LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

The Government of Kenya has announced that it intends to close all refugee camps in the country, and while UNHCR implores Kenya to reverse this decision, we await information as to how they plan to deal with what could be a severe crisis.  LGBT refugees, after seeing the headlines, are now extremely stressed and uncertain… More LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

Nigerian Activist Wins Federal High Court Case Against Police

A Nigerian Court has ruled in favor of a renowned human rights and sexual health activist, who sued the Nigerian Police after his constitutional rights were infringed through an illegal detention. Ifeanyi Orazulike, who has advocated for LGBTI rights, is the Executive Director of the International Center for Advocacy on the Rights to Health (ICARH),… More Nigerian Activist Wins Federal High Court Case Against Police

Facebook Banned Italian LGBT Campaign Against Racism

On Monday 21 March (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination), three Italian LGBT organizations presented a campaign to defeat the prejudices related to ethnic and religious differences and to inform LGBT migrants and asylum seekers about their rights. But a few minutes later, Facebook censored the campaign: a drawing of a bare-chested man… More Facebook Banned Italian LGBT Campaign Against Racism

Ugandan Hate Preacher Given Visa to Speak in the UK

When Uganda passed its Anti-Homosexuality Act back in December 2013, several religious leaders pushed hard for the Ugandan President to assent to the Bill, which came to be known as The Kill the Gays Bill.  Two such religious leaders include a certain married  couple,  Dr. Joseph Serwadda and  Pastor Freda Serwadda,  from the Victory Christian… More Ugandan Hate Preacher Given Visa to Speak in the UK

South Africa Aligns with LGBTI Censorship

South Africa’s Film and Publications Board, headed by Sipho Risibia,  has seen it fit to align itself with Kenya’s homophobic publications board, which regularly attacks the LGBTI community and the right to freedom of speech. Thanks to our friends at Mamba Online for alerting us to the  story about the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)… More South Africa Aligns with LGBTI Censorship

Ugandan President Museveni Has Signed the Perilous Anti NGO Bill

Warning: Every organization operating in Uganda,  in association with organizations in Uganda, sending funds to Uganda, placing resources in the hands of Ugandans must re evaluate their positions considering the new NGO ACT of 2016 – or alternatively immediately support those who will challenge this law before publication and implementation.  The window of opportunity is… More Ugandan President Museveni Has Signed the Perilous Anti NGO Bill

Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

PROTEST: Tomorrow, Jan 12, 2016 LGBTI activists are holding a rally and will march to the Mafatsana Police Station By Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2016. Two recent horrific murder cases elucidate the horror that lesbians and trans people encounter when faced with what is still considered endemic homophobia, lesbian hate and transphobia, in South Africa,… More Protest as Lesbian Hate and Transphobia Haunts South Africa

New York Times Sparks Breitbart Article Scapegoating against LGBT Human Rights Advocacy

By Melanie Nathan, December 22, 2015. Who has hurt African LGBT people more?  Is that the question?  Ask yourself always – where did it start and unless one fails to place a story in its absolute and full context, then we can be assured there is no truth.  The New York Times published a somewhat… More New York Times Sparks Breitbart Article Scapegoating against LGBT Human Rights Advocacy

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

Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

” Organizations involved with LGBT issues and human rights defenders will be especially hard hit as the onerous legislation will impinge upon basic  freedoms, democracy and human rights. Democracy weeps!” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director,  African Human Rights Coalition. By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2015. We have received a report that the Ugandan Parliament, today,  passed… More Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

  By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2015. A well known Ugandan transgender activist is in hospital after being beaten by an angry anti-LGBT mob in Uganda, today. Beyonce Karungi, 35, went into hiding after receiving several hate threats. When she emerged, she was attacked by a group of five unknown men, sustaining serious facial and … More Ugandan Trans Activist Brutally Assaulted by Anti-LGBT Mob

History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

YES! for Gay People in Dutch Reformed Church – NG Kerk  – There were Tears of joy after the announcement. By Melanie Nathan, October 08, 2015. History was made in South Africa today, when the synod of  what was once probably the most conservative church on the planet, the Dutch Reformed Church, (NG Kerk/ DRC)… More History made as South African Church Votes to Bless Same-sex marriage and Ordain Gay Ministers

Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

This week has been a coup for Uganda’s LGBTI community, as yet again, despite the anti-gay atmosphere in that country, the LGBT leadership and community pulled together a great week of Ugandan Pride.. Ugandan Pride has since come a long way – despite the odds- with great overseas interest, and participants from around the world in attendance.… More Uganda Pride 2015 The Proud and Brave Revisited

Calling on Religious Leaders to look at The Face of Murderous Radical Hate

Speak Out Now against Scott Lively and other overt haters who spew hate in the name of religious dicta By Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2015. No Religion is exempt from radicalism. When one quotes from scripture, it always boils downs to interpretation- and how things are said. Radical fundamentalism leads to persecution and ultimately murder.… More Calling on Religious Leaders to look at The Face of Murderous Radical Hate

Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

By Melanie Nathan, July 29, 2015. The Ugandan media has named the issue of homosexuality as a reason President Obama may have snubbed Uganda by not visiting that country while on his recent trip to Africa.  The President visited only two countries; Ethiopia and Kenya. I think that President Obama did not overlook Uganda. I… More Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. A new revealing report on persecution and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBTI community has been released by the Consortium on Monitoring Violations Based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The report refers to 89 verified documented violations in 2014 in Uganda. That was the year the Anti-Homosexuality Act… More Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police

London Vigil on 10th Anniversary of Iran Teen Hangings

Stop killing gays – Stop killing kids – The 10th anniversary vigil for boys hanged by Iran | This Sunday London 2-3pm. Never Forget! Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 17, 2015. To mark the tenth anniversary of Iran’s hanging of two teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the African LGBTI… More London Vigil on 10th Anniversary of Iran Teen Hangings

Kenyan Police detain Ugandan Refugees Victims of Anti-Gay Mob Attack

Calls into Question Whether UNHCR is able to adequately protect LGBT Refugees By Melanie Nathan, July 9, 2015 This morning, four young Ugandan urban refugees were eating breakfast in the privacy of their rental premises in Kenya, when a mob entered the gate and started banging on their door and window screaming anti-gay slurs. After… More Kenyan Police detain Ugandan Refugees Victims of Anti-Gay Mob Attack

Kenyans March Against Gays Warning Obama No Gay Talk

By Melanie Nathan, July 7, 2015. Kenyan anti-gay protesters took to the streets in Nairobi Monday, warning US President Barack Obama not to speak about gay rights when he visits Kenya, “the country of his ancestors,” later this month. (As the Ugandan Monitor put it!) The march today, was organized by the Evangelical Alliance of… More Kenyans March Against Gays Warning Obama No Gay Talk

Vote OPDG for National Diversity Awards 2015

June 19, 2015, By Oblogdee. The African Lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender and intersex organization Out and Proud Diamond Group (OPDG) , based in the United Kingom, has been nominated in UK National Diversity Awards 2015 under the category of Community organizations. These awards celebrate the excellent achievements of grass- root communities that tackle the issues… More Vote OPDG for National Diversity Awards 2015

Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

June 15, 2015, Posted by Melanie Nathan Respected Nigerian born LGBTI activist and human rights defender, Davis Mac-lyalla, who has personally experienced unconscionable persecution and discrimination, attended what turned out to be Tel Aviv’s largest ever Pride festivities this past week. I asked him to write a brief note about his experience at Pride. Here… More Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

Crucial tool for lobbying to misinformed African politicians June 11, 2015, by Melanie Nathan This month by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) countering the notions that underpin homophobia and the criminalization of LGBTI people in Africa and the impact on HIV. Eleven respected experts, mostly academic scientists based in South Africa, authored… More Breakthrough African Academic Report Shows Basis for Anti-Homosexuality Laws Fail Science

Kenyan Attorney General Appeals NGLHRC Registration Case

By Melanie Nathan, May 19, 2015. The Kenyan Court’s groundbreaking decision which ruled in favor of the regstering the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) as an NGO under the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Board Act,  is now being appealed by the Kenyan Government. The Attorney General for Kenya and interested parties filed a… More Kenyan Attorney General Appeals NGLHRC Registration Case

Wedding for Asylum Seeking African Lesbian Couple at San Francisco City Hall

By Melanie Nathan, March 30, 2015 After years on the run a young lesbian couple from an African country, surviving terrifying persecution, miraculously made their way to San Francisco where they are seeking asylum.  They will no longer be waiting in the wings as their dream to marry will soon be realized. Back in 2012,… More Wedding for Asylum Seeking African Lesbian Couple at San Francisco City Hall

Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend

Please sign the Petition below By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015 A Pentecostal reverend, a major anti-gay protagonist, who called homosexuals evil, is set to speak at St James Church, Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, in the United Kingdom and activists are outraged. The controversial preacher, Rev. Simon Peter Emiau,  General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies… More Outrage at UK Visit by Ugandan Anti-Gay Pentecostal Reverend