Tag: LGBT rights

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

June 24, 2014

Secretary of State Kerry Pays Lip Service to LGBTI Equality While Denying Pride Visas for LGBTI Africans By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014. Last Thursday U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was the keynote speaker at the State Department’s GLIFAA Pride event. While the secretary gushed about his department’s accomplishments for LGBTI people and reminded … More LGBT Africans Denied Visas to San Francisco Pride

Poor Scott Lively bullied and intimidated by homo-fascists

May 21, 2013

Homo-Fascism vs. the First Amendment… By the Editors, May 21, 2013 Scott Lively has long taken full advantage of his First Amendment rights and while no one would ever deny him that right, it certainly becomes pitiful when he whines about us not loving his hate when he exercises it.  He is welcome to scurry … More Poor Scott Lively bullied and intimidated by homo-fascists

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Bermuda considering Equality Act can be an example to USA Gay leadership

November 4, 2012

Can the Gay Movement in the USA learn from Bermuda By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2012. While the USA enters this critical election  week with its anti-gay same sex marriage ballot initiatives in various States and its two prominent parties at opposite ends of the spectrum on the issue LGBTI rights and equality, the world … More Bermuda considering Equality Act can be an example to USA Gay leadership

California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

June 6, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, June 05, 2012 We are on  the home stretch of Proposition 8’s wild ride through the Courts with a set of victories that will either reinstate same-sex marriage for Californians or result in the Supreme Court of the United States hearing the case. I wrote a very personal article back in 2009 … More California Prop 8 on the Way to Victory Revisiting My Child’s Wounds

Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

February 21, 2012

Or stop being hypocrites by displaying diversity programs on your websites….  LGBT people who work for Barclays worldwide should be asking their employers to speak out against criminalization of homosexuality before it is too late!  This applies to all doing business in Africa! By Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012, (I first wrote this piece on … More Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

February 21, 2012

CA Senator Mark Leno Introduces Bill Reaffirming Religious Freedom . SB 1140 reinforces that no clergy member will be required to perform any marriage that is against his or her belief system. So maybe the religious right can stop whining about lesbian and gay civil rights to marriage equality. by Mel Nathan, February 21st, 2012 … More California Senator Mark Leno’s BIll Should Help Thwart Religious Freedom Fears

Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

February 19, 2012

Do Western Activists have a role? This Article explores that question only in part, intending to set up the discussion. By Melanie Nathan, Feb 19, 2012 It seems as if the Ugandan Minister Lokodo thinks he has the right to autocratically order arrests of gays and lesbians before the new  (anti-gay) law in Uganda that … More Uganda Persecution of Gays Starts before the Kill the Gays Bill Passage

Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

February 9, 2012

Ugandan  Parliament erupts in applause as Government pretends to distance itself from the kill the Gays Bill  by Melanie Nathan, February 09, 2012 We have been reporting for the past ten days about Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality bill of  2009 which has been reintroduced in its original form into the Ugandan 9th Parliament.   This Bill includes … More Video Ugandan Parliament Erupts into Applause as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Introduced

California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

February 6, 2012

Breaking News Prop 8 Ruling TOMORROW morning | Events Planned . February 6th, 2012 COMMUNITY EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON DAY NINTH CIRCUIT ANNOUNCES PROP 8 DECISION Please join same-sex couples, LGBTIQ people, friends, family, and clergy for 2 events on the day that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals announces its decision regarding Proposition … More California Braces for Prop 8 Ruling | List of Pro Same-sex Marriage Events

One year Memorial in Uganda for our Murdered Comrade David Kato

January 25, 2012

Ugandan LGBTI activists are holding a day of remembrance and services for brother David Kato , the outspoken LGBTI activist who was brutally murdered last year. Kato known to be  the most vocal gay rights advocate in Uganda, a country where homophobia is so severe that Parliament is considering a bill to execute gay people.  … More One year Memorial in Uganda for our Murdered Comrade David Kato

Zulu King Homophobic Spit on South African Constitution | President Jacob Zuma Stands by in Silence

January 23, 2012

I am calling on President Jacob Zuma to condemn homophobic remarks on Center stage in harsher terms; his feeble attempt at reprimand does not make leadership grade! By Melanie Nathan – January 23, 2011 Johannesburg – Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini has criticized people who engage in same sex relationships, labelling them as “rotten”, according … More Zulu King Homophobic Spit on South African Constitution | President Jacob Zuma Stands by in Silence

Liberian Gays Assaulted | African Press and The Anti-Gay Attacks

January 22, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 22, 2012 In Liberia where same-sex relationships are outlawed and sodomy criminalized with fines, a Liberian pro-Gay group, “Movement in Defence of Gay and Lesbian Rights”  came under physical assault when promoting LGBT  rights. The group’s leaders, LeRoy Archie Pon-pon and Abraham Kamara, apparently escaped death last week at the hands … More Liberian Gays Assaulted | African Press and The Anti-Gay Attacks

Newt Gingrich Defecated on Traditional Marriage

January 19, 2012

Open marriage and divorce seems to be what Newt Gingrich thinks marriage is about. The old news is now well documented, Newt Gingrich, who while engaged in an affair with Callista, so insensitively asked his ex-wife Marianne for a divorce, over the phone while she was attending her mother’s 84th birthday. The would be Republican … More Newt Gingrich Defecated on Traditional Marriage

LGBTI South Africa | Human Rights Conference Deals with Homophobia and Health Issues

January 17, 2012

PRETORIA – The Aids and Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (Arasa)  addressed a meeting of Human Rights Defender organizations to discuss human rights issues with a focus on LGBTI issues and how to improve resources for health and responses to homophobia. The two day meeting, in Pretoria, South Africa, began today and brings together human … More LGBTI South Africa | Human Rights Conference Deals with Homophobia and Health Issues

Australian Open | Laura Robson’s Rainbow Hairband Defies Margaret’s Court

January 17, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 17, 2012 British tennis player Laura Robson defied the Court by wearing a rainbow colored hair band in Melbourne on Monday in support of gay and lesbian rights during her match at the Australian Open. There may well be a lot more to what was meant as a gesture of solidarity … More Australian Open | Laura Robson’s Rainbow Hairband Defies Margaret’s Court

Saudi Man Arrested for Gay Dating via Facebook

January 15, 2012

By Guests Dan Littauer and Sami Hamwi, 13.01.2012 Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) As British Prime Minister, David Cameron visits Saudi Arabia today, activists report the plight of a man arrested by the religious police who may face corporal punishment. Activists are concerned for the safety of a 30-year-old man arrested by the religious … More Saudi Man Arrested for Gay Dating via Facebook

Suicide of Gay Anti Bullying Activist EricJames Borges

January 14, 2012

Raised in an extremist Christian household, assaulted in classroom with a teacher present, EricJames Borges, 19,  was repeatedly bullied, tormented, terrorized,  for the duration of his childhood and teen  years. He came out with the video “it Gets better”  below, yet he could not live through the pain. EricJames committed suicide yesterday! “Disgusting, perverted, unnatural … More Suicide of Gay Anti Bullying Activist EricJames Borges

Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

January 13, 2012

Today, the Washington state senate filed a bill that would make the State seventh in the union to legalize marriage equality.  If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, anti-LGBT groups are likely to try and overturn it at the November ballot. The senate bill which is supported by Gov. Christine Gregoire … More Marriage Equality Bill Introduced into Washington State Senate with 2 Republicans Sponsoring

Ugandan Monitor Article Suggests Gays Called for their Own Hanging

January 9, 2012

Melanie Nathan, January 01,2012 Mr. Bernard Sabiti, a self proclaimed social critic in Uganda, with clear political aspirations, and probably a Museveni Regime Bahati sock puppet, has upped the anti-gay ante in his country in an insidious attempt to discredit gays.   Activists around the world are responding to Sabiti’s claim in an article he wrote … More Ugandan Monitor Article Suggests Gays Called for their Own Hanging

Hungary’s New Constitution Causes Mass Protests

January 3, 2012

 Sacrifices 1989 Constitutional safeguard amendments; excludes LGBTI, bans same-sex marriage and abortion Posted by Editor, Jan 03, 2011, BUDAPEST;- Hungary has a new constitution, and it has caused tens of thousand of people to take to the streets. The Constitution which was enacted with a vote of  262-44 in April of last year, bans marriage … More Hungary’s New Constitution Causes Mass Protests

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

January 1, 2012

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!

December 31, 2011

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!

Five Gay Activists Arrested as third Russian Region Passes Anti-gay Laws

December 30, 2011

By Guest writer Paul Canning, Dec 30, 2011 And Other Russian matter for consideration- A third Russian region has passed an anti-gay law banning LGBT organizing and public actions. Five activists have been arrested whilst protesting the law.   Kostroma, a region located 300 km north east of Moscow, has become the third Russian region to … More Five Gay Activists Arrested as third Russian Region Passes Anti-gay Laws

WATCH VIDEO: Hillary Clinton and LGBT State Department Video –

December 28, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2011 “Stand Up for the Dignity of  All Your Citizens”  Hillary Clinton, Human Rights Speech, Geneva Dec , 2011 Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s Geneva Human Rights speech has been memorialized by a montage of LGBTI pride impacted against her words.The Video was produced and presented on the website by … More WATCH VIDEO: Hillary Clinton and LGBT State Department Video –

Americans must Heed the Cry of African LGBTI Victims

December 22, 2011

“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

Watch Video: Iraqi Gays and The Bush War Legacy

December 16, 2011

All Americans are relieved that the U.S., led by Commander in Chief President Barack Obama has concluded the unwanted Bush War in Iraq.  But for Gay (LGBTI) Iraqis there is no relief, just a desperate reality as they seek refuge from their hopeless displacement.” By Melanie Nathan, Dec 15, 2011. With the lowering and return … More Watch Video: Iraqi Gays and The Bush War Legacy

What is Kofi Annan Doing About LGBTI Human Rights In Africa?

December 14, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, December 14, 2011 Back in August  2003, then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan came out in favour of  marriage equality.  LGBTI Africans knew they had a friend in Kofi Annan, who attended part of a LGBTI activist conference held at the United Nations which demanded that international treaties such as the … More What is Kofi Annan Doing About LGBTI Human Rights In Africa?