Month: December 2012

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Ugandan LGBTI Youth Group Founder Arrested for Homosexuality

December 31, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 31, 2012. While many of us celebrate New Years Eve, our LGBTI family around the world suffer persecution and are unable to openly celebrate with their loved ones.  Reports are coming in from Uganda that one of the founders of LGBTI group Youth on Rock Foundation, (YRF)  was arrested by police… More Ugandan LGBTI Youth Group Founder Arrested for Homosexuality

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UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

December 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2012. Amongst its many human rights related missions, Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues. According to their LGBT mission statement  they “document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including… More UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

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Ugandan LGBT Organization SMUG Office Robbed and Vandalized during Xmas

December 28, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 28, 2012. SMUG, the LGBTI organization led by Frank Magishu, had its offices broken into and vandalized with almost all office property stolen during the Xmas holiday. It is unknown at this time if the motivation behind the attack was homophobic persecution.  However given the anti-gay climate in Uganda and the… More Ugandan LGBT Organization SMUG Office Robbed and Vandalized during Xmas

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Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill | Interview Setting the Record Straight on Straight Talk

December 25, 2012

Posted December 25, 2012. Melanie Nathan’s interview on GSH Radio’s Straight Talk December 19th: “Update on Uganda “Kill the Gays Bill” with Melanie Nathan, Attorney, Activist and Humanitarian..” LISTEN TO PODCAST Related articles Melanie Nathan’s Annual Do Donate and Do Not Donate 2012 (oblogdeeoblogda.me) Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in… More Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill | Interview Setting the Record Straight on Straight Talk

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Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

December 23, 2012

Sexual Minorities Uganda v. Scott Lively – why you should care, why you should go! By Cathy Kristofferson, December 23, 2012. On Monday January 7th 2013 in Federal Court Springfield, opening oral arguments will be heard for the motion to dismiss the case of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) v. Scott Lively.  This is not the… More Why we must attend the SMUG v. Scott Lively Lawsuit in Court January 7, 2013

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Scott Lively’s Year of the Smear 2012

December 23, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 23, 2012. Scott Lively, the fervently homophobic anti-gay Pastor, currently being sued by the CCR for his direct involvement on persecuting the Ugandan LGBT community. is playing the victim card, yet again. In a post on his blog which he entitles “Year of the Smear,” Lively reveals his wounds.  Yes indeed… More Scott Lively’s Year of the Smear 2012

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Kill the Gays Bahati implicated in possible murder of fellow MP

December 22, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2012. [email protected] Those of us who have kept a keen eye on Ugandan member of parliament David Bahati since 2009 when he first introduced the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as the “Kill the Gays Bill” all believe that the man, David Bahati is quite capable of murder or that… More Kill the Gays Bahati implicated in possible murder of fellow MP

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Melanie Nathan’s Annual Do Donate and Do Not Donate 2012

December 21, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 21, 2012. As the year comes to a conclusion the ‘send me your money e-mails ‘ are stacking up  – and I must admit many of them annoy me, especially the ones that piggy back the work of others, asking for donations in the name of some obscure couch advocacy adventure,… More Melanie Nathan’s Annual Do Donate and Do Not Donate 2012

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South African Court Fails to Deliver Justice in Carlton Centre Lesbian Attack

December 20, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 20, 2012. Today the Johannesburg Court handed down its judgment and sentence in  the Boniswa Mtshali case which has become known as the  Carlton Centre Case.  The accused was found guilty of physical assault with a motivation of  prejudice on the basis of sexual orientation of the women. After kissing her… More South African Court Fails to Deliver Justice in Carlton Centre Lesbian Attack

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Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

December 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 18, 2012. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy there has been a dramatic shift in the discussion about guns in America, with some remarkable statistics coming from the NRA, now showing that their membership favors stronger gun control, even though their operatives continue to lobby against. It took twenty dead seven year… More Sandy Hook Brings Families Out of the Mental Health Closet | I am Adam Lanza’s Sister

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American Activist Provides Insights after day with Ugandan LGBTI Rights Hero Frank Mugisha

December 18, 2012

Reflecting on my day with Frank Mugisha By Cathy Kristofferson, GetEQUAL MA ; Photos by Joe Oliverio Now that the Ugandan Parliament has recessed with Speaker Kadaga unable to fulfill her ‘Christmas gift’ promise of passing the Kill-The-Gays bill for her people, the gay community of Uganda along with me and many activists worldwide have… More American Activist Provides Insights after day with Ugandan LGBTI Rights Hero Frank Mugisha

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Heroic Ugandan Activist Makes Pastor Martin Ssempa Look like the Devil in TV Debate

December 18, 2012

Ssempa’s pornographic rhetoric showed the fire of a very sick and depraved soul. By Melanie Nathan, December 17, 2012. Today one of the bravest LGBTI Ugandan activists I know, Pepe, appeared on a live debate on Ugandan TV about homosexuality against the foul mouthed gay hater Pastor Martin Ssempa.  One wonders why Pepe would knowingly… More Heroic Ugandan Activist Makes Pastor Martin Ssempa Look like the Devil in TV Debate

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Lying Dykes in Uganda | Pastor Promotes More Hate

December 17, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 17, 2012. After watching Pastor David Dykes from Texas, in the Video below, yet another U.S.A. pastor in Uganda, touting the legislature’s duty to pass the pending Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise dubbed “The Kill the Gays Bill,” my original reaction was to ignore his babble and not give him media time.  However… More Lying Dykes in Uganda | Pastor Promotes More Hate

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A Report from Stockholm and The ILGA World Conference

December 16, 2012

By Kristina Hultman, December 16, 2012 After a few days of climate shock, jetlag and defrosting, an unseasoned warmth took over a cold and frosty Stockholm, when four hundred participants at the ILGA World Conference saw its conclusion today, Sunday 16th, casting 242 votes from over one hundred countries, while warming up to camaraderie of common… More A Report from Stockholm and The ILGA World Conference

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A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 16, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2012. A fellow campaigner for the human rights of LGBTI people, Richard Willmer, has been following the saga of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB, a.k.a. Bahati Bill or the ‘Hang-the-Gays’ Bill) in Uganda since the Bill broke cover in late 2009, as it continues its journey and various parliamentary incarnations. Richard… More A Poem for Uganda and The Anti-Homosexuality Bill

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ALLOUT petition misrepresents purpose and exploits Ugandan Kill the Gays

December 14, 2012

There is absolutely zero proof of a connection between the ALLOUT Petition and the fact that the Uganda Bill did not pass Parliament this month. By Melanie Nathan, December 14, 2012 In a letter to supporters,  the online Petition group ALLOUT appears to be claiming a solo victory (implied or overt) for the fact that… More ALLOUT petition misrepresents purpose and exploits Ugandan Kill the Gays

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Ugandan Parliament Adjourns and Fails to Deliver Kadaga Anti-Gay Xmas Gift

December 14, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 14, 2012 Today after positioning at No. 7 on the Ugandan Parliament Order Papers, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill has failed to see passage in the Ugandan Parliament.  Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had promised to deliver the Bill by Xmas as an insidious gift to Ugandans.  Her efforts may have been thwarted by the… More Ugandan Parliament Adjourns and Fails to Deliver Kadaga Anti-Gay Xmas Gift

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Former Ugandan Opposition Leader Morris Ogenga-Latigo calls Anti-Homosexuality Bill a National Tragedy

December 14, 2012

Speaks to Speaker Kadaga Failing in her neutrality By Melanie Nathan, Dec 14, 2012. Morris Ogenga-Latigo, former leader of Ugandan Opposition party,  has written an article which appears in the Observer.   His expression to the world may be a little late in the day, given the Bill has been top of the Order Papers of… More Former Ugandan Opposition Leader Morris Ogenga-Latigo calls Anti-Homosexuality Bill a National Tragedy

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Kill The Gays Bill slips off Ugandan Parliament Agenda in Favor of Presidential Speech

December 13, 2012

Museveni to provide Special Parliamentary Address and no sign of Kadaga Xmas Gift By Melanie Nathan, December 13, 2012. There is one day left of  Uganda’s Parliament for the year and after a month of taunting LGBT Ugandans while the Anti-Homosexuality Bill sat at position No. 1 for days on the Parliament Order Papers,  the… More Kill The Gays Bill slips off Ugandan Parliament Agenda in Favor of Presidential Speech

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United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality

December 12, 2012

Watch Video below where Yvonne Chaka Chaka overtly declares her support for Uganda’s Gay Community By Melanie Nathan,  12/12/2012 At the same time as the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill, otherwise known as ‘The Kill the Gays Bill’ moves from the number one spot to number six on the Ugandan Parliament’s Order Papers, the United Nations played… More United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Yvonne Chaka Chaka speak out against Criminalization of Homosexuality

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Seattle Celebrates first Same-Sex Marriages

December 9, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 09, 2012. Long overdue equality arrived today at Seattle City Hall. The City of Seattle celebrated the first day of Washington state’s same-sex marriage by hosting 150 weddings in City Hall. The event was attended by the Mayor of Seattle, Mayor Michael McGinn and his wife Peggy Levessque, who walked around… More Seattle Celebrates first Same-Sex Marriages

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Ugandan Award Winning Activist Frank Mugisha Joins U.S. Protests

December 8, 2012

SMUG’s Mugisha protests at the place where Scott Lively Case will be heard. By Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2012. Until recently the Ugandan activists, who could face death or life imprisonment in Uganda, were asking international activists to tread cautiously when protesting the impending passage of the Anti-Homsexuality Bill (AHB).  Protests have now started ramping… More Ugandan Award Winning Activist Frank Mugisha Joins U.S. Protests

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Ugandan Kill the Gays Bill Drops to Second Place With Death Still an Option

December 6, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2012. Due to the death of a former MP, Uganda’s Parliament did not consider any business yesterday. Instead, and took the day for a memorial to former MP Atenyi Deo Zabasaija. Warren Throckmorton,  noted that the bill might make it on the agenda Thursday, but he doubted and was correct to… More Ugandan Kill the Gays Bill Drops to Second Place With Death Still an Option

Marriage Equality Comes to Life in Washington State

December 6, 2012

Same Sex Couples in King County  (Seattle) Set Marriage License record By Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2012 Seattle saw marriage equality come to life. At 12.01 am the King County Administrative building erupted into cheer as the doors opened for over 300 couples who had lined the cold streets for hours, waiting to be amongst… More Marriage Equality Comes to Life in Washington State

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Dan Savage Amongst First to Get Marriage License in Washington State

December 6, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2012. Author, media pundit, journalist Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller, were amongst the first couples to obtain marriage licenses in Seattle today, in a same-sex marriage license opening ceremony held at the King County Administrative building, officiated by County Executive Dow Constantine. Savage and Miller have been previously… More Dan Savage Amongst First to Get Marriage License in Washington State

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Clayton County Detectives Fail to respond to missing Lesbian Lisa Lawson’s Disappearance

December 4, 2012

SEE VIDEO Pleading with Authorities and  LGBT COMMUNITY TO RALLY TO FIND LISA LAWSON By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012. UPDATED 6. 41 AM DEC 5 2012: Chuntrey Equality Pheap REPORTS via facebook :- “IMPORTANT!!! FROM MICHELLE (Lisa’s Girlfriend): It is with the greatest level of sadness that I have to come to you all… More Clayton County Detectives Fail to respond to missing Lesbian Lisa Lawson’s Disappearance

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Is Facebook Going to BAN Uganda because of AHB

December 4, 2012

I have not independently verified this source. By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012,  10:21 AM Will Mark Zuckerberg may deliver the ultimate blow.  This could be  a move even more powerful than cutting AID by major Government.  Zuckerberg could well hold the ultimate key of isolation.  While Gay Ugandan activists will lose a treasured method… More Is Facebook Going to BAN Uganda because of AHB

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VIDEO | Ugandan LGBT Activist Kasha Jacqueline Speaks about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

December 4, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2012. A must watch video showing Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera a gay rights activist in Uganda, – the renowned LGBT activist explains how she wants to be free and how the Ugandan Kill the Gays BILL impacts everyone in Uganda. Kasha Jacqueline is the founder and executive director of an LGBT… More VIDEO | Ugandan LGBT Activist Kasha Jacqueline Speaks about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill