Tag: Cape Town

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.

December 16, 2014

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

V and A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays

July 26, 2013

We can try and change the tide of hate through education but will we if fail to hold leadership accountable? By Melanie Nathan, July 26, 2013. The United Nations is launching an unprecedented freedom, equality and anti-homophobia campaign amidst clashing ideologies in Southern Africa, not to mention the rest of Africa too. The launch of … More As UN Launches Free and Equal Campaign Tutu speaks love and Mugabe death to Gays

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Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

July 7, 2013

Heartbreaking Video expresses the scourge of  Corrective Rape while the South African Task Team Sleeps By Melanie Nathan, July 07, 2013. Last week, a memorial service was held pending the funeral of a beloved lesbian from Gauteng, bringing home the horrendous truth, that “corrective rape” and violence against lesbians continues uncontrollably, despite acute awareness on … More Outrage at South African Government over Lesbian Murder

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Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

May 19, 2013

A modern day David and Goliath | Rev. Ecclesia de Lange, a South African open lesbian will face her once employer and now adversary in the Cape High Court. By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2013. In 2010 when Rev de Lange announced to her congregation that she was going to marry her same-sex partner, her … More Cape High Court to hear case by Lesbian Reverend against Methodist Church

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Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

May 14, 2013

AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE | PETITION: It is time to invigorate the sleeping SA Task Task team – we must fight the violence with transparency and a plan By Melanie Nathan,  May 14, 2013 Activists in South Africa are calling for immediate invigoration, transparency and action by the Task Team that was established to combat so … More Call to SA Government Task Team for action on rape of lesbians

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Gay Professor Ninth Victim of South African Serial Murders of Gay Men

April 18, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 18, 2013. Norwood – South African press is reporting that  a University of Johannesburg professor of law, might be the ninth victim in a series of serial murders of gay men. The latest victim is Dr Carl Mischke, 47, whose body was discovered on Monday morning, laying on his bed, face … More Gay Professor Ninth Victim of South African Serial Murders of Gay Men

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South African Government condemns attacks on gays as custom and constitution clash

April 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 14, 2013. The ANC South African government on Saturday condemned all forms of violence against homosexuals following the assault of a gay man in a Cape Town township.  However one incident used to spark the warnings involved aspects of custom that may without education continue to be the root cause of … More South African Government condemns attacks on gays as custom and constitution clash

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One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

February 12, 2013

V-Day -A Global call to action By Melanie Nathan, Feb 12, 2014. South Africa – On February 14, South Africa will be part of a global movement for change – ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Sonke … More One Billion Rising protests planned for V-Day to end Violence against Women and Girls

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South African Township Lesbians March for Justice against Corrective Rape

February 2, 2013

Claiming the streets in protest for justice By Melanie Nathan, February 02, 2013. Today a large group of lesbians, carrying signs and the South African gay flag,  from a variety of Townships around the Cape Town area, took to the streets singing and chanting for justice to draw attention to the issue of corrective rape … More South African Township Lesbians March for Justice against Corrective Rape

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March planned to hunt rapist Andile Ngocza wanted for ‘corrective’ rape of lesbian

January 19, 2013

Cape Town, South Africa  join the march to help catch brutal rapist By Melanie Nathan, January 19, 2013. In 2010 I broke the story of the brutal rape of a lesbian in Gugulethu, a Township near Cape Town, in an article that went viral around the world, causing outrage, “The Face of Corrective Rape.”  I … More March planned to hunt rapist Andile Ngocza wanted for ‘corrective’ rape of lesbian

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Anger Mounts as Yet Another Lesbian Murdered in South African Gay Killing Field

July 5, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, July 05, 2012. While South African authorities continue to bungle investigations and fail to provide protection, panic and anger seems to be increasing amongst South Africa’s LGBTI Township communities, with the recent spate of hate murders. Yet another lesbian is reported raped and murdered.  The 29 year old was found brutally raped … More Anger Mounts as Yet Another Lesbian Murdered in South African Gay Killing Field

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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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New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

April 2, 2012

By Melanie Nathan,April, 02, 2012 A beautiful bride and the perfect groom and what better than a honeymoon in magnificent Cape Town, South Africa. It would take wealth to put on the lavish wedding depicted in the photographs splashed across the world press, and that wealth itself would serve to question the very alibi upon … More New Accuser for Secretly Gay Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani

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Cape Town With Love and Pride Pictures and Reflections

March 4, 2012

SOUTH AFRICA KEYNOTE SPEECH – CAPE TOWN PRIDE 2011 MELANIE NATHAN 03/02/2011 Greetings, comrades, lesbians, gays, queers, LGBTQI people, allies, and everyone in between. It is a great honor for me to be here tonight -thanks to my fellow bloggers, Marriage Equality USA MEUSA, and my family and friends back home in the US for … More Cape Town With Love and Pride Pictures and Reflections

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South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

January 27, 2012

by Melanie Nathan, January 27, 2012 UPDATED Cape Town, January 28, 2012:  The Flag Boys did it! The won best dressed couple – Imagine gay boys dressed in camp Zulu warrior garb, protesting Zulu King’s homophobic remarks, win best dressed couple at H&B Met Red Carpet event! Read our pre-event report …… South African gay … More South Africa Prestigious JB Met | Gay Activists to Protest Zulu King Hate Speech Dressed as Zulu Warriors

London Pride: Politicians MIA, the SA Gay Flag and More

July 6, 2011

July 06, 2011,  by Melanie Nathan (USA)  and Henry Bantjez (SA), One million or more took part in the annual Pride Parade through London today, through streets lined with curious onlookers.  This year, unlike in the past, the march took place around the old BBC building in Portland Place, going down from there to Oxford … More London Pride: Politicians MIA, the SA Gay Flag and More

South African Lesbian Photographer Activist: Zanele Muholi’s Exhibits New Portraits

July 6, 2011

July 06, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, Inkanyiso brings together three new bodies of photographic work: new portraits in the ongoing series Faces and Phases (2010-11); Beulahs (2007-10) and Transfigures (2010-11), and the documentary Difficult Love (2010). As always, Muholi is upfront about her agenda as an activist, seeking to educate the viewer on ‘the complexities … More South African Lesbian Photographer Activist: Zanele Muholi’s Exhibits New Portraits

South Africa Corrective Rape Task Force Helms Hate Crimes Reform

July 3, 2011

July 03, 2011, by Melanie Nathan, Early in 2010, I started covering the stories of women in the South African Townships, who were raped by men seeking to “correct” the fact that they were lesbians, touting that rape would change the sexuality of the victim.  I never believed that these brutal crimes ever truly earned the … More South Africa Corrective Rape Task Force Helms Hate Crimes Reform

Lesbian Survives Brutal Stabbing to Become Hero vs Hate

June 11, 2011

06/11/2011, by Melanie Nathan, Crossroads Informal Settlement, Cape Town; Nxolo Nkosana (23) is spending an angry yet terrifying night in her home as she deals with wounds, pain and trauma of a vicious attack on her life.  She was walking home on the evening of May 10th with her partner and a few friends when … More Lesbian Survives Brutal Stabbing to Become Hero vs Hate

Au Pair – New Lesbian Book Bound to be a Classic

June 1, 2011

06/01/2011, by Melanie Nathan Falling madly in love, even when you know that by loving you risk all you have…it could happen to anyone! So is the premise of this extraordinary journey, by an author into a realm of truth; one which may have, like many, remained unexplored, even when wrenched by voracious desire. The … More Au Pair – New Lesbian Book Bound to be a Classic