about homosexuality, noting he is considered an “undesirable person” under the Immigration Act. Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba has announced that American gay hate pastor Steven Anderson, and his … More South Africa Bans U.S. Gay Hate Pastor Steven Anderson Entering the Country
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