Today, Attorney General Eric Holder has vacated the  deportation order of an individual,  Paul Wilson Dorman, that is in a same-sex civil union with a United States citizen. General Holder has specifically ordered the case to be remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) for the purpose of determining the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), as it relates to obtaining benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

On February 23, the Obama Administration announced that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, believing it to be unconstitutional.  One month later, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would put a hold on all deportation proceedings of bi-national same-sex couples, since the constitutionality of DOMA was in question.

Forty Eight hours later the reprieve was over!  USCIS announced that it would begin processing those deportation proceedings once again, throwing the lives of these couples into turmoil yet again.

and now this…….

Attorney General Holder’s office provided LezGetReal with the following statement, noting that this case has been given special treatment.

While this does not help ALL same-sex couples cases it certainly shows that there is a measure of consideration to the issue of deprivation of  immigration privileges to foreigners in same-sex unions with American Citizens and residents. It is tantamount to an indication by the AG office, that perhaps USCIS should halt all deportations.

Perhaps this case can be used as precedent for others – time will tell- ..

But deportations form only a small part of the angst and discrimination suffered by same-sex binational couples in the USA, and many who are living exiled from the USA.  It surely is indicative of the fact that the law must change via a special visa process for same-sex spouses – to include Fiance Visas – pending the repeal of DOMA.

While this deportation may be halted, it is still the American spouse who is denied the same RIGHTS as different-gender spouses in the USA -

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

NCLR, EQCA, and Lambda Legal File Amicus Brief in California Supreme Court in Proposition 8 Challenge – Groups Argue that Proposition 8 Sponsors Do Not Speak for the State.  The National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality California, and Lambda Legal filed a friend-of-the court brief with the California Supreme Court arguing that the proponents of Proposition 8 have no power to override the decision of elected state officials about whether to appeal a federal court decision that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. The brief explains that initiative proponents are unelected and have no right to act as representatives of the state. It also explains that regardless of how the California Supreme Court rules, the supporters of Proposition 8 have no “standing” to pursue an appeal in federal court because they are not harmed by allowing same-sex couples to marry and because their interests were limited to having the measure put to a vote.

“California law does not permit the unelected proponents of a constitutional initiative to step into the state’s shoes when elected officials appropriately decide not to appeal a decision striking down an unconstitutional measure,” said Equality California Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll. “We are hopeful that the appeal will soon be dismissed, restoring marriage equality as soon as possible, and that same-sex couples and their families will once again be able to enjoy equality and dignity under the law.”

NCLR legal director Shannon Minter explained, “Under the California Constitution, the state Attorney General must decide whether to appeal a federal court holding that a state law is unconstitutional, based on her conclusions about whether an appeal would be in the state’s interest. Nothing in California law gives unelected initiative sponsors the power to make that decision on behalf of the entire state.”

“There is nothing in California’s Constitution or statutes that provides proponents of initiatives any rights to defend those measures if they pass and are later challenged in court,” said Jon Davidson, Legal Director of Lambda Legal. “At best, initiative proponents are like legislators who sponsor a bill, whom courts have repeatedly said are not entitled to appear in cases to defend the constitutionality of laws they drafted. To allow the proponents of Proposition 8 to represent the state would usurp the role of the attorney general, who is sworn to uphold the rights of all Californians, not just the 20 percent of state residents who voted in favor the initiative.”

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional in August 2010, and the sponsors of Prop 8 sought to appeal that judgment to the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On January 4, 2011, the Ninth Circuit asked the California Supreme Court for guidance on whether the sponsors of Prop 8 have legal standing to pursue the appeal under California law. The California Supreme Court said that it would consider the question on an expedited basis with oral arguments to be held as early as September.

Mel Nathan: I feel harassed- How about you?

Are you e as frustrated as I am with all the Court Actions being shoved at us by the Right wing Bigots who think we are NOT entitled to our Constitutional rights and equal treatment under the civil laws of the USA ?   Please consider sending a few dollars to each of these groups as a sign of appreciation for there deliberate and consistent action on behalf of  EQUALITY.

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The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed more than 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.EQCA.org

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. www.LambdaLegal.org

2011-05-02 EQCA, NCLR, Lambda Legal, Amicus Brief, California Supreme Court, Perry Case

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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Vigil Protests for Lesbian Rape & Murder Victim, Noxolo Nogwaza, as South African LGBT Groups and Activists Call upon Honorable  Minister Jeff Radebe, DOJCD to Speak out Against  Corrective Rape & President Zuma to Recall Jon Qwelane.

“Research conducted in the Western Cape indicates that 86% of black lesbians live in fear of sexual assault because of the high prevalence of corrective rape in the area,”  (South Africa)

A collaboration of NGO’s, Grassroots Activists, Service providers from the USA and South Africa join in Solidarity – as Protests around South Africa are being planned  calling for a unified message.

LGBT Communities are holding vigils in South Africa and abroad for Noxolo Nogwaza, the 24 year old lesbian, whose tortured and savagely beaten body was found in an alley in Kwa-Tema South Africa. The vigils shall take the form of protests, in solidarity and  to express outrage at the endemic nature of so called “corrective” rape in South African Townships.

In March 2011, Luleki Sizwe, represented by Ndumie Funda and Melanie Nathan,  with Benjamin Joffe Watt of Change.org  participated in a meeting with Mr. Tlali Tlali  of the DOJCD at Parliament, Cape Town.  The honorable Minister of Justice Mr. Jeff Radebe who said he would be at the meeting, did not attend because of a high profile criminal arrest that day.

Luleki Sizwe proposed an ongoing commission to explore, legislate and implement reforms for prevention, health and safety of lesbian victims of so called “corrective rape” and to bring public awareness and education to local communities. The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development and the National Prosecutorial Authority agreed to follow through and so they set the stage for a second meeting to be held May 03, 2011.

Melanie Nathan, MEUSA Ambassador to Africa has been in contact with local grassroots groups and activists, stating “In the wake of this May 03, meeting and the brutal corrective rape and murder of 24 year old, Noxolo, the second such crime, in the same area, in a matter of one month, activists are unified in protest and a call to action,   alongside the vigils for the latest two victims:-

1. We protest the brutal rapes and slaughter of our young sisters who like anyone else have the legal right to pursue their happiness, with maximum protection of the law;

2.  We Ask the South African Government to keep their word and step up the call to action via the Commission to explore and effect reforms in terms of the meeting held in parliament between Luleki Sizwe and the Department of Justice on March 14, 2011 and to continue on May 3^rd, 2011 to move rapidly toward educating the public, enforcement, hate crimes  legislation, harsh bail and sentencing laws, instituting reforms for the health and safety of victim;

3. We ask Minister Radebe to make a statement in condemnation of the CULTURE of rape against all women and specifically corrective rape of lesbians.  The Leaders of South Africa are called upon to make bold statements condemning these actions as un-african and contrary to the South African post apartheid Constitution.

4. Additionally,  Minister Radebe must step forward to make a statement imploring upon the men of South Africa to refrain from rape of all women and to tell the South African people that it is unconstitutional to oppress sexual minorities. Unlike the era of apartheid all are equal under the Constitution and that we are all entitled to love who we choose.

5.  To express and guarantee that South Africa will enact legislation to make crimes against sexual minorities hate crimes with stiffer sentences and harsh bail requirements.

6.  We insist President Zuma recall homophobic ambassador Jon Qwelane from Uganda as a matter of urgency before the expiration of this Parliamentary session in Uganda, as a sign of solidarity to our sisters who have died under a culture where anti-gay sentiment is rampant and in direct conflict with South Africa’s progressive Constitution and promise for a future without oppression.

7. We will protest and stand vigil everywhere – until the Hon. Mr. Jeff Radebe makes a statement and  President Jacob Zuma recalls Qwelane and renounces homophobia in South Africa and the rest of the African Continent.”

Note:-

Anyone organizing a vigil or willing to sign on in solidarity, from anywhere in the world, has been invited to communicate so that protestors are made aware of events and solidarity is passed on to family and local groups.  nathan@privatecourts.com

Current Protests are in Planning for:

Pretoria Executive Branch Building
Parliament  Building, Cape Town
The Constitutional Court, Johannesburg

South African Embassy, New York,/ Los Angeles
South African Embassy/ Consuls around the World

Photo: Noxolo Funeral ©Private Courts Inc. Permission to Use with this Article is Granted to Cross Posters.

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Melanie Nathan and Ndumie Funda Escorted into Parliament 3/11. Photo by Henry Banjtez

I truly believe that the South African authorities are  starting to tackle the issue of lesbians and corrective rape with a sense of urgency and that they have attributed a priority to the crimes – based on the brutality and special circumstances.  That is not to say all rape requires priority, especially in a country like South Africa where in some areas 75%  of the women have been brutalized.

In 2009 LezGetReal started covering stories of lesbians who had been raped by men purporting to believe that they could effect a change of the victim’s sexuality.  This we all know is a myth – and an excuse to express rage and hate against a sexual minority.  That is why, especially given the legacy of oppression, we have called upon the South African Government to take special measures.   Our two years of  reporting led to and served as the basis for a growing protest on behalf of victims and survivors, with Ndumie Funda of Luleki Sizwe at the helm, and then led eventually to a Petition on Change.org, yielding almost 200,000 e-mails – a record breaking campaign – to the offices of the DOJ and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe.

This resulted in a meeting in March 2011 – where the DOJ, held a meeting  at Parliament in Cape Town, and I was invited to attend with Funda as a spokesperson for Luleki Sizwe, the non-profit organization that has served as one of the only true and functioning resources for Lesbian women in the WESTERN Cape Township of Gugulethu, and beyond.

The meeting can be said to have been successful thus far because the DOJ took Ndumie Funda to heart and agreed to provide an ongoing dialogue- a commission to be formed – to explore, commit and implement resources to tackle the issue.   Indeed a second meeting has been set for May 03, 2011.

Another measure of success is the swift response of the South African authorities when this week, after I wrote an article about the latest horrific tragic rape and death of  Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24-year-old lesbian and a gay Pride organizer for Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee (EPOC), an LGBTI organization in Kwa-Thema. (Her badly beaten, mutilated body was found in the same area as that of the 2008 victim – soccer star Eudy Simelane.)  http://lezgetreal.com/2011/04/another-lesbian-raped-and-murdered-in-south-african-township/

I sent my article via the e-mail below to The Department of Justice and was very pleased to note that in less than 24 hours, I received a response stating that the department has ordered that the rape and murder of the young woman receive priority attention and resources be applied accordingly.

I take this opportunity to publicly thank  Minister Jeff Radebe, the DOJ , SA  Mr. Tlali Tlali and Ms. Corlia Kok and all others who have responded to this case as a matter of urgency.

From: Melanie Nathan [mailto:nathan@privatecourts.com]
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 10:13 AM
To: Stakeholders and Department of Justice & Constitutional Development, South Africa

It is with great sadness that we learn of yet another victim  – a Lesbian who was raped and murdered. We hope that the authorities will do everything possible to find the perpetraitors and bring swift justice. This is such sad news.  Thanks you for your kind attention to my article which I have referenced herein.

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/04/another-lesbian-raped-and-murdered-

Kind Regards,
Melanie Nathan
for Luleki Sizwe.

RESPONSE:_

From: Kok Corlia
To: Melanie Nathan
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 1:44 AM

Thank you Ma’am.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has requested the relevant Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster-partners, to give priority attention to this matter.

Thank you and regards-

Mrs Corlia Kok

Director: Child Justice and Family Law

On behalf of the DoJCD

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By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

The arrest today of alleged accessory in the Lisa Miller abduction case renders a complaint with a bevy of names and revelations that can only serve to shock – how people are willing to risk defying the law of our Country in the name of religious anti-gay dogma.  What we suspected has in fact come to light and can be noted from the Complaint in the case of the Abduction of Isabella Miller.

Lisa Miller absconded in defiance of a Custody Order, abducting the child Isabella. It has been years since her non-biological mother, who has custody via the US Courts, has been able to see her daughter.  Had Lisa Miller the biological non custodial mother allowed jenkins visitation/ shared custody – none of this would have happened. It was that simple.  Instead with the help of the  ex-gay movement and right wing Christian groups around her, Miller was provided with the ability to abscond the USA – to abduct Isabella – in essence depriving her other lawful parent of her rights – Miller could not have done it alone.

The person arrested in the case is one, Timothy Miller, no relation to Lisa Miller, – read the complaint below.

Reading back on LGR’s articles over the past years on the case one notes the challenges LGR made to the Groups we believed were involved.

The FBI has done an amazing job of keeping on this case , in their determination to seek justice for Janet  Jenkins and the child Isabella.  The imperative of holding ALL people responsible to uphold the law of our Country cannot diminish because of someone having a separate religious ideology.   This shows that not even super wealthy right wing evangelical Christian Ministries will get away with crimes such as this.

Names, via emails and evidence indicated in the Complaint is extensive  – e.g.
“a. Philip Zodhiates is a wealthy man and a “Liberty Leader” who has a beach
house in Nicaragua. Lisa Miller and Isabella Miller have been staying at the home of Zodhiates.
b. Victoria Hyden is the daughter of Zodhiates. Zodhiates asked Hyden to
disseminate a request to get Lisa Miller supplies.”

THE  ARREST   As it broke has been reported by LGR here -

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/04/arrest-made-in-abduction-of-isabella-miller-by-lisa-miller/comment-page-1/#comment-157004

It seems the connection to Miller being in Managua – via other countries is explained in the detailed complaint below.

THE COMPLAINT

I am a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBn. I have been a
Special Agent since October of2008. I am currently assigned to the Burlington, Vermont Resident Agency. 2. The facts in this affidavit come from my personal observations, my training and experience, information obtained by other law enforcement officials and witnesses, and court documentation. This affidavit is intended to show merely that there is sufficient probable cause for the requested criminal complaint and arrest warrant and does not set forth all of my knowledge about this matter.    3. Based on my training and experience and the facts as set forth in this affidavit, there is probable cause to believe that Timothy David Miller has violated 18 U.S.C. §§ 1204, 2; aiding in   international parental kidnapping of minor Isabella Ruth Miller-Jenkins (IMJ) by Lisa Miller and  other unknown persons. This crime involved removing a child from the United States on or about September 22, 2009, and retaining a child who has been in the United States, outside of the United States from September 2009 to the present, with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights by Janet Jenkins. I have reason to believe that Timothy Miller violated 18 U.S.C. §§ 1204, 2 in that: a. Timothy Miller had knowledge of the parental rights litigation in the United States involving Lisa Miller and regarding IMJ.

FULL DOC Below…

Miller Jenkins Criminal Complaint

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Hardly believable to those of the comfort of our respective safety zones.  The Detainees, our brothers and sisters, victimized further by our TAX dollars!  This is an horrific outrage and it must be taken further – these are often people deserving of asylum – yet have not had the legal advice available to them during the time constraints  when asylum could have been available in each case.  These are people who by virtue of their marginalization in their homelands and exacerbated here in  our American society -  are not prone to seeking help or coming forward before they are caught and detained. They live in fear and are traumatized and we AMERICA are making it worse.

The complaint speaks for itself.

Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) submits a multi-individual complaint for 13 clients detailing civil and human rights violations committed against sexual minorities in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Due to the systemic and severe abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender(LGBT) individuals in immigration detention, we urge the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), pursuant to its authority under 6 U.S.C. § 345, to investigate these complaints, to develop and implement policies to address the violations, and to provide oversight on the implementation of the new policies.Although we recommend several incremental improvements, DHS cannot, consistent with its constitutional obligations, continue to detain vulnerable individuals whom they are unable to protect. This letter summarizes the enclosed complaints and provides recommendations to address the civil rights violations.NIJC, based in Chicago, provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants,refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and publiceducation. NIJC’s National Asylum Partnership on Sexual Minorities protects the rightsof immigrant sexual minorities by representing individual clients, providing training andsupport to attorneys who serve LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants, and seeking legalreform.Complainants are 13 gay and transgender immigrants detained by DHS’s Immigrationand Customs Enforcement (ICE) at various facilities nationwide,

Civil rights complaint for LGBT immigration detainees

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda
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Suspect Tiven and Congressman Nadler -Think IE had some Lobby going here?

So Guess who is asking for more support for the same thing they screwed bi-nationals over and  over again previously?  Yes, It is Immigration Equality. They need your grassroots effort and/or money so you can get screwed yet again  – so they can mess with  our UAFA again and again and again – The question is this time do they plan on advocating for it or advocating for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the past modus operandi; the latter previously touted as the only way to achieve these rights.   But it did not work and now what crazy path will they explore with your hearts risking your soul mates?  Do they plan on placing UAFA and Binationals, same-sex green cards ahead of the DREAM ACT this time – because the latter may happen to include some gays and lesbians?

Julie Kruse, Policy Director has put out a call for you to tell your stories and to support UAFA!   Time warp 2009! Julie what have we been doing for ten years?

Buyer beware- what is wrong with this picture?

Kruse”s letter states “In just a few weeks, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) will reintroduce the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) — a critically important bill that would provide much-needed relief to LGBT families facing separation and exile under our discriminatory immigration laws. Will you help us build the support we need to ensure UAFA’s reintroduction is a success?”

AND WHY I ASK?

She continues ” As you know, UAFA would allow lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans to sponsor our foreign-born partners and children for residency in the United States. UAFA’s passage would immediately help all families with foreign-born partners. For families whose relationships aren’t recognized by state or local law – and for families currently living in exile — UAFA offers the only permanent solution for remaining together. ”

I have a feeling this jargon was copied from an email back in 2009 – c heck it OUT!  That said – when I was in DC with Shirley Tan, the lesbian mom saved from deportation under Private Bill #867, by Senator Feinstein two things did not occurred:-

1. Julie Kruse told us not to waste our time telling Republicans in Congress Shirley’s story – BUT now the Republicans have a majority and so should we still keep our stories from them Julie Kruse?

2. I informed Rachel Tiven and Julie Kruse in June 2009, after speaking with the Senator’s senior legislative staffer,  that the only way to get Senator Feinstein to sponsor and push  UAFA would have been for IE to acknowledge that the UAFA does not provide enough defining language demanding a CONTRACTUAL NEXUS between partners; and that mere evidence would not be enough to satisfy the Senator.   Understanding law the way I do the Senator’s requirement made complete sense to me.  But Immigration equality representatives fobbed me off.

a.  UAFA Language must change to  define Permanent Partner as someone who can prove a contractual nexus, via a DP or marriage document from a Jurisdiction or a written contract defining the relationship – beyond mere evidence of joint check accounts and rental agreements.   The impediment to UAFA has always been – not fear of fraud- per se- but rather the lack of provable contractual relationship or connection.  Roomates can share a bill but cannot a contract defining their relationship.

The language can and must work around this.  Immigration Equality basically told me I was wasting my time because and I quote “Senator Feinstein does not care about the  LGBT community.”  That was a horrible myth perpetuated by another organization which I care not to name as well as by Immigration equality.

b.  Senator Feinstein absolutely cares about gays  (LGBTI) and when I repeated that comment to a staffer in the Senators office two years ago, I was told it would break the Senator’s heart because she did care so much.  I believed that Senator Feinstein does care and did then and I deplore the fact that Immigration Equality failed to truly engage her office to provide the legislative solution for her sponsorship.

So much energy spent on fighting for so called immigration reform when all we wanted is equality.

c. Senator Feinstein is correct to go full out for the Repeal of DOMA at this point.  To split our advocacy once a repeal is on the table for DOMA is pure waste of of unity and advocacy time.    At this point IE should be asking for special visas and Private Bills to prevent deportations of a class to be named – pending the repeal of DOMA.   Instead they are trying to roll back the clock and hedge UAFA’s enactment  against DOMA’s repeal.

Yes Tell your stories and tell your representatives why you want your Federal benefits such as immigration. Tell them your stories.   But how can we do it in the name of UAFA which Immigration Equality may again hi-jack for their own invisible purposes.  Do it in the name of DOMA repeal.

Kruse  states then in her e-mail bvlast Help us honor those families by ensuring we have a strong coalition of lawmakers supporting UAFA in the new Congress.”  Yes, Julie Kruse, Rachel Tiven and Steve Ralls – et al – how are you going to regenerate support for UAFA in a Republican Congress when you failed in a Democratic one and took all binationals for the biggest ride of their life…. down CIR road to nowhere.   Do you plan on touting UAFA and switching to Comprehensive immigration Reform YET AGAIN?

How many times you take our community for suckers.

The Letter goes on to say: – “Ask your lawmaker to cosponsor UAFA, and add your personal story to your letter. Your story is the best, and most powerful, way to let Congress know how critical passage of UAFA is for our families.”

In case you were unaware OUT4IMMIGRATION has been doing just that since long before you let go of your grassroots respect and telling actual stories for UAFA.  But now its time to tell them our stories for the repeal of DOMA which will give same-sex spouses the same rights as gay spouses.

“We finished the last Congress with record support for UAFA.”   say Kruse with ultimate chutzpah – then why did you bandwagon and scurry after Immigration Reform and failed alliances?

“Help us begin this Congress by setting a new record again. With your help, we can take action to ensure LGBT families won’t be torn apart by unfair immigration laws.”    Does that sound familiar – like a pre immigration reform rewind?  A most disingenuous statement – do not expect support – we the grassroots are better off without your strategy mess ups and your inability to take responsibility – what you need to do is to be transparent.   This letter is another example of such lack of transparency , ignorance and the presumption that we are all a bunch of idiots.

UNLESS Immigration Equality shows the truth – and  tells same-sex couples what their FULL strategy and plan is – they have no place asking for Bi-national f support because same-sex couples who have been waiting for years and who you turn away when in need, do not trust Immigration Equality any longer.

What is Immigration Equality’s plan in the broad scheme of things? How is it addressing the repeal of the Defense of marriage Act  DOMA now that has strong support and has been introduced already – is UAFA a bey hedged against the repeal of DOMA and if it is what guarantee do we have that Immigration equality will not hijack the legislation yet again?

Will Immigration equality  chase the DREAM again or work for UAFA fully – or  CHASE comprehensive immigration reform with our UAFA stories and pleas for help.

Julie Kruse , If we want UAFA will you offer CIR  – again?    No one should follow this group without a fully transparent plan of intent and one that they honor.  No one should follow this group until they provide a financial disclosure of how money was spent over the past few years and how they plan to budget and allocate resources at this time.

Immigration equality-  the big glaring lie – is the offer that UAFA will provide a quick remedy. No it will not. It is simply not possible.   The only quick remedy will be a executive order by the President or some creative form of  Sunset Special Binat -VISA or Protocol to provide for the immediate relief suffered by our binational / same-sex couples – limited to those who are married – because marriage is now a relatively easy option, according to State and Foreign Laws.

Grassroots I ask you – are you going to allow your selves to be used again – like lambs to the slaughter ?

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

NOTE:-  An Aside: Who can depend on IE: If you have stories to tell please e-mail me – at nathan@privatecourts.com:

I recently sent an asylum seeker to Immigration equality who is within the small window of opportunity with a winning Asylum case.  They were excited to receive the case, my source informs me.   I then went to South Africa for a month and just arrived back – only to hear that the young person who is in great physical danger if returned home, is still waiting for a post interview call back.  She is panic stricken and under time constraints for filing.  It is a simple case to file and all they need is to find her an attorney to fill out the forms.

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By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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For quite some time I have been writing about creative alternatives – I would like to see the organizations getting your money doing some of the creative out od the box work!!!!

Here is the Body of my Past work on this subject

http://lezgetreal.com/page/2/?s=Binational

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/12/same-sex-green-cards-the-case-for-a-presidential-executive-order-2011/

REPEAT  -  I WROTE THIS BACK IN DECEMBER,……   WRITTEN BEFORE INTRODUCTION OF REPEAL OF DOMA

Melanie Nathan, Dec 30, 2010. At the federal level of government in the United States, laws are made almost exclusively by legislation. Legislation originates as an Act of Congress passed by the Congress of the United States; such acts were either signed into law by the President or passed by Congress after a presidential veto.

Legislation is not the only source of regulations which have the force of law. There is also judge-made common law and constitutional law. The President can issue executive orders pursuant to a grant of discretion from Congress, or under the inherent powers that office holds to deal with certain matters of foreign policy.

When it comes to immigration matters, the standing law is that covered by the Immigration and Naturalization Act of the USA.  This law cannot be changed, without the involvement of Congress through an amendment process.  However I believe that when it comes to the regulations to effect the intent behind the law or something that unexpectedly and detrimentally impacts the law, the President of the USA can provide an executive order to adjust the circumstances, so impacted.

I do not believe that it was ever the intention of the Defense of Marriage Act to deny the de facto relationships of same-sex couples. I believe President Clinton who signed it into law would attest that it was never his intention to cause American citizens and Residents in same-sex relationships to have to exile the USA to pursue their Constitutional right to happiness. However Americans in the USA, in same sex relationships are denied the possibility to sponsor a partner for a green card.

Accordingly I believe that President Obama has the power to effect an Executive Order on behalf of same-sex couples who are specifically excluded by DOMA, from participating in the US Immigration laws.   This  quest would specifically denote a right by way of process to an American (citizen or resident) and not a right to an immigrant; the right of the American to Petition for a same-sex partner to reside in the USA, that is currently excluded via laws that simply fail to include the de facto situation, thereby causing extreme  hardship to American Families.

I do not believe the Immigration law needs to change for this to happen in the short term; I do not believe that this reflects in any way shape or form on the marriage equality debate.  It does not seek to change DOMA and nor does it impact the Immigration Act as we know it, at all.

There have been many early executive orders during all Presidencies;  the State Department began numbering executive orders in the early 20th century, starting retroactively from President Abraham Lincoln’s Executive Order Establishing a Provisional Court in Louisiana issued in 1862. An executive order is an order issued by the President, the head of the executive branch of the federal government, generally to staff of the executive branch and not to the citizens of the country. Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution specifically reserves all federal legislative authority to Congress, not the president.

However here what would occur would be the President ordering the inclusion of same-sex partners under existing law, based on the de facto existence of relationships, the anomaly caused by State law that endorse such relationships, while the Federal government fails to secure the right of the American to remain at home in a relationship of their choice.

Examples of prior Immigration related executive orders -

• Employment of aliens under Federal contracts: EO 12989
• Grenada; revocation of naturalization exemptions: EO 12913
• Persian Gulf conflict participants; expedited naturalization: EO 12939

The Case for an executive order is easily made:

Urgent Need; Immediate Harm;

Without the passage of a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act the exclusionary legislation that caused the harm, or the passage of the Uniting American Families Act, (UAFA) the pending Legislation – which would fix the problem, there is little else that can happen to right this immeasurable harm in the near future.

Same-sex couples have been watching the introduction of legislation come and go for the best part of 15 years to no avail

Americans are living in exile to be with partners – separated from extended families, children etc.  Some are getting ready to leave the USA as I write this; some partners have not seen each other in years- partners are deported, living  jobless in hiding; the expense to maintain an international relationship is prohibitive and I can go on….

The Dream Act failed – Do you think Republicans will give a damn about gay and lesbian couples?

Now that DADT is repealed Military also need to a mechanism to bring home foreign born partners after serving abroad.

Now I have never written an Executive Order or anything similar before and so please do not take this as my expectation of what one would really look like or entail. In fact I may even be coming at it from the wrong angle – there may be a more direct way to do it than to Order a Special Board charged with a duty as I have done below.   I thought of doig it that way so that the ORDER would not be a blanket order, but would have built in measure for responsible actions, where evidence and contractual nexus helm the process.

EXECUTIVE ORDER

PREAMBLE:- Same Sex couples are a de facto part of American Society. The Defense of Marriage Act. specifically excludes Same-Sex partners from being included under the Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1952.

Some de facto same-sex relationships impacted by the Law include children who suffer hardship if parents are forced to separate or leave the United States;

No US citizen should be forced into exile or to leave their homes, careers and countries to be able to pursue a relationship with a same-sex partner;

The intention of the Defense of Marriage Act was define marriage as between a man and a woman only. In No way does this order derogate from that concept nor does it attempt to re-define marriage;

Predicated on the fact that DOMA was never intended to divide unmarried couples (who did not have the legal option to marry in accordance with the Federal definition established by DOMA)  and families or prevent them from living together.

It remains the policy of this Administration to enforce the immigration laws to the fullest extent, for all cases that do not conform to this Order;  including the detection and deportation of undocumented aliens.

IT IS ORDERED:-

I. Establishment of Emergency Board, to be led by personnel appointed by the President of the USA and office of the Department of Homeland Security for the purposes outlined as follows:-

I. Investigating the separation of same-sex partners whose relationships are excluded from immigration rights and privileges under the Immigration and Nationality Act of  1952 as amended ; with the specific purpose of providing remedies and urgent relief to specific couples and through general regulations and remedies for couples at large:-

a. To establish a Special Visa Program (similar to Fiancé Visa/ R1 Visa) to facilitate the reunification of same-sex partners in relationships where a contractual nexus can be proved within six months of entry by foreign partner into USA; and to to provide a path to citizenship upon conditions to be determined.

b. To provide a mechanism for the adjustment of Status for same-sex foreign partners who are currently in the USA undocumented, whose Visa has expired, who enter into same-sex relationships while in the USA, including those in Asylum or deportation proceedings, or under ten year re-entry ban, where other is a US Citizen or Legal US Resident, who can prove a contractual nexus;

c. To define contractual nexus (I have prepared my own)

d. To define and detail evidence required to prove contractual nexus:- (I have prepared a list)

II. Circumstances to Investigate:

• circumstances of American citizens forced leave the USA to be in relationship
• and live with a foreign born partner, where there is proof of contractual nexus;
• to review immigration cases of foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US
  Citizen or  legal US Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review deportation cases involving foreign same-sex partner, where other is a
  US Citizen or Legal US Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review asylum cases foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US Citizen and
  Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review Visa Applications

III Moratorium:

Immediate moratorium on all deportations involving foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US Citizen or Legal US Resident, who can prove a contractual nexus;  to include a retroactive waiver of 10 year ban on re-entry to USA.

The Power shall be vested in the Board and All Regulations stemming therefrom shall be subject to the oversight of a duly appointed Staffer and ratification by the President of the USA.

—————————————————————————————————————-

CONCLUSION:

Maybe this is a pipe dream and I have written about this over a year ago – I hope to join with other advocates in the New Year to push for a creative remedy for the unconscionable and reprehensible inequity to same-sex couples and their families, immediate and extended.  This international community cannot wait any longer – not even for what it will take to repeal DOMA, Enact UAFA.  This is not an immigration reform issue – it is an immigration equality – as in parity- issue. Hence the bi-national same sex community which advocates, waits and prays for remedies should not be expected to wait any longer while an anti-immigrant weighted Congress plodders along with Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

A note from J. Bachelor  3/31/2011 : I had passed this on to others in the past, but the person to target is Obama and here is why:

A new strategy for helping out immigrants is outlined in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo from last year. In that memo, staff members for USCIS catalogued the various options that are open to the President.

“USCIS can extend benefits and/or protections to many individuals and groups by issuing new guidance and regulations, exercising discretion with regard to parole-in-place, deferred action and the issuance of Notices to Appear (NTA), and adopting significant process improvements,” the memo reads.

The text of the memo asserts that USCIS’s discretionary power to use deferred action is unlimited. In order to suppress opposition to the flexing of this muscle, the USCIS staffers who wrote the memo suggest that deferred action be used to exempt “particular groups” from being subject to removal proceedings. In this memo, they explicitly admit that “deferred action” — or using prosecutorial discretion not to deport someone — would be “a non-legislative version of ‘amnesty.’”

Fox News notes that deferred action is a “suspension of deportation hearings for illegal aliens. With “deferred action,” illegals are allowed to apply for employment authorization cards,” (http://nation.foxnews.com/amnesty/2010/06/23/obama-granting-amnesty-executive-order).

The President has the power to sign an executive order to exempt “particular groups”, such as gay binational couples who are married, from being deported. This would not make them legal, but would allow them to remain in the country with their significant others.
- http://www2.nationalreview.com/memo_UCIS_072910.html

The government of South Africa has signed the statement issued at the UN Human Rights Council, which was signed by 85 countries, entitled “Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.”

“The news was received this morning with a mixture of elation and surprise,” says a Spokesperson for SA GLAAD, “as it was generally expected that South Africa was not going to sign the UN statement, as it had not supported similar UN statements addressing the topic of homosexuality in the past, and had been in international news on several occasions recently for reportedly saying it would not support this initiative.”

Perhaps recent visibility to gay issues via International Media and subject Petitions played a part.  South Africa has had increasing calls to live up to its fully inclusive Constitution – both by cleaning house at home, in Africa and in a global display of leadership.

This is Stoning

Today’s joint declaration by 85 member countries of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, calling for an end to violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is a very significant step forward towards international consensus on LGBTI people’s rights, according to ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

ILGA considers the fact that the amount of countries willing to sign on to a declaration like this is approaching a majority of UN members, is a credit to the increased sensitivity of national governments, and the work of international, regional and local LGBTI human rights activists all over the World, particularly the International Coalition of LGBTI organizations that worked together with national governments and provided the information they requested through the process of preparing the declaration.

UGANDAN PRESS

In addition I would contend that the Petitions and Bloggers ability to draw attention to issues where mainstream media has failed miserably, must be adding  to the move toward awareness and hence change.

Compared to a similar Human Rights Council joint declaration on this topic in 2006 and to a UN General Assembly Statement in 2008, this Statement acknowledges for the first time also the positive developments on recognition of LGBTI human rights in each region of the world. It also establishes as a principle that “no one should face stigmatization, violence or abuse on any ground, and that in dealing with sensitive issues, the Council must be guided by the principles of universality and non-discrimination. This was enabled by the preceding 2008 UN General Assembly Statement, which for the first time inserted sexual orientation and gender identity in the UN interpretation of the Universal declaration of Human Rights, by reaffirming the non-discrimination principle of international law, requiring that human rights apply equally to each human being.

Anti Gay Violence

This ought to send a message to David Bahati, President Museveni that should they pursue the Bill to Kill Homosexuals, via legislation – now in Committee in Uganda Parliamentary process, they will be ostracized and isolated should such legislation pass.  There will be a big prices to pay.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie

twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Melanie Nathan March 15-2011

National Organizations Join GroundSpark’s  Outreach Campaign for Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up

— On the heels of the White House conference on bullying, GroundSpark, the national film, education, and advocacy organization, announced its national partners for the distribution campaign for Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up, the organization’s award-winning documentary film about the pressures teens face today because of gender role expectations.

Partners are publicizing the value of Straightlaced as a critical tool to help improve school social climates, particularly when it comes to addressing stigma and social pressures connected to gender roles, sexuality, and sexual orientation.

“Making the film and playing the film festival circuit were just the first steps in our campaign to open up dialogue about pressures to conform to gender stereotypes,” says the film’s director, Debra Chasnoff. “Working with these valued national partners to reach their millions of members and supporters will help ensure that Straightlaced has a significant impact in supporting youth to flourish, free from bias and harm.”

GroundSpark’s partners are equally determined to expand Straightlaced’s reach. “It’s a must see for anyone who has a young person in their lives,” says Whitney Smith, the founder and CEO of Girls For A Change, who signed on to the campaign “because this dialogue should be part of every curriculum in school.”

Maureen Costello, director of Teaching Tolerance agrees. “Every high school student in America should see it.”

Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up has been in increasingly high demand as the national media has focused more attention on bias-related bullying and harassment. The film profiles an extremely diverse crossection of teenagers who examine the way that gender-based expectations impact their lives—pressures that lead to bullying, low academic performance, risky sexual behavior, drug abuse, and most seriously, suicide attempts and violence. The film is starting to be used in high schools across the country and teacher education programs to help open up much needed dialogue about gender norms and stigma based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

www.groundspark.org/straightlaced.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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CAPE TOWN – After my speech at Cape Town pride Pink Gala, I was asked for copies – and also a few magazines wanted to publish it.  So I decided i would post it here. I may have veered or added some bits but this is what I wrote and hopefully said -  I do believe their are audio versions of it – I wrote it for verbal delivery so the writing style may seem different – but here it is – please feel free to republish without permission as long as you link back to this particular post and apply the appropriate accreditation.

KEYNOTE SPEECH
CAPE TOWN PRIDE
SOUTH AFRICA

MELANIE NATHAN

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 at www.lezgetreal.com, Swirl Radio America, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA and my family and friends back home in the US for their help and support.

Thank you Gareth Dallas, and his amazing Cape Town Pride team – thank you British Airways – you got me a long way in style -thank you Hotel Cape Royale, Victoria Junction,  Protea, and to all sponsors of this fabulous gay pride event and most importantly thank you to every single one of you.

In 1965, in Port Elizabeth lived an eight year old girl. She lived in a nice house and never had to worry about anything. She thought everything was perfect in the world just as it was in her house and at her school where, each day, they sang a song everyday called Die Stem and another one “bless this house..”.

The kids learned about history about how Jan Van Riebeeck was a hero for coming to the Cape in 1652 and she was taught that respect must be given to authority and the Prime Minister of her Country, South Africa and that is all she knew.

One day in the windy city, her mother went out; and the little girl stayed home from school with a bad cold.  She listened to the radio – there was no TV – in those days.  Suddenly the program was interrupted and a very serious tone reverberated alarmingly through the airwaves “DR VERWOERD IS DOOD – Dr VERWOERD IS DEAD! “

The Prime Minister had been stabbed while he was inside the Parliament – right here in Cape Town.  The child was perplexed and yelled for her nanny.- who came running into the room to see what she screaming was about.

“Dr. Verwoerd is dead,” repeated the child, looking for comfort. A  smile crossed her nanny’s face and the next thing a wail – or rather a chant llalalalalal – and a dance of joy.

That child was me and how incongruous that dance seemed and her nanny was Mrs. Violet Zinto, of blessed memory.

From that day on I knew something was not right – here and with this world – with this place and my life changed forever.

Something triggered for me – in that moment… but I never knew it would lead to this day…

Little did I know that moment was the beginning of the end… for apartheid – as its architect lay without breath in his House of iniquity and that the very same HOUSE would one day pass a constitution that would go to the ultimate form of inclusion, for full equality.

There was a big struggle ahead to rebuild that place of ‘law making’; and much sacrifice followed and when Madiba (Nelson Mandela) was released came the new promise and a new constitution – one that guaranteed there would never be discrimination again in South Africa – and – it became the first ever country to boast a rainbow people – because in NO  other country is that term used for NOT ONLY LGBTI. But in SA it is used for everyone.  SA is the only country which has earned a rainbow flag with an SA Flag embed-design attached as its LGBT Symbol of freedom and equality- that waves a reflection of that significant truth.

I have come a long way to talk to you tonight./ From those days in Port Elizabeth then to SF and now back here to Cape Town.    Through my own journey over the past 25 years and my multi-national experience – I have come qualified in my heart to bring you a message – it is about you about your importance here in SA, here in Africa and here in the world.

I live in San Francisco – where we like to think we are ground zero for the gay struggle around the world – - – - and I may seem to interfering – but I am asking for help – your help.

Little do they know in SF and they should know – that this place right here- SA – is the real ground zero – It is because of your fight against the oppression of an entire nation, joined together , that this is the only  country on  this continent and one of very few globally to have sexual orientation and gender identity protected in its constitution.

I am here to remind you that not even the United State of America can boast such an accomplishment.

But it is HOW you live that accomplishment that becomes the real achievement.

The real triumph will come when people in South Africa accept all people unequivocally as equals and realize that gay people are normal people who having been born to enjoy love as a human right -we – want nothing more than our right to pursue happiness free of fear, safely with equal opportunities in every arena.

With this Constitution – you are charged with a hefty responsibility – here in South Africa, AND in Africa AND in the World.

You must demand enforcement and respect for those rights you now own.

Here is an example:-

In April 2010, I was contacted by Ndume Funda of Luleke Sizwe, after my online  News Magazine presented a story about the rape of Mille Gaika – I wrote Millie and Ndumie’s story for a year- they were suffering greatly – 15 women in 2 room flooded shack about to be evicted – all rape victims – and I prefer to say survivors – rapists who insulted our lesbian sisters by the denial of their being “ I will fix you and make you a real woman.”

Look at me brothers and sisters -  I am a lesbian and I am woman- I don’t need any help with that thank you,.!

Through these stories on lezgetreal I begged for attention. My Cousin visited Ndumie and the women in Gugu and when she got home from that visit she contacted me in the US and she said “Mel, it is worse than you expected.”

I contacted organizations in South Africa and I received no response – Millie sat injured physically – her body saved, and emotionally – her soul mortally wounded ;  While she may have had opportunities to reach out and accept help – her further victimization endured through a system that had no way of providing the resources in a sensitive or conclusive fashion.

So I started writing to the SA Consul in the US and to Minister Radebe here in SA – I asked – Min. Radebe – How many women must endure a gang rape and then years later another even more brutal rape only to hear your silence; how many woman can stand up and testify at a trial when she and her supporters are there under threat without police protection?  How many women must get on the same bus as her perpetrator who is out on $6.00  bail to go to court to testify; how many MORE must endure the brutality without the government stepping in and educating the public that (SHOUT) – RAPE AND VIOLENCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE        AND THAT CORRECTIVE RAPE IS A HATE CRIME THAT must be OUTLAWED IN THIS COUNTRY with harsh sentencing ? …… and your continued silence- Members of this Government….

Others joined in the outrage and the more I wrote the more contact I received from the international community, wanting to help and it spread, viral – until Luleki Sizwe received money from a donor to move into a safe house.

Soon a Petition was put on the internet and something like 200,000 emails landed on the desk of Minister Radebe’s staff- resulting in an invitation to meet and discuss the  imperative reforms.  We have drafted some reforms which are necessary for survivors of these rapes and that is part of what we will pursue this month.

