Tag: LGBTQ

UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees

December 13, 2018

African HRC and other advocates have been requesting UNHCR plan for the safe protection and humane living conditions for LGBTQ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp for several years, with only slight ad hoc and ultimately ineffective results. The harsh conditions and insecurities led to a protest this week and an attack by Kenyan police on … More UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees

LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

December 11, 2018

Kenya is a hostile host to LGBTI refugees:– Thirty LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, mostly Ugandans participating in an approved peaceful demonstration, tried to deliver a document to UNHCR, but after being refused entry into the compound were viciously attacked by police.  I have reached out to UNHCR for comment and will update accordingly. The conditions … More LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

Botswana’s New President Groundbreaking Support for LGBTI Rights

December 11, 2018

The recently appointed President of Botswana has been applauded for publicly speaking out in support of LGBTI people. Now he should take the step to promote repeal of Botswana’s criminalizing laws In April Botswana’s new President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, took office, heralding hope for the furthering of human and civil rights in the country.  Launching the country’s … More Botswana’s New President Groundbreaking Support for LGBTI Rights

South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

December 6, 2018

By Melanie Nathan- Last month we reported a victory for LGBTQI equality and same-sex couples in South Africa, when the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in Parliament adopted a Civil Union Amendment Bill that could lead to full marriage equality for South Africa’s same-sex community. Now that journey to becoming law is one step closer to … More South African Parliament votes to approve Civil Union Amendment for Full Marriage Equality

South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

November 28, 2018

It is imperative that South Africa lead the movement to decriminalize homosexuality in Africa. And two major events have occurred this past month in South Africa, in what seems to me an historic push for such leadership.  Earlier this month Johannesburg Pride took the bold move of sending an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, … More South Africa’s LGBTQ March Calling Shame on Tanzania and Uganda

Victory Fund Candidate Data on 2018 Rainbow Wave

November 19, 2018

Data provides look at sexual orientation and gender identity of candidates Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund released a demographic and informational breakdown of the 432 openly LGBTQ candidates on the ballot this past Election Day – looking at sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, office level, party affiliation, and the equality levels of the … More Victory Fund Candidate Data on 2018 Rainbow Wave

Could Freddy Mercury have been the Voice for Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Africa

November 18, 2018

The early box office success, and swift criticism, of the Queen biopic movie Bohemian Rhapsody, is also attracting interest in Freddie Mercury’s African roots: The country of his birth, may not only have failed to embrace him, but most certainly would have persecuted him through its criminalization of homosexuality and bisexuality.  Freddy mercury was born in … More Could Freddy Mercury have been the Voice for Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Africa

TLDEF Appoints Nationally Recognized LGBTQ Activist Andy Marra as Executive Director

November 14, 2018

New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Andrea “Andy” Hong Marra as its new executive director. Marra is a nationally revered social justice advocate with a strong track record of service to the LGBTQ movement. Marra succeeds Dolph Ward Goldenburg who has served as … More TLDEF Appoints Nationally Recognized LGBTQ Activist Andy Marra as Executive Director

South African President Ramaphosa Must Take the Lead for Journalists and LGBTQ in Africa

November 14, 2018

South Africa’s history and legacy compels it to do more when it comes to human rights on the Continent of Africa! To speak out and to offer a diplomacy of insistence. Most countries in Africa have suffered the oppression and ills metered out by Colonizers. It is a long history. It is a large continent. … More South African President Ramaphosa Must Take the Lead for Journalists and LGBTQ in Africa

Nebraska Makes LGBTQ Political History With Megan Hunt

November 6, 2018

Voters Send First Openly LGBTQ Person to Its State Legislature Tonight Nebraska voters made history in electing Megan Hunt, the first openly LGBTQ candidate ever elected to the Nebraska state legislature. LGBTQ people are severely underrepresented in Nebraska government, with just four openly LGBTQ elected officials currently serving in the entire state. Before tonight, Nebraska … More Nebraska Makes LGBTQ Political History With Megan Hunt

Jared Polis First Openly Gay Man to be Elected Governor in U.S. History

November 6, 2018

Tonight U.S. Representative Jared Polis of Colorado became the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state, defeating his Republican opponent by a strong margin. Throughout the campaign Polis spoke with voters about his partner and children, making him one of the most visible LGBTQ candidates in the nation and a model for … More Jared Polis First Openly Gay Man to be Elected Governor in U.S. History

StartOut Announces Winners of 2018 StartOut Awards

September 13, 2018

San Francisco, CA (September 13, 2018)– StartOut, the largest national nonprofit to empower, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) entrepreneurs and business leaders, announced the winners for its upcoming 7th Annual StartOut Awards, which will take place on Friday, September 21st at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco, in a ceremony presented by … More StartOut Announces Winners of 2018 StartOut Awards

Dixon to Hold First Pride Overshadowing Vice Mayor’s Hate with Love

July 27, 2018

LOVE IS LOVE MOVEMENT AND SOLANO PRIDE PRESENT FIRST ANNUAL DIXON PRIDE JULY 28 History will be made, tomorrow in Dixon, California.  At Hall Memorial Park, the Love is Love Movement and Solano Pride will host “Our Town, Our Pride: A Rally in Love” from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The first-ever Dixon Pride event … More Dixon to Hold First Pride Overshadowing Vice Mayor’s Hate with Love

NAACP Convention to Host LGBTQ Town Hall

July 6, 2018

Also past San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to receive an award. 109th NAACP Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX, to bring together social justice activists, artists/entertainers, Elected Officials; Civil Rights, Business, Social Justice Leaders   BALTIMORE (July 5, 2018) - Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, and as the nation suffers the effects of President Trump’s administration, thousands … More NAACP Convention to Host LGBTQ Town Hall

Pride Month: More Than One-Third of LGBTQ Adults Identify as Having a Disability

June 29, 2018

LGBTQ Pride Month: More Than One-Third of LGBTQ Adults Identify as Having a Disability Throughout LGBTQ Pride Month (June), the LGBTQ community has been reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future. Among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, 30 percent of men and 36 percent of women also identify as having a disability. The … More Pride Month: More Than One-Third of LGBTQ Adults Identify as Having a Disability

Tickets for Los Angeles Premiere of Between the Shades

May 24, 2018

Fifty voices in a unique and most important reflection on LGBTQ!  Do not miss the LA Premiere of Between the Shades  –  At Dances with Films and Chinese Theatre Hollywood  Between the Shades is a documentary by filmmaker Jill Salvino and features 50+ voices, among them: Beth Malone (of Broadway’s Fun Home & Angels in America), … More Tickets for Los Angeles Premiere of Between the Shades

New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

May 12, 2018

My family was once on the rough end of America’s immigration law, when faced with the threat of my same-sex spouse having to go back to her country of origin.  Because of DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act) LGBT people could not marry with federal immigration rights to sponsor a same-sex spouse to remain in … More New Yorker: “Taking Children From Their Parents is a Form of State Terror”

Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

May 11, 2018

Governor gives go-ahead to legalize discrimination WASHINGTON – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today signed SB 1140 into law, codifying discrimination against legally married same-sex couples and others looking to adopt, and imperiling the well-being of youth in the state’s child welfare system. The new law will permit taxpayer funded adoption agencies to turn away same-sex … More Oklahoma Governor Signs Dangerous Anti-LGBT Child Welfare Bill Into Law

Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film festival Announces Lineup

May 5, 2018

 FULL LINEUP FOR 28TH EDITION RUNNING MAY 24 – JUNE 3. Brett Haley’s HEARTS BEAT LOUD to close festival; World Premiere of Christiaan Olwagen’s CANARY selected as Centerpiece Gala. TORONTO, ON – May 4, 2018 – The 28th annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, one of the largest events of its kind in the world, revealed its … More Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film festival Announces Lineup

Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Child Welfare Bill

May 3, 2018

Advocates call on Gov. Mary Fallin to veto discriminatory bill WASHINGTON – At the eleventh hour, lawmakers in Oklahoma approved a bill that would allow adoption agencies receiving taxpayer funding to discriminate against legally married same-sex couples and LGBTQ youth, among others. The bill, SB 1140, was approved by both the House and Senate chambers … More Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Dangerous Anti-LGBTQ Child Welfare Bill

HRC Endorses California Senator Dianne Feinstein for Re-Election:

April 18, 2018

You may know that back in February 26, 2018, I endorsed Senator Dianne Feinstein for U.S. Senate. I was upset that the Democratic Californian progressives had cast an inaccurate  shadow on her, in favor of her contender, Rep. Kevin de Leon and that prompted me to write a piece about the Senator, indicative of her … More HRC Endorses California Senator Dianne Feinstein for Re-Election:

PFAW Sues DOJ, HUD To Release Information On Secret LGBTQ Policy

March 1, 2018

People For the American Way filed suit in federal court today against the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to demand the release of documents concerning reported changes in federal policy toward LGBTQ people. Last year Right Wing Watch, a project of PFAW, filed Freedom of Information Act requests with both … More PFAW Sues DOJ, HUD To Release Information On Secret LGBTQ Policy

U.S. Department of Education Leaves Transgender Students Behind

February 12, 2018

Office of Civil Rights will no longer take action on transgender discrimination WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Education will not investigate or take action on any complaints filed by transgender students who are not able to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. BuzzFeed was first to report the news. Under President … More U.S. Department of Education Leaves Transgender Students Behind

Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

February 8, 2018

House Subcommittee Votes Down Four Nondiscrimination Bills, Including Two That Passed Virginia Senate in January RICHMOND, V.A — Lawmakers in Virginia’s House of Delegates today summarily killed four bills that would have ensured more equal treatment under the law for LGBT people across the Commonwealth. Several of the bills dismissed today enjoyed bipartisan support in … More Republican Speaker of Virginia House Kills Pro-LGBT Legislation

SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

January 8, 2018

Today the United States Supreme Court denied review in two cases, Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant and Bryant v. Barber, both challenging Mississippi’s HB 1523 passed in April 2016 and effective in October 2017. The Court’s decision not to hear the cases means the worst-in-the-nation anti-LGBTQ law will remain on the books in Mississippi. … More SCOTUS Denies Review in Cases Challenging Mississippi’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

Business Equality Network Announces Second Annual LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards

January 3, 2018

NEW YORK, NY  January 3, 2018 — The Business Equality Network announces its second annual BEQ Pride LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards. Our recipients include 156 major employers and four sports organizations, all of which have demonstrated their comprehensive commitment to LGBTQ business equality. The full list of winners and a geographic breakdown by state … More Business Equality Network Announces Second Annual LGBTQ Business Equality Excellence Awards

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Sending Emergency Medical Team to Aid in Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico

October 12, 2017

New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center announced that it is sending an emergency medical response team to provide medical relief to Puerto Rico as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort. The team is comprised of Spanish-speaking medical providers and nurses with experience in emergency response, and will be … More Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Sending Emergency Medical Team to Aid in Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico

National Black Justice Coalition Names Executive Director

September 13, 2017

Washington, DC— The leadership of the National Black Justice Coalition announced today that David J. Johns has assumed the role of Executive Director as of September 1, 2017. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer … More National Black Justice Coalition Names Executive Director

Campus Pride Releases Shame List of Worst Campuses for LGBTQ

September 13, 2017

Campus Pride today releases its 2017 Shame List highlighting for the second year in a row a national listing of “The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth.” Up from 102 campuses last year, the national listing includes 139 campuses that openly discriminate against LGBTQ youth in policies, programs and practices as documented on the site … More Campus Pride Releases Shame List of Worst Campuses for LGBTQ

LGBT Community Mourns the Death of Edie Windsor

September 12, 2017

By Melanie Nathan,  September 12, 2017 Today millions of LGBTQI Americans will mourn the loss of Edith Windsor. She will be remembered with deep admiration and fondness as an LGBTQI rights icon and champion. Edie passed away peacefully today at age 88.  She touched the lives of so many people beyond her activism and beyond … More LGBT Community Mourns the Death of Edie Windsor