Tag: Homophobia

Underground Lives: Criminalization and Fear Build Hidden Societies

October 25, 2025

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 24, 2025 When governments criminalize identity—whether via immigration policy or sexual orientation laws—they coerce people into the shadows to flee danger, yet the underground offers no safety at all—only a stopgap for immediate survival. Under Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns, thousands of immigrants, and even U.S. citizens of color, live under the … More Underground Lives: Criminalization and Fear Build Hidden Societies

ILGA Goes Full Antisemitic Complicit in Cancelling LGBTQI Jews

October 29, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, October 29, 2024 ILGA WORLD issued the below statement refusing the Israeli member organization, The Aguda the right to  submit Tel Aviv as a host city for a vote for the World Conference 2026-2027. In doing this, ILGA also decided to suspend the member organization. African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) is the … More ILGA Goes Full Antisemitic Complicit in Cancelling LGBTQI Jews

Uganda’s New Anti LGBT Law Causes at least 300% Surge in Homophobic Incidents

March 13, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2024. Please find the HRAPF February 2024 report of violence and violations at the link below. “Although the report shows an increase in the number of cases handled in February compared with those handled in January 2024, the number of cases involving actions that deliberately targeted persons for negative treatment … More Uganda’s New Anti LGBT Law Causes at least 300% Surge in Homophobic Incidents

Africa Cup of Nations a Chance to Check out Homophobia

January 31, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, January 31, 2024 The Africa Cup of Nations, sometimes referred to as the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, or simply AFCON or CAN, is the main international men’s association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football, and was first held in 1957. … More Africa Cup of Nations a Chance to Check out Homophobia

Kakuma Camp Block 13 Accountability for Closure of RSD in Kenya

January 24, 2024

by Melanie Nathan, January 23, 2024 African Human Rights Coalition calls out – LIES FRAUD FAILED SELF-SECURITY WHILE RSD AT A STANDSTILL FOR LGBTQI+ REFUGEES IN KENYA- and now with many  LGBTQI+ Ugandan (and other) refugees migrating to South Sudan in the hope that UNHCR will provide protection while the Sudanese provide refugee mandates. Let … More Kakuma Camp Block 13 Accountability for Closure of RSD in Kenya

UK Home Secretary Braverman Shocking Attack on GAY Asylum Seekers and Refugee Systems

September 26, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, September 26, 2023 Today the U.K Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s speech at the American Enterprise Institute is nothing short of shocking. Here is Melanie Nathan from African Human Rights Coalition’s response: African Human rights Coalition Condemns Sec. Suella Braverman’s remarks in the strongest terms as homophobic and xenophobic and as failing her … More UK Home Secretary Braverman Shocking Attack on GAY Asylum Seekers and Refugee Systems

Ugandan President defiant as US firms stop imports over anti-LGBTI law

September 15, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2023, (Source The Citizen) While the real trading has been in the exporting of homophobia to Uganda… Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said he remains unfazed after U.S. companies that buy textiles from his country canceled orders, citing the enactment of anti-gay legislation in May. The purchases were to be made … More Ugandan President defiant as US firms stop imports over anti-LGBTI law

The Religious Christian Right’s 11th Commandment: THOU SHALT KILL THE GAYS

May 16, 2023

The Religious Christian Right’s 11th Commandment: THOU SHALT KILL THE GAYS “Conservative groups increase their spending and activity in what critics call an ‘opportunistic use of Africans’ for US-style ‘culture wars’” In 2020 Open democracy reported that “Exclusive: US Christian Right pours more than $50m into Africa” – and with a lot more that has … More The Religious Christian Right’s 11th Commandment: THOU SHALT KILL THE GAYS

EU warn against backsliding on rights of LGBTI persons

May 11, 2023

Ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, leaders of the Council of Europe and the EU warn against backsliding on rights of LGBTI persons Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland; Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; and Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for Equality, made a joint statement ahead of the International Day … More EU warn against backsliding on rights of LGBTI persons

Kill The Gays Godfather Hon. Bahati is Back With Evangelical Promotion of The New Kill the Gays Bill

April 12, 2023

He’s baaaaaaackkkkkk! By Melanie Nathan, April 12, 2023.  The now State Minister for Trade Industry and Cooperatives Mr David Bahati made remarks as he represented the former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi at the launch of the Association of Children’s of Lay Readers of the Diocese of Kigezi a ceremony that was held at Rugarama cathedral … More Kill The Gays Godfather Hon. Bahati is Back With Evangelical Promotion of The New Kill the Gays Bill

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

Ugandan Homeless Shelter Raided by Authorities in Homophobic Attack

March 29, 2020

The Ugandan Government has raided a safe shelter for homeless victims of human rights abuses. While sheltered in place and in protection form the Corona Virus outbreak, authorities sought fit to victimize the residents, with homophobic slurs and physical beatings to solicit confessions as to their sexuality. At this time we believe approximately 23 people … More Ugandan Homeless Shelter Raided by Authorities in Homophobic Attack

Ugandan Mob Attacks NGO Amidst Increasing Violence against the LGBTI Community

October 21, 2019

Police arrest the Human Rights Victims Instead of the Mob Perpetrators Tonight at African HRC we received a message that Let’s Walk Uganda (LWU), a local LGBTQI support group was under attack by a mob, screaming outside their offices. Another prominent human rights organization HRAPF was immediately called in to push for police protection.  Seventeen … More Ugandan Mob Attacks NGO Amidst Increasing Violence against the LGBTI Community

History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

August 21, 2019

The banning of the South African Apartheid Flag as a symbol of hate now historically stands in stark and judicial contrast to the LGBTQI Rainbow flag – in effect expressly ruled a symbol of love! The Black Monday protests, which flared-up in October 2017 in South Africa, forced the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SA Human … More History Made as the Rainbow Flag Ruled for Love Against Apartheid Hate

MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

June 10, 2019

7 MASKS 1 STORY – This is MASK 01 out of 7 MASK stories which will be told each day this week: If you care you will share! For the past ten years I have been working with LGBTQ individuals and communities in several African Countries in the global attempt to thwart homophobia and deal with … More MASK 01: UNHCR System is Not Working for Persecuted LGBTI Refugees

ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

March 24, 2019

On 20 March, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 13th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia, authored by Lucas Ramón Mendos. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation – a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general … More ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights

AHRC Implores Media and LGBTQI Community to use Smollett Hoax Positively

February 21, 2019

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been arrested, is appearing in a Chicago Court and faces a felony charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report claiming two men attacked him last month. Statement by Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC/ African HRC), first appearing HERE: I am stunned to … More AHRC Implores Media and LGBTQI Community to use Smollett Hoax Positively

Groundbreaking LGBTI Study Shows Ugandan Parents Anger, Denial and Stigma

February 20, 2019

GROUNDBREAKING STUDY OF UGANDAN PARENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS LGBTI FAMILY MEMBERS SHOWS ANGER, DENIAL, DISBELIEF, STIGMA — AND ALSO, A DESIRE TO LEARN Chapter Four Uganda, an organization working for the promotion of civil and political rights for marginalized populations today released findings of a baseline study of the perceptions and experiences of parents, families and … More Groundbreaking LGBTI Study Shows Ugandan Parents Anger, Denial and Stigma

If the Jussie Smollett Attack was a Hoax ….

February 17, 2019

According to Chicago media, Jussie Smollett paid two brothers to stage an attack against him, directed them to buy items used in the alleged assault and actually rehearsed it with them. Sources apparently tell media that at least one of the brothers bought the rope used in the incident at Smollett’s request. All I am … More If the Jussie Smollett Attack was a Hoax ….

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

May 14, 2018

It is hard to believe that in 2018, this is still happening: Ugandan Ethics and Integrity Minister, Simon Lokodo, has blocked an HIV/Aids conference, saying it was organized to promote “homosexuality and other dirty things.” ALL AFRICA: In an interview with the Daily Monitor on Wednesday, Fr Lokodo said the conference organized by the Uganda … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Bans HIV/AIDS Conference

Ugandan Pride Cancelled and Government Minister Threatens Physical Harm

August 16, 2017

It is with sadness that we report the unconscionable ongoing persecution of LGBTI people in Uganda, where the Government helms attacks through homophobia and fails its own Constitution that purports to guarantee freedoms to all its citizens. It is this that serves to underpin the cancellation of Uganda Pride as explained by the organizers, below. … More Ugandan Pride Cancelled and Government Minister Threatens Physical Harm

Travel Warnings as Honduras Murder of Gay Couple Motivated by Homophobia

May 20, 2017

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

IDAHOT 2017 Rally Pictures and African HRC Speech in Castro

May 18, 2017

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

WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

May 16, 2017

The World Bank: Despite some legal and social advances in the past two decades, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people continue to face widespread discrimination and violence in many countries. This leads to exclusion and adversely affects both the lives of LGBTI people as well as on the communities and economies in which they … More WORLD BANK Organizes Events to Commemorate IDAHOT

San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

May 15, 2017

The date of Chelsea Manning’s liberation coincides with the IDAHOT, on May 17 The San Francisco Bay area community will gather for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on Wed., May 17, 2017, 6 to 7pm, at Harvey Milk Plaza (2401 Market at Castro Street.) Participants in IDAHOT events globally will be posting … More San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

Anti-Gay Gambian President Ousted

December 2, 2016

Yahya Jammeh, the Gambian president, known for his virulent homophobia and vicious anti-gay threats, has been ousted in this week’s presidential election in The Gambia. Jammeh, an authoritarian president for 22 years, suffered this surprise defeat in the country’s general election. He will be replaced by a property developer, Adama Barrow, who won more than 45% of … More Anti-Gay Gambian President Ousted

Moving Condolensces from Uganda to Orlando

June 15, 2016

LGBT persecution in many African countries is severe, including Uganda. There persecution is openly practiced with impunity. Violence against the LGBT community is not unusual. It is institutionalized,  and people have had to navigate years and years of their government threatening to enact the death penalty against them.  Many have gone into hiding or exile. … More Moving Condolensces from Uganda to Orlando

South African message of condolence to US following Orlando Massacre

June 14, 2016

It am pleased to note that  South Africa’s President Zuma has issued a statement condemning the massacre of LGBT Americans.   Indeed this is an important statement to make and I am grateful for it. Yet cannot help but note the hypocrisy and in doing so – lets hope speaking out brings renewed consciousness. Here … More South African message of condolence to US following Orlando Massacre