Breaking – Equal Ca Benefits Awarded To Same-Sex Bi-National Spouse

Breaking by Melanie Nathan “We are pleased that the Alameda County Fire Department and CalPERS are complying with SB 54, and providing benefits to LGBT employees and their spouses just like they do for all other married couples,” said Ilona Turner, a staff attorney with NCLR. “We trust that other public agencies in California will … More Breaking – Equal Ca Benefits Awarded To Same-Sex Bi-National Spouse

Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.

SHOCKING REALITY  –  Schumer – NO UAFA in CIR… Current law precludes LGBT couples from sponsoring spouses for immigration.  Many tens of thousands of LGBT families are caught in the quagmire of an anomaly created by the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, which pits State law against the Federal law, giving couples the right to … More Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.

Shirley Tan Keynote Speaker at Marin Human Rights Commision MLK Humaitarian Award Dinner.

By Melanie Nathan.    1/23/10 Shirley Tan did a formidable job when presenting her profound story to a very moved and emotional mainstream audience at the MLK Award dinner in marin County on Thursday night.  As a Commissioner on the Human Rights Commission, I was so proud to introduce Shirl as well as Jay Mercado her … More Shirley Tan Keynote Speaker at Marin Human Rights Commision MLK Humaitarian Award Dinner.

Haiti Israelis First on the Scene and Immediately Effective

The Israelis never cease to amaze me. Not only do they carry so much inventive brain power but they have the guts and energy to show up. When they show up they know exactly what they are doing and they do it well.    Arriving first into Haiti and able to roll a fully operative ER … More Haiti Israelis First on the Scene and Immediately Effective

Breaking – Largest Fair Housing Settlement since ACT amended in 1988

Posted by Melanie Nathan 1/21/10 : Marin County – As Chair of Fair Housing of Marin’s Legal Committee, one of the Plaintiff’s that brought the action,  I am very pleased to provide this press release from the Attorneys Representing Fair Housing in this case.    I  also want to thank all those involved who worked so hard to … More Breaking – Largest Fair Housing Settlement since ACT amended in 1988

Outrage – Zuma Appoints Homophobic Ambassador to UGANDA

 I wrote this LGR today Please Write Secretary of State Clinton and Ask her to Lodge a Formal Complaint:- Janaury 18, 1.56 pm PST: By Melanie Nathan;   As an ex-pat just when I was thinking I would send a letter to  South Africa’s President Zuma to ask if would kindly intervene and take a leadership … More Outrage – Zuma Appoints Homophobic Ambassador to UGANDA

Lezgetreal Breaking Announcement -Hanson and Dinah Make Sweet Music

CLUB SKIRTS PRESENTS THE DINAH® CELEBRATES ITS 20TH MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WITH A MUSIC LEGEND: SALT-N-PEPA Headlining Saturday Night’s “Hollywood Party” At the Palm Springs Convention Center .
by Melanie Nathan, : –
Palm Springs, CA – Mariah Hanson, founder of Club Skirts Presents The Dinah®, has just announced another HUGE headliner for the 2010 highly anticipated Dinah weekend … More Lezgetreal Breaking Announcement -Hanson and Dinah Make Sweet Music

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: UN urges Uganda to scrap anti-gay bill – Should USA Threaten with Sanctions Before Passage?

I hope that all Countries including USA will threaten boycotts, sanctions and end to Tourism if the Bill is not scraped, rather than waiting for it to be implemented. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was able to impact the removal of the Death Penalty portion, but I believe with the failure of Uganda to remove … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: UN urges Uganda to scrap anti-gay bill – Should USA Threaten with Sanctions Before Passage?

Prop 8 _ Harvard Professor, Nancy Cott Testifies

Melanie Nathan Posts,  REBLOG from Lezgetreal http://lezgetreal.com/?p=24878 To counter the claims of pro- Prop 8 argument,Harvard historyprofessor, Nancy Cott,  Plaintiff witness, renowned for her book on the History of Marriage in the US,  is testifying.   She makes the point that US government has a history of restricting marriage on racial grounds. Further the rights of … More Prop 8 _ Harvard Professor, Nancy Cott Testifies

reBlog from LEZGETREAL: 2009 – Heroes and Zeros!

 HEROES AND ZEROS      Best in Congress, Rep. Jerold Nadler, , New York, – for re-introducing Uniting American Families Act ( UAFA )H.R. 1024, S. 424) a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful … More reBlog from LEZGETREAL: 2009 – Heroes and Zeros!

A Binational Xmas Wish in A letter to President Obama

  by me on LGR please read the whole thing Mr. President, with great respect, I am mentioning this during the holiday season because this time for many is fraught with sadness, fear and pain.  Exiled Americans, who are with their spouses, cannot come home to spend Xmas with extended families and if they do, they have … More A Binational Xmas Wish in A letter to President Obama

Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT

Dear Friends,   Since June of this year I have been critical about Immigration Equality’s strategy – in promoting our UAFA  through inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration reform (CIR) as a priority strategy.   My sense of logic told me that by doing so they would be ‘shooting us in the foot’- as they would in effect limit … More Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT

reBlog from Liberty: Senator Gillibrand’s alert – PASSING Immigration Reform.. Poltical Hot Potato

back to the future   Are we still waiting for Barney Frank to have his day with DADT before pushing for the very  legislation that serves as the essence of who we are ? The critical repeal of Defense of Marriage Act? (DOMA;) the  legislation that denies our relationships, with the one that calls for its … More reBlog from Liberty: Senator Gillibrand’s alert – PASSING Immigration Reform.. Poltical Hot Potato

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Symposium: – Keeping our eye on Equality

The city of San Francisco has its work cut out for it when it comes to Immigration reform, and it must stand up for all its residents; while certain religious communities strongly support immigration reform, it is apparent they will oppose the inclusion of UAFA and may well shoot themselves in the toe rather than support fully inclusive reform that excludes no one. … More Comprehensive Immigration Reform Symposium: – Keeping our eye on Equality

Police Fail Progressive Protesters when Harrased by Birthers

initial Blog, I had heard Pat’s call to Ed Schultz on his radio show and was touched by her fierce commitment to defend our President. A few e-mails ensued between us, including the fact that she was touched by Lez Get Real’s support of her protest. She agreed to report the protest day directly to me as well as to photograph the event for our site. … More Police Fail Progressive Protesters when Harrased by Birthers

Shirley Tan Advocate Magazine’s Activist of the YEAR!

I am documenting this note in the hope that you will remember that Shirl and Jay are innocent bystanders who got caught up in a situation and have been inadvertent activists. If anything goes wrong it will not be for lack of trying on their behalf to help others. It would have been much easier for them to remain silent. … More Shirley Tan Advocate Magazine’s Activist of the YEAR!

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: AS NY assembly shelves gay marriage vote… we must start the Great Big Gay PR Campaign

 This is what I thought after yet another big equality disappointment – the Choir has heard enough Melanie Nathan’s Comment  :  This is just too much.  I keep thinking why do they disapprove of us?  Why are we so badly thought of  by our fellow Americans-  that they would not want to give us our … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: AS NY assembly shelves gay marriage vote… we must start the Great Big Gay PR Campaign

Maine and California – “BAN DIVORCE” – next obvious step for the Sanctity of Marriage

  Read my post on LEZGETREAL Blog site its serious now oh and boycott Maine Lobster – not Kosher:  Indeed the next obvious step is legislation that prohibits one’s right to divorce.  Divorce is not an inherent right; it is one that is granted by specific statute. For example in California there would be no … More Maine and California – “BAN DIVORCE” – next obvious step for the Sanctity of Marriage

reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Senator Leahy and Rep. Nadler plea for inclusion and I SAY NOW…. NOW…

 I wrote this Article for Lezgetreal BLOG extraordinaire The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) of 2009,  would grant same-sex couples the same immigration benefits — and responsibilities — as opposite-sex couples, under the same existing legal framework.  It is cosponsored by 22 senators and 117 members of the House of Representatives and has the support … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Senator Leahy and Rep. Nadler plea for inclusion and I SAY NOW…. NOW…

Out4Immigration-like an Ever-ready Battery….

Melanie Nathan’s comment:- While some organizations focus on fundraising and remain furtive in their strategy, citing “we know best” while purporting to advance the cause of binationals in their self appointed autocracy, Out4Immigration remains consistent in its plan – a transparent one- and as always made public here is a note from OUT4Immigration posted by Amos Lim, unpaid volunteer at the helm:- Please join out4Immigration in its quest to help our gay and lesbian families in exile, in hiding or living in uncertainty. we should not have to choose between our heart or home. Also remember we are all one heart beat away from falling in love with a foreigner.

see additional commentary on this post at http://lezgetreal.com/?p=22326
More Out4Immigration-like an Ever-ready Battery….

Judge refuses to throw out Prop 8 Challenge- while arraigning anti-same sex marriage Rhetoric

a Federal Judge in San Francisco asked the backers of California’s voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage to explain how allowing gay couples to wed threatens straight marriages. Much to my personal delight the lawyer for the supporters of Prop 8, Charles Cooper acknowledged he did not know. … More Judge refuses to throw out Prop 8 Challenge- while arraigning anti-same sex marriage Rhetoric

I AM HERE WITH YOU IN THAT FIGHT and yet I give as much as the law allows?

I was skeptical about President Obama’s speech and yet hopeful. The short version of this post is that I was generally pleased. Of course I could highlight what was left out and the uncertainties that remain for our full equality, yet my ‘glass half full’ beckons and I succumb! Admittedly, the strongest language yet from … More I AM HERE WITH YOU IN THAT FIGHT and yet I give as much as the law allows?

AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN

“Hun, we live in a world where peoples are often so full of fear which is usually because of ignorance, – there are all sorts of different families – but they have usually only experienced their own. The unknown teririfies them; so they lash out in this way. What you heard on that ad, was unfair and contorted, but that is how the people who are against the idea of same-sex marriage think they can get other people to join their way of thinking.”

I provided more reassurance as best I could. A few more questions and answers later we arrived at school, and went on with the next two weeks, during which time HC and my four year old accompanied me to various “NO ON 8” rallies; “no on 8, no on 8,” a battle cry still performed by my 4 year old whenever she sees the number 8, whether in the market, at school or in the movies.

More AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN

Please Mr. President No Mere Nods – we have our Vehicle to Repeal DOMA Now!

Re-BLOG and as amended- Lezgetreal -770 views   on this post In your acknowledgment herein-below of our de facto existence is it not time to equate with more than a mere nod, with our de jure rights? Now that Rep. Jerrold Nadler has provided the vehicle, by way of Respect for Marriage Bill- you have the opportunity, … More Please Mr. President No Mere Nods – we have our Vehicle to Repeal DOMA Now!