Several years ago at an event in San Francisco I asked renowned trans American Actress Laverne Cox if she would be interested in speaking out for transgender people who are being criminalized in African countries. She was on an event stage when asked the question, and in front of all present answered along the following … More Trans Women Get 5 Years Jail in Cameroon and America is Silent
Join in and help decriminalize LGBTQI people in Uzbekistan Although the Uzbekistani Constitution guarantees privacy, equality and non-discrimination, Uzbekistan is one of the only two Central Asian countries that retain legislation criminalising private, consensual same-sex conduct between men. Article 120 of the Criminal Code in force stipulates that “bezakalbazlyk” (sodomy), voluntary sexual intercourse between two … More Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan
President Biden’s Historic EO for LGBTQ Rights Yesterday, President Biden issued Executive Orders impacting our LGBTQI communities. President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day one executive order by a … More Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights
IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence
Modern Ghana Reports: Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how – By Boniface Ushie & Chimaraoke Izugbara & Frederick Wekesah – The Conversation:- Questions of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression have continued to divide opinion across the globe. This is primarily driven by legal, cultural and religious beliefs … More Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace
When all is said and done there could not be a more serious moment in the lives of LGBTQI Americans and their families – and also for the entire LGBTI world. Any form of inequality or diminishing of our community will serve to justify and hence dictate further global marginalization for all LGBTQI communities. If … More SCOTUS Cases Could Dictate Global Harm to LGBTQI Communities
On 20 March, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 13th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia, authored by Lucas Ramón Mendos. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation – a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general … More ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights
Whitmer’s order will provide nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order this morning which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in state employment, public services, and state contracting. Employees of Michigan’s executive branch and state contractors are now protected on … More Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Pro-LGBTQ Executive Order
Statewide civil rights laws offer no protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in areas such as employment, housing and public accommodations. Arizona’s legal landscape and social climate put the state’s 203,000 LGBT adults and 45,500 LGBT youth at risk of discrimination and harassment. The social, economic and health effects of stigma … More Nearly 250,000 LGBT in Arizona vulnerable to discrimination
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A three-judge panel on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion in Christansen v. Omnicon, the case of Matthew Christiansen, an HIV-positive gay man who faced extreme harassment and discrimination in his workplace by his supervisor.The panel determined that Christiansen made a successful Title VII claim with regard to gender stereotyping, but that the … More 2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims
UN human rights body establishes an Independent Expert In a defining vote, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on “Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity”, to mandate the appointment of an Independent Expert on the subject. It is a historic victory for the human rights of … More United Nations Makes History on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
On Monday 21 March (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination), three Italian LGBT organizations presented a campaign to defeat the prejudices related to ethnic and religious differences and to inform LGBT migrants and asylum seekers about their rights. But a few minutes later, Facebook censored the campaign: a drawing of a bare-chested man … More Facebook Banned Italian LGBT Campaign Against Racism
By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. A new revealing report on persecution and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBTI community has been released by the Consortium on Monitoring Violations Based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The report refers to 89 verified documented violations in 2014 in Uganda. That was the year the Anti-Homosexuality Act … More Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police
Posted by Melanie Nathan, 21st November 2014, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL), Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), Rainbow Health Foundation (RHF), and Support Initiative for Persons with Congenital Disorders (SIPD) released a report on violations based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation (SDGISO) (SOGI) . … More Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released
Our friends in South Africa are tackling this issue with concern. Here are 2 reports which can be fully read on their respective sites: GROUPS SAY SA GOV MUST BACK UN LGBTI RESOLUTION Updated – South Africa did support the Resolution – See http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2014/09/26/united-nations-hrc-passes-resolution-condemning-lgbt-discrimination/ posted by Luiz DeBarros | September 24, 2014 | Human rights … More South Africans Concerned About Government Supporting LGBT in UN Resolution
The Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva explains why she is tabling a resolution this afternoon on the human rights of everyone regardless of our sexual orientation or gender identity. The International Service for Human Rights is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. We achieve this by supporting human rights defenders, … More Why Human Rights Resolution of Chile’s UN Ambassador Includes All
You might be thinking that hearts and minds have transformed. Society might have evolved on gender identity, but not the military’s old guard. By L.S. Kove, May 15, 2014. The Department of Defense (DoD) is different than the rest of the federal government. Not only is it large enough to swallow the rest whole, but … More The Tale of Two Feds | Transgender and The Department of Defense
Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 01, 2014. has provided the English translation for the March 22, unanimous Resolution of the Belgian Parliament regarding Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was made official law of Uganda on march 10, 2014. WE REQUEST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: 1. to emphasize the importance of respecting sexual orientation and gender identities in … More Belgian Parliament Resolution on Uganda
“… We must be able to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests regardless of sexual orientation.”” By Melanie Nathan, February, 2014. Many in the tourism industry consider the country of Uganda a jewel, often describing it as “the pearl of Africa.” Wildlife abounds and gorilla tracking is prime. At Oblogdee we warned … More Tour Operator Cancels Ugandan Safaris due To Anti-Gay Bill
AS critical to promoting equitable, peaceful and prosperous societies in which we all wish to live: “The people of the Commonwealth are committed to equality and human rights for all…” By Melanie Nathan, 30 January 2014. In the wake of the rising terror now facing LGBT people in Commonwealth countries, where old draconian penal codes … More Commonwealth Secretary-General on Protection of Dignity for Gays
Nelson Mandela, our father has died. The man who believed in full equality for all, for everyone everywhere … One of the most remarkable human beings of all time By Melanie Nathan, Dec 05 , 2013. Our beloved Madiba, Nelson Mandela, has just died. With deep sadness we extend our condolences to Madiba’s family and … More Nelson Mandela 1918 – 2013
By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2013. Today, April 24, on the two year anniversary of the brutal rape and murder of 24 year old LGBT activist, Noxolo Nogwaza, a day of remembrance was held at Ekhaya Center (PicknPay), Kwa-Thema, a short distance from where Noxolo’s body was found, while activists called on the South African … More Fallen lesbians and gays remembered amidst calls for justice
Please show solidarity on April 24th with Tweets and Facebook messages for Noxolo By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2013 April 24, 2013 marks the two year anniversary of the brutal death of Noxolo Nogwaza. In 2011, twenty-four year old Noxolo Nogwaza, a South African lesbian and LGBT rights activist, the organizer of the Ekurhuleni Pride … More And still no justice for lesbian Noxolo Nogwaza | let the world remember with a call for action
By Melanie Nathan, April 15, 2013. As Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered patient, especially those who have yet to come out, and others who are less pronounced in their declaration of being gay, those who live in less accepting communities, can pose different challenges for doctors and professional medical staff, starting with language and trust. … More Medical schools innovate on care for LGBT patients
By Melanie Nathan, January, 19, 2013. The South African Justice Ministry has called on the Human Rights Commission to investigate claims of unfair discrimination at the Creare Training Centre in Bloemfontein. A week ago we reported that Creare Training Center’s prospectus claimed it could convert gay students into heterosexuals through “rehabilitation” and the discriminatory statements … More South African Ministry of Justice probes Gay Cure Arts School
A South African Christian arts academy in Bloemfontein may be breaking the law by advertising that it can “cure” homosexual students, and that if a homosexual refuses such, they can be expelled. By Melanie Nathan, January 13, 2012. The Sunday Times reported that the Creare Training Centre’s prospectus claimed it could convert gay students into … More South African Christian Arts Academy Claims it Can Cure Gays
Protection for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – A Paper POSTED on Dec 01, 2012. If Uganda legislates its new proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill it may find itself in international hot water; and those in high authority who support and enforce it may find themselves accused of crimes against humanity, unable to travel internationally, with … More Will Uganda Turn its Back on The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Can the Gay Movement in the USA learn from Bermuda By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2012. While the USA enters this critical election week with its anti-gay same sex marriage ballot initiatives in various States and its two prominent parties at opposite ends of the spectrum on the issue LGBTI rights and equality, the world … More Bermuda considering Equality Act can be an example to USA Gay leadership
By Melanie Nathan, August 30, 2012. An historic public meeting took place Thursday between the South African majority party, the ANC and the Gay Flag of South Africa (GFSA) an NPO to condemn recent homophobic violence against the LGBTI community in South Africa, as well as the anti-gay commentary by Traditional leaders who are reviewing … More Gay Flag of South Africa and ANC Hold Historic Public Meeting to Condemn Homophobia in SA
DA Party Manny de Freitas calls protests Gay Pride Parade and Helen Zille remains silent by Melanie Nathan, May 22, 2012. Pursuant to nationwide protests in South Africa this weekend, the opposing Democratic Alliance (DA) party has failed to issue any official press statement in support of the South African LGBTI community which held events … More South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights
O-blog-dee-o-blog-da 