Tag: South Africa

South Africa Democratic Alliance Party Mocks South African LGBTI Protests to Protect Rights

May 22, 2012

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

South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

May 20, 2012

What happened to the Madibe and ANC assurance that all South Africans will be protected from persecution? Now SA Gays are under attack by members of the ANC. By Melanie Nathan, May 20, 2012. South Africans may have been surprised today as hundreds of people took to the streets of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and … More South African National Protests by Gay Rights Activists Sheds Light on ANC Weakness

Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

May 19, 2012

South African LGBT Community and allies marching to protect the South African Constitution By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2012. Hundreds of people took to the streets of Johannesburg , Saturday, as the LGBTI community in South Africa today marched, protesting against the Traditional leaders of South Africa’s decision to review the rights of Lesbian Gay … More Protests in Johannesburg as Gays Unfold Rainbow Flag on Constitutional Hill

My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan  May 18,2012, In many countries, around the world LGBTI people face harassment, intimidation, violence, ostracism, hate crimes, and even death, just because of their sexuality. Today at least 100 countries are commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with meetings, praying, rallies and vigils – We are here at United Nations Plaza … More My Speech in San Francisco for International Day Against Homophobia

South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

May 18, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 18, 2012. Here are two articles I wrote about Zanele Muholi, the famed lesbian artist, photographer and filmmaker, from 2010 and 2011 respectively. Now that Zanele Muholi has had her work stolen by a thief who removed 20 hard drives from her apartment, I decided to republish these pieces here. For … More South African Photographer Zanele Muholi Revisited

South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

May 16, 2012

This is about protecting the Constitution for ALL South Africans and so whether LGBTI or not, all South Africans should participate. By Melanie Nathan, May 16, 2012. A powerful and unified coalition of South African LGBTI groups have formed to promote nationwide marches to protest the House of Traditional Leaders to Parliament’s Constitutional Review Committee … More South African LGBTI Coalition Organizes Nationwide Marches to Protect the Constitution

Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

May 14, 2012

We celebrate the founding principles of the new South Africa, a country that knows what courage means. : Democracy, Justice,  Equality, and  Human rights. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. While South African traditional leaders ignore South Africa’s importance in the world with their draconian ideals, as they question the validity of their own equality … More Traditional Leaders Should Not Forget What South Africa’s Freedom Means to the World

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

Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

May 8, 2012

WATCH VIDEO The UN  human rights Commissioner’s view of gays vs traditionalist South African view of gays (LGBTI) By Melanie Nathan May 08, 2012 South Africa emerged from the Apartheid era with a “never again” zest; but now that fervor is being tested with members of the South African Parliament, who took oaths to uphold … More Homophobia | Navi Pillay vs Patekile Holomisa

Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

May 7, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 07, 2012. South African ANC Member of Parliament  Nkosi Patekile Holomisa is in the hot seat; he is faced with a conflict of interest, a controversial issue and a remark that renders him unfit to serve in any elected and appointed positions. The comments followed a submission by the House of … More Nkosi Patekile Holomisa Not Fit to Serve the South African Constitution

South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

May 4, 2012

Activists are concerned as decades of lobbying and progress for LGBTI rights in South Africa are under threat. Nelson Mandela: ” Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another” By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2012. Since the end of Apartheid and the … More South Africa’s Shocking Constitutional Review of its Sexual Orientation Rights

South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

May 3, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 03, 2012 40% of child sex offenses are committed on children by other children; is that the new South Africa’s legacy? Teenagers and minors are raping women in South Africa Over. See the shocking CNN Video linked below which tells the story of a young 8 year old girl who was … More South African Children Criminals in Shocking Rape Cases

South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

April 27, 2012

We must continue to challenge and pursue true liberation which will only come about when homophobia is stamped out, the poor receive the restoration of their basic human rights and crime is reduced dramatically. By Melanie Nathan, April 27, 2012 Celebrated each year on April 27, Freedom Day is an annual celebration of South Africa’s … More South African Gay Community Celebrates Freedom Day

More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

April 9, 2012

Mr. Gay New Zealand wins Mr. Gay World 2012 in Johannesburg at the Fourth Annual International Competition.  South Africa is first Runner up, France comes 3rd and  4th Place to Mr. USA. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – from the twenty-two gay men representing their respective countries in the 4th annual Mr. Gay World competition held in … More More About Mr. Gay World Winner Mr. New Zealand

Mr. GAY World 2012

April 8, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, April 08, 2012 Congratulations to New Zealand  for winning Mr. Gay World 2012, held this past week in South Africa and culminating in a packed finale. Yes my prediction was correct after seeing the man’s man, Andreas Derleth, win the sports challenge, I knew he would be first. Now the contestant from … More Mr. GAY World 2012

New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

April 2, 2012

By Melanie Nathan,April, 02, 2012 A beautiful bride and the perfect groom and what better than a honeymoon in magnificent Cape Town, South Africa. It would take wealth to put on the lavish wedding depicted in the photographs splashed across the world press, and that wealth itself would serve to question the very alibi upon … More New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

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

South Africans Outraged as Journalist Deported by QATAR because HIV-Positive

February 29, 2012

Allegedly tested for HIV without consent, found positive and subsequently dismissed, detained and deported, a South African journalist is attempting to take his case against Qatar to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to change the country’s HIV travel and employment laws. … More South Africans Outraged as Journalist Deported by QATAR because HIV-Positive

Historic Mr Gay World Billboard Erected in Central Johannesburg

February 28, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, 02/28/2012, JOHANNESBURG -Great excitement hit the gay community in South Africa Monday, when the first ever gay Billboard went up in South Africa, near Melrose Arch on M1 South in Johannesburg. Much to the awe of the empowered LGBTI community in South Africa, the tone is set to ready the country for … More Historic Mr Gay World Billboard Erected in Central Johannesburg

South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

January 27, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2012 UPDATED Cape Town, January 28, 2012:  The Flag Boys did it! The won best dressed couple – Imagine gay boys dressed in camp Zulu warrior garb, protesting Zulu King’s homophobic remarks, win best dressed couple at H&B Met Red Carpet event! Read our pre-event report …… South African gay … More South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

South Africa DASO Controversial Nude Interracial Ad Campaign | The Gay Version

January 24, 2012

A campaign by the student wing of South Africa’s official opposition party is just perfect for a country that has an all inclusive Constitution; and so why the big deal?  Well the Ad has caused a storm and depicts a black woman embraced by a white man. Judging by the social network comments, it would … More South Africa DASO Controversial Nude Interracial Ad Campaign | The Gay Version

Zulu King Homophobic Spit on South African Constitution | President Jacob Zuma Stands by in Silence

January 23, 2012

I am calling on President Jacob Zuma to condemn homophobic remarks on Center stage in harsher terms; his feeble attempt at reprimand does not make leadership grade! By Melanie Nathan – January 23, 2011 Johannesburg – Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini has criticized people who engage in same sex relationships, labelling them as “rotten”, according … More Zulu King Homophobic Spit on South African Constitution | President Jacob Zuma Stands by in Silence

SABC Allows use of Airwaves to Attract Listeners to Pastor’s Anti- LGBTI Agenda

January 13, 2012

The South African LGBT community is in an uproar about Riekert Botha, a radio evangelical from South Africa who has been spewing anti-gay comments at the expense of the South African taxpayer. South Africa, which  has a fully inclusive constitution outlaws discrimination against LGBTI people and have anti-hate speech laws to  protect groups against hate … More SABC Allows use of Airwaves to Attract Listeners to Pastor’s Anti- LGBTI Agenda

Oprah Winfrey on First Graduation for South African School – The Class of 2011

January 13, 2012

The South African school year ends in December in time for summer vacation. Oprah Winfrey is in South Africa to attend graduation of the first graduating class of her elite academy and while she has spent millions on this school for underprivileged South African girls, she is now contemplating the question of  lways to make … More Oprah Winfrey on First Graduation for South African School – The Class of 2011

Calling South African President Zuma in New York to Speak to AU for LGBT Human Rights

January 10, 2012

Melanie Nathan, January 10, 2012 President Jacob Zuma arrived in New York on Tuesday ahead of South Africa’s officially assuming the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for January. “SA will utilize its presidency to continue exploring concrete measures for strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, in particular the African … More Calling South African President Zuma in New York to Speak to AU for LGBT Human Rights

Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet

January 5, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, 01/05/2012 When we as Western tourists go to Africa, we go to view nature – to visit tribal villages, to see the dance and hear song; we sit eagerly at waterholes waiting for the lioness to pounce the unsuspecting deer, while the landscape and the vast bush yields to the pristine African … More Gays as Accidental Anti-Gay Tourists in Africa – The Lioness and the Wallet