South Africa Bans U.S. Gay Hate Pastor Steven Anderson Entering the Country

By Melanie Nathan, September 13, 2016. South Africa has barred the controversial US pastor Steven Anderson from visiting the county, because of his critical remarks about homosexuality, noting he is considered an “undesirable person” under the Immigration Act. Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba has announced that American gay hate pastor Steven Anderson, and his … More South Africa Bans U.S. Gay Hate Pastor Steven Anderson Entering the Country

10 Facts Showing Trump is Lying that LGBT People Support Him

I have been watching the Trump bullshit machine at work. The man cannot seem to think logically beyond his shoot from the hip rhetoric.    After the Orlando massacre, a tragedy that left 49 LGBT people dead, most of whom are Hispanic, and  immigrants or children of  immigrants, Trump gave several speeches, where he suggested that … More 10 Facts Showing Trump is Lying that LGBT People Support Him

Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

WASHINGTON – In a major victory for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Mississippi, the Jackson City Council unanimously voted in favor of an ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The ordinance protects LGBT individuals from discrimination in housing, employment and public services. “This ordinance is not only a major … More Jackson Mississippi City Council unanimously passes nondiscrimination ordinance

London and African Asylum Seekers Mourn For LGBT Orlando in a Very Big Way

There has been an enormous national and global outpouring of emotion and love for the 49 young LGBT heroes slaughtered in the worst gun massacre in American history, as well as the 53 injured, many of whom lost loved ones and close friends.  Out of all the vigils and rallies I have seen reports on, … More London and African Asylum Seekers Mourn For LGBT Orlando in a Very Big Way

South African message of condolence to US following Orlando Massacre

It am pleased to note that  South Africa’s President Zuma has issued a statement condemning the massacre of LGBT Americans.   Indeed this is an important statement to make and I am grateful for it. Yet cannot help but note the hypocrisy and in doing so – lets hope speaking out brings renewed consciousness. Here … More South African message of condolence to US following Orlando Massacre

Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

The 32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 June – 1 July at the United Nations Palais des Nations. This year, following on from a 2014 HRC resolution on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, the Council will once again consider an initiative … More Geneva Panel on Violence Against LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Detention

South African Minister Promises Change for Home Affairs to become LGBTI Friendly

South Africa has a relatively new Constitution, birthed soon after iconic former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison and Apartheid ended. Included in that dramatic change was equality for all, including LGBTI people. Yet, despite its all inclusive Constitution, South African gays, lesbians, and transgender community has experienced profound homophobia and transphobia, often resulting … More South African Minister Promises Change for Home Affairs to become LGBTI Friendly

U.S. Pastor Uses Tel Aviv Pride In Antisemitic Tirade

A prominent Pastor from Alabama seems to be having a hissy-fit that smacks of homophobia and antisemitism. Ricky White, Pastor at House of Refuge, from Haleyville, Alabama is expressing his dismay about the fact that Israel, the Holy Land, has accepted gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual folk, to such a degree, that it was able to … More U.S. Pastor Uses Tel Aviv Pride In Antisemitic Tirade

Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

Poll Shows Dramatic Increase in Israeli Public Support of LGBT Community Israeli media has reported that 200,000 people attended LGBT Pride festivities as Tel Aviv celebrated its annual Gay Pride Parade on Friday, the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. It is believed that more than 30,000 tourists from around the world, … More Tel Aviv Pride Attracts Tens of Thousands of Tourists

Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

Revealing the Transphobic Organizations Fighting Trans and LGBT Freedom while Masquerading as Safety and Privacy Groups The organization Freedom for All Americans provides this report: Background on the Department of Education’s Recent Guidance re: Title IX and Gender Identity Earlier this month, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a letter outlining what a … More Challenges for Transgender Youth and Masquerading Orgs

Provincetown Women Innkeepers Partners with True Colors Fund for Homeless LGBT Youth Awareness

  Women Innkeepers of Provincetown Announce Partnership with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund to Raise Awareness About LGBT Youth Homelessness.  Provincetown, MA – The Women Innkeepers of Provincetown are thrilled to announce their partnership with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund in an effort to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth homelessness, (homeless … More Provincetown Women Innkeepers Partners with True Colors Fund for Homeless LGBT Youth Awareness

Islamist Militants Hack to Death Gay Rights Activist in Bangladesh

BBC and Guardian are reporting the horrific murder of an open LGBT rights activist in Bangladesh.  According to the report,  police say the top gay rights activist,  Xulhaz Mannan,  who is the editor at the the country’s only  LGBT magazine is one of two people who have been hacked to death. Mannan was one of … More Islamist Militants Hack to Death Gay Rights Activist in Bangladesh

Panel Discussion Blasts LGBT Organizations for Racism

TV ONE’S NEWS ONE NOW PANEL BACKS MICHAEL SAM, BLASTS RACISM WITHIN LGBT MOVEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former NFL player Michael Sam was the first openly gay man drafted in NFL history. Today on TV One’s News One Now, his recent comments surrounding racism in the gay community sparked a heated conversation.  Host and managing … More Panel Discussion Blasts LGBT Organizations for Racism

Jerusalem LGBT Pride Murder Impacts the Reclaiming of Zion Square

Zion Square, one of the landmarks of Jerusalem in Israel, is set to undergo a redesign project, embracing pluralism and tolerance, evolving through circumstances and the passionate activism of several organizations and individuals. Diverse organizations, ad hoc groups and activists have worked together to bring this extraordinarily progressive plan to fruition, by meeting each Thursday … More Jerusalem LGBT Pride Murder Impacts the Reclaiming of Zion Square

World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

The World Congress of GLBT Jews, with Bet Mishpachah and GLOE as co-hosts are holding a Shabbaton in Washington DC, at the DC Jewish Community Center, next month from April 8th to April 10th. The Program and contact information is detailed below. The World Congress is a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around the … More World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

Florida House & Senate Avert Disaster of Expanded Pastor Protection Bill

Legislature to clarify controversial measure and simply reaffirm current law

Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 8.35.45 AMTallahassee – Avoiding the disastrous route of their Georgia colleagues, the Florida House of Representatives today is expected to pass an amended version of the so-called Pastor Protection bill (HB 43) to limit its scope and send the message that controversial amendments allowing discrimination would not be entertained.

The bill had been widely criticized as a vaguely worded and unnecessary duplication of existing laws that served as a Trojan Horse for more nefarious measures to be added. That was the route Georgia lawmakers took by amending their pastor protection bill last month to allow any individual or faith-based business, for-profit entity, or taxpayer-funded organization to ignore nondiscrimination protections or any law that conflicts with their religious beliefs about marriage. The state is roiling from the public outrage and the economic backlash that has been strong enough to draw the threat of a veto from the Georgia governor. … More Florida House & Senate Avert Disaster of Expanded Pastor Protection Bill

Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

Los Angeles — Equality California today announced the endorsements of 10 strong LGBT allies for office in Congress and the California Legislature. “These candidates represent the length and breadth of the state and come from a variety of backgrounds and experience,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California.  “However, they share a commitment to … More Equality California Endorses 10 Pro-Equality Candidates for State and Federal Office

Anglican Communion Restricts US Church over Gay Marriage and Ugandan Archbishop Runs Away

The rifts over homosexuality blew wide open in church in 2003 when the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the United States, consecrated the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire.

It is this decision that the conservative church leaders including Ntagali have been fighting. … More Anglican Communion Restricts US Church over Gay Marriage and Ugandan Archbishop Runs Away

Israeli Gay Couple Discover Surrogate Baby Mistake

Wrong Baby From Surrogate Mother in Nepal Posted By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2016. Several weeks after completing the surrogate birth process in Nepal, a gay Israeli couple learned that the baby girl they’d been told was theirs and had been caring for is not their daughter. The error was revealed by the routine tissue … More Israeli Gay Couple Discover Surrogate Baby Mistake

Judge Rules Against FedEx in Same-Sex Benefits Case

Posted by Melanie Nathan, January 05, 2016. Yes there is still fallout from DOMA and it is scandalous to note that FedEx did not have the decency to apply the Edie Windsor case retrospectively. So now let fairness, equality and justice prevail, with thanks to these Plaintiffs, NCLR, Feinberg Jackson Worthman & Wasow, the Civil … More Judge Rules Against FedEx in Same-Sex Benefits Case

Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

December 19, 2015 Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African HRC Candidate for the Democratic U.S. Presidential nomination, former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has outlined a comprehensive LGBT policy plan for domestic and global LGBT issues. While we at African Human Rights Coalition are grateful to Secretary Clinton for her recognition of the plight of … More Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

Exiled Gay Pastor Struggles to Survive After Being Outed by LGBT Christian Ministry

This is for those Other Sheep who recklessly expose the names and faces of LGBTI people in Africa. By Melanie Nathan, December 09, 2015. A few months ago, I was contacted by a man identifying himself as a gay pastor from an African country.  The man sought emergency help. He was on the border between … More Exiled Gay Pastor Struggles to Survive After Being Outed by LGBT Christian Ministry

Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

After much courage and hardship we welcome Andrew Ssebulime, a young hero, to America. An extraordinary journey by a resilient young man. Now our hope is that the Miami community will embrace Andrew and make him feel welcome! By Melanie Nathan, November, 25, 2015. A  journalist, who fled Uganda in fear of his life, has … More Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

TAKE ACTION BELOW – Thanks To Campbell’s Soup for Including Everyone! By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2015. The anti-gay organization, One Million Moms, is extremely busy, as of late. They have been asserting their fundamentalist extreme right wing prowess by pretending to be ‘morality’ police. When Campbell’s  Soup used a a same-sex married couple with … More One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in … More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

Rugby Breakthrough as First Openly Gay Referee Chosen for World Cup Game

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October, 28, 2015. In the traditionally macho sport of rugby, the World Cup will break new ground this weekend, when for the first time it will be refereed by an openly gay man. While we look forward to the day when homosexuality is so acceptable that sexuality warrants no mention,  and … More Rugby Breakthrough as First Openly Gay Referee Chosen for World Cup Game

Russians who Tortured Gays on Video get Jail Time

By Melanie Nathan, October 19, 2015. Finally a measure of justice has been attained in Russia as nine members of the gang known as Occupy Paedophilia have been sentenced to prison terms or suspended sentences for luring, torturing and publishing the humiliating recorded videos of young men perceived as gay. Here on Oblogdee we covered … More Russians who Tortured Gays on Video get Jail Time