Tag: LGBTI

Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

May 17, 2013

On IDAHO calling also on Ugandan Government to refrain from enacting The Kill the gays Bill by Melanie Nathan,  May 17, 2013 The International Day against Homophobia takes place on May 17th every year. On this day 23 years ago, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of … More Ugandan LGBT Community Calls on Media to stop homophobic outing of gays

On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

May 17, 2013

The threatened LGBTI community, Rainbow Ethiopia HIV and Social Support Services Solidarity Statement on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) 2013 Posted by Melanie Nathan, May, 17th 2013 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Rainbow-Ethiopia joins today the global commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. As every year, May 17th represent for us … More On IDAHOT Rainbow Ethiopia calls for defunding of hate that threatens gays LGBTI

John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

May 16, 2013

Where the purveyors of hate take funding from State Dept USAID… By Cathy Kristofferson, May 16, 2013 Secretary of State, John Kerry is headed to Ethiopia this weekend for the 21st African Union (AU) summit May 19-27.  While at the summit he will attend the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African … More John Kerry headed to the lion’s den of homophobia

And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action

April 22, 2013

Please show solidarity on April 24th with Tweets and Facebook messages for Noxolo By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013 April 24, 2013 marks the two year anniversary of the brutal death of Noxolo Nogwaza.  In 2011, twenty-four year old Noxolo Nogwaza,  a South African lesbian and LGBT rights activist, the organizer of the Ekurhuleni Pride … More And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action

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

Will Sec. John Kerry do enough to help LGBT international human rights?

April 14, 2013

Press Release invokes questions The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States’ commitment to promoting human rights.” –President Barack Obama By Melanie Nathan and Cathy Kristofferson April 14, 2013. The Press release:  Secretary of State John Kerry has … More Will Sec. John Kerry do enough to help LGBT international human rights?

Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

April 13, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, April 13, 2013 Very early this morning (7am BST) HIV/Aids activist Paul Kasonkomona was to speak on the Crossfire BlogRadio program about his recent arrest for advocating for gay rights. Due to legal issues surrounding his going on the radio similar to the TV appearance which sparked his arrest, along with death … More Zambia doubles-down with threats to ‘stiffen laws against homosexuality’

Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

April 11, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 11, 2013. Further to our report about the lowering of rainbow flags to half mast in the Netherlands and protests against Russian PM Vladimir Putin, on April 08, the Dutch LGBT community and allies turned out by the thousands to protest Putin’s proposed anti-gay propaganda law in Russia. On stage performers … More Watch Video of show as thousands turn out in Amsterdam to Protest Anti-gay Putin

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

South Africa’s newest political party against homophobia | Agang

March 9, 2013

“But again we haven’t educated people to understand that being orientated sexually in a particular way is not a crime,”  Mamphela Ramphele, By Melanie Natha. March 09, 2013. South Africa is a democratic country with one party that dominates the state.  The African National Congress (ANC), has been holding power, with wide margins, since the … More South Africa’s newest political party against homophobia | Agang

Despite criminalization homosexual acts Botswana educates through LGBTI film festival

February 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February, 25, 2013. Last week the small Southern African country of Botswana saw a highly unusual and courageous event.  In a country that criminalizes homosexual acts, a film festival was held at the University of Botswana to educate the community on same-gender relationships. According to a report in the local Monitor publication, … More Despite criminalization homosexual acts Botswana educates through LGBTI film festival

Scott Lively accuses Oxford Union of disingenuous invite to use his name to attract interest for debate

January 31, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2013. We have been reporting on the recent debacle between Oxford Union, the debating society, in the U.K. and Scott Lively, where something went suspiciously awry with the invitation to Lively to debate the issue of Gay parenting. In a nutshell, Oxford Union’s debate topic ‘This house would be glad … More Scott Lively accuses Oxford Union of disingenuous invite to use his name to attract interest for debate

Uganda’s Brave Gay Youth reach out to the World for help

January 27, 2013

Help Youth on Rock Find a Home and a Safe house by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2013. I reported the unlawful arrest of a young leader from the human rights group in Uganda, Youth on Rock Foundation (YRF), around New Year’s Eve, after the break in at SMUG’s offices, where computers containing sensitive information were … More Uganda’s Brave Gay Youth reach out to the World for help

NY Times Video highlights American evangelicals help to finance violent anti-gay movement in Uganda

