New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

Department of Health Proposes Regulation to Ensure Transgender New Yorkers Have Access to Certain Medically Necessary Care Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 16, 2014. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commends Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for proposing a new regulation to end … More New York State Acts to Remove Medicaid Ban on Transgender Health Care

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

By Melanie Nathan. December 10, 2014. While the Ugandan Parliament is working hard to bring a new more vibrant Anti-gay bill into legislation, after the last Anti-Homosexuality Act was invalidated by the Courts on a technicality, the US Ambassador Scott H Delisi warns that it is scaring away United States investors who are considering doing … More U.S. Ambassador to Uganda says Anti-Gay Bill Scares Investors

Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

In the face of much evidence this United Nations delay is dangerous and inexplicable. Ugandan gays and those perceived as gay, are targets while refugees in Kenya and their cases must be expedited. By Melanie Nathan, December 05, 2014. After you have finished reading this story, I ask you to consider this question:  Should Andrew … More UNHCR Delays Persecuted Ugandan Journalist Who Supported Gays

Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Special refugee programs for gays should include all LGBTI people worldwide seeking to escape criminalization, harsh penalties and rampant persecution By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. While Spectrum Human Rights continues to lobby the US Congress, the US State Department and the White House to establish a special refugee program for Russian LGBT people, we … More Special Refugee Programs for Gays Should Include Africans

Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has kept true to her Xmas tradition, packing a Xmas punch against Uganda’s homosexuals. Back in 2012 she promised to deliver the popular Anti-Homosexuality Act as her Christmas gift to the good citizens of Uganda that year. She failed to do so. Then the following … More Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

By Melanie Nathan, November 28, 2014. A Ugandan human rights defender and activist known in the LGBT community has been brutally attacked today by a mob and rushed to a Kampala emergency hospital. After a loss of blood, from what seems like multiple injuries, including a badly injured eye, Kelly Mukwano, was administered first aid,  … More Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

“Quite frankly I am sick of hearing how ‘upset’ everyone is about this new law, while doing absolutely nothing to help our fellow LGBTI in The Gambia” By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. While Gay people from The Gambia are on the run, the U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president … More Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

By Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. For the first time, an African LGBTI group will stage a demonstration at The Hague in the Netherlands, to draw attention to complaints arising out of how the Netherlands Immigration authorities treat the claims of  LGBTI Africans seeking asylum in that country. Out and Proud Diamond Group, an LGBT … More African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 20, 2014. Wake Up Americans and get educated on these important human rights issues that you will not find in our USA local or national mainstream media. Thanks to SAfAIDS for the selection of important human rights stories: Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs for recreational use A … More Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs

Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

By Melanie Nathan, November, 18 2014. Jimmy Kyesswa still bears the scars of the inhumanity he suffered and it continues as he seeks asylum in the United Kingdom. This petition will be delivered to: Secretary of State, Hon Theresa May MP in the United Kingdom, thanks to the excellent work of OUT and PROUD Diamond … More Urgent Petition to Stop Deportation of Gay Man Back to Uganda

Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

By Melanie Nathan, November 07, 2014. The Prohibition of the Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill of 2014 is apparently the possible new replacement for the now invalid Anti-Homosexuality Act: A committee comprising leading members of Uganda’s ruling party have prepared a new draft of legislation targeting LGBT people, according to Nicholas Opiyo, a human … More Uganda Proposes a Worse Anti-Gay Bill

ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

Geneva, November 3, 2014 As Uganda debates the re-introduction of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, ORAM publishes a comprehensive Country of Origin Report on the conditions of LGBTI individuals in the country ORAM has published an extensive report titled “Country of Origin Report: Sexual and Gender Minorities – Uganda.” The  report includes an extensive case law section, … More ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

Could he have been a target because the Nigerian Court refused to nullify the new Nigerian Anti-Gay law? By Melanie Nathan, November 03, 2014. A well known Nigerian activist in the field of human rights and sexual health, who was detained without cause or charge by Nigerian police, is requesting an order of enforcement against … More Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

Posts – 11/2/2014 #‎LGBT‬ community – OK here comes the huge big ask, an asylum seeker is coming into San Francisco/ Bay Area/ North Bay/ East Bay – in a few days time. We plan to raise money to help with his support. However for the a month or 2 we are going to need … More LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2014. Two Ugandans charged under a draconian anti-homosexuality Penal Code in Uganda have had all charges against them dismissed by the Magistrates Court, in Buganda. The charges in the case of Uganda v. Mukisa Kim and Mukasa Jackson, Criminal Case No. 0085 of 2014 have been dropped as the prosecution, … More Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2104. Preliminary reports, yet to be verified by the Court, indicate that the Nigerian Abuja High Court has delivered a ruling striking down the case where the Court was asked to nullify the new “Jail the Gays” Act,  signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in January of this year. … More Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

LGBT Exiles Greet Museveni in London with Large Protest

By Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2014. President Yoweri Museveni was greeted in London by a large protest when he arrived to attend the Global African Investment Summit. The members of Out And Proud Diamond Group have ensured that their disapproval of the dictator’s human rights infractions are heard loud and clear. The group are amongst … More LGBT Exiles Greet Museveni in London with Large Protest

The Pope Tries But Too Many Anti-Gay Bishops

By Melanie Nathan OCT 18, 2014. Pope Francis sought to chart a merciful route when it comes to the Catholic Church’s acceptance of gays, but instead seems to have found his navigation compass somewhat impaired. At Vatican City it is apparent that the Catholic bishops scrapped their almost landmark welcome of gays, now revealing what … More The Pope Tries But Too Many Anti-Gay Bishops

Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

You be the Judge By Melanie Nathan, October 15, 2014. Below you will find a press release which I sent to The Hunts Post,  reporting on a protest which took place outside Cornerstone Cafe, St. Neots, United Kingdom, last week, where LGBT Ugandan exiles demonstrated against Paul Shinners, a radical Christian extremist, who shared a … More Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners

Watch Video of Protest | If you have the audacity to go to our Country to preach hate, we will show up in your country, as exiles and on your doorstep to remind you that exporting hate is not okay! By Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2014 St. Neots – A large group of Lesbian, Gay, … More Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners

NEW STUDIES OFFER ESTIMATES OF LGBT POPULATION AND MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES

New surveys suggest that as many as 9.5 million adults in the US are LGBT | An estimated 124,000 same-sex couples are married and raising more than 30,000 children LOS ANGELES — Two new studies released by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, review findings from four recent large, national, population-based surveys to … More NEW STUDIES OFFER ESTIMATES OF LGBT POPULATION AND MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES

Fallout from Ugandan MP Visit to Gay San Francisco

By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, to meet with Californian leaders, politicians and to participate in an interview / … More Fallout from Ugandan MP Visit to Gay San Francisco

Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

With Homophobia and violence on rise By Melanie Nathan September 26, 2014. On 7th September 2014, Professor Peter Mutharika clocked 100 days of in office , and as a tradition as well as in fulfillment of its human rights and watchdog obligation, The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) partnered with Centre for Development … More Malawi Human Rights Concern as Mutharika Silent on Sexual Minorities

Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

THREATS to Lose Voters and Support | accused of “rubbing shoulders with fags” By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, … More Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco