Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

GALZ Chairperson summoned to appear in court By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2013. The Chairperson of GALZ, Martha Tholanah has been summoned to appear in Rotten Row Magistrate Court on the12th of December 2013 to answer charges accusing her of running an “unregistered” organization. The summons was served on Tholanah’s Lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, a member … More Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

By Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2013. On Sunday, November 24, 2013,  LGBT activists and allies will be holding an event at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., to “Save Russian LGBT Children.” This event is to support the rights of Russian LGBT teens and kids who are oppressed by Putin and his … More Action in D.C. to Save the Children from Anti-gay Putin

Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

AND the best way to do it is through an INVESTIGATION By Melanie Nathan, Nov 21, 2013. We have recently reported on a spate of arrests and now the Ugandan press is reporting that the Ugandan Government is investigating four prominent secondary schools in Kampala and Wakiso districts over allegations that their students are involved … More Ugandan Minister of Ethics Conjures Up GAYS in Schools to promote Anti-Gay Legislation

Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov. 20, 2013. We pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on … More Transgender Day of Remembrance |Remembering Naoimi

New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance  Organization Urges New Yorkers to Reflect on All Those Lost to Anti-Transgender Violence Including Harlem Resident, Islan Nettles New York, NY, November 20, 2013- On this 15th Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is urging New Yorkers to … More New Yorkers Urged to Reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance

Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 16, 2013 The Jamaica Gleaner is reporting that Maurice Tomlinson has lost his suit against Jamaica’s major television stations TVJ and CVM for refusing to air his gay positive “Love and Respect” Public Service Announcements (PSA). The court found that Tomlinson’s freedom of expression does not give him the right to … More Gay positive PSA ban upheld in Jamaica

GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

By Melanie Nathan, November 16, 2013 Lest I forget this caveat, I am co-producing the film GAY U.S.A. the Movie, with Kristina Lapinski, the ‘lesbian filmmaker,’ famed amongst other antics, for tackling Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, at a Tea Party Debate. This, the latest video, poised to go viral, captures a series of extraordinary … More GAY U.S.A. the Movie Launches Magnificent Marriage Equality Video

Outrage in Ugandan LGBT Community as Activist Faces Possible Life in Prison

Outrage as basic rights are infringed  By Melanie Nathan, November 15, 2013. Samuel K. Ganafa,  Executive Director of Spectrum Uganda Initiatives and Board Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), was arrested on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  He had reported to Kasangati Police Station on the outskirts of Kampala pursuant to a phone call from the … More Outrage in Ugandan LGBT Community as Activist Faces Possible Life in Prison

Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

By Melanie Nathan, Nov 14, 2013. Using an official Senate space, American supporters of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws will come to Capitol Hill tomorrow to argue that these hateful policies should serve as an example for us here in United States. The American anti-gays such as Scott Lively have provoked the Hate Bills in foreign jurisdictions … More Family Symposium Uses Anti-Gay Russian Law to Promote its Message in U.S. Senate Building

Warrant out for Arrest of Russian Maxim Martsinkevich who Tortures and Rapes Gays

Judging by the accusations of two new victims, it would seem that Martsinkevich himself has been sexually aroused by these encounters. By Melanie Nathan, November 11, 2013. We recently featured a story here on OBLOGDEE naming Maxim Martsinkevich, also known as “Tesak”,  as WANTED – using the instance of kidnappings and assaults of young gay … More Warrant out for Arrest of Russian Maxim Martsinkevich who Tortures and Rapes Gays

Russian group visits the Castro to discuss LGBT Human Rights

By Melanie Nathan, November 11, 2013. I was privileged today to attend a meeting with the the group of LGBT Russians and organizers, at the San Francisco LGBT Center in the Castro, to discuss LGBT human rights in Russia.  The group is visitng the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s International … More Russian group visits the Castro to discuss LGBT Human Rights

European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

By Oram, November 07, 2013. Lesbian and gay asylum seekers in the European Union can no longer be told to go home and pretend they’re straight. The European Union Court of Justice ruled Thursday, November 7th, that ‘voluntary discretion’ is not an acceptable rationale for rejecting asylum claims based on persecution grounded in sexual orientation. … More European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

What is the point of ENDA now? By Cathy Kristofferson, November 5, 2013 Republicans have introduced two amendments to the already highly contentious religious exemption of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), further watering down the bill’s protections. With all Democrats already committed to vote Yes and only 59 votes secured, supporting Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) … More Republican amendments further water down ENDA protections

Tuxedoed Gay Activist Seizes Stage at London Symphony

GAY ACTIVIST ONCE AGAIN DISRUPTS CONCERT CONDUCTED BY PUTIN SUPPORTER VALERY GERGIEVAT THE BARBICAN IN LONDON Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 01, 2013. London, November 1, 2013— The opening night of London Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Valery Gergiev’s new concert season at the Barbican in London was disrupted last night (31 October) by a protest … More Tuxedoed Gay Activist Seizes Stage at London Symphony

Gays Protest Putin’s Homophobic Laws at U.S. Olympic Committee SOCHI Launch

New York, NY (October 29, 2013) — Two dozen members of Queer Nation interrupted the smooth flow of the opening event of the US Olympic Committee’s Road to Sochi tour, which launched in Times Square today. As the Road to Sochi event began at 12:00 pm with a press conference featuring Olympic and Paralympic athletes, … More Gays Protest Putin’s Homophobic Laws at U.S. Olympic Committee SOCHI Launch

Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

SEE VIDEO Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 28, 2013. New York, NY (October 28, 2013) — Gay activists directly confronted Russian government officials over that country’s anti-LGBT laws during a forum to promote US investment in Russia, disrupting a panel promoting investment in Moscow.One after another, three members of Queer Nation rose to question the … More Queer Nation Disrupts Russian Government Officials at Investment Forum

Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

Are we serious and important enough to find our Mandela? By Melanie Nathan, October 18, 2013. In his first speech upon his release from prison, Nelson Mandela acknowledged the importance of the sanctions and boycotts against the Apartheid regime. Newly free, he asked that those sanctions NOT be lifted until apartheid was completely eradicated and … More Setting the Imperative Goal | America’s LGBT Community Complicit in its Own Marginalization

Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Scott Lively brags about partnership with Russian Orthodox Church while pushing hate, pimping his book, and posing for the TV cameras… in Russia! By Cathy Kristofferson, October 18, 2013 American Evangelical anti-gay hate monger Scott Lively is currently “on a one-week mission to bolster the Russian pro-family movement” in Russia, he reports on his blog … More Scott Lively in Russia to bolster anti-gay hate and partner with Russian Orthodox Church

Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 17, 2013. San Francisco, 16 October 2013 – Europe’s leading civil society network for refugees accepted its first LGBTI member, last week. ORAM (Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration) – is proud to announce that the European Council of Refugees & Exiles (ECRE) Board has voted to accept ORAM into … More Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

For Crimes Against Humanity by Magembe Norman, October 12, 2013. Uganda is one of the most homophobic nations in the world and it is estimated that over 500,000 L.G.B.T people in the country are at risk of harassment and discrimination. With Homosexuality already illegal in the country punishable by incarceration, there is no single law … More Help ask International Criminal Court to Investigate and Prosecute The Top 3 Homophobic Ugandans

Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

“Gergiev, Your Silence is Killing Russian Gays” by Melanie Nathan, Ocytober 10, 2013. New York, NY (October 10, 2013) — Tonight, four members of the LGBT rights group Queer Nation disrupted the performance of the Mariinsky Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, demanding that Gergiev oppose the Russian government’s attacks on LGBT Russians and … More Queer Nation Disrupts Carnegie Hall Performance

Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

LGBT Rights Group Again Targets Conductor Linked to Putin By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. New York, NY (October 9, 2013) — In the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the Russian government’s anti-gay laws, Queer Nation will stage a demonstration at Carnegie Hall on October 10. The target of the protest is … More Queer Nation to Protest Russian Conductor at Carnegie Hall

South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

By Melanie Nathan, October 09, 2013. Johannesburg People’s Pride (JHBPP) took place in Constitution Hill on the 5th of October 2013. The theme People’s Pride indeed spoke for itself, because it embodied all kinds of People. JHBPP was not only for LGBTI people even heterosexuals were there. Lebo Mashile (poet) also graced the day with her presence. … More South Africans Deliver the First People’s Pride

Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

View Moving Pictures By Melanie Nathan, October 01, 2013. Despite its all inclusive constitution, declaring full equality for all South Africans, including gays, lesbians, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, and despite the independence of its judiciary system, South Africa’s LGBTI community still suffers extreme homophobia and it’s LGBTI refugee community suffers Xenophobia in addition to … More Soweto Pride 2013 defies South African Homophobia

Scott Lively Sends Out a Hit List Targets Federal Judge and Lesbian Activist

Is Lively asking his flock to pray or prey? By Cathy Kristofferson, September 25, 2013 After failing, yet again, to have the case against him for Crimes Against Humanity dismissed, Scott Lively has sent what is tantamount to a persecutory email to his followers containing a ‘hit list’ of those who are supporting the prosecution … More Scott Lively Sends Out a Hit List Targets Federal Judge and Lesbian Activist

Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Life in prison for being in loving gay relationships compared to 5-15 years for raping students By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2013. Reuters reports from Sierra Leone that Deputy Education Minister Mamoud Tarawali has been charged with raping a university student, according to police. Sierra Leone is a country that criminalizes loving gay relationships. The … More Sierra Leone’s Straight Deputy Education Minister Charged with Raping Student

Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

ZANELE MUHOLI | VISUAL ACTIVISM AND BLACK LESBIAN VISIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA By Melanie Nathan, September 17, 2013. Award winning South African lesbian artist and activist Zanele Muholi will appear with her works at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center to discuss her visual activism, her work with the queer media collective Inkayiso, her … More Famed South African Lesbian Visual Activist to Present at Los Angeles LGBT Center

Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed

I AM WONDERING when we are going to hear more about this travesty from international activists. Has Russia put us to sleep on Africa? Usurping all our outrage for the human right infractions against LGBT people in Africa? By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2013. The Lusaka High Court has ruled that trial should commence in … More Where is Outrage as Zambian Judge Orders Gay Activist Trial to Proceed