Tag: Human rights

Keeping the UN Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Opening Remarks Lively

April 15, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 15, 2013 “Ladies, gentlemen, and all those in between” is how Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened the United Nation’s Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ conference today in Oslo.  Potential for something good, I thought. He spoke not only of grave human rights violations (in general … More Keeping the UN Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Opening Remarks Lively

USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

April 9, 2013

$11 million, four-year initiative to further LGBT equality worldwide By Cathy Kristofferson, April 08, 2013 Following the United Nations’ historic resolution endorsing LGBT human rights in 2011, President Obama issued a mandate to all agencies involved with foreign aid and development to “enhance their ongoing efforts with governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector … More USAID announces LGBT Global Development Partnership

‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

April 8, 2013

Gay icon, or just a supporter of ‘individual liberty’? By Cathy Kristofferson,  April 08, 2013 The BBC is reporting that The Iron Lady ex-Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher has died.  Thatcher, a staunch conservative, supported the decriminalization of homosexuality back in 1967.   As PM her government later legalized homosexuality in both Scotland and Northern … More ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher has died

Watch UN recieve Award for Social Cohesion and Economic Development

April 6, 2013

 Award Ceremony for the 2013 New Economy Forum Prize for Social Cohesion and Economic Development, presented to United Nations in Spain. In a profound and moving acceptance speech,  the UN Secretary-General  Ban Ki-moon noted that we need to be Global citizens, while he received the award in the name of democracy and human rights, for  … More Watch UN recieve Award for Social Cohesion and Economic Development

Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

March 13, 2013

The issue comes down to this: there’s a big difference between uncomfortable and unsafe By Cathy Kristofferson, March 13, 2013. Last night at the Medford City Council meeting we witnessed round three of the organized attempt to derail the MA Dept. of Ed’s Gender Identity Policy guidelines at the hands of one city councilor and … More Paid Lobbyist Attempts to Derail MA Dept. of Ed Gender Identity Policy Guidance

School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

March 7, 2013

Transgender students bullied by legislators and hate groups line up to oppose implementation and launch attack on Commissioner By Cathy Kristofferson, March 07, 2013. A couple of weeks ago I saw a post “Massachusetts Takes The Lead On Rights For Transgender Students“.  Being a MA native I smiled and perused probably while mumbling “of course … More School policy for Gender Identity draws legislative bullies

OUTING Red Pepper owners and staff for persecution of Gays in Uganda

February 26, 2013

Ugandans actively working to persecute fellow Ugandans – yes here we OUT the criminals current Red Pepper crew By Melanie Nathan, February 25, 2013. For many years, the Ugandan tabloid, Red Pepper has purposely targeted alleged gay, lesbian and transgender people, outing them in the print magazine, often using pictures accompanied by pervasive rhetoric.    The … More OUTING Red Pepper owners and staff for persecution of Gays in Uganda

Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

February 16, 2013

For statements deemed pro-gay By Melanie Nathan, February 16, 2013. Bishop Zac Niringiye, the retired assistant Bishop of Kampala, known as the leader of the controversial “Black Monday” Movement, was giving presentation to students at Makerere University, Kampala, when a a group of angry anti-gay Christian students turned rowdy and threatened to expel him from … More Ugandan Bishop Attacked by Anti-Gay Makerere University Students

Malaysia Should End Discriminatory Laws Against Gay People

January 23, 2013

By Evelyn Dent, January 22, 2013. Late last year, Human Rights Watch sent a letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. stating that the country should put an end to discriminatory and human-rights-violating government policies that criminalize members of the LGBT community. Under Malaysian law, it is still illegal to engage in … More Malaysia Should End Discriminatory Laws Against Gay People

U.S. Pastor accuses gays of persecuting Christians in lead up to UK Oxford Union invitation

January 23, 2013

The Scott Lively Connive | A Lecture at Oxford Union, UK  in an attempt to win sympathy in SMUG vs. Lively Well this may or may not be the speech Scott Lively has planned for his address of the students at Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, but he did re-publish it on his “Defend … More U.S. Pastor accuses gays of persecuting Christians in lead up to UK Oxford Union invitation

Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

January 15, 2013

MHRC 31st  Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Dinner Jan. 24th | Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Highlights Connections to Civil Rights Movement’s Bayard Rustin The 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Gala will be held by the Marin Human Rights Commission at The Four Points Sheraton on January 24, 2013, to honor Marin’s … More Marin County’s Human Rights Commission Awards to Honor Community Advocates

UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

December 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2012. Amongst its many human rights related missions, Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues. According to their LGBT mission statement  they “document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including … More UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 16, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2012. A fellow campaigner for the human rights of LGBTI people, Richard Willmer, has been following the saga of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB, a.k.a. Bahati Bill or the ‘Hang-the-Gays’ Bill) in Uganda since the Bill broke cover in late 2009, as it continues its journey and various parliamentary incarnations. Richard … More A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Is Facebook Going to BAN Uganda because of AHB

December 4, 2012

I have not independently verified this source. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012,  10:21 AM Will Mark Zuckerberg may deliver the ultimate blow.  This could be  a move even more powerful than cutting AID by major Government.  Zuckerberg could well hold the ultimate key of isolation.  While Gay Ugandan activists will lose a treasured method … More Is Facebook Going to BAN Uganda because of AHB

Will Uganda Turn its Back on The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

December 1, 2012

Protection for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – A Paper POSTED on Dec 01, 2012.   If Uganda legislates its new proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill it may find itself in international hot water; and those in high authority who support and  enforce it may find themselves accused of crimes against humanity, unable to travel internationally, with … More Will Uganda Turn its Back on The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Watch Video Ugandan Anti-Gay Resolution Fails and Embarrasses Pan African Parliament

October 11, 2012

“It is a bizarre resolution and it will never pass” By Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2012. At The Pan African Parliament‘s  session  in Johannesburg on 9 October, Ugandan delegate, Ogwal Cecilia Barbara faced the fact that her anti-gay resolution was not only without merit, but also an embarrassment to her country. Barbara tried to introduce  … More Watch Video Ugandan Anti-Gay Resolution Fails and Embarrasses Pan African Parliament

Human Rights Watch Reports Ugandan Government’s Increasing Harassment of LGBT NGO’s

August 21, 2012

BY MELANIE NATHAN, AUGUST 21, 2012. In a report released today, Human Rights watch (HRW) asserts that research and advocacy organizations in Uganda which deal with controversial topics are facing increasing harassment by Uganda’s government. Groups have recently faced forced closure of meetings, threats, harassment, arrest, and punitive bureaucratic interference. The 50-page report, “Curtailing Criticism: … More Human Rights Watch Reports Ugandan Government’s Increasing Harassment of LGBT NGO’s

Celibate Ugandan Minister of Ethics Simon Lokodo Attempts to Justify Gay Arrests

August 13, 2012

The Cherubs protest so loudly they can hardly wait for that echo “….I am not gay!” But they will kill you if YOU are – either drive gay youth to suicide or find a law to hang gays! By Melanie Nathan, August 13, 2012. A photographer from the United Kingdom, Rachel Adams, recently got together … More Celibate Ugandan Minister of Ethics Simon Lokodo Attempts to Justify Gay Arrests

Hate Speech as Ugandan Minister Onek Vows to Kill NGO’s that Help Gays

August 8, 2012

By Melanie Nathan August 08,2012. Watch Ugandan media and officials describe homosexuality as decadence, while  Minister Onek vows to clamp down  on all non profit organizations that he says hide this promotion of decadence behind so called “human rights.”   The ministry has decided it will conduct checks on all NGO’s looking “for suspected culprits.” The … More Hate Speech as Ugandan Minister Onek Vows to Kill NGO’s that Help Gays

Ugandan Police Raid Beach Pride Party Arrest LGBT Activists

August 4, 2012

Yet Activists pull off historic pride event! Melanie Nathan, August 4, 2012 For several weeks  and with great excitement Ugandan LGBT activists have been building a Beach Pride event. The idea was to celebrate with friends and to hold a private party for those who wanted to attend. Activists kept the Pride event under wraps … More Ugandan Police Raid Beach Pride Party Arrest LGBT Activists

Watch President Bill Clinton’s Speech at AIDS 2012

July 28, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 28, 2012 Thousands of delegates signed the Washington, D.C. Declaration, the official declaration of the XIX International AIDS Conference. The declaration states that we must strive for multi-disciplinary approaches that respect and uphold the human rights and dignity of all people affected by the epidemic and calls for nine concrete actions. … More Watch President Bill Clinton’s Speech at AIDS 2012

AIDS 2012 to Discuss HIV and World Travel Bans

July 21, 2012

Dr Paul de Lay, Deputy Executive Director of the UNAIDS Programme said “Every individual should have the right to freedom of movement, regardless of their HIV status. UNAIDS is opposed to any restriction imposed on people living with HIV and restricting movement only on the basis of their HIV status. These restrictions are discriminatory.”
… More AIDS 2012 to Discuss HIV and World Travel Bans

Where Law Meets Reality |Forging African Traditional Justice

July 13, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 13, 2012.If anyone would like to review this for my BLOG, please let me know. I have yet to read it. It looks like an important topic that we could all learn a lot from, especially the context of LGBTI lives. I wonder if it makes reference to LGBTI issues at … More Where Law Meets Reality |Forging African Traditional Justice

Congresswoman Requests Secretary Clinton to Deny US Entry to Anti-GAY Ugandan Giles Muhame

July 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 11, 2012. SAN FRANCISCO – Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, a Democrat  who represents Marin and Sonoma Counties in California has requested that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton deny Giles Muhame of Uganda, a VISA to the United States for being one “of the worst human rights violators in the world.” Giles Muhame, … More Congresswoman Requests Secretary Clinton to Deny US Entry to Anti-GAY Ugandan Giles Muhame

Gay Flag of South Africa at World Pride Parade Hopes to end Homophobia

July 8, 2012

South Africa’s Gay Flag flies in London,  amidst the threat of revocation of equality and heightened violence precipitated by homophobia By Melanie Nathan, July 08, 2012. LONDON- More than 250000 people turned out to celebrate World Pride 2012 in London last Saturday (7 July) and marching in the crowd was The Gay Flag of South … More Gay Flag of South Africa at World Pride Parade Hopes to end 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

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

Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay

April 7, 2012

Calling for a more calculated course to curb Africa’s anti-gay human rights path while  admonishments seem to cause backlash By Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2012 Educated people know that being gay is not a lifestyle it is simply a state of being. It is a concomitant of one’s makeup, a birth right,  if you will. … More Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay