Archive | Immigration RSS feed for this archive
jeff Sessions

Why Obama has won on the Immigration EO

Republicans roll off the Hill, while Democrats traverse Mt. Everest By Melanie Nathan, February 17, 2015. Republicans would be calling the Judge who barred President Obama’s Immigration Executive Orders ‘an activist Judge’ – albeit tit-for-tat – indeed he may be – but did the Judge fall into a trap? Do we really think the appeals […]

5 Comments Continue Reading →
NQfi

NQAPIA Announces New Executive Director

By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2015. The Board of Directors of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) is excited to announce that Glenn D. Magpantay is NQAPIA’s new Executive Director. Glenn has been with NQAPIA since the beginning, as one of the organization’s founders. Since 2009, he has served as NQAPIA’s Co-Director of […]

1 Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 3.00.21 PM

2014’s Most Popular Posts on O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da

By Melanie Nathan, December 29, 2014. Out of 506 articles written and posted on O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-Da during the course of 2014, here are the most popular 36 by reads. The top article about the Ugandan Catholic Church’s Easter message had over 43,000 reads, with 20,000 in its first day of posting. If an article is dated […]

2 Comments Continue Reading →
Judith Twikirize , Lesbian Activist protesting against Uganda and African Anti-Homosexuality legislation

Activists Worldwide try to Save Ugandan Lesbian from UK Deportation

By Melanie Nathan,  December 16, 2014. The United Kingdom wants to deport a persecuted lesbian back to Uganda, where a harsh anti-LGBTI climate awaits, with the certainty of further state sanctioned persecution that will endanger her life. Activists, worldwide have weighed in with letters and reports, in support of Judith Twikirize, 23, a known lesbian, in […]

2 Comments Continue Reading →
Junior at Harvey in the Castro, Photo Note Harvey Milk's picture on wall behind: Pic: Melanie Nathan©

From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.

Welcome Home Junior! By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2014. I first met Junior Mayema back in 2011 when I was invited to keynote speak at Cape Town Pride’s Pink Gala in South Africa. At the time Junior, approached me along the Pride parade route. He told me that he was an LGBTI refugee from the […]

4 Comments Continue Reading →
Do Not Deport Judith Petition

UK About to Deport Ugandan Lesbian Defies New EU Landmark Ruling

Protest outside the Home Office on Friday Morning, 5th, requires urgent signing of this Petition- Please help save Judith! | PETITION: SIGN HERE and be sure to pass it along. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 03, 2014. There is an urgent petition and plea to the U.K.  Home Office to stop the deportation of Judith T. Twikereza, […]

6 Comments Continue Reading →
Melanie Nathan, SF Pride Community Grand Marshal 2014 Contingent

LGBT Organizations Should Not Criticize Obama’s Immigration Move

A Statement on President Obama’s Immigration Announcement November 20, 2014, addressed to the  LGBT community of activists and organizations. By Melanie Nathan, of Private Courts, Inc. Conflict Resolution & Human Rights Advocacy [email protected] Dear LGBTI Activists, Advocates and Organizations, Now that the dust is settling I want to again applaud President Barack Obama for his […]

3 Comments Continue Reading →
Melanie Nathan Meets Ham Darly on his arrival as refugee from Uganda at Oakland International Airport . Photo: SFALI.org

Gay Ugandan Refugee Finally Arrives Home in the USA

Ham is Home but still has no place to call ‘Home’ By Melanie Nathan, November 08, 2014. Twenty years of age and with no money, he literally ran for his life. His journey to freedom started almost year ago. And it has been indescribable hell.  Running from his own people who rejected him, a Government […]

13 Comments Continue Reading →
Uganda Penal Codes criminalize gays

Iceland Receives 5 LGBT Refugees from Africa While Pipleine to USA is slow

By Melanie Nathan, June 08, 2014 Iceland is set to receive approximately 5 LGBT refugees, including one lesbian, from Uganda, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. The Committee on Refugees made the recommendation, accepted by the foreign minister and the minister of welfare. Each of the individuals made application to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The municipalities of […]

5 Comments Continue Reading →
Harriet

Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

UPDATED:  July 31, 2014. Harriet Nakigudde has just won her appeal. She has won asylum in the United Kingdom after a hard fought battle by activists and amazing attorneys and a compassionate and experienced barrister who came to her aid. This highlights the cruelty of the UK system – that puts already traumatized people through hell […]

4 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-07-09 at 11.37.05 AM

What we can do as dramatic increase in persecution of Ugandan Gays since Anti-Homosexuality Act

Updated 7/9/2014. This post had been removed to archives private because it is an OLD post dated May 16, 2014, and its is being misused by some as a reference for a current Relief Fund , which it is not. It referred to an older relief fund campaign which has since closed. A new relief […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-05-12 at 7.03.52 PM

Dangerous Costly Bed Quotas hurts LGBT Detainees

Center for American Progress  | RELEASE: New Analysis and Infographics Show the Dangerous and Costly Effects of Detainee Bed Quotas Washington, D.C. — New CAP analysis and infographics detail the dangerous and costly toll of the congressionally mandated bed quota on our immigration system. Beginning in 2009, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or […]

2 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-05-04 at 9.37.43 AM

Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

Sweden and other allies have a duty to act and not just talk – you need to practice what you preach , says Bob Bwana By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. LGBT activists are very upset about the denial by Sweden of a visa to a Ugandan human rights defender. It is being reported from […]

4 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-04-18 at 11.47.17 AM

Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

Department of Homeland Security Routinely Violates Laws Requiring Timely Reasonable Fear Interview Posted by Melanie Nathan April 17, 2014 A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleging the government violated the law in thousands of cases, with individuals waiting in detention for many months for a ruling on their […]

2 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-02-26 at 10.28.20 AM

NPR Talks About Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill Impacting Asylum to the U.S.A.

‘A Lot Of People Are In Panic Mode’ By NPR, February 26, 2014. Today this report appeared on NPR Radio. “But winning asylum in the United States is no easy feat. Granted, the U.S. has recognized LGBT status as grounds for asylum since 1994, but the government keeps no records on how many claims it […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-01-08 at 10.49.30 PM

U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

Shocking revelation as we in the U.S.A. further the persecution LGBT Asylum seekers through systematic recriminalization of those seeking to escape unjust criminalization! By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2013. Seventy Six countries criminalize homosexuality. Most recently we have focused on, amongst others,  Russia, India, Uganda, Gambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize and Nigerian. We  are […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-01-06 at 7.04.02 PM

Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

What you can do to help LGBT Asylum Seekers – PLEASE SIGN THE CRITICAL PETITION BELOW By Melanie Nathan, January 6, 2014. Faith Network Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates | LGBT-FAN and the LGBT Congressional Caucus address needs of LGBT asylum seekers On January 8th, there will be a  Faith Network […]

8 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-01-02 at 6.42.19 PM

CA Supreme Court Rules Undocumented Immigrant to get Law License

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Jan 02, 2014. This is precisely why we must take note that the words “illegal immigrant” are highly offensive. Undocumented is correct phraseology.  With that said here is a development from today:- SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a Mexican immigrant without a green card may […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2014-01-02 at 6.15.23 PM

California Law Changes to Protect Immigrants

Community Forum to address how Marin County will respond to changes in Immigration Law By Melanie Nathan, January 02, 2014. San Rafael, CA –  A community forum will be held on Jan. 16 about the implications of the Trust Act, the recent change in California law that pertains to the rights of immigrants. About 80 […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
100_4

100 arrested in mass civil disobedience action for Immigration Reform

We Belong Together and allies are turning up the heat in Washington DC! By Cathy Kristofferson, September 12, 2013 As I write this more than 100 women are being arrested in front of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. They are part of a mass civil disobedience action calling on Congress to pass immigration reform that […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
marchisours

Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

Our March Campaign Will Not Be Silenced By Cathy Kristofferson, August 30, 2013 At Wednesday’s 50th anniversary March on Washington celebration Dream Defender’s Philip Agnew and United We Dream’s Sofia Campos were denied their opportunity to speak at the last minute. The excuse given?  Officials said they had “run out of time.”  This follows the […]

3 Comments Continue Reading →
eu

EU recognizes Gay asylees as new social group

As a result of asylum applications lodged by three gay men from Sierra Leone, Uganda and Senegal, seeking refugee status in the Netherlands, with all noting they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries based on their sexual orientation, the EU’s Advocate General,  Eleanor Sharpston, said on July 11, that applicants for […]

1 Comment Continue Reading →
nc_marco_rubio_ll_120828_wg

Rubio staffer tries to have GetEQUAL DREAMer deported

Rubio staffer told the police officers in the room that one of the people in the room “is here illegally.” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 25, 2013 Today during the GetEQUAL action Senator Rubio’s (R-FL) Tampa office, a Rubio senior staffer – his Regional Director – tried to have GetEQUAL’s Co-Director Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez deported.  The Rubio staffer […]

Leave a Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-06-25 at 11.14.45 AM

Breaking GetEQUAL Activists Arrested protesting at Marco Rubio’s Office

By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Three members of GetEqual were arrested an hour ago in a GetEQqual protest action Marco Rubio’s office in Tampa where they protested to draw attention to his antiquated and anti-gay stances on immigration reform and employment discrimination. Those participating in the action and arrested we believe are Barb GetEqual […]

3 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-06-19 at 10.51.33 PM

ORAM Video Honoring World Refugee Day

By Melanie Nathan. June 20, 2013. On June 20, the world observes World Refugee Day in recognition of those who have fled their countries in search of safe heaven. ORAM – Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration – have provided this Video, to pay tribute to refugees who are too often ignored – those escaping persecution […]

1 Comment Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-06-12 at 10.35.15 AM

Gay immigration detainee reunited with fiancé after detention ordeal

A young gay man who was detained in San Diego by immigration authorities — whose story was documented by San Diego Gay & Lesbian News and OBLOGDEE — has been reunited with his fiancé in New York City. Here is the follow up article after his release by our friends at SDGLN:- A happy ending? […]

2 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-05-28 at 6.23.32 PM

DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story

We as a community cannot reject the most vulnerable amongst us | Binational same-sex couples have already paid the heaviest price By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. I started my advocacy work and writing the stories about the horrendous plight of same-sex binational couples back in 2009, when faced with the possible deportation of my […]

12 Comments Continue Reading →
SODOMITECOUNTERPROTEST

The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform

Seems to be exactly where the Religious Right is digging in these days. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 02, 2013. Two legislative initiatives now underway on Capital Hill greatly underscore the fact that it is the Religious Right who is seeking ‘special rights’ not the LGBT community, as we are so often accused.  The Comprehensive Immigration […]

3 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-04-26 at 1.20.47 PM

Exploitation of binational same-sex couples continues as Immigration Equality continues to fund raise on the back of its failure

The group raised $1,765,000 in 2011 of which $1,131,220 was used for salaries and compensation, and increased employees to 20 for what? By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. Immigration Equality has failed binational same-sex couples and is now scrambling to stay relevant, with the audacity to create a exploitative lobby event, all leading of course […]

3 Comments Continue Reading →
Screen Shot 2013-04-21 at 4.08.36 PM

Judge rules lesbian binational couple can challenge DOMA

By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2013. In a case filed by  Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, a Judge has ruled that a lesbian couple facing immigration discrimination has the legal standing to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA, because it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants […]

5 Comments Continue Reading →
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 431 other followers

Build a website with WordPress.com