Tag: U.S.A.

LGBT News

Underground Lives: Criminalization and Fear Build Hidden Societies

October 25, 2025

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 24, 2025 When governments criminalize identity—whether via immigration policy or sexual orientation laws—they coerce people into the shadows to flee danger, yet the underground offers no safety at all—only a stopgap for immediate survival. Under Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns, thousands of immigrants, and even U.S. citizens of color, live under the … More Underground Lives: Criminalization and Fear Build Hidden Societies

Almost Impossible to Immigrate to the U.S. from These 10 Countries – Reflects on Paths for Asylum

April 28, 2025

By Melanie Nathan, April 28, 2025 Recently, the U.S. released its updated Visa Waiver Program list, excluding all 54 African nations while granting visa-free access to 40 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, highlighting the ongoing disparities in U.S. immigration policy. Ironically the countries portrayed below are among those nations that have the … More Almost Impossible to Immigrate to the U.S. from These 10 Countries – Reflects on Paths for Asylum

Ugandan Police and Families Banned from Visas to USA for Gross Human Rights Violations

October 2, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, Oct 02,2024. Designation of Uganda Police Force Officials Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights – Banned from entry to USA. The Department of State is taking action today to promote accountability for human rights violations committed in Uganda by designating four members of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) due … More Ugandan Police and Families Banned from Visas to USA for Gross Human Rights Violations

Olympian Gary Hall to “Swim for Equality” in San Francisco Bay

June 6, 2011

06/06/2011, by Melanie Nathan San Francisco- On Sunday, June 26, swimmers from throughout the country will swim 1.2 miles in the San Francisco Bay to raise critical awareness and funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in California. The event, benefiting Equality California, will challenge experienced swimmers to a course from Alcatraz Island … More Olympian Gary Hall to “Swim for Equality” in San Francisco Bay

Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

September 16, 2009

When all was lost and there was no “next step” for Shirley Tan, about to be deported  within mere weeks, Molly McKay of Marriage Equality called my office to see if I could be of assistance.   Unfortunately Shirley’s was a losing case and she was told that there was nothing anyone could do to help … More Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House

AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

August 23, 2009

How the Hate for 8 Hurt my Child… Before the California Court ruled  I asserted in my blog “The fate of California’s same-sex marriage hangs in the balance, as the Justices prepare their ruling on the challenges to the validity of Proposition 8.” Now is has ruled and the impact is so egregious that the … More AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

Why Healthcare has Impacted Uniting American Families Act… because it has in essence halted Comprehensive Immigration Reform

August 10, 2009

Not unpredictable – says Melanie Nathan, author of this post!     Press Conference – Mexico- Today President Obama confirmed some of my fears in so far as they relate to Uniting American Families Act – UAFA and comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).   “I’ve got a lot on my plate and it’s very important for us … More Why Healthcare has Impacted Uniting American Families Act… because it has in essence halted Comprehensive Immigration Reform

May 26, 2009

 California Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8 Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton : “Today’s decision, while heartbreaking, doesn’t end the historic struggle for marriage equality. It renews our dedication to making sure all California families can again enjoy the dignity, commitment and responsibility of marriage. I commend the California Supreme Court for … More

Tonight the fate of our marriage, albeit decided, hangs in my psychological balance….

May 25, 2009

JULY 27, 2008 – May, 26, 2009 WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE – ?  “R.I.P MARRIAGE” – THE DEATH OF MY MARRIAGE BY THE VOICE OF CALIFORNIA, ENDORSED BY THE BENCH?  OR “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY” –   MARRIED TEN  MONTHS” –  BY ORDER OF COURT! Marriage Equality   Join us on the Steps of the Court 400 McAllister, … More Tonight the fate of our marriage, albeit decided, hangs in my psychological balance….

Queercents shuts down new blogger’s first blog to comments….

May 8, 2009

What makes me mad   Have you ever heard of an editor closing the comments down on a Blogger’s  post?  Serena Editor of QueerCents did just that, and I quote:  “Serena Says:  May 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm  Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of many of the comments on this thread, comments have been … More Queercents shuts down new blogger’s first blog to comments….

S.424 Oregon’s Merkeley added as co-sponsor of UAFA

March 28, 2009

   S . 424         At the request of Mr. LEAHY, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of S . 424 , a 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 … More S.424 Oregon’s Merkeley added as co-sponsor of UAFA

America can be such a sad place for so many

March 20, 2009

PLEASE CONGRESS 36,000 AMERICANS AND THEIR CHILDREN DESPERATELY SEEKING UAFA passage …. There are American citizens who are being discriminated against in a way that extends beyond civil rights into the realm of human rights and it has everything to do with immigration law – do you want to remain silent … read this and decide. Please ask your Senator to support and push for Uniting American Faminlies Act…. read on … More America can be such a sad place for so many

March 19, 2009

MORMON CHURCH WITH CALIFORNIA FPPC BASED ON LEAKED CHURCH DOCUMENTS –ALLEGES CHURCH SET UP ILLEGAL “FRONT GROUP” To thnk that my family’s life has been detrimentally impacted by the Mormon Church in this Country that separates Church from State- albeit indirect this Church is tax exempt ……………….. I do not belief that PROP 8 would have passed had the California voters known that all those adds were funded by the MORMAN CHURCH, via Utah….read on and please comment
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Feels like my entire life depends on 4 hours of alienable argument

March 5, 2009

The Court has taken the matter as submitted. Prop 8 is on the decision block. It seemed to me by listening to the questions of the esteemed Justices that proposition 8 may go through as valid. I feel despondent. Although I thought Ms. Stewart’s argument was articulate and clear and its jurisprudential profundity seemed to outweigh that of the opponent. … More Feels like my entire life depends on 4 hours of alienable argument