Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Gambians struggle to get refugee Status in Senegal By Melanie Nathan, Dec 23, 2014 The Gambian authorities have arrested three men, accused of committing homosexual acts. The Gambian authorities have been conducting door-to-door witch hunts seeking out gays or responding to suspicious neighbors for several months. The men if found guilty can receive a maximum … More Three Arrests while The Gambia calls to stamp out Homosexuality

Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

“UK has been very supportive of the Uganda Gay rights movement and it will be an embarrassment that your office doesn’t live up to its expectations in protecting those that need the protection most from persecution..” Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. By Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2014. Despite appeals and petitions the United Kingdom’s Home Office informed … More Famed Ugandan Activist Urges UK Home Office Not to Deport Lesbian

Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights

Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

By Melanie Nathan, December 01, 2014. Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has kept true to her Xmas tradition, packing a Xmas punch against Uganda’s homosexuals. Back in 2012 she promised to deliver the popular Anti-Homosexuality Act as her Christmas gift to the good citizens of Uganda that year. She failed to do so. Then the following … More Ugandan Kadaga Continues Her Xmas Tirade Tradition Attacking Gays

Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

By Melanie Nathan, November 28, 2014. A Ugandan human rights defender and activist known in the LGBT community has been brutally attacked today by a mob and rushed to a Kampala emergency hospital. After a loss of blood, from what seems like multiple injuries, including a badly injured eye, Kelly Mukwano, was administered first aid,  … More Breaking Ugandan Activist Attacked by Mob taken to Intensive Care

Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

A Thanksgiving story – with a special thanks to those who contributed to the Relief Fund that has helped many survive unspeakable hardship By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. Its been a long hard road for Kayizzi Joseph Kizito and his partner of one and half years, Rashid, a young gay couple from Uganda, who … More Gay Refugee Couple from Uganda Land Safely in Canada

Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

“Quite frankly I am sick of hearing how ‘upset’ everyone is about this new law, while doing absolutely nothing to help our fellow LGBTI in The Gambia” By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2014. While Gay people from The Gambia are on the run, the U.S. State Department on Monday condemned the decision by Gambia’s president … More Gay Men from The Gambia on the Run with No Help

African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

By Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2014. For the first time, an African LGBTI group will stage a demonstration at The Hague in the Netherlands, to draw attention to complaints arising out of how the Netherlands Immigration authorities treat the claims of  LGBTI Africans seeking asylum in that country. Out and Proud Diamond Group, an LGBT … More African LGBTI Group a first to Protest at The Hague

Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

Why is Qwelane no longer Ambassador to Uganda – why the secrecy? By Melanie Nathan, November 14, 2014. While the Johannesburg High Court must decide whether the Jon Qwelane’s hate speech case and a constitutional challenge to the Equality Act are closely linked enough so that the Court can hear both cases as one, it … More Homophobic South African Ex Ambassador to Uganda Back in Court

ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

Geneva, November 3, 2014 As Uganda debates the re-introduction of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, ORAM publishes a comprehensive Country of Origin Report on the conditions of LGBTI individuals in the country ORAM has published an extensive report titled “Country of Origin Report: Sexual and Gender Minorities – Uganda.” The  report includes an extensive case law section, … More ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

Could he have been a target because the Nigerian Court refused to nullify the new Nigerian Anti-Gay law? By Melanie Nathan, November 03, 2014. A well known Nigerian activist in the field of human rights and sexual health, who was detained without cause or charge by Nigerian police, is requesting an order of enforcement against … More Nigerian Human Rights Activist Brings Lawsuit After Unlawful Detention

LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

Posts – 11/2/2014 #‎LGBT‬ community – OK here comes the huge big ask, an asylum seeker is coming into San Francisco/ Bay Area/ North Bay/ East Bay – in a few days time. We plan to raise money to help with his support. However for the a month or 2 we are going to need … More LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2104. Preliminary reports, yet to be verified by the Court, indicate that the Nigerian Abuja High Court has delivered a ruling striking down the case where the Court was asked to nullify the new “Jail the Gays” Act,  signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in January of this year. … More Breaking Nigerian Court Strikes Down Case on Anti-Gay Law

Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

You be the Judge By Melanie Nathan, October 15, 2014. Below you will find a press release which I sent to The Hunts Post,  reporting on a protest which took place outside Cornerstone Cafe, St. Neots, United Kingdom, last week, where LGBT Ugandan exiles demonstrated against Paul Shinners, a radical Christian extremist, who shared a … More Does the Hunts Post Show Anti-Gay Bias in St. Neots Protest Report

Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners

Watch Video of Protest | If you have the audacity to go to our Country to preach hate, we will show up in your country, as exiles and on your doorstep to remind you that exporting hate is not okay! By Melanie Nathan, Oct 11, 2014 St. Neots – A large group of Lesbian, Gay, … More Ugandan Exiles Protest Anti-Gay Hate by UK Christian Extremist Paul Shinners

The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

I have never understood why we in the USA fail this sector of the community | Does the Taboo persist in America?  By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2014. Americans may wonder why African human rights defenders refer to the LGBT community as the LGBTI community.  Whenever I write ‘LGBT’ – for the most part always … More The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

Praying For Gay Ugandan Richard to Win Asylum Appeal

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 07, 2014. United Kingdom – Richard M. is a young Ugandan man who fled Uganda after being outed by Red Pepper Magazine. He was apparently falsely accused of promoting homosexuality in the schools. His subsequent asylum journey has been a typical roundabout of hell, exacerbating his abuse. On arrival in the … More Praying For Gay Ugandan Richard to Win Asylum Appeal

A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Bridges between San Francisco and Kampala By Melanie Nathan, September 20, 2014. On the day that the majority of Ugandan Parliamentarians signed a petition to bring back the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which had been invalidated by the court, one unexpected Member of Parliament made a disappointing about turn. Honorable Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, woman MP for … More A Ugandan Member of Parliament Visits the Castro

Applicant suing Nigerian Government to Nullify Anti-Gay Law Speaks out before Judgment

Judgment is being handed in a week – the Petitioner’s thoughts about the Judge and a message to fellow straight Nigerians Updated 9/25/2014.: The judgment in the case was postponed today until October 21, 2014. By Melanie Nathan, September 18, 2014. On Jan. 7 of this year, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the … More Applicant suing Nigerian Government to Nullify Anti-Gay Law Speaks out before Judgment

Changing the West’s Narrative with regard to Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda

By Melanie Nathan, August 31, 2014. This week I am interviewing, publicly, a member of the Ugandan Parliament with a Town Hall dialogue to follow.  The Honorable Nabilah Naggayi Sempala has agreed to speak to us in San Francisco at a forum, hosted by The San Francisco Africa leadership Institute (SFALI). After years observing and … More Changing the West’s Narrative with regard to Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda

Uganda Pride And Court Appeals And Parliament And Tabloids And Here We Go Again

 I have not put up any of the numerous Pride photos sent to me this year. By Melanie Nathan, August 11, 2014. The Ugandan Constitutional Court declared the Anti-Homosexuality Act invalid, the Ugandan State launched an appeal, the Parliamentarians calling for a new Bill, and the Ugandan LGBTI community held a “post Anti-Homosexuality Act” Pride … More Uganda Pride And Court Appeals And Parliament And Tabloids And Here We Go Again

Reality Check As Uganda Court Rules Against Anti-Homosexuality Act

This article First appeared on HUFFPO Gay Voices on AUG 0.1, 2014   Article First appeared on HUFFPO Gay Voices on AUG 0.1, 2014 By Melanie Nathan, August 05, 2014. Today, in a packed Constitutional Court in Kampala, Uganda, a panel of five Justices ruled unanimously that The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014 (AHA,) is unconstitutional. … More Reality Check As Uganda Court Rules Against Anti-Homosexuality Act

Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Jubilation as the  the Ugandan Court agreed – the AHA is Unconstitutional ! Well done to the Plaintiffs.  Congratulations to the Plaintiff team for your extraordinary courage and your resolve and the credit must go to all those who worked so hard on every front, especially the hard work of the extraordinary legal team – … More Ugandan Court Rules Anti-Homosexuality Act Unconstitutional

Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 14, 2014. When it was the colonial power in the nineteenth century, Britain imposed most of the existing anti-gay laws on its Colonies.  Homosexuality was not illegal in these countries prior to British colonization. A rally will take place this week, against anti-LGBT persecution in the Commonwealth, with activists urging … More Rally for LGBT Targets Commonwealth Games urging Britain to speak out against Homophobia

From Pride to Pride

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014. Community Grand Marshal for San Francisco Pride I had the great honor this year of being appointed by the San Francisco Pride Board as a community Grand Marshal. The popular vote was won by an extraordinary and courageous young woman who I took great joy in getting to know, … More From Pride to Pride

Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014.After over a year of unjust postponements, bail refusals and time spent in jail, waiting for trial, a Zambian magistrate has finally acquitted two men charged with having sexual relations “against the order of nature.” The two men were arrested after being reported to the police by one of Mubiana’s … More Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge