Tag: melanie Nathan

UNHCR Issues Report Highlighting Violence Based on Sexual Orientation

December 15, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 15, 2011 UN  High Commissioner for Human Rights:   “ Repeal laws used to criminalize individuals on grounds of homosexuality for engaging in consensual same-sex sexual conduct, and harmonize the age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual conduct. “ The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) today released the … More UNHCR Issues Report Highlighting Violence Based on Sexual Orientation

What is Kofi Annan Doing About LGBTI Human Rights In Africa?

December 14, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, December 14, 2011 Back in August  2003, then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan came out in favour of  marriage equality.  LGBTI Africans knew they had a friend in Kofi Annan, who attended part of a LGBTI activist conference held at the United Nations which demanded that international treaties such as the … More What is Kofi Annan Doing About LGBTI Human Rights In Africa?

Ghana Minister of Education to Eradicate Homosexuality Through Education

December 14, 2011

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 14, 2011, I read an Article in an African internet publication known as the The MAIL – written by BELINDA ENYONAM HENYA (Cut and pasted) and noted the seriousness of what could either be a case of misreporting, muddled message or pure ignorance and perhaps all of the above! This is … More Ghana Minister of Education to Eradicate Homosexuality Through Education

My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

December 13, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2011 I am Not Thankful if I am not Me! It is easy to be thankful if I am simply me!  But what if I allow myself to be someone else – for just a short while?  My head spun this week with images and my thoughts were provoked by … More My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

The Israel Uganda Connection: ‘Never Again’ or ‘We Did not Know?’

December 13, 2011

B’Vakashah, which is it going to be? by Melanie Nathan, Dec 13, 2011 Rumor has it that former minister and Israeli career politician Rafael “Rafi” Eitan, now 85 years of age, is trying to do business in Uganda, seeking to start an agricultural enterprise. I wonder if Eitan knows that Ugandans are currently ‘scape-goating’ gays, … More The Israel Uganda Connection: ‘Never Again’ or ‘We Did not Know?’

Senator Chuck Schumer Fails Binational Same Sex Couples while Providing New VISAS for Irish

December 12, 2011

by Melanie Nathan – Dec 12, 2011 Please watch the Video below which was recorded on June03, 2009.  Nothing has happened out of Congress for binationals since Schumer made these statements.  To pitch VISAS for new immigrants is disingenuous until such time as interim VISAS can be provided for same-sex couples by Congress. The Irish … More Senator Chuck Schumer Fails Binational Same Sex Couples while Providing New VISAS for Irish

Geneva: LGBTI International Human Rights Defenders Meet Secretary Hillary Clinton

December 11, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 11, 09 In Photo (right to left): Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Alice N’kom (Cameroon), Anastasia Danilova (Moldova), Sanja Juras (Croatia), Adrian Jjuuko (Uganda), Sass Sasot (Philippines), Polina Savchenko (Russia), Vladimir Simenko (Lithuania), Arvind Narrain (India), Zoryan Kis (Ukraine), Santiago Eder (Colombia), N’dumie Funda (South Africa), Pouline Kimani (Kenya), and Rev. … More Geneva: LGBTI International Human Rights Defenders Meet Secretary Hillary Clinton

Adviser to Ugandan President Speaks Against Hillary Clinton’s Pro Gay Tone

December 11, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, December 11, 2011 Last week Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama in a statements and  memo, respectively, called for sweeping pro LGBTI foreign policy and human rights recognition, noting emerging assistance for LGBT organizations and asylum seekers, worldwide. Calling discrimination of homosexual and transgender people “one of the remaining human rights … More Adviser to Ugandan President Speaks Against Hillary Clinton’s Pro Gay Tone

Uganda’s LGBTI Leaders Speak Passionately for their Human Rights

December 10, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 10,2011 Calls for Dignity and Justice for all :   Reject the Anti-homosexuality bill  ( Kill the gays Bill) that is still pending, as this would further heighten the witch-hunt of LGBTI persons and make it impossible for us to live freely and safely in our country. The Ugandan LGBTI leadership … More Uganda’s LGBTI Leaders Speak Passionately for their Human Rights

LGBT Foreign Policy Applauded AND Human Rights should Start at Home with Fiance Visas and Greencards for Same-sex Couples

December 6, 2011

Pro-Gay Foreign Policy Applauded,  YET Obama Administration Fails Binationals at home; surely being separated from fiance’s and spouses is a human rights issue too? Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2011 Building on pro-gay policies put in place by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Obama today ordered overseas federal agencies to fight local … More LGBT Foreign Policy Applauded AND Human Rights should Start at Home with Fiance Visas and Greencards for Same-sex Couples

