O-blog-dee-o-blog-da

This post serves to correct one of the many untruths being spread on the internet about my work:

Unlike some would have you believe, Melanie Nathan did not tell people from Uganda or anywhere else in Africa to seek refuge in Kenya:

In fact the opposite is what occurred. I am in possession of many e-mails and chats to prove that I discouraged people from Kenya, told people of the difficulties in Kenya, and suggested they reconsider their decisions.

Only one man was given money to help complete his journey to Kenya.  The man contacted me while he was already en route and insisted on going to Kenya because he wanted to escape bail as he had been arrested on homosexuality charges. He felt he had no other choice.

Some of the Ugandan LGBTI refugees in Kenya contacted me asking for help after they were already in Kenya and I provided some assistance for food and rent from my fund. I had no part of their planning or decision to go to Kenya. Though now I am fully informed about who did know and am fully informed about those who participated in their choice of Kenya.

Another correction – as for the relief/rescue funds – most the money was used for shelter, electrical, food, medical,  – and very small amount was used to provide people with money who wanted to get passports. Helping people get passports does not denote I suggested they go to Kenya – there is no correlation.

Another misconception: My fund is not a Uganda only fund – it has helped others in many African countries and those detractors should consider who I am helping before their trash talk. Those who trash my work with lies and assumptions are only making enemies of those who I have helped as they are seeing who you are and resenting you for your denigration of that which is actually helping during a critical emergency.

It is amazing to me that those criticizing my work and asserting THEIR falsities have never made a phone call or sent an email to  ask a single question or what I did with regard to refugees in Kenya.  There are indeed people responsible for participating in sending Kuchus to Kenya and there is a good reason behind some of it. But it was not me I am not at liberty to expose them or the reason here as it would hurt too many people.

As for criticism I take it ‘from whence it comes:’

There are major assumptions and lies and we are dealing here with publicly discredited person who has had to apologize in the past.

http://hurryupharry.org/2009/09/11/hrw-and-sockpuppets/

http://www.queerty.com/disgraced-human-rights-watchs-queer-director-scott-long-quits-after-blinding-effusion-of-white-light-20100823

http://www.queerty.com/human-rights-watchs-stunning-apology-to-activist-peter-tatchell-for-5-year-defamation-campaign-20100715

I will soon be putting up a new fund to continue helping those in need, despite the criticism.

 

Thanks to all for ongoing support.

MELANIE NATHAN.
Questions:
[email protected]

Lest we forget to note:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. – attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta”