Month: May 2012

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Lance Weyer Mr. Gay South Africa Uses Crown to Solicit Gay Votes for Democratic Alliance Party

May 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012. In 2011 Lance Weyer won the Mr. Gay South Africa Pageant.  With the win the pageant owners declared him The Ambassador for South African LGBT Rights.  However Weyer is a career politician who was chosen by the Democratic Alliance, a political party to a career position as a Town… More Lance Weyer Mr. Gay South Africa Uses Crown to Solicit Gay Votes for Democratic Alliance Party

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Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

May 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012. In an article entitled CNN Anchor: Pedophilia, Incest “Often Are Not By Choice,” But Homosexuality Is “Voluntary” Media Matters America took umbrage with remarks made by Ashleigh Banfield as follows:- During the Thursday edition of CNN’s Early Start, co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield reported on comments made by Kansas Pastor Curtis Knapp,… More Ashleigh Banfield Slammed by Media Matters for Gay Lifestyle Remark

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Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

May 31, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 31, 2012, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced that Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and locally by Southwest Airlines. In March, GLAAD announced… More Facebook First Social Media Company to receive GLAAD Award

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Mr. GAY South Africa Lance Weyer should resign after Reprimanded by DOJ

May 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 30, 2012. In an earlier article I accused Lance Weyer of partisan politics and a conflict of interest. While purporting to represent the South African LGBT community in his capacity as Mr. Gay South Africa, Weyer took a partisan turn and launched a divisive tirade against the South African LGBT activist… More Mr. GAY South Africa Lance Weyer should resign after Reprimanded by DOJ

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Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

May 29, 2012

A disaster looms when politicians who have partisan party affiliations are perceived as spokespersons for all. By Melanie Nathan, May 29, 2012. Mr. Gay South Africa is a privately run enterprise, a competition, a money maker, with lucrative sponsorships and a keen eye on the next “South African LGBTI Ambassador.” While the competition has provided… More Controversy looms as Mr. Gay South Africa claims to be the ambassador for LGBTI rights in South Africa

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South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

May 28, 2012

THE ALLIANCE FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TRADITIONAL COURTS BILL  AND FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF RURAL AREAS  Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 28, 20212. The Alliance for Rural Democracy calls upon all provincial legislatures to vote against the Traditional Courts Bill in the lead-up to the National Council of Provinces… More South African Alliance Calls for the Immediate Withdrawal of the Traditional Courts Bill

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AIDS 2012 | Preparing for XIX International AIDS Conference Washington D.C.

May 27, 2012

Secretariat announces two off-site conference hubs for sex workers and people who use drugs |Record number of abstracts submitted Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 26, 2012/ Thursday 10 May, 2012 (Geneva, Switzerland, and Washington, D.C., USA)— The International AIDS Conference is the largest gathering of professionals working in the field of HIV, including people living… More AIDS 2012 | Preparing for XIX International AIDS Conference Washington D.C.

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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

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Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

May 22, 2012

Last night, Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work — a national organization working to ban workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans — announced the launch of a new campaign and petition aimed at ExxonMobil’s discriminatory policies against LGBT employees.… More Exxon’s Anti-LGBT Policies Prompts Freedom to Work Campaign

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

May 15, 2012

Diverse LGBT Speakers List for SF’s May 17 IDAHO at UN Plaza Gays Without Borders has organized an event on Thursday, May 17 , to honor International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The  commemoration will begin at noon at UN Plaza in San Francisco. The commemoration will start off with poignant speeches about the violence… More San Francisco Flag Lowering Ceremony for International Day Against Homophobia

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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

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Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

May 14, 2012

Stop the Deportation of Ugandan Lesbian Nantale Prosscovia. By Melanie Nathan, May 14, 2012. Nantale Prosscovia, a Ugandan lesbian held in a Swedish prison, is facing deportation back to the life-threatening situation she fled 6 years ago. Now a Petition has been launched on the site “GO Petition” to try and save her from this… More Sweden Threatens to Deport Persecuted Lesbian back to Uganda

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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

Melanie Nathan and Zanele Muholi

South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

May 12, 2012

Please Help my friend  find  her stolen work – What Zanele has lost is a body of history that is irreplaceable – “I have dedicated my life to this work,” Zanele Muholi. By Melanie Nathan, May 12, 2012. “Loss, lost, violated, ripped, stripped, ransacked… ngilahlekelwe,” are the devastating words that appear on the Facebook page… More South African Lesbian Activist Photographer Zanele Muholi Loses Major Work in Burglary

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North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

May 12, 2012

Around the U.S.A. May 12, 2012, A lesbian who sought a North Carolina marriage license with her partner and was rejected under a state law banning same-sex marriage was arrested with another person Thursday after they refused to leave a government office where several gay and lesbian couples were turned away. The civil disobedience followed… More North Carolina Lesbian Arrested trying to get Marriage License

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Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

May 11, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, May 11, 2012. BOSTON – Following President Obama’s announcement to support same sex marriage, Senator John Kerry, along with 16 of his Senate colleagues, today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to protect married gay and lesbian couples facing possible deportation. In a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and… More Letter to Eric Holder as Senators Urge Protections for Same Sex Binational Couples Facing Deportation

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President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

May 9, 2012

By The National Black Justice Coalition Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples.The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauded the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry:- “It is an… More President Obama’s Support for Marriage Equality Applauded

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North Carolina Votes to Discriminate against Gay People

May 8, 2012

Amendment One – the marriage amendment that asserts same-sex discrimination. At 9:00 pm EST it seems that North Carolinians have decided to chase their gay people and single mothers out of town!  We do not want you to have equal lives here – why don’t you dissolve and lets pretend you do not exist! Thats… More North Carolina Votes to Discriminate against Gay People

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UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

May 8, 2012

Despite ongoing progress in combating HIV and Aids, the report warns that considerable gaps remain, including access to HIV services, discrimination against Aids patients and gender inequality. GENEVA —The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued his first report on HIV to the UN General Assembly since the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS. In… More UN Report Warns of Gaps to meet 2015 HIV AIDS Targets

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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