USA GAY Lesbian Advocates Applaud Geneva Speech of Secretary of State Clinton

December 6, 2011

We applaud the First Major Speech to push LGBT rights Abroad. by Melanie Nathan  San Francisco, CA, December 6, 2011—Amongst the many accolades this morning, The National Center for Lesbian Rights applauds Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for her groundbreaking speech today on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people … More USA GAY Lesbian Advocates Applaud Geneva Speech of Secretary of State Clinton

Guest Activist: Calls for defiance of Church Same-sex Marriage Ban

December 5, 2011

December 05, 2011- by Melanie Nathan Commenting on a warning by the Church of England hierarchy that same-sex civil partnerships will be banned in Anglican churches – even after the new regulation comes into effect today, Monday 5 December, allowing religious organisations to conduct civil partnership ceremonies on their premises if they wish to do … More Guest Activist: Calls for defiance of Church Same-sex Marriage Ban

South Africa: DIRCO’s Dithering Defense of Homophobia in Africa

December 4, 2011

Now is the Time for South Africa to Recall Anti-Gay Ambassador Jon Qwelane from  “Kill-the-Gays-Bill” Uganda – Melanie Nathan’s scathing attack on DIRCO, ZUMA and ANC Administration “In light of Bahati’s Kill-The-Gays Bill, the virulent homophobia so prevalent in Uganda, and the constitutional imperative placed on President Zuma, we call for the immediate recall of … More South Africa: DIRCO’s Dithering Defense of Homophobia in Africa

Fred Karger Republican Presidential Candidate Fights for ENDA

December 2, 2011

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 02, 2011 Yesterday, Fred Karger launched his issues campaign.  It was my pleasure to write an article for the Advocate that posted at the moment of Karger’s launch. While still a staunch Democrat and supporter of President Obama, I believe that I am still obligated to provide Fred Karger, the first … More Fred Karger Republican Presidential Candidate Fights for ENDA

STOP NIGERIA NOW!

November 30, 2011

“When governments legitimate persecution – they provide the license for genocide! ” –  Melanie Nathan, International Human Rights Advocate… Nigerian Senate Votes for an Anti-Gay Law by Peter Tatchell  Sweeping criminalization contravenes Article 42 of the Nigerian constitution Same-sex marriage and civil unions to be banned 14 years jail for participants, 10 years jail for … More STOP NIGERIA NOW!

2011 Reflections- The Face of (so called) Corrective Rape in South Africa

November 29, 2011

Ndumie Funda attended to the brutally beaten Millicent Gaika and I was asked to show the world the face of  so called “corrective rape” of lesbians  in South Africa. I followed the story from three days after the brutal attack until the time of the court proceedings, only to witness the lack of solicitude, funding, … More 2011 Reflections- The Face of (so called) Corrective Rape in South Africa

CAMEROON Sentences Three ‘Effeminate Men’ to Maximum Prison Time

November 26, 2011

By Melanie Nathan,   Nov 26, 2011, 2.30 AM PST In Africa: Legislation criminalizing homosexuality permits persecution and cases where people are punished simply for the way they look. Africa is bedrock of anti-homosexual sentiment, and heightened criminalization; with Cameroon emerging as the most punitive of the African countries. Same-sex sexual acts are banned under Cameroonian … More CAMEROON Sentences Three ‘Effeminate Men’ to Maximum Prison Time

My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

November 23, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2011 I am Not Thankful if I am not Me! It is easy to be thankful if I am simply me!  But what if I allow myself to be someone else – for just a short while?  My head spun this week with images and my thoughts were provoked by … More My Thanksgiving Week From Heritage Foundation to Holocaust Museum

See Video:- Angela Davis Walks with Occupy Oakland

November 7, 2011

Through her activism and her scholarship over the last decades, Angela Davis has been deeply involved in our nation’s quest for social justice. Her work as an educator – both at the university level and in the larger public sphere – has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial, and … More See Video:- Angela Davis Walks with Occupy Oakland

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill Is Back: Urging South African President Zuma to Take Lead

October 25, 2011

Breaking News – Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill Back in Parliament for discussion By Melanie Nathan October 25, 2011 “President Zuma of South Africa must take a leadership role in the decriminalization of Homosexuality in Africa, and more specifically he must speak out vehemently against the Kill the Gays Bill of Uganda, before its too … More Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill Is Back: Urging South African President Zuma to Take Lead

Binationals UAFA Died on June 4, 2009 – and now DOMA is Killing us!

October 23, 2011

I received a note via Face Book today containing this picture of a Binational separated from her spouse.  My anger was triggered and I ran to blame!  I blame Immigration Equality for the death of UAFA (Uniting American Families Act)! Now we must focus on the repeal of DOMA-  its too late for UAFA! Without … More Binationals UAFA Died on June 4, 2009 – and now DOMA is Killing us!

First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Repeal of DOMA Marriage Discrimination Law

July 20, 2011

July, 20, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, (WASHINGTON, DC) – At today the US Senate Judiciary Committee held the  first-ever hearing on repealing the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act, ” highlighting the harms that the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” causes loving, committed same-sex couples and their families. The Respect for Marriage Act, sponsored by Senator … More First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Repeal of DOMA Marriage Discrimination Law

Anti-Equality Groups Seek to Overturn California’s New FAIR Education Act

July 18, 2011

July 17, 2011, Melanie Nathan, On Friday, anti-equality advocates submitted paperwork to ask voters to overturn SB 48—the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, Respectful) Education Act. The pro- LGBT legislation signed a mere week ago by California Governor, Jerry Brown, ensures that California students learn fair and accurate information about the rich and diverse history of … More Anti-Equality Groups Seek to Overturn California’s New FAIR Education Act

Chaos expected as South Africa to Repatriate LGBTI Refugees to Zimbabwei

July 18, 2011

July 18, 2011 By Paul Canning As South Africa gears up to remove more than one million refugees, advocates are warning that gay asylum seekers risk being ‘refouled’ – returned to a place where their lives or freedoms could be threatened. Most asylum seekers in South Africa are from Zimbabwe – but the country hosts … More Chaos expected as South Africa to Repatriate LGBTI Refugees to Zimbabwei

Devoting 67 Minutes to “Changing the World” on Nelson Mandela Day

July 17, 2011

July 17, 2011, Melanie Nathan, Mandela Day takes place every year on July 18th, Madiba’s birthday. This day is a call to action for people everywhere to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time, just as Madiba did. Madiba spent more than 67 years serving his community, … More Devoting 67 Minutes to “Changing the World” on Nelson Mandela Day

Binational Spouse Obtains Deportation Reprieve from San Francisco Immigration Judge

July 13, 2011

July 13, 2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This morning in San Francisco, Doug Gentry and Alex Benshimol — a married binational same-sex couple — appeared before Immigration Judge Marilyn Teeter for a deportation hearing and were permitted to remain in the country despite the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law … More Binational Spouse Obtains Deportation Reprieve from San Francisco Immigration Judge

Esteemed Blogger, Mika Stefano in Bed with Gay Flag of South Africa

July 13, 2011

Eugene Brockman Designer of Flag The team behind the Gay Flag of South Africa (Designer Eugene Press release from Gay Flag S.A.  – Permission to cross post granted to all and use of Photo. Brockman and his partner Henry Bantjez) are glad to report that Mika Stefano will be joining the team of the Gay … More Esteemed Blogger, Mika Stefano in Bed with Gay Flag of South Africa

Senator Patrick Leahy Announces DOMA Repeal Hearing

July 12, 2011

July 12, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, Today, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced a hearing on the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn DOMA, scheduled for Wednesday July 20th. The hearing will be the first time Congress has heard testimony on legislation that would end federal marriage … More Senator Patrick Leahy Announces DOMA Repeal Hearing

Local Christians to Protest Hate Group’s Cosponsorship of Gov. Perry’s Prayer Assembly

July 11, 2011

 July 11, 2011, Melanie Nathan Fort Worth, TX – Not all mainline Christian churches in Texas are happy with Rick Perry’s plan to co-sponsor a prayer assembly in Houston on Saturday, August 6. Fort Worth First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, voted unanimously in a congregational meeting on Sunday, July 10, to endorse congregants’ … More Local Christians to Protest Hate Group’s Cosponsorship of Gov. Perry’s Prayer Assembly

Deportation of Uganda Gay Robert Segwanyi deferred as about to Board Plane

July 11, 2011

July 11, 2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, Article by Paul Canning: The removal of Ugandan gay asylum seeker Robert Segwanyi was tonight “deferred” at the last minute. He had been moved today to a Heathrow ‘removal centre’ for an early morning 11 July flight to Kampala.  The deferment comes after the last minute intervention of … More Deportation of Uganda Gay Robert Segwanyi deferred as about to Board Plane