Tag: melanie Nathan

San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

May 15, 2012

Diverse LGBT Speakers List for SF’s May 17 IDAHO at UN Plaza Gays Without Borders has organized an event on Thursday, May 17 , to honor International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The  commemoration will begin at noon at UN Plaza in San Francisco. The commemoration will start off with poignant speeches about the violence … More San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

May 13, 2012

Holomisa is saying that LGBTI people should not be protected by the Constitution because some people believe they are not entitled to those rights. He is forgetting that thinking is the very reason why their rights are so protected.

What remains is the question of what next – while traditionalists ought to have a voice in South Africa’s Parliament, they should be banned from sitting on committees where they have an inherent conflict of interest. Which means they should be excused from serving in positions where they risk impacting the entrenched rights of minorities such as gays, lesbians etc. … More Outrageous Interview with South Africa ANC’s Patekile Holomisa Indicates Homophobia

South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

May 7, 2012

Explanation and Comments by Mr. Gay South Africa By Melanie Nathan, May 07,2012. On Friday last week I reported that the  South African Constitution  has been lauded for its lead on the entrenchment of anti-discrimination rights that renders it one of the few in the world to protect sexual orientation and gender identity in its … More South African Traditional Leaders Insult Gay Community with Consitutional Review

Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

April 29, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 29, 2012 It was difficult for me to read Dustin Lance Black’s outlandish article on the Hollywood Reporter.  I found it to be irresponsible, unsophisticated  and quite poorly written. I sent my detailed response to the piece to  both ‘The Advocate’ and ‘LGBTQ Nation’ which are publications I have written several … More Melanie Nathan’s Response to Dustin Lance Black’s Threat Against Support for President Obama

Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

April 25, 2012

Tax Wall Street and End AIDS , Watch Video By Melanie Nathan NEW YORK — With the The U.S.A. gearing up to host the World AIDS Conference in July 2012 in D.C. and in an action reminiscent of the 80’s,  ACT-UP  protests are back with a poignant  combat AIDS message,  in association with the Occupy Movement. … More Arrests as ACT UP Occupies Wall Street to end AIDS

Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws

April 24, 2012

School Bible Group connected to outside Ministry – with a mission to change “every campus for Christ;” students instructed not to give up until all join, causing student harassment. By Melanie Nathan, April 23, 2012 The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Minnesota may find itself, yet again, at the center of a storm and this one … More Anoka-Hennepin School Group Violates Equal Access Laws

ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012 The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) released its latest publication entitled ‘Rainbow Bridges: A Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers. ‘ This is the first guide of its kind directed at the United States lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and affirming … More ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay

April 7, 2012

Calling for a more calculated course to curb Africa’s anti-gay human rights path while  admonishments seem to cause backlash By Melanie Nathan, April 07, 2012 Educated people know that being gay is not a lifestyle it is simply a state of being. It is a concomitant of one’s makeup, a birth right,  if you will. … More Africa | Zambian Law Student Beaten Perceived Gay

Calling on Andrew Sullivan to Boycott the Maggie Gallagher Debate

March 29, 2012

Let us declare  Maggie Gallagher –  ‘marriage equality irrelevant’- By Melanie Nathan, March 29, 2012 I received an invitation to attend what is touted by organizers as the “media debate of the year ”  to be held at  Lee Chapel, at Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA – a debate on marriage equality between Maggie … More Calling on Andrew Sullivan to Boycott the Maggie Gallagher Debate

Seattle LGBT Commission Issues Apology to Israeli Guests But Should Still Resign

March 21, 2012

The Seattle City LGBT Commissions has issued a formal apology, by posting it on Facebook, to the LGBT public and the Israeli AILO group, as can be seen below, for its actions in cancelling an event that in essence served to boycott and silence the visiting group from Israel.

It admits the “pain, offense … More Seattle LGBT Commission Issues Apology to Israeli Guests But Should Still Resign

Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

March 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, March 19, 2012 I often wonder if advisory boards for non-Profit organizations keep a check on what they have tied their names to?  Many are apt to join for an appealing mission statement tied to common causes and very often because a friend or acquaintance pitched the importance. Although I do recognize … More Jewish Voices for Peace and the Seattle LGBT Commission Anomaly

Seattle LGBT Commission’s Boycott of Israeli LGBTI Guests Opens Wounds

March 16, 2012

By Melanie Nathan and Scott Rose, 03/16/2012 Caving to protests by a small anti-Israel and anti-Jewish contingency, using the guise of so called pinkwashing,  the  Seattle City LGBT Commission has silenced the voices of its Israeli LGBT guests  from the coalition Group AILO,  by cancelling, with less than 24 hours notice,  a dialogue event which … More Seattle LGBT Commission’s Boycott of Israeli LGBTI Guests Opens Wounds

Seattle LGBT Commission Shuts Down Israel’s LGBT Voice

March 15, 2012

The unconscionable shutting down of gay, lesbian and transgender voices by our own community cannot be tolerated, for any reason whatsoever – I take blogger’s license – I am sad and disgusted! By Melanie Nathan 03/15/2012 Reports have come in from the Seattle commission’s meeting tonight that in an act of unprecedented cowardice the Seattle … More Seattle LGBT Commission Shuts Down Israel’s LGBT Voice

Seattle University Assistant Law Professor Attempts to Silence Visiting Israeli LGBT Voices

March 14, 2012

Denying dialogue is a means to foster hate … By Melanie Nathan, 03/14/2012 In the midst of a visit to the West Coast by a delegation of Israeli LGBT leaders, is a small group of  US anti-Israel proponents determined to silence the visitors. Leading this effort to silence the equality activists from Israel is  an … More Seattle University Assistant Law Professor Attempts to Silence Visiting Israeli LGBT Voices

San Francisco Castro Vigil kicks off World Outrage at Gay, Emo, Goth Iraq Massacres

March 14, 2012

“Silence is Complicity! Today we urge the world to show solidarity against the murder of our children. By Melanie Nathan, 03/14/2012 Yes it is raining a much needed rain in San Francisco and with it brings greater tears as we hold a vigil today in the Castro,  starting at 4:00 PM. The group Gays Without … More San Francisco Castro Vigil kicks off World Outrage at Gay, Emo, Goth Iraq Massacres

Will Ugandan David Bahati’s Political Aspiration Fool a Nation

March 10, 2012

Now while we abroad are screaming foul on behalf of the local LGBTI coalitions and community, we may well be playing into Bahati’s hands on a local level, as he has so much internal support we may actually be serving to enhance the unity. Yet I do believe still this could backfire as the more intelligent and less ambitious start to realize that this is nothing but the political aspirations of one man using an entire community to meet his needs. Maybe just maybe some local brave hero will expose him! Someone who is not afraid to display intellect and speak truth. … More Will Ugandan David Bahati’s Political Aspiration Fool a Nation

Muslim Groups Oppose United Nations stand on Human Right To Sexuality

March 6, 2012

Tomorrow the UN debates Human Rights for LGBT people By Melanie Nathan, 03/06/2012, For us in the USA, “gay rights” is associated with the debate over equality and is about whether LGBTI people should be allowed to marry, adopt, serve in the military, be subject to baseless firing from jobs. Yet others in the World … More Muslim Groups Oppose United Nations stand on Human Right To Sexuality

Cape Town With Love and Pride Pictures and Reflections

March 4, 2012

SOUTH AFRICA KEYNOTE SPEECH – CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2011 MELANIE NATHAN 03/02/2011 Greetings, comrades, lesbians, gays, queers, LGBTQI people, allies, and everyone in between. It is a great honor for me to be here tonight -thanks to my fellow bloggers, Marriage Equality USA MEUSA, and my family and friends back home in the US for … More Cape Town With Love and Pride Pictures and Reflections

Commonwealth Secretary General Condemns Homophobia

February 29, 2012

Speech at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva By Melanie Nathan, 02/29/2012 The Human Rights Council in Geneva  has heard it from Kamalesh Sharma, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations who  reiterated this week that homophobia is incompatible with Commonwealth values. This sends a signal from the top that persecution based on sexuality … More Commonwealth Secretary General Condemns Homophobia

Barclays Citibank 160,000 People Sign Petition to Speak out Against Kill the Gays in Uganda

February 27, 2012

“You see, the mere mention of benefits for same-sex couples on a website, or the mere mention of inclusion of LGBT people in corporate diversity hiring policies, are tantamount to the “promotion” of homosexuality in Uganda, under the AHB!” Melanie Nathan, 02/27/2012, Last week I received a phone call from the folks at Change.org asking … More Barclays Citibank 160,000 People Sign Petition to Speak out Against Kill the Gays in Uganda

Ugandan President Museveni Warns Obama and Cameron on Promotion of Homosexuality

February 26, 2012

My Response to the Ugandan President’s London Interview as noted in Ugandan Daily Monitor. By Melanie Nathan, 02/26/2012 The President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni says Uganda “does not persecute gays, but resents promotion of gay activities.” According to the Uganda Monitor, this is the first time the President, who was in London for a one-day … More Ugandan President Museveni Warns Obama and Cameron on Promotion of Homosexuality

Immigration Equality Fails Binational Same-Sex Couples Again

February 23, 2012

Immigration Equality Seeks to blame Obama Administration for its own ineffectiveness and fainting mission By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2012 Andrew Harmon at the Advocate reports that The Obama Administration held talks with LGBT groups on January 30, and the “big ask” was rejected.  “While the administration has taken affirmative steps in recent months to … More Immigration Equality Fails Binational Same-Sex Couples Again

Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

February 22, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, February 22, 2012. San Francisco – Speaker Boehner had made an attempt to fight the Karen Golinski’s case in her quest to seek health care benefits from the court when her Federal employer had declined to provide them, citing the Defense of Marriage Act as reason for its denial. The speaker lost … More Speaker Boehner Wastes Taxpayers Money as he Loses to Lesbian in Ruling

Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

February 21, 2012

Or stop being hypocrites by displaying diversity programs on your websites….  LGBT people who work for Barclays worldwide should be asking their employers to speak out against criminalization of homosexuality before it is too late!  This applies to all doing business in Africa! By Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012, (I first wrote this piece on … More Barclays Bank Must Speak out Against Criminalization of Homosexuality in Uganda and Africa

Liberia New Anti-Homosexuality Bill Text | Death for Gays and Lesbians

February 21, 2012

First viewing of proposed text of bill. By Melanie Nathan,  2/21/2012 Expressed many times on my blog, is the fear that David Bahati’s Kill the Gays Bill, currently before the Ugandan Parliament, could well spread to other parts of Africa , as it is accompanied by the promotion of much anti-gay rhetoric and myth.  It … More Liberia New Anti-Homosexuality Bill Text | Death for Gays and Lesbians

Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries

February 21, 2012

Historic participation as Africa continues draconian criminalization of homosexuality by Melanie Nathan, February 21, 2012 For the first time black Africans will participate in the Mr. Gay World contest being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, sending a  powerful message of hope to LGBTI people in Africa and the rest of the World. The delegates representing … More Mr Gay World Includes Finalists from Criminalizing African Countries