Month: August 2009

Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA

August 31, 2009

By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2009 Perhaps more of our congressional representatives would be willing to do what Congresswoman Jackie Speier did for the LGBT community today.  The Congresswoman, a Democrat from California’s 12th district called a meeting today of the LGBT leadership in San Francisco. With not much notice a core group of leaders,… More Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

August 31, 2009

August 30 is International Day of the Disappeared. Only thirteen countries have ratified the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; twenty are needed to bring it into force.  Among those which have not yet signed are the United States and the United Kingdom. I picked up the Blog of a South… More Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

August 29, 2009

THE FIRST WOMAN SENATOR FOR MASSACHUSETTS A KENNEDY May I be so bold – having now met Vickie Kennedy for the first time – sadly at her husband’s funeral, and admittedly by ‘virtual’ means only – I suggest the people of Massachusetts consider an invitation for this accomplished and gracious person to take the seat… More A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

Constituent says “I am a proud right-wing terrorist.” Congressman Herger answered “Amen, God Bless you there goes a great American”

August 27, 2009

At the meeting in Redding,  a man stood up and identified himself as “a proud right-wing terrorist.” Instead of denouncing him, Congressman Herger called the man “a great American.” That’s outrageous — which is why the California Democratic Party is buying newspaper ads next week in the Mt. Shasta Herald and the Redding Searchlight, demanding that… More Constituent says “I am a proud right-wing terrorist.” Congressman Herger answered “Amen, God Bless you there goes a great American”

Senator Ted Kennedy Passed away today. I am so sad.

August 25, 2009

Senator ted Kennedy, Democratic and American Hero passed away today. He will be remembered and sorely missed. May G-d bless his family, his friends and colleagues and all his constituents.  A great man has left our world.     For me its hard to imagine; this day that we mourn the passing of one of… More Senator Ted Kennedy Passed away today. I am so sad.

HIV and the next generation -weighing up sons’ satisfaction versus daughters’ safety

August 25, 2009

Circumcision will be discussed this week at the C.D.C.’s National H.I.V. Prevention Conference in Atlanta, which will be attended by thousands of health professionals and H.I.V. service providers. When I visited South Africa in 2000, I remember reading an article in the Johannesburg newspaper – the financial section- which predicted that HIV virus would infect… More HIV and the next generation -weighing up sons’ satisfaction versus daughters’ safety

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…

In the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” Gender Identity Test for South African Teen World Champ Athlete, Caster Semenya

August 20, 2009

Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old South African, dominated the women’s 800 meters in Berlin on Wednesday at the 2009 World Championships. While she ought to be track and field’s newest star, instead, in less than the time it took to win the race, 1:55.45 minutes, the accomplishment produced a hail of speculation, one ominously oozing with… More In the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” Gender Identity Test for South African Teen World Champ Athlete, Caster Semenya

Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

August 20, 2009

API ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA UNITE TO DEMAND FAIR & HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM August 20, 2009 -LOS ANGELES, CA – In Historic Filipinotown, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organizations called on the Obama Administration and Congress for enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform. In simultaneous press conferences held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, community leaders… More Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

Judge Denies Gay Groups in Federal Prop 8 Case, Sets Trial Date

August 19, 2009

  At the hearing I posted about earlier today, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker set a January 11 trial date for a federal challenge to Proposition 8 brought by Ted Olson, David Boies, and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The Alliance Defense Fund, which is defending Prop 8, had argued Friday that the case… More Judge Denies Gay Groups in Federal Prop 8 Case, Sets Trial Date

AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA

August 18, 2009

Today, together with Gina Capiro, I had the great honor of providing testimony on behalf of the thousands of binational same-sex partners, for Resolution AJR 15 which in essence will serve to provide California‘s legislature’s support of the Uniting American Families Act and equality in the immigration laws of the US, for same-sex permanent partners.  A… More AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA

Article du jour

August 16, 2009

Federal judge reviews arguments in Prop. 8 case Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, August 16, 2009 Sunday, August 16, 2009 For one side in the federal court battle over same-sex marriage in California, Proposition 8 was just the latest example of historical persecution of gays and lesbians based on sexual orientation. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/15/BA4J196JHC.DTL#ixzz0OMnLKxRf

Oblogdee’s re-blog du Jour

August 15, 2009

  Thursday night, Clinton was in Pittsburgh delivering the opening keynote address at Netroots Nation 2009, and defending President Obama and the Democratic health care initiatives against “crazy’’ accusations by right wingers… when former Human Rights Campaign staffer and ‘News For the Left’ ninja blogger Lane Hudson “ambushed him,” asking ol’ 0042 if he would… More Oblogdee’s re-blog du Jour

Ca Traditional Marriage Defender getting divorced…. ala ugly

August 14, 2009

 I was quoted today in an article by Paula Brooks: Melanie Nathan, a Private Courts mediator in California told LGR this morning, “Under California law, the moment a divorce is filed and the papers served, both parties are automatically restrained from alienating community property. It is hard to imagine that a sophisticated businessman like Mr.… More Ca Traditional Marriage Defender getting divorced…. ala ugly

Ghastly Grassley Town Hall meets with the Dumber than JOE the Plumber

August 13, 2009

This guy is nuts to think that smart people like me will be duped into believing there is any validity to statements such as this. If he was smart enough to land a seat in the Senate, I bet he does not even believe this crap himself. However he is one of many who simply… More Ghastly Grassley Town Hall meets with the Dumber than JOE the Plumber

Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).

August 13, 2009

Eliminate Immigration Barriers for Same-Sex Couples – Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). Tuesday 18 August … More Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).

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

A New American Sport – “KILL-THE-BILL”

August 9, 2009

A New American Sport – “Kill The Bill.”   A cross between Quidditch ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quidditch) and Rugby, a new and most perilous sport has emerged out of the  Bill debate for Healthcare reform.  Current Champ  is  “Just a Mom” – This is how it works – and truly– if you play -you risk not only your… More A New American Sport – “KILL-THE-BILL”

This is getting a lot of attention – UAFA Foot Soldiers please join the Brigade

August 6, 2009

VISIT – Out 4 Immigration Action Kit.   Please spread to word to as many States and Blogs as possible. There is so much going on – all the LGBT organizations are putting out uniform calls to action – ENDA–DADT– DOMA – this being the time now! Now!  Now!    In this scrap for your attention, I… More This is getting a lot of attention – UAFA Foot Soldiers please join the Brigade

Mazeltov- eat your words Sessions! She is going to prove you wrong again…..

August 6, 2009

Today, by a 68 – 31 vote, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court! I couldn’t be more thrilled that this talented and experienced judge will be joining the highest court in the land. She will be an amazing asset to our country… More Mazeltov- eat your words Sessions! She is going to prove you wrong again…..

PUSH FOR PASSAGE – Out 4 Immigration Deploys….. for UAFA

August 5, 2009

If you check and affirm more than one of the following  items listed below, then this Article applies to you:-                      Do you believe that all people should be treated equally Do you endorse “the right to pursue happiness”  as per the US constitution When faced with the… More PUSH FOR PASSAGE – Out 4 Immigration Deploys….. for UAFA