January 23, 2013

Gospel of Intolerance: The filmmaker Roger Ross Williams reveals how money donated by American evangelicals helps to finance a violent anti-gay movement in Uganda; though the Video offering may not be without controversy. By Melanie Nathan January 23, 2013. ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS was raised in Pennsylvania, and  grew up in the black church. He exposes … More NY Times Video highlights American evangelicals help to finance violent anti-gay movement in Uganda

Ugandan LGBTI Youth Group Founder Arrested for Homosexuality

December 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 31, 2012. While many of us celebrate New Years Eve, our LGBTI family around the world suffer persecution and are unable to openly celebrate with their loved ones.  Reports are coming in from Uganda that one of the founders of LGBTI group Youth on Rock Foundation, (YRF)  was arrested by police … More Ugandan LGBTI Youth Group Founder Arrested for Homosexuality

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

Ugandan LGBT Organization SMUG Office Robbed and Vandalized during Xmas

December 28, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2012. SMUG, the LGBTI organization led by Frank Magishu, had its offices broken into and vandalized with almost all office property stolen during the Xmas holiday. It is unknown at this time if the motivation behind the attack was homophobic persecution.  However given the anti-gay climate in Uganda and the … More Ugandan LGBT Organization SMUG Office Robbed and Vandalized during Xmas

A Report from Stockholm and The ILGA World Conference

December 16, 2012

By Kristina Hultman, December 16, 2012 After a few days of climate shock, jetlag and defrosting, an unseasoned warmth took over a cold and frosty Stockholm, when four hundred participants at the ILGA World Conference saw its conclusion today, Sunday 16th, casting 242 votes from over one hundred countries, while warming up to camaraderie of common … More A Report from Stockholm and The ILGA World Conference

Wild Rainbow Safaris Includes Uganda Regardless of Kill the Gays Bill

December 3, 2012

While calling for general boycotts may not serve the poor in such countries, I am not torn when it comes to making suggestions about travel.  I cannot stomach nature when I am told not to be natural! If I cannot be who I am, and my sister in that village across the way cannot be … More Wild Rainbow Safaris Includes Uganda Regardless of Kill the Gays Bill

Uganda Parliament | Anti- Homosexuality Bill Watch

November 20, 2012

No Anti-Homosexuality Bill today | bracing for next week Melanie Nathan, November 20 2012 I am happy to report that for today, Uganda ‘s Parliament seems to have a lot more important business to attend to than the vicious and redundant Anit-homosexuality Bill which Speaker Rebecca Kadaga promised to have passed  in time for Christmas … More Uganda Parliament | Anti- Homosexuality Bill Watch

South Africa Wits University Proud about Gay Pride

November 2, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, November 01, 2012. My alma mater, The University of the Witwatersrand, and the University attended by Nelson Mandela, is hosting ‘Wits Pride,’ a week long event designed to create awareness and educate students about crimes motivated by hate against the LGBTI community in South African. Marchers sang with scathing critique, pointing fingers … More South Africa Wits University Proud about Gay Pride

U.S. Federal Appeals Court Rules Victory for Same-Sex Marriage

October 18, 2012

See the Judgment – ” we conclude that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act violates equal protection and is therefore unconstitutional ” By Melanie Nathan October 18, 2012 The issue of same-sex marriage as a constitutional right for all Americans has been decided by the the Federal Appeals Court, for the Second Circuit … More U.S. Federal Appeals Court Rules Victory for Same-Sex Marriage

South Africa Gay Flag Bus Tour takes LGBTI Education & Goodwill from bottom to top encountering Homophobia

October 12, 2012

From the bottom of the Continent of Africa to the top of South Africa, a Budget Bus filled with LGBTQI community representatives toiled the bush, the veld, cities and townships, spreading rainbow acts and music, all in the name of full inclusiveness and education against homophobia. The Gay Flag of South Africa, led its annual tour of the country amidst much to contemplate and celebrate, including the approval of the Gay Flag as a national symbol. … More South Africa Gay Flag Bus Tour takes LGBTI Education & Goodwill from bottom to top encountering Homophobia

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

Ugandan Hang the Gays Giles Muhame Admits Wrong and Regret

October 10, 2012

But fails to apologize to the gays and does nothing to make amends to the LGBTI community in Uganda By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2012 In a self serving speech to a journalism class, Giles Muhame, the ex-editor of the Ugandan Rolling Stone Magazine, makes an admission of causing harm to gays and notes his … More Ugandan Hang the Gays Giles Muhame Admits Wrong and Regret