Tag: LGBT

Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

January 18, 2016

The Hypocrisy of Rea Carey and the LGBT Task Force : “Our vision for the future of the movement is one that is broad, inclusive and dynamic” – and yet they ban a pre-arranged and once accepted  Jewish event within days of the Conference. See Call to Action below! By Melanie Nathan, January 18, 2016. … More Famed LGBT Voices Blast Task Force For Banning Jewish Event from Creating Change Conference

HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

January 14, 2016

Transgender activists, Trans Community and all who care please take note of this call to action by the Federal Government and leading organizations! Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently published a new regulation that it is considering adopting, one that would, for the first … More HUD Wants your Input on New Rules for Transgender Shelter Seekers

Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

January 14, 2016

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 14, 2016 Lambda Legal today filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Boulder County property owner who violated the federal Fair Housing Act and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to rent a housing unit she owns in Gold Hill, Colorado, to a same-sex couple, one of whom is transgender, … More Lambda Legal Sues Boulder County Property Owner for Denying Housing to LGBT Family

TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

December 28, 2015

Bill Would Punish Transgender People with Jail Time for Using Bathroom Posted by Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) denounces an Indiana bill singling out transgender students and adults for discrimination. Introduced by Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes, Senate Bill 35 would prohibit transgender students in … More TLDEF Condemns Indiana Bill Targeting Transgender Youth and Adults

New York Times Sparks Breitbart Article Scapegoating against LGBT Human Rights Advocacy

December 22, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. Who has hurt African LGBT people more?  Is that the question?  Ask yourself always – where did it start and unless one fails to place a story in its absolute and full context, then we can be assured there is no truth.  The New York Times published a somewhat … More New York Times Sparks Breitbart Article Scapegoating against LGBT Human Rights Advocacy

Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

December 19, 2015

December 19, 2015 Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African HRC Candidate for the Democratic U.S. Presidential nomination, former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has outlined a comprehensive LGBT policy plan for domestic and global LGBT issues. While we at African Human Rights Coalition are grateful to Secretary Clinton for her recognition of the plight of … More Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

Exiled Gay Pastor Struggles to Survive After Being Outed by LGBT Christian Ministry

December 17, 2015

This is for those Other Sheep who recklessly expose the names and faces of LGBTI people in Africa. By Melanie Nathan, December 09, 2015. A few months ago, I was contacted by a man identifying himself as a gay pastor from an African country.  The man sought emergency help. He was on the border between … More Exiled Gay Pastor Struggles to Survive After Being Outed by LGBT Christian Ministry

Reassuring LGBT Refugees – Donald Trump is not the Voice of America

December 8, 2015

Trump’s remarks are so outrageous and irresponsible that at this point, although we are not a political organization, we cannot keep silent, to reassure the Muslim community of refugees and to condemn these statements. It is our opinion that all civil society organizations, especially those in the field of equality and human rights should speak out vehemently against Donald Trump’s continued use of the presidential campaign as a security risk and bully pulpit. … More Reassuring LGBT Refugees – Donald Trump is not the Voice of America

Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

November 26, 2015

” Organizations involved with LGBT issues and human rights defenders will be especially hard hit as the onerous legislation will impinge upon basic  freedoms, democracy and human rights. Democracy weeps!” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director,  African Human Rights Coalition. By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2015. We have received a report that the Ugandan Parliament, today,  passed … More Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

November 10, 2015

While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation.  I have posted the BBC transcript report here.  The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report  while providing crucial exposure, leaves … More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

November 6, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, November 06, 2015. In a victory for the country’s LGBT community, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled on November 4, 2015, that same-sex couples in Colombia can adopt children. Previously couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners, but after hours of debate a 6-2 … More Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston

November 4, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November, 03, 2015. After yesterday’s vote in Houston, Texas that repealed anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, a petition has sprung up on Change.org calling for the NFL to relocate the 2017 Super Bowl from Houston. Michael Jones, Deputy Managing Director, North America, Change.org notes:- “The petition, started by football fan Ben … More Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston

Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards

October 30, 2015

O’MALLEY WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO ENDORSE THE EQUALITY ACT, AND LONG HELD THE BELIEF THAT MARRIAGE IS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT A STATE RIGHT Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 30, 2015. DES MOINES, IA —Tonight, Governor O’Malley will be the first presidential candidate to address the Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards. Governor O’Malley has a … More Governor O’Malley Unveils Progressive LGBTQ Policies at Iowa Safe Schools Spirit Awards

Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

October 22, 2015

  By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and  … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

October 11, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2015. SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that provides new protections for transgender foster youth in California was signed into law today by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 731 ensures that all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender, are placed in appropriate homes where they … More California Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Signed into Law

History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

October 8, 2015

YES! for Gay People in Dutch Reformed Church – NG Kerk  – There were Tears of joy after the announcement. By Melanie Nathan, October 08, 2015. History was made in South Africa today, when the synod of  what was once probably the most conservative church on the planet, the Dutch Reformed Church, (NG Kerk/ DRC) … More History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

October 7, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 07, 2015. Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million … More New Federal Funding to Serve Homeless LGBTQ Youth in NYC

Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug

October 3, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 02, 2015. A few days ago, the Sharia police, in Indonesia, arrested  two young women aged 18 and 19, when they saw the pair hugging in a public place in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital. A police official told reporters that they “suspected the women were lesbians.” Yes with a mere … More Sharia Police Arrest Women for being Lesbian because of Public hug

San Francisco Police Officer Charged with Embezzlement from Pride Alliance

October 1, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 01, 2015. A former San Francisco police officer has been arrested and charged with embezzlement. Mike Evans, 34, was booked into San Francisco County Jail on Wednesday, charged with felony embezzlement and felony grand theft of $16,000 in dues from the department’s Pride Alliance for LGBT officers, according to SF Gate report. … More San Francisco Police Officer Charged with Embezzlement from Pride Alliance

Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents

October 1, 2015

CAP Report Outlines Barriers  Homeless Queer Youth Face in Obtaining Important Identification Documents Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2015. Washington, D.C. — Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, youth experience homelessness at a much higher rate than their non-LGBT peers. Like for most homeless youth, this leads to significant challenges … More Barriers LGBT Homeless Youth Face in Obtaining Important ID Documents

National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.

September 21, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 21, 2015. WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 21, 2015 — On the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, the National LGBTQ Task Force is making the following statement – through the words of Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director. “As an LGBTQ catholic myself, … More National LGBTQ Task Force Statement on Pope’s Visit to U.S.A.

New York LGBT Newfest Film Festival Announces Lineup

September 21, 2015

The festival is in partnership with Outfest, and presented by HBO – Runs October 22-27 Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 21, 2015. New York, NY (September 21, 2015) – NewFest, in partnership with Outfest, today announced the lineup of their 27th annual celebration of the year’s best LGBT films from around the world. The program of nearly 100 … More New York LGBT Newfest Film Festival Announces Lineup

Urging U.S. President to Designate Stonewall as National Monument to Honor LGBT Struggle

September 20, 2015

Stonewall Inn deserves our highest recognition,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Victories like the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the passage of marriage equality in New York State and the final, decisive Supreme Court ruling securing our freedom to marry, were borne from the modern equal rights movement launched at Stonewall. It’s time for a national monument honoring the legacy of people and events that took place here.” … More Urging U.S. President to Designate Stonewall as National Monument to Honor LGBT Struggle

Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

September 18, 2015

Gregg Jaffe at The Washington Post seems to think so…. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2015. President Obama will apparently nominate Eric Fanning to lead the United States Army, a move that would make him the first openly gay civilian secretary of one of the military services. While the Washington Post reports that this is … More Was Fanning Chosen by President Obama to Lead the Army Because he is Gay?

EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959

September 15, 2015

LGBT Disparities Reduction Act Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 15, 2015. This call to action to urge California Governor Jerry Brown to support the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, AB 959, has been sent tout by EQCA – please participate and pass around: As LGBT people in California, we are invisible. We’re invisible because the state … More EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959