So you can see – this is a perfect example of having rights under the law – but not being protected through lack of solicitude, awareness, education and enforcement.

What good is a constitution if one cannot live in peace without fear of attack just because you are gay or lesbian or transgender or intersex.  So you must all demand and you must all support each other – and you must show up in great crowds like we will do tomorrow/.

You must forge a path that shows SA can be a leader;- and in order to do that – you cannot fear being out, open and proud.  You are the soldiers on this the last frontier of acceptability.  Tolerance of us in society, regardless of African Culture is not enough – we must be accepted.

In order for this to happen, it is absolutely imperative that you realize your place in AFRICA and in the WORLD.  You have a unique duty – and the more you express that duty on the greatest level available to you, the more you will be accepted in your own Country.

YOU have to tell the world of the brilliance of the SA Constitution- not even the USA – which purports to lead the world has such inclusion – and the USA still discriminates horribly in its law, through the Federal Defense of Marriage Act which says marriage can only be between one man and one woman.  If I fall in love with a South African and want to marry her and live with her in the USA – I cannot sponsor her for a green card – but straight people can. Here in SA you have that right!

Your rights under your Constitution are born from the hard learned lessons and the excruciating fight out of apartheid- you cannot let the people of SA , nor Madiba, nor the ANC of better memory down.  So you must fight as well on an international level – you must show leadership in Africa and the world and you must tell President Zuma – that he is expected by the SA people to do the same.

From these I have four PLEAS   -  (as in requests!_)

Plea number 1  is  for SA,  Stop the Rape – educate, and support victims with government medical care, with encouragement and help to testify and with all the resources fitting those who endure horrendous pain and torture and legislate appropriate sentencing and bail;

Plea number 2 is for Africa, Stop the criminalization of Homosexuality in AFRICA – we are human beings who love each other and we are families;  we are not criminals just because we fall in love with people of the same sex. We are not hurting anyone. Uganda stop the ‘Kill the Gays Bill.’  David Bahati get the hell out of South Africa, President Zuma take the lead and show that you have dignity and respect for your magnificent constitution – Tell Jon Qwelane to get the (F%CK) out of Uganda  NOW!!!! He must back to South Africa and sit on the same porch and smoke whatever it is that has made him hate.

Tell Museveni that South Africa will pull all its private investment AND government AID until Uganda decriminalizes homosexuality, even as the law stands now. Show the world you believe in the message of the ANC and the new SA and that your Constitution is not a phony patronization of those who joined you in your struggle against apartheid..   That human rights will be protected at all costs – and are critical to the development of South Africa and Africa in the world.

Show some spine President Zuma – stand up for your people – all your people – stand up for Africa- be a leader - live your constitution.

PLEA number 3 Stand up for the World -with great respect – when you express   loyalty to your country and your patriotism you are expected to uphold the constitution and then you are expected to deliver the message from a clean house… a house fully in order,. SA has that power because SA has the ALL TIME CONSTITUTION.  Help us in America teach those that hate how to truly separate church and state – marriage equality is universal – come to us in pride to talk about your constitution and help us attain full inclusion in our Federal law…..

For you my friends I say again thank you for this incredible opportunity. Who would have thought I would have left an apartheid SA 25 years ago to come home to ask you to fight for equality for the WORLD?

Fight for the rights that you already own and unite as one gay movement – avoid the appeal of fragmentation in the name of ego because unless you do that you will not succeed –

First and foremost Be Gay – be lesbian – be out be queer be transgender, be bisexual – intersex be straight – just be who you are there is no shame there can only be gain and you OWN the right!!

I love you,

I love South Africa…

From the deepest place in my heart

Picture above
Ndumie Funda and Mel on stage after speech

________________________________________________________________________________-

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Thank you Cape Town!

(Happy Birthday to both My Children – I miss you)

_________________________________________________________________________________

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The University of Oregon’s Knight Law School’s Public Interest Public Service program honored Kate Kendell with their third annual Dom Vetri “Champion of Public Interest” Award, which is given each year by PIPS to honor an attorney or academic who has demonstrated a significant commitment to advancing legal issues of public interest.

Kate Kendell leads the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.

Through direct litigation and advocacy, NCLR works to change discriminatory laws and to create new laws and policies benefiting the LGBT community.

Growing up Mormon in Utah, Kate learned about the complexities of religion and politics from an early age. After receiving her J.D. from the University of Utah College of Law in 1988 and a few years practicing corporate law, she pursued her real love—civil rights advocacy—and became the first staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. There she directly litigated many high-profile cases focusing on all aspects of civil liberties, including reproductive rights, prisoners’ rights, free speech, the rights of LGBT people, and the intersection of church and state. In 1994 she joined NCLR as legal director, and was named executive director two years later.

Under her leadership, NCLR’s programs, budget, and impact have grown exponentially, and the issues facing the LGBT community—from homophobia in sports to immigration policy—have taken center stage in our nation’s discussion of civil rights and justice. Kate is a nationally recognized spokesperson for LGBT rights and has an active voice in major media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Advocate, NPR, CNN, and many others. Despite the national success of NCLR under her tenure, her most rewarding responsibilities still include fostering alliances on the community and organizational levels, and advocating from a grass-roots perspective on issues concerning social justice.

Kate and her spouse, Sandy Holmes, live in San Francisco with their son, Julian, age 14, and daughter Ariana, age 9. Their family includes Kate’s daughter Emily, age 29.

for more information about Kate and NCLR, please visit www.nclrights.org

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By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Melanie Nathan – San Francisco, CA, February 15, 2011

—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is proud to announce that it has been selected as the sole beneficiary of this year’s Linashore Golf Classic, the renowned women’s charity golf tournament held during the Dinah Shore weekend.

Now in its 23rd year, Linashore—set for April 1-2, 2011—is one of the most popular events held during Dinah Shore, which each year lures hundreds of thousands of lesbians and bisexual women to Palm Springs, CA for a series of parties and social events.

This year’s Linashore is shaping up to be the best yet, with a number of events surrounding the golf classic—including a special dinner and dance—benefiting NCLR, a national legal nonprofit devoted to advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality through litigation, public policy, and public education.

Since its start in 1977, NCLR—which helps more than 5,000 people each year—has embraced every aspect of the diverse LGBT community through its work, recognizing that the community comes from many different backgrounds and faces a wide range of issues. NCLR has always been on the cutting edge of legal and social issues, and was the first legal organization to create permanent projects for same-sex binational couples, LGBT asylum seekers, LGBT elders, transgender people, LGBT farmworkers, LGBT youth, low-income LGBT people seeking services from legal aid organizations, and LGBT athletes and coaches.

“We’re honored that Linashore selected NCLR and our life- and law-changing work as this year’s beneficiary,” said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, who will be the guest of honor at the golf classic and will also deliver special speeches at a luncheon and dinner. “This is a great opportunity for folks to take part in an incredible series of fun events, while helping our work that impacts the lives of their friends, their families, their loved ones, and all members of our LGBT community.”

Caroline “Lina” Haines, founder and organizer of the Linashore Golf Classic, “chose NCLR as the beneficiary because it has been an unwavering advocate for women and LGBT people for 34 years, often the first to stand up for justice, and work alongside our community in a relentless pursuit of equality. It’s a privilege to be able to recognize such a worthy cause that has a national impact, helping anyone, anywhere.”

Other special guests at the Linashore Dinner Dance include the legendary Rosie Jones, who, before retiring, was the only openly lesbian golfer in the LPGA. After retiring, Jones worked for the Golf Channel and forged a new path for women in sports broadcasting as one of very few women in the industry.

Linashore events include:

Friday, April 1

Happy Hour—Welcome Reception
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Trio Restaurant
707 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA

Prize drawings and hosted bar with complimentary appetizers. Generously underwritten by NCLR’s Seattle supporters Joey, Nancy, and Leslie.

To RSVP, contact Eleanor Palacios at EPalacios@NCLRights.org (please include “Dinah Reception” in the subject line) or at 415.365.1309.

Dine Out for NCLR
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Trio Restaurant
707 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA

Early Bird Special from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Ten percent of dinner proceeds benefit NCLR.
Saturday, April 2

Linashore Golf Classic
8:00 a.m.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
1100 E. Murray Drive
Palm Springs, CA

Linashore Dinner | Dance
6:30 p.m.
Agua Caliente Resort
32-250 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA

In addition, NCLR is one of many non-profits participating in the second-annual Integrated Wealth Management Tickets Fore Charity Program at the 40th Kraft Nabisco Championship, held from March 28 through April 3, 2011. In its inaugural year, the Tickets Fore Charity Program raised $150,000 for various non-profit causes and has the goal of increasing that amount to $450,000 in 2011. Through this program, supporters can designate NCLR to receive the proceeds of their advanced ticket purchase.

For a complete list of events that NCLR will be participating in as well as ticket and sponsorship information, please visit: www.NCLRights.org/DinahShore

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After David Bahati, the Member of the Ugandan Parliament who authored what has become known as the “KILL THE GAYS” bill came to the United States last year, I wrote an article title “BAHATI Booted out of the USA”, detailing his departure from this country after his now notorious interview on the Rachael Maddow show. And soon after Bahati contacted me, concerned about my reports on his visit and his departure were not accurate, and saying he wanted to set the record straight. But is that all he wanted to set straight….

Bahati believed that he had been most welcome in the USA, despite my reporting about a planned massive protest  of his visit and asserted that: “BAHATI Booted out of the USA” was not a fair depiction of his departure.

He was right -my depiction he was ‘booted out” was probably not fair, since the request for him to depart US shores was a lot more subtle and perhaps the word “nudged out” would have been more accurate description of his departure from the United States. However I was somewhat frustrated having played a lead part in stalling the grassroots protests because I was informed that Bahati’s movements in the U.S. were being tracked by some groups who wanted to see who he was cavorting with here in the U.S.A.

But what soon followed was a series of unexpected and extended phone calls between Bahati and me, which spanned the past several months, and increased in frequency during my reporting on the Brenda Namigadde and David Kato cases, when Bahati started to call me and comment on my reports.

Over the past few months I have released snippets of my conversations with Bahati, on the surface a likable and gregarious man; yet the contents were quite shocking.  And during our conversations… the more we spoke… the more I realized that this man of truly sinister intentions and that the exposure of his country’s stance against homosexuality had attracted his attention to me in an almost obsessive way.

But I never fully understood just how sinister and obsessed this man truly is ….

Fast forward to yesterday, February 10, 2011 – David Bahti calls me at my home:  Bahati wants me to write about Uganda in a positive light – he wants me to “convert” from being a lesbian –  and he wants me to visit Uganda…

MN:  Hello Mr. Bahati what is going on in Uganda?

DB:  nothing much really; we just waiting for election; the President
is going to win; it is very very peaceful here

MN: People are saying that President Museveni is suppressing the election

DB: It will be free and fair because the process is good; it will be okay -Uganda is very peaceful country.

MN: Yes but Sir, do you realize that the anti-homosexual law is making it not a peaceful country because of murders such as David Kato – people there think it is okay to kill gay people ….

DB: This law has nothing to do with that – it is about the children being safe from the homosexual who are recruiting them in our schools

MN:  Is that the words of Scott lively and the other Evangelicals who came from the USA?  Were you at the seminar that Mr. Lively gave in Uganda?

DB: No I was not there- Scott Lively has nothing to do with the law for homosexuals -That is very insulting for people to think that Africans cannot think for themselves. We are not puppets  on issue of homosexuality.  We don’t have to wait for America to know that the children are being destroyed and this homosexuality is spreading.  There is a group promoting it – from overseas money- “The Sexual Minorities Group”- they are Uganda group – they must stop what are they doing – to promote homosexuality –  My sister, what you need to do -   you really need to come here to see what is happening in schools for yourself. That is the best way you will understand.

The groups who are funding Sexual Minorities  Group- are operating in Uganda. If you come you will see this going on.  What is happening is we have the problem of promotion and funding it – I want you to visit us here and go to those schools and stop them sending their money from America to recruit homosexuals….

MN: Mr, Bahati – I will be very happy to come to Uganda, but I do not believe I am welcome or that I will be safe because I am a lesbian and you know that; Can I bring my wife?

BH: You will be very well rested  ( me:Arrested??) here…  we can reform you here.

This morning I awoke to a report out of the UK that detailed the BBC’s Radio One DJ Scott Mills and his accounts of his meeting with Ugandan MP David Bahati.

The 36-year-old Mills was filming a show called The World’s Worst Place to be Gay? For BBC3, when he confessed his sexual orientation to British-educated politician David Bahati – who Scott then said “went mental”.

Mills said, “He was scary. He ordered us to cut the cameras then brought a security guard.”

“We ran off and he rang one of our guys saying, ‘Where are they staying? What are the registration plates? I want them arrested. They won’t get far’.”

Fortunately Scott’s colleague lied about their location, and armed police arrived at the Sheraton – where they had been falsely told the team was staying.

Mill’s continued, “I’d heard horror stories about people getting arrested and roughed up and who knows what. I was scared.”

During our conversation yesterday, my initial impression of David Bahati’s offer to come to Uganda, was, that it was probably rhetorical, and his threat to arrest me and “convert” me was offered as a dark jest.

But, after reviewing the context my past contacts with him and tone in which he said those things to me yesterday, I am now sure that he has become completely obsessed over the gay press coverage reporting on the situation in Uganda and Bahati was serious in both his offer to go to Uganda and his threat to arrest and “convert” me.

Is it David Bahati’s intention to lure me to his country and force me, by whatever mean necessarily, to give his world view of homosexuality?  Lacking that, I believe he thought he could coerce me into favorable reports.  He tried long enough, over the phone- to no avail.

Shortly after my discussion I received a message from a friend who had been kidnapped and horribly tortured -over night, in Uganda- intimidated into withdrawing his campaigning for the opposition Party in the upcoming election.   My friend is in great pain and terror.   Even though this has nothing to do with being gay, per se, I have now been exposed to the lie first hand – that there will never be a fair and free election and that Uganda’s beauty is duly masked by Museveni, Bahati, government backed tabloids, and the gay scape-goating employed to divert attention from the real Ugandan truth- there is no democracy in Uganda!

I am likewise now sure, with no shade of doubt in my mind, that David Bahati is a very dangerous man, empowered with drafting legislation that could obstruct Uganda’s progress as a global player and also a clear motivator for more murder and mayhem in Africa.

Me, Castro Dyke – the Object of a Madman’s Quest

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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A Side Note: - I asked Bahati what it was like to be on the Rachel Maddow show especially knowing she is a lesbian of high regard… He answered ” She is a Great woman – but I must pray for her to be saved.”

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Related articles

• DAVID BAHATI, Ugandan MP, Author of Kill Gay Bill Denied Entry to D.C. Conference (lezgetreal.com)
• Anti-Homosexual MP from Uganda, David Bahati Booted out of USA (lezgetreal.com)
• Tragedy as Gay Activist David Kato Murdered in Kampala, Uganda – Impact on Ugandan Lesbian Seeking UK Asylum (lezgetreal.com)
• DAVID BAHATI on Maddow Part 1- Save the Children Kill the Gays (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda’s Great Gay Lie – Ready for an Honest Discussion about Homosexuality? (lezgetreal.com)

LOS ANGELES, CA – Celebrating its 21st anniversary (March 30- April 3, 2011), Mariah Hanson & The Dinah  (www.TheDinah.com) are once again breaking grounds by delivering the creme de la creme of all things entertainment – and yes this year again it includes THE Billboard buzz-heavy breakthrough artist of the moment.    Mariah Hanson, the visionary and envelope pushing event producer behind The Dinah, has secured another extraordinarily exceptional entertainment line-up for the 2011 Dinah held at The Riviera Resort & Spa and the Hilton Hotel in Palm Springs, CA featuring: Dev & The Cataracs, Luciana and Chely Wright.

The Dinah is also making history this year by going Country Western for the first time with an exclusive headlining performance by Award-winning country music superstar, Chely Wright. Named one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People”, FHM’s Sexiest Women in Music, the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Female Vocalist and recently snatching the coveted title of Out Magazine’s annual “100 People of the Year 2010”, Chely Wright earned another prestigious title earlier this year as the first major country artist to officially come out. Quite an uncharted territory for country music as there’s never been a major star in this genre – often considered socially conservative – to reveal his or her homosexuality.

Dev and The Cataracs had everybody partying in 2010 with their Far East Movement collaboration “Like A G6”. The hit single landed on the Billboard Hot 100 in a big way climbing all the way to # 1 and becoming an instant international smash hit. The song bearing the trademark lead vocals of Dev and the distinctive sound of her sampled previous hit singe “Booty Bounce”, has sold 3 million paid downloads in the U.S. It was number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks ending November 6, 2010, and then again for the week of November 27 of the same year. It is one of only eight singles in Billboard history to return to #1 after two or more other singles had succeeded it in that position. “Like A G6” is nominated in the Best Rap/Hip Hop Dance Track category at this year’s International Dance Music Awards.

Dev and The Cataracs continue their electric collaboration with her newly released Universal Republic debut single, “Bass Down Low.” With big radio support, “Bass Down Low” has become anthem across the United States. The song’s hyper-charged music video has received over one million hits on YouTube, and has become a staple on MTV.

Sexy British pop sensation Luciana will definitely “beat your drum hard” at The Dinah. Creative, funky, funny and cool, Luciana promises to become one of the U.K.’s hottest exports as this femme fatale recently knocked Lady Gaga and Beyonce out of the number one slot in several countries around the world.

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By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Museveni Regime Denies Kato’s Murder was Homophobic:

“I would like to make it very clear. It is not linked to him being an activist of the sexual minorities. It was based in unrelated crime, which we are taking. . . we are taking it very serious and we are going to investigate up to the logical conclusion.” -Ugandan Deputy Police Spokesperson Vincent Sekate”

How can Ugandan Deputy Police Spokesperson Vincent Sekate, before doing an investigation, be so very sure that David Kato’s murder had nothing to do with his being openly gay, or with his work as advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda?

And why does the US keep throwing money and weaponry behind the regime that Sekate speaks for, that of Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda for the past 25 years? Why did my California Senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, co-sponsor a bill to further arm and empower the Museveni regime?

Why did all the most liberal Senators in the country, including Minnesota’s Al Franken and even Vermont’s Bernie Sanders, co-sponsor this bill, the so-called LRA Disarmament Act? Why does the bill bear fallen liberal icon Russ Feingold’s name? I think the answer is the U.S. deployment of Ugandan mercenary troops in Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, and as needed otherwise on the African continent, but leading LGBT rights organizations in the U.S. need to answer that question for themselves and decide what it means to them.

Note the headline, in the Rolling Stone tabloid, just beneath “100 Pictures of Uganda’s Top Homos Leak”: “UPDF Prepares for Sudan War.” Black Star News Editor Milton Allimadi and others have identified that potential war as a war for Southern Sudanese oil, supported by Ugandan soldiers funded by the so-called LRA Disarmament Act. I called Milton Allimadi about the mobilization on the Ugandan/Sudanese border, and in the eastern Central African Republic for my KPFA Radio News Report: “Oil, African Genocide, and the USA’s LRA Excuse.”

Human Rights Campaign already has a fundraising letter out regarding David Kato’s death, asking for contributions to counter the proudly plutocratic, aggressively homophobic organization known as The Fellowship, or The Family, but has not yet called on America’s best known liberals, or on President and Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama, to explain their ongoing military, financial, and diplomatic for the Museveni regime yet.

There are plenty of votes to be won, political points to be made, even funds to be raised by political candidates as well as Human Rights Campaign, by issuing statements condemning David Kato’s homophobic murder. Barbara Boxer and Barack Obama have both issued statements, but how much does this really mean when President and Commander-in-Chief Obama, and our most liberal legislators, including Boxer, continue to arm, and empower the president and military strongman who now denies, via his police spokesperson, that David Kato’s murder was homophobic?

And, if President Obama and Senator Boxer were serious about wanting to end homicidal homophobia, wouldn’t they be funding education in Uganda rather than a major military mobilization to secure Southern Sudanese oil? All accounts are that Uganda’s public education system is in shambles, that students are being shuffled from one grade to another without learning anything, and that only the children of the wealthy, who can afford private school, are getting a real education.

Olara Otunnu, presidential candidate of the Ugandan People’s Congress, told me that he himself went to school in a mud hut, in a village in Acholiland, and got such a good foundation that he was able to go on to Makerere University in Kampala, and then on to Oxford and Harvard Law School, but that such a story is no longer possible in Uganda.

Most people escape hellfire-and-brimstone fundamentalism, including homophobia, with education, literacy, and critical thinking.

San Francisco writer Ann Garrison writes for the San Francisco Bay View, Global Research, Colored Opinions, Black Star News, the Newsline EA (East Africa) and her own blog, Ann Garrison, and produces for AfrobeatRadio on WBAI-NYC, Weekend News on KPFA and her own YouTube Channel, AnnieGetYourGang. She can be reached at ann@afrobeatradio.com .  http://afrobeatradio.net/2011/01/29/museveni-regime-denies-katos-murder-was-homophobic/

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Thank you Ann Garrison,

Related articles

• Hate Follows David Kato to his Grave (lezgetreal.com)
• Divesting Uganda – What would Mandela do – if KATO was Uganda’s BIKO (lezgetreal.com)
• President Obama Calls for Ugandan Government To “Hold Perpetrators Accountable” In Death of David Kato (lezgetreal.com)

David Kato

In the wake of the brutal death of David Kato,  all eyes are on Brenda Namigadde;  will the Ugandan Lesbian  be saved from deportation to Uganda today?  Gays, Lesbians, LGBT communities, and public figures around the world are mourning the tragic death of Gay activist and leader, Ugandan David Kato.  The insidious hate which followed him through his life continues in his death, by those who would attempt to discount his heroism and iconic status, -his place in history, during a time when anti-homosexual (LGBT) sentiment is at  a fervent high in Uganda and the rest of Africa.

David Kato was the plaintiff who won the highly publicized case in Uganda against Ugandan Rolling Stone Magazine, which published the Photographs and names of 100 gay people, inciting violence through the accompanying rhetoric.

After his name had been published he feared for his life – convinced that the Rolling Stone Article would secure his demise.  Now Ugandan Lesbian Brenda Namigadde’s fate remains unknown as the moment draws closer to her removal flight from London for Kampala tonight.

President Barack Obama issued this statement last night:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the murder of David Kato. In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate. He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom. The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work.

At home and around the world, LGBT persons continue to be subjected to unconscionable bullying, discrimination, and hate. In the weeks preceding David Kato’s murder in Uganda, five members of the LGBT community in Honduras were also murdered. It is essential that the Governments of Uganda and Honduras investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.

LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights. My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad. We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all.

In my conversation with MP David Bahati, the author of the anti-homosexuality bill pending the Ugandan parliament, and Giles Muhame of Rolling Stone – they both spoke the Uganda talking points – - “Uganda is a Sovereign Country – We do not believe that homosexuality is a human right.”

Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin also issued condolence statements.  The world sees David Kato as a hero.  No amount of gay bashing, following him into his grave, will derogate from that fact. The  horrendous news paper RED PEPPER article  below will do little more than open the eyes of the world to the continued horror of gay hate and where it leads.

Today the UK Home Office under leadership of Theresa May, has the opportunity to stay the imminent deportation of Brenda Namigadde.  Gays and Lesbians and all those who care around the world should insist that the United Kingdom, notorious for its ‘fast tracking’ of lesbian and gay deportees , back to Countries that promote gay hate, immediately stay all deportations in fast track, for further investigation.

While Brenda Namigadde may be saved tonight, through the diligence and extraordinary work of LGBT activists around the world, how many have slipped through the cracks?

KATO Red Pepper

Watch BBC Video report of Old Interview with David KATO about his activism, fear and harassment. T http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/9379495.stm This Interview also shows remarks by Preacher SEMPA who says Kato’s death is a time to reflect on how bad homosexuality is. People in streets interviewed and believe gays should be out to death for being gay.

ALSO Click here to hear Brenda Namigadde talk about her predicament and fears – BBC recorded interview today  – and asked Brenda about David’s death and her fears.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Related articles

• President Obama Calls for Ugandan Government To “Hold Perpetrators Accountable” In Death of David Kato (lezgetreal.com)
• UPDATE: Ugandan Lesbian Brenda Namigadde’s Deportation is set for 9.20PM from London (lezgetreal.com)
• Tragedy as Gay Activist David Kato Murdered in Kampala, Uganda – Impact on Ugandan Lesbian Seeking UK Asylum (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda Lesbian DeportationTomorrow; HELP free her from being Deported to certain Death (lezgetreal.com)
• Insidious Ugandan Press Statement by Tormentors of Murdered Gay Activist David Kato (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan – January -25-2011- PALM SPRINGS, CA -  This year Girl Bar takes the party to the Palm Springs strip and joins forces with The Truck Stop Girlz to put the action into high gear for GIRL BAR DINAH SHORE WEEK 2011, happening March 30-April 3, 2011.  For event information and updates, visit: www.dinahshoreweekend.com

All new for 2011, Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week happens at the center of the action, the landmark Palm Springs Hyatt Regency Resort, located in the heart of the world famous Palm Springs strip downtown on Palm Canyon Drive!   In addition, highly sought-after VIP packages are again available at Hotel Zoso, just a block away on Indian Canyon Drive.

Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week passes and VIP Weekender packages are on sale now, along with Hyatt and VIP Hotel Zoso reservations at www.dinahshoreweekend.com.  Purchase early and save!

“We’ve got a hot new spot for this year’s Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week host hotel,” said co-founder Sandy Sachs.  “We’re thrilled to head over to the stunning and newly remodeled Hyatt Regency right at the center of all the downtown Palm Springs girl action.”

“We’re putting this year’s event into overdrive by hauling out Linda Fusco & Michelle Agnew and The Truck Stop Girlz to grind gears and rev it up with our world-famous Girl Bar Go-Go’s!” exclaimed co-founder Dr. Robin Gans.

“The Truck Stop Girlz are always ready for some high octane fun.  So when the women behind Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week asked us to join the party, we couldn’t resist,” added Michelle Agnew, co-founder of The Truck Stop Girlz.   “We’re working with Girl Bar to bring you just the ‘right’ amount of ‘wrong’ in the desert this spring.”

Via Mel:-PHOTO Above :  Robin, Carmen & Sandy – Old Friends doing New things …and old things too, I Hope!!!

Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week 2011 events include:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Meet n Greet Cocktail Party at the Hyatt Lounge Bar and Pool deck
Theme: “Hello my name is…..Single!” Who will you meet for the weekend??
8pm-11pm

THURDSAY, MARCH 31

Funny Girlz 6 Comedy Show hosted by Stamie K. and Tracey Ryerson from “The Real L Word“  featuring comics Liz Feldman, Erin Foley, and Michelle Buteau

Hotel Zoso Grand Ballroom
Doors open: 7:30pm   Showtime: 8:30 pm

Welcome Party at Hunters Night Club and Video Bar
Go-Go Girls, Dance Party
Doors open at 8pm-2am

FRIDAY APRIL 1

TGIF Pool Party at the Hyatt Pool deck
Dj’s from the US and Europe!
Noon-5pm

VIP & Sponsor Cocktail Party at the Hotel Zoso Restaurant and Pool Deck
Hosted by Diageo…and light bites courtesy of Girl Bar
8pm-11pm

Pure White Party at Hotel Zoso Grand Ballroom
Girl Bar Go-Go’s and The Truck Stop Girlz… LA’s hottest dance clubs.

DJs.  Live performance by hot new singing sensation Wynter Gordon singing her dance club hits “Dirty Talk” and “Believer”
Doors open at 9pm-2am

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Wet n Wild Pool Party at the Hyatt
Dance Battles between Girl Bar Go Go’s & The Truck Stop Girlz poolside all day!!

DJs from Girl Bar and Truck Stop.

Vendor Fair at the Hyatt upper pool deck!
Doors open at 9am-4pm.

Chill Out Pool Party at the Hotel Zoso
For Hotel Zoso VIP Package guests.  Live DJ.
Doors open at 10am-4pm

Gurlesque at the Hotel Zoso Grand Ballroom

The main dance party event of the weekend!

Burlesque Show live on stage by the Girl Bar Go-Go’s and The Truck Stop Girlz
Salsa Room.   Live performance by a national recording artist
Doors open at 9pm-2am

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

Splash Pool Party at the Hyatt
Dance Battles from the Girl Bar Go-Go’s and The Truck Stop Girlz
Live performance by a national recording artist

DJs from Girl Bar and Truck Stop
Doors open at 9am-5pm

Closing Party at Hunters Night Club and Video Bar
DJ’s and Go-Go Girls
Doors open at 9pm-2am

For the latest event updates, hotel reservations and information, visit: www.dinahshoreweekend.com.

#   #   #

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

Author of Notorious “Kill the Gays” in Uganda calls Melanie Nathan, USA Activist and  Weighs in on UK Asylum Case:  Says: Brenda should be returned to Uganda, “so that she can repent,  and be reformed.”

Brenda Namigadde left Uganda 8 years ago, in 2003. She lived together with her partner, a Canadian woman Janet, but they were threatened, and both left the country, first Janet back to Canada, then Brenda went to the UK:

“Our relationship led us to be sworn at, threatened. Even the house where we were living was hurt, so we had to live in hiding for a month. Janet had to go back to Canada, the last time I saw here was in 2003. I’ve been in the U.K. for 8 years, applied for asylum last year for human protection.”

“I’ll be tortured, or killed, if I’m sent back to Uganda. They’ve put people like me to death there.”

“Yes I was involved in the protest at Trafalgar Square, we wanted to speak out against the law in Uganda. It’s not right how they treat gay people there. In Uganda, I have nobody there, it’s very dangerous for me. If I can stay here in the UK I can continue my studies, live my life freely, openly, without fear.”

This is the woman who faces deportation back to Uganda on January 28^th. International Activists have worked in unity to effect a campaign to save Brenda from certain harm.

Brenda is presently detained at Yarlswood Immigrtaion Removal Centre. She has another removal date set for 28th January 2011 to Entebbe Uganda in Flight VS671 & KQ412 via Nairobi, Kenya at 21.20 hrs.

But the story gets more sinister – and even more scary than Brenda knows at this time. Yesterday I wrote a piece for Lezgetreal reporting Brenda’s story – and in the piece I referenced my recent  interview with David Bahati which I had not previously  reported on.

Today when I was working with Joseph Huff-Hannon of  www.ALLOUT.org and Paul Canning  Editor of LGBT ASYLUM News, on Skype regarding a Petition to support Brenda’s urgent bid for asylum,  a call came through on my regular phone. It was David Bahati.  He had read my previous article where I reported that Brenda’s asylum case had been rejected and that her deportation to Uganda was imminent.

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/01/uk-home-office-deporting-ugandan-lesbian-to-certain-harm/

Bahati said he read the piece about Brenda  Namigadde where I quoted him and that he was calling to tell me to give Brenda a message. The author of the anti-gay legislation said that the legislation will be presented to the Ugandan Parliament in the next few weeks. Homosexuality Including men and women is considered a crime in Uganda as being against the order of nature. The new Bill by Bahati seeks to affirm its criminalization and also calls for the death penalty in certain circumstances.

He told me that Brenda should stop bad mouthing Uganda; that she would be welcome back to Uganda if she renounced her homosexuality and if she “repented.”   I asked him if he based this ideal upon religious beliefs and he said “yes” that he did. I asked what if Brenda did not have the same belief as he did?  I asked what if she did not believe that she could repent?  He affirmed then she would be tried as a criminal.

After speaking to Mr. Bahati, I realize that he believes that Ms. Namigadde is indeed a lesbian. This serves only to enhance the danger she is in and flies in the face of the UK assertion that she may not have proved that she is a lesbian. She is indeed in danger.

It was astounding to me that David Bahati would call to comment on this case and the very fact that he did is indicative of the danger that Brenda faces.

He seemed to be very concerned about Uganda’s image and that she should not portray “her country as bad.”  I believe that this adds to her danger.

Bahati said that Uganda is not harassing Brenda but rather it would be enforcing the law. I questioned him about the law itself and mentioned that the western world did not agree that homosexuality was not a human right as he had told me previously. I told him that the UK and the USA would expect Uganda to adhere to the terms of the Declaration of Human Rights and that if he could not see it that way that there would be every reason to grant her asylum abroad.

He did not agree.

Mr. Canning, British activist in the UK on LGBT Asylum issues,  informs Lezgetreal  that the Attorney for Brenda put in a fresh claim for asylum for Brenda to the UK Home Office.  That should be decided before Friday as to whether or not she will be removed from the UK back to Uganda. If this is not successful then Brenda herself can refuse to be removed and the UK will have to use force. It would seem the UK authorities are very restricted in how they can do this because of previous cases where deportees have suffered harm and even death.

Canning told   “This is outrageous hypocrisy by the British Government to one the one hand to criticize and be concerned about Uganda’s treatment of lesbians (homosexuals) and on the other to send people like Brenda  back to certain danger.   It is my hope that the UK Coalition government will live up to the agreement it made after the election – which included a statement that they would not send LGBT people back to danger. Obviously that promise was made after many, many were sent back. Activists should not be a in a situation where they have to keep having to campaign individually for people like Brenda.”

Here in the USA we can only wonder at how many have not come to our attention and slipped through the cracks.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE BRENDA

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UPDATED  Jan 25- 2011 at 12.55pm  LGBT Asylum News has reported on the Political and Technical issues involved in this case:

Brenda is in the ‘fast track’ system for considering asylum claims. A removal 20 January was only avoided due to a mix up with passenger lists. She is now detained at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre.

The placing of sexuality-based asylum claims in the ‘fast track’ system has been heavily criticized. In a review of 50 cases UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) found that 98% had been initially rejected, a significantly higher rate than for other claims. This made them more likely to be placed in ‘fast track where applicants and their lawyers had much less time to prepare an appeal, for, it is argued, often complex claims to be properly considered.

By coincidence the Conservative MP for Brighton, Kemptown, Simon Kirby, asked the Immigration Minister, Damien Green MP, in the House of Commons yesterday about whether he had given consideration “to the participation of (a) women and (b) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the detained fast-track procedure.”

Green replied:

“Entry to the detained fast-track procedure is determined by reference to published policy available on the UK Border Agency website. The policy lays out categories of claimant who, for reasons of particular vulnerability such as late pregnancy, children or serious disability, are excluded from entry to the process. For all other claimants, the key factor determining entry to the process is whether a quick, fair and sustainable decision can be taken on the case.”

“We do not intend to specifically add to an exclusion list all applicants on the basis of claimed or accepted gender, gender identity or sexuality. However, if on a case by case basis, any claimants from these groups are identified as having a claim of particular complexity, the general consideration referred to previously regarding amenability to a quick, fair and sustainable decision will apply.”Translation: we don’t accept that these cases are complex. READ more here http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2011/01/uk-preparing-to-put-asylum-seeking.html

www.ALLOUT.ORG

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE BRENDA

Note: Photo of Brenda taken at Protest in London is by  Brett Lock, of Outrage!

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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Related articles

• UK Home Office Deporting Ugandan Lesbian to Certain Harm (lezgetreal.com)
• Kill The Gays Bahati One Step Ahead of Deportation (lezgetreal.com)
• Ploy & Agenda for D.C. Visit by Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ M.P. David Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• DAVID BAHATI on Maddow Part 1- Save the Children Kill the Gays (lezgetreal.com)
• Is David BAHATI in US Illegally to Peddle his Ugandan KILL-GAYS Bill? (lezgetreal.com)
• Letter to American Hosts of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill MP -Davaid Bahati (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan January 23, 2011

The U.K. Border Agency, is now holding a Uganda born student, Brenda Namigadde, 29, who was among those took part in a demonstration outside the Uganda High commission in Trafalgar Square, Central London in 2009, when the Ugandan government introduced an Anti-Homosexuality Bill in parliament. The bill that shocked the liberal western governments suggested all Gays and Lesbians in the country should face the death penalty.

Speaking about her case from the UK Border manned Heathrow immigration detention center where she being held, Namigadde, said she fears for her life once in Uganda.

“They already know who I am, because photos were taken of me and my colleagues that day,” said a tearful Namigadde, with fear overwhelmed her face, she added: “Ugandan government has names of most of them as they have been published in several newspapers in the country.” Namigadde was referring a demonstration that took place after a public outcry from several organisations in the UK led by Gay Activists Alliance International (GAAI) with support from Gay Uganda, Sexual Minorities Uganda and Outrage organisations. Among the speakers on the day were Davies Mac-Iycllam, the co-founder of GAAT, Peter Tatchell and Skye Chirape.

Homosexual is illegal in Uganda and the country’s president previously attacked it calling it, “negative foreign culture”.

In the Ugandan parliament, there is an Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was sponsored by Ndorwa West, MP David Bahati, a legislator from President Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). It was only stayed when it received a sharp condemnation from around the world and after donor countries threatened to cut-off of aid to Uganda.

Last week I spoke directly to David Bahati in an interview which I am soon to publish in full. He informed me that the  Ugandan Parliament is going to go ahead with the anti-homosexuality Bil and it could become law in a matter of time. “All Ugandans support the Bill. We are a sovereign Country” –   He told me that Uganda “does not not consider homosexuality as a human right” and that it will do everything it can to enforce criminal sanctions against those who “practice homosexuality.”

Bahati said that homosexuality is a crime already in Uganda and the purpose of he new law will be to clarify it creating certainty in the mode of punishment.   He said that he had “proof” that “homos are recruiting children in the schools to their way of life” and that “Uganda must protect their children for the homos.”

I asked him if this was a religious ideal and based on religion. He said that it was and this clearly dates back to Scott Lively and USA Evangelical push to attack  gays and lesbians in Africa.

I cannot fathom how the UK Home Office can reject this case for asylum – it defies all sense of humanity.  I am calling on the US State Department to contact the Home Office and to effect a responsibility especially that our American Evangelicals have steeped themselves in the atrocious preamble to all this.

Paul Canning form LGBT Asylum based in the UK told me that before Lively went in to Uganda with his antigay propaganda, gays and lesbians had been left alone.  However now they are being harassed to the point where even a local Newspaper has been placing photos on its cover – of alleged gays- and calling for their capture.

Brenda, who was in a relationship with Canadian born Janet Hoffman, for almost three years while in Uganda, said; “several of my lesbian friends who we used to hang out within in the country have not been heard of since news of what the government had in mind broke out.”

“It is like they have all vanished in thin air, I don’t know what is going to happen to me once there,” said Brenda before she broke into tears.

The 29 year Ugandan lesbian, was due to be deported on Thursday the 20th of January, but only missed out after a mix-up with someone else name being submitted to the airline.

Talking about this case that he called ‘unique’, among the cases he has had to deal with a spokes person for a law firm Cardinal Solicitors in Luton, said it was high time the Home Office deals with cases of Homophobic correctly, because lives could be at stake.

Paul Canning in  LGBT Asylum reports on his BLOG today,

…… And in November, the Foreign Office released a statement to pinknews.co.uk saying:

“The UK, alongside our EU partners, has raised our concerns about the draft bill and LGBT rights more broadly with the government of Uganda, including with the prime minister and several other ministers, the Ugandan Human Rights Commission, and senior officials from the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”“We will continue to track the passage of the bill and to lobby against its introduction.”   http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2011/01/britains-two-faces-to-lgbti-uganda.html

After speaking to Activists who know the lay of the land and after speaking to Bahati myself for over an hour. Brenda’s life is in certain danger. The UK Home Office must retract its decision immediately. It defies all logic that a Country such as the United Kingdom would deport a person back to a Country where even its members of parliament, such as David Bahati, announce publicly that they have no intention of adhering to the Declaration of Human Rights and that they plan on legislating in direct contradiction to its terms.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
Facebook Melanie
twitter @oblogdeeoblogda

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Related articles

• Letter to American Hosts of Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill MP -Davaid Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• Ploy & Agenda for D.C. Visit by Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ M.P. David Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• Anti-Homosexual MP from Uganda, David Bahati Booted out of USA (lezgetreal.com)
• Kill The Gays Bahati One Step Ahead of Deportation (lezgetreal.com)
• DAVID BAHATI, Ugandan MP, Author of Kill Gay Bill Denied Entry to D.C. Conference (lezgetreal.com)
• BREAKING: LGBT Community Time to Take to the Streets – DAVID BAHATI the UGANDAN MP – Author of KILL the GAYS BILL IS in D.C. (lezgetreal.com)
• Jack and Linda Klenk Hosted David Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• Is David BAHATI in US Illegally to Peddle his Ugandan KILL-GAYS Bill? (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan – Jan 13, 2011- San Francisco

Note: The Film can be viewed on the site.

The Production website notes: “Lead With Love – Watch the Film If you are a parent of a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child, we applaud your courage in looking for resources to help support your family. This film was made for you. If you are someone else who cares about these issues, we hope that you will enjoy this entertaining and informational film, and share it with others. Thank you for your interest.”

Jenny Mackenzie, PhD, Director

Dr. Mackenzie is an award winning documentary filmmaker whose mission is to produce films that create and promote social change. Her most recent film, KICK LIKE A GIRL, aired on HBO, played at over 50 international film festivals, and is currently being used by the US State Department to discuss gender equity globally. As a clinician, researcher, former non-profit administrator, and mother of three, Dr. Mackenzie uses her professional experience, humor, and real life passion to address the power of social impact filmmaking as a motivational speaker. www.jennymackenziefilms.com

David Huebner, PhD, MPH, Executive Producer, Writer

Dr. Huebner is a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Utah. He has spent the past 10 years researching how discrimination affects physical and mental health, and exploring ways that interventions can help improve health among minority and marginalized communities. He was the recipient of a 5-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, part of which provided the funding for LEAD WITH LOVE. www.psych.utah.edu/davidmhuebner

Resources:  PFLAG
http://pflag.org

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan- Jan 12-2011— The petition “South Africa Declare Corrective Rape a Hate-Crime” hit the all-time high of 135,000 signatures on 4 January, 2011 – what a way to begin the New Year! The petition is still up and still growing – it is currently standing on a 135, 235… and still growing by the minute!  The publicity for the plight of corrective rape victims was partly birthed here on LezGetReal when Ndumie Funda reached out to us back in 2009.    After publishing the story and horrific pictures of “corrective” rape survivor, Millicent Gaika, we  continued to follow the story here on LGR and some twenty articles later, with approximately 40,000 page hits and over 6,000 shares on Face book, watched as awareness of the endemic crisis in South Africa made it to the pages of other media outlets as well as the conscience of activists in the UK and other countries.

When Ndumie first contacted me, she was caring for a fifteen lesbians,  victims of so called corrective  rape- in Gugulethu, near Cape Town South Africa.   They were desperate, no food and no money and on the verge of eviction from their flooded two room shack. I reached out to my South African contacts a large group of white privileged  lesbians in South Africa, but no one helped.  I reached out to the SA authorities and they were non responsive, I sent letters to US Consul, no answer. Finally I sent a month of my own mortgage money from the USA and also a dear cousin in Cape Town, Judy Favish, paid a visit taking money and supplies to Ndumie and the lesbian survivors.

Still raising money was slow, and then we started to hear from people abroad – Jules Hussey in the UK, and others jumped in and  secured a large contribution from LUSH a cosmetic UK Company – which enabled Ndumie to buy a safe house for vicitms. See http://www.lush.co.uk/articles/our-charity-support/groups-we-support/luleki-sizwe_1013-10154_10.html

We continued with our stories about the ridiculous bail, and the arrest and re-release of the known perpetrators, we reported more rapes, and suicides of victims and did this for the best part of a year until now when the resulting Petition drew so many signatures that the SA authorities can barely cope.

Millicent Gaika days after the attack

Soon a Petition appeared on Change.org and  who have over 135, 000 signatures from 163 countries, and local and international Media attention; we have been interviewed by KayaFM, BBC, had  articles LeZgetReal,  The Argus, Business Day, and The Sowetan, and requests for interviews from the SABC, Voice of America, and many more national and international Media Houses! The signatures were collected in a matter of a  month.

According to the article in the Business Day:

Justice spokesman Tlali Tlali acknowledged the receipt of the e-mails yesterday. “We view this matter in a serious light. Whether it is labelled as corrective rape or something else, it does not detract from the fact that (it is) … rape, punishable under our law regardless of what motivates those behind it to do so. “We have interacted with the (National Prosecuting Authority) and have requested them to look into these cases,” he said.

When Ndumie Funda finally managed to contact the Justice Department this morning, she was told by a visibly irritated Tlali-Tlali that he needs time until the 15th to respond to our petition, and he was not willing to set up a meeting with us at this time. (The only response to change.org when the petition was still on about 60,000, was a terse email from Tlali Tlali, the minister’s chief of staff, to Ben Rattray, the founder of Change.org, saying that the minister finds it “wholly unnecessary for you to send so many individualized emails whose content is the same… You have made it virtually impossible for us to access other emails as doing so is like looking for a needle in a haystack.” )

Well, Mr Tlali-Tlali, we have news for you – you have not seen anything yet! LulekiSizwe, with the help of change.org, and continued help of LezGetReal, is bringing in all the local and international big-guns to fight the good fight!

DEMANDING  a meeting with Minister Radebe to put the case to him, and these are the short-term goals being demanded -

1. We want the Government to acknowledge the existence of  “Corrective Rape” ~ currently they are trying to deny that such a thing exists.
2. The introduction into the school-syllabus of  anti-homophobic instruction and information, for the educators and the pupils, as a lot of the rapes and homophobic bullying occurs in schools, by pupils and educators.
3. A FEMALE officer who is trained to handle all aspects of rape on duty at ALL  police stations 24/7 , or a social worker trained in the same at ALL police stations.
4. Anti-homophobic training for ALL South African Police Members! (The detective who took Millie’s first statement was a drunk, homophobic male!)
5. A minimum bail amount for LGBTI violent crimes, and no chance of getting out on bail again if they break bail conditions (Andile R60)
6. A Minimum sentence of 25-life for corrective rape!
7. The right to a speedy trial – currently the court-cases are taking years! (howcome the Anni Dewani trial could be handled so quickly, yet our local rapes and murders take years?)
8. Victim assistance in the form of safe-houses when needed, as the perpetrator usually goes to the same school or lives in the same area as the victim, and they are traumatized and threatened daily.
9. A Task force to deal with LGBTQI crimes, or at least 1 detective @ each Police Station (especially in the townships) that handles all the LGBTI cases, so that they know what they are dealing with and how to handle the cases, as each time it is a different detective and there is no continuity.
10. A clampdown on the bribery and corruption at Police Stations and Courts, where the dockets are often “lost”

Millicent Gaika’s case comes to trial again Next Month in Wynberg magistrates Court.
Petition needs 15,000 more signatures to reach its goal.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Goal: 150,000 against “corrective rape” With the phenomenal support of 107,053 people from 163 countries — the most popular campaign ever launched on Change.org — a tiny group of lesbian activists in South Africa just scored a major victory, taking  “corrective rape” from an unspoken epidemic to a national discussion. We’ve set a new goal of 150,000 signatures to crank up the heat on the South African government. You’ve already take action — will you forward this email to five friends to ask them to sign the petition too? From Brazil, China, and India to South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Change.org members are fighting this national epidemic in which men rape lesbian women to “turn” them straight or “cure” them of their sexual orientation. It’s a powerful story of what our community can accomplish together: Survivors of corrective rape and their allies launched a Change.org petition while hiding in a safehouse in Cape Town. Change.org members rallied to their cause, and now the media are amping up public pressure as well. International news sources are highlighting the 107,053 petition signatures to legitimize the cause of these lesbian activists and expose these atrocities to the world. And in South Africa, the nation’s most popular radio station and the Sowetan, Cape Town’s largest newspaper, have turned this into a story dominating the national debate. This is a pivotal moment. To reach our new goal of 150,000 petition signers in the next 48 hours, we need new people to join the movement. Please ask your friends to sign the petition. So far, the only response by South Africa’s Minister of Justice Jeffrey Radebe has been to complain about the volume of Change.org emails flooding his ministry’s inbox. It’s time for Radebe to instead focus his attention on helping the victims of “corrective rape.” If you agree, please take one minute to ask friends, co-workers, and family to add their name to this critical petition — and force Radebe and the South African government to take action now: http://change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime Thank you so much for standing up to “corrective rape” and supporting our friends at Luleki Sizwe, the group that started this historic campaign. As they wrote to us today: “We’re so BLESSED to be part of a community like Change.org that fights together. Thank you for standing with us! When any Change.org member starts a campaign, WE will stand with them!” It’s remarkable what we can do when we stand together. Keep up the fight. – Patrick and the Change.org team P.S. In the days and weeks to come, we’ll keep fighting on this campaign and hundreds of others, from women’s rights and gay rights to animal protection and environmental issues. To keep up to date on the “corrective rape” campaign, just follow us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/humanrights.change.org

All our Stories can be read -

• South Africa: Another Corrective Rape of Lesbian – Victim Committs Suicide. (lezgetreal.com)
• Calling out Media & South African Government on Corrective Rape of Millicent Gaika (lezgetreal.com)
• South Africa Accused Corrective Rapist Breaches Bail Conditions (lezgetreal.com)
• Lesbian Corrective Rape Victim has her day in Court (lezgetreal.com)
• Breaking News – Big Donation for Victims of South African Corrective Rape (lezgetreal.com)
• Corrective RAPE, South Africa: Dear Mr. Radebe, Minister of Justice, …. (lezgetreal.com)
• Petition to declare ‘Corrective Rape’ a hate crime (feministphilosophers.wordpress.com)
• South African Anti-Rape Activists Generate 100,000 Signatures! (humanrights.change.org)
• The Powerful, Persistent Voices of Corrective Rape Activists in South Africa (gayrights.change.org)
• Breaking News – Big Donation for Victims of South African Corrective Rape (topix.net)
• South Africa: Another Corrective Rape of Lesbian – Victim Committs Suicide. (topix.net)
• Update on corrective rape – Note from Ndumi (ynative77.wordpress.com)
• The Shocking Truth of Corrective Rape – Survivors Speak from South Africa…. (topix.net)
• Joseph Huff-Hannon: Catch a Fire: Activists Fighting “Corrective Rape” in South Africa Take Campaign Global (huffingtonpost.com)

Related articles

• Petition to declare ‘Corrective Rape’ a hate crime (feministphilosophers.wordpress.com)
• South African Anti-Rape Activists Generate 100,000 Signatures! (humanrights.change.org)
• The Powerful, Persistent Voices of Corrective Rape Activists in South Africa (gayrights.change.org)
• Breaking News – Big Donation for Victims of South African Corrective Rape (topix.net)
• South Africa: Another Corrective Rape of Lesbian – Victim Committs Suicide. (topix.net)
• Update on corrective rape – Note from Ndumi (ynative77.wordpress.com)
• The Shocking Truth of Corrective Rape – Survivors Speak from South Africa…. (topix.net)
• Joseph Huff-Hannon: Catch a Fire: Activists Fighting “Corrective Rape” in South Africa Take Campaign Global (huffingtonpost.com)

Ninth Circuit Prop 8

Posted by Melanie Nathan; Jan 04, 2010 -

One of the hardest working attorneys on the Prop 8 case has been NCLR and one of its attorneys,  Shannon Minter, providing amicus briefs, arguments and support for much of the long journey. LezGetReal is happy to provide Mr. Minter’s analysis of today’s court ruling in the Prop 8 case. Here is the perfect analysis set in its historic context. Thank you NCLR and all its entire team for the breakthrough work and commitment to equality.

A statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell:

“Today’s ruling is a significant and positive step. The Ninth Circuit not only rejected Imperial County’s attempt to intervene, it also recognized that if the group that placed Prop 8 on the ballot does not have standing, the case is over. Under California law, it is our elected public officials who have the power to decide whether to appeal a decision. In this case, Kamala Harris and Jerry Brown stated repeatedly throughout the 2010 election that they would not spend public funds to appeal Judge Walker’s decision that Prop 8 violates the core constitutional rights of hundreds of thousands of Californians. Their opponents took the opposite position, and the voters spoke. That should be the end of the matter. We are confident the California Supreme Court will act quickly to resolve this question and to hasten the day when California once again treats all families with equal dignity and respect.”

By Shannon Minter, Esq.  National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director

Today brings a new development in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to strip same-sex couples of the freedom to marry. Perry is currently on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal appeals court that covers California. In a ruling issued this morning, the Ninth Circuit denied Imperial County’s attempt to intervene in the case. The Ninth Circuit also asked the California Supreme Court to clarify whether, under California law, the group that placed Prop 8 on the ballot has a legal right to appeal District Court Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision that Prop 8 is unconstitutional.

To understand what today’s ruling means, it is helpful to look back on the history of the Perry case. In May 2009, two same-sex couples filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Walker permitted Prop 8’s official supporters to intervene in the case as defendants, and also permitted the City and County of San Francisco to intervene as a plaintiff to represent its unique governmental interest in marriage equality. On the eve of trial, Imperial County also filed a motion asking to intervene in the case as a defendant.

After a three-week trial in January 2010, Judge Walker ruled in August 2010 that Prop 8 violates the United States Constitution’s guarantees of due process and equal protection of the laws. Judge Walker also ruled that Imperial County did not have the right to intervene as a defendant.

California’s Governor and Attorney General decided not to appeal that ruling because they agreed that Prop 8 was unconstitutional. The supporters of Prop 8 and Imperial County both filed appeals with the Ninth Circuit.

At oral argument on December 6, 2010, the Ninth Circuit panel asked all sides questions about whether the official supporters of Prop 8 have the legal right to appeal Judge Walker’s decision. The parties also addressed whether Imperial County should have been allowed to intervene in the case as a defendant.

Today, the Ninth Circuit panel upheld Judge Walker’s decision not to allow Imperial County or its Deputy Clerk to intervene in the case. In order to intervene, Imperial County would have needed to show that it had a significant interest at stake. The Ninth Circuit explained in today’s opinion that Imperial County did not have any interests that would be sufficiently affected by the outcome of this lawsuit.

In addition, the Ninth Circuit made clear in today’s ruling that if the supporters of Prop 8 do not have the legal right to appeal Judge Walker’s decision that Prop 8 is unconstitutional, the appeal is over. In order to answer that question, the Ninth Circuit has asked the California Supreme Court to clarify whether California law gives Prop 8’s supporters the right to pursue an appeal when the state’s official representatives, after carefully evaluating the interests of the entire state, have made a considered decision not to appeal.

Ultimately, the Ninth Circuit must decide whether the Prop 8 supporters have a right to appeal under federal law – that is, whether they have “standing” to appeal. The California Supreme Court may hold that California law does not give initiative sponsors the right to override the litigation decisions of the state’s official representatives. If so, then the Ninth Circuit likely will hold that the Prop 8 supporters do not have standing. That would mean that the Ninth Circuit would dismiss the appeal, Judge Walker’s ruling would stand, and same-sex couples would once again be able to marry in California.

Alternatively, if the California Supreme Court were to hold that California law gives initiative sponsors the extraordinary power to bring an appeal over the objections of the Attorney General and the Governor, the Ninth Circuit would still have to decide whether Prop 8’s supporters meet all of the other criteria to have standing under federal law. If it ultimately holds that the Prop 8 supporters have standing, then the Ninth Circuit could reach the merits of Judge Walker’s ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional.

The next step after today’s ruling is for the California Supreme Court to decide whether it will accept the Ninth Circuit’s request. If it does so, it will then get briefs from both sides, and might hear oral argument as well before ruling. There is no set timeline for the California Supreme Court to rule. In previous cases, it has taken the California Supreme Court up to two years to answer a question sent to it by the Ninth Circuit. Given the importance of this case and the real harm that inequality causes to LGBT people every day, however, we are hopeful that the Court will act quickly to restore fairness and equality for same-sex couples in California.

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Related articles

• Prop 8 Case Sent To California Supreme Court (lezgetreal.com)
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Melanie Nathan- Jan 03, 2011- Applications are now available for the 2011 Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program, which honors openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Iowa high school seniors.

In October, 1998, the world was stunned by the brutal murder of a 21-year-old college student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, savagely beaten and left to die tied to a fence, because he was gay.

Matthew clung to life for five days while the world held vigil and prayed for his recovery. His death invigorated thousand of events and millions of people across the planet to protest anti-gay rhetoric, violence and bigotry.

The Eychaner Foundation established the Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program in 2000 to honor Matthew, to promote tolerance and non-discrimination in Iowa schools and to assist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Iowa high school students with college financial aid.

To date, the Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program has committed over $1,000,000 in honoring ninety-four Iowans from across the state.

Matthew Shepard Scholars are working to build a diverse and more tolerant Iowa for future generations.

Silver Eagle Awards

Iowa’s Silver Matthew Shepard Scholarship is an award of up to $9,000 over 4 years that may be used for tuition, books or fees at any college or university in the United States.

Gold Eagle Awards

Iowa’s Gold Matthew Shepard Scholarship is an award of up to $40,000 over 4 years that may be used for tuition, books and fees at one of Iowa’s three state universities.

Who Should Apply

Iowa’s Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program works with highly motivated students who are interested in advice and assistance from adult mentors to accelerate their academic experience and performance, improve their adjustment to professional standards of behavior, goals, ethics and success and out-perform their age group in transitioning to adult leadership roles. Scholarship awards are based on academic aptitude, academic achievement, community service and financial need.

Applicants should have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, an ACT score of 22 or better, demonstrable LGBT activism and community service and a history of high moral and ethical standards and conduct.

Code of Conduct

Matthew Shepard Scholarships are awarded to students with a reputation for honesty, integrity and community service, who respect themselves and others and who conduct themselves in such a way as to demonstrate moral and ethical leadership in their own lives and inspire others in kind.

The application is available at eychanerfoundation.org.

The program is underwritten and awarded by the Rich Eychaner Charitable Foundation.

Melanie Nathan, Dec 30, 2010. At the federal level of government in the United States, laws are made almost exclusively by legislation. Legislation originates as an Act of Congress passed by the Congress of the United States; such acts were either signed into law by the President or passed by Congress after a presidential veto.

Legislation is not the only source of regulations which have the force of law. There is also judge-made common law and constitutional law. The President can issue executive orders pursuant to a grant of discretion from Congress, or under the inherent powers that office holds to deal with certain matters of foreign policy.

When it comes to immigration matters, the standing law is that covered by the Immigration and Naturalization Act of the USA.  This law cannot be changed, without the involvement of Congress through an amendment process.  However I believe that when it comes to the regulations to effect the intent behind the law or something that unexpectedly and detrimentally impacts the law, the President of the USA can provide an executive order to adjust the circumstances, so impacted.

I do not believe that it was ever the intention of the Defense of Marriage Act to deny the de facto relationships of same-sex couples. I believe President Clinton who signed it into law would attest that it was never his intention to cause American citizens and Residents in same-sex relationships to have to exile the USA to pursue their Constitutional right to happiness. However Americans in the USA, in same sex relationships are denied the possibility to sponsor a partner for a green card.

Accordingly I believe that President Obama has the power to effect an Executive Order on behalf of same-sex couples who are specifically excluded by DOMA, from participating in the US Immigration laws.   This  quest would specifically denote a right by way of process to an American (citizen or resident) and not a right to an immigrant; the right of the American to Petition for a same-sex partner to reside in the USA, that is currently excluded via laws that simply fail to include the de facto situation, thereby causing extreme  hardship to American Families.

I do not believe the Immigration law needs to change for this to happen in the short term; I do not believe that this reflects in any way shape or form on the marriage equality debate.  It does not seek to change DOMA and nor does it impact the Immigration Act as we know it, at all.

There have been many early executive orders during all Presidencies;  the State Department began numbering executive orders in the early 20th century, starting retroactively from President Abraham Lincoln‘s Executive Order Establishing a Provisional Court in Louisiana issued in 1862. An executive order is an order issued by the President, the head of the executive branch of the federal government, generally to staff of the executive branch and not to the citizens of the country. Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution specifically reserves all federal legislative authority to Congress, not the president.

However here what would occur would be the President ordering the inclusion of same-sex partners under existing law, based on the de facto existence of relationships, the anomaly caused by State law that endorse such relationships, while the Federal government fails to secure the right of the American to remain at home in a relationship of their choice.

Examples of prior Immigration related executive orders -

• Employment of aliens under Federal contracts: EO 12989
• Grenada; revocation of naturalization exemptions: EO 12913
• Persian Gulf conflict participants; expedited naturalization: EO 12939

The Case for an executive order is easily made:

Urgent Need; Immediate Harm;

Without the passage of a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act the exclusionary legislation that caused the harm, or the passage of the Uniting American Families Act, (UAFA) the pending Legislation – which would fix the problem, there is little else that can happen to right this immeasurable harm in the near future.

Same-sex couples have been watching the introduction of legislation come and go for the best part of 15 years to no avail

Americans are living in exile to be with partners – separated from extended families, children etc.  Some are getting ready to leave the USA as I write this; some partners have not seen each other in years- partners are deported, living  jobless in hiding; the expense to maintain an international relationship is prohibitive and I can go on….

The Dream Act failed – Do you think Republicans will give a damn about gay and lesbian couples?

Now that DADT is repealed Military also need to a mechanism to bring home foreign born partners after serving abroad.

Now I have never written an Executive Order or anything similar before and so please do not take this as my expectation of what one would really look like or entail. In fact I may even be coming at it from the wrong angle – there may be a more direct way to do it than to Order a Special Board charged with a duty as I have done below.   I thought of doig it that way so that the ORDER would not be a blanket order, but would have built in measure for responsible actions, where evidence and contractual nexus helm the process.

EXECUTIVE ORDER

PREAMBLE:- Same Sex couples are a de facto part of American Society. The Defense of Marriage Act. specifically excludes Same-Sex partners from being included under the Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1952.

Some de facto same-sex relationships impacted by the Law include children who suffer hardship if parents are forced to separate or leave the United States;

No US citizen should be forced into exile or to leave their homes, careers and countries to be able to pursue a relationship with a same-sex partner;

The intention of the Defense of Marriage Act was define marriage as between a man and a woman only. In No way does this order derogate from that concept nor does it attempt to re-define marriage;

Predicated on the fact that DOMA was never intended to divide unmarried couples (who did not have the legal option to marry in accordance with the Federal definition established by DOMA)  and families or prevent them from living together.

It remains the policy of this Administration to enforce the immigration laws to the fullest extent, for all cases that do not conform to this Order;  including the detection and deportation of undocumented aliens.

IT IS ORDERED:-

I. Establishment of Emergency Board, to be led by personnel appointed by the President of the USA and office of the Department of Homeland Security for the purposes outlined as follows:-

I. Investigating the separation of same-sex partners whose relationships are excluded from immigration rights and privileges under the Immigration and Nationality Act of  1952 as amended ; with the specific purpose of providing remedies and urgent relief to specific couples and through general regulations and remedies for couples at large:-

a. To establish a Special Visa Program (similar to Fiancé Visa/ R1 Visa) to facilitate the reunification of same-sex partners in relationships where a contractual nexus can be proved within six months of entry by foreign partner into USA; and to to provide a path to citizenship upon conditions to be determined.

b. To provide a mechanism for the adjustment of Status for same-sex foreign partners who are currently in the USA undocumented, whose Visa has expired, who enter into same-sex relationships while in the USA, including those in Asylum or deportation proceedings, or under ten year re-entry ban, where other is a US Citizen or Legal US Resident, who can prove a contractual nexus;

c. To define contractual nexus (I have prepared my own)

d. To define and detail evidence required to prove contractual nexus:- (I have prepared a list)

II. Circumstances to Investigate:

• circumstances of American citizens forced leave the USA to be in relationship
• and live with a foreign born partner, where there is proof of contractual nexus;
• to review immigration cases of foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US
  Citizen or  legal US Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review deportation cases involving foreign same-sex partner, where other is a
  US Citizen or Legal US Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review asylum cases foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US Citizen and
  Resident,  who can prove a contractual nexus;
• to review Visa Applications

III Moratorium:

Immediate moratorium on all deportations involving foreign same-sex partner, where other is a US Citizen or Legal US Resident, who can prove a contractual nexus;  to include a retroactive waiver of 10 year ban on re-entry to USA.

The Power shall be vested in the Board and All Regulations stemming therefrom shall be subject to the oversight of a duly appointed Staffer and ratification by the President of the USA.

—————————————————————————————————————-

CONCLUSION:

Maybe this is a pipe dream and I have written about this over a year ago – I hope to join with other advocates in the New Year to push for a creative remedy for the unconscionable and reprehensible inequity to same-sex couples and their families, immediate and extended.  This international community cannot wait any longer – not even for what it will take to repeal DOMA, Enact UAFA.  This is not an immigration reform issue – it is an immigration equality – as in parity- issue. Hence the bi-national same sex community which advocates, waits and prays for remedies should not be expected to wait any longer while an anti-immigrant weighted Congress plodders along with Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

——————————————————————–

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
@lezgetreal
www.visualcv.com/melnathan

_________________________________________________________________________________

Related articles

• BINAT Visa Process & Moratorium: Same-Sex Partner Green Cards (lezgetreal.com)
• Ireland: Same Sex Partners to be included in Immigration Laws (lezgetreal.com)
• DADT Repeal & Equality in Immigration: Impact on Same-Sex Green Cards UAFA (lezgetreal.com)
• The Shame: Tomorrow A DREAM but no UAFA! (lezgetreal.com)
• What next for Immigration Equality – Binationals are Concerned (lezgetreal.com)
• SCREAM: President Obama Act Now for Binational Same Sex Couples (lezgetreal.com)
• What does Sarah Palin’s ‘Don’t Retreat Just Reload’ have to do with ‘President Obama Forgets Green Cards for Same-Sex Couples’ (lezgetreal.com)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shirley Tan Giving Evidence at SJC for UAFA 6/03/2009

2010 – Lesbian of the Year

In this year’s   Annual Heroes and Zeroes by Melanie of LezGetReal found at http://lezgetreal.com/2010/12/2010-heroes-and-zeroes/ – we named Robin McGeHee Activist of the year with Constance McMillen – and here we in this separate acknowledgment we must Name Lesbian of the Year and that goes to  Robin McGeHee Lesbian of the Year.

David Mixner chose Robin as his Lesbian of the Year, saying ” Robin became the poster child of the new activism in the American LGBT community. Through get GetEQUAL she arranged protests all over the country from Washington, DC to San Francisco. She has shown a remarkable organizer’s skill in negotiating the treacherous waters of LGBT grassroots politics. She represents a new generation of leadership with passion, principles and a great family to boot!”

We could not agree more!

Runners Up to Lesbian of the Year:

Chely Wright

- Author Country Singer   for her Book which my Thirteen Year Old daughter read twice,

and   Rachel Maddow – MSNBC Political Host – for doing her job so well

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are  a few of LezGetR eal’s Articles Covering McGeHee’s year”-

A Few LGR Articles about Robin McGeHee

• Robin McGeHee Invited by White House to Attend Signing of Repeal of DADT (lezgetreal.com)
• Celebrating DADT Repeal with GetEQUAL & Robin McGehee (lezgetreal.com)
• What GetEQUAL’s Robin McGehee Told the White House Today (lezgetreal.com)
• Look Out America, Here Comes GetEQUAL (lezgetreal.com)
• GetEQUAL Urgent Call for Grass Root Action in Hope of DADT Repeal (lezgetreal.com)
• Robin McGehee of GetEQUAL Speaks up for Equality and Binational Same-Sex Couples – at White House Meeting (lezgetreal.com)
• Dramatic Arrest Video of Robin McGehee, Dan Choi in DADT Protest (lezgetreal.com)
• HRC Needs To Get Rid Of Solomonese And Appoint McGehee To Lead (lezgetreal.com)
• 2010 Heroes and Zeroes (lezgetreal.com)
• President Obama Signs DADT “Repeal,” Yet No Equality for ServiceMembers (lezgetreal.com)
• Constance McMillen Wins $81,000 Legal Cost Award (lezgetreal.com)

Mr. Portantino apparently jumped and landed on a cement walkway in the 500 block of Spruce Street sometime before 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office reported.

Mr. Portantino, once a successful stockbroker, purchased a small gay publication in the 1980’s and turned it from social entertainment magazine into a newspaper that covered political news and boldly tackled issues.

The paper grew to become one of the largest gay publications in Southern California with a circulation of more than 15,000. He was dedicated to the weekly paper and was devastated when he had to shut down the publication in October due to economic difficulties, friends said.

The paper played an important role in the gay and lesbian community through its news coverage and advocacy. It was also among the first gay publications to prominently feature women on the cover.

Jeri Dilno, a former editor of the Gay and Lesbian Times, said Mr. Portantino believed in crusading journalism. “He was sometimes controversial and not afraid to point fingers,”   He also made significant contributions to AIDS charities   ….Read more…

Ndumie Funda,

Ndumie has been a tireless advocate for the cause and has managed to effect world wide attention to the issue of the endemic rape in South Africa.

A few weeks ago we wrote about Millicent Gaika giving testimony against Andile Ngcoza- under conditions that only a bravest of warriors would endure, especially so for someone who had been so badly brutalized.  Ngcoza had been out on minimal bail and Gaika, who started to testify at his trial, was made to travel to Court via public transport, in effect the same transport being used by the accused.

Lesbians who supported Gaika by coming to the trial would also have the harsh reality of having to encounter this monster on the street; and no place was safe.

Ngcoza has some conditions to his bail and one such condition is that he does not enter the township of Gugulethu.  Since our article, activists from around the world have been pressuring the police (SAP) to provide protection for Gaika through this case and maybe the pressure worked – and it must continue. The SAP must be held accountable for the protection of all women in the Townships.

Today we received this direct report from Lulekwi Sizwe’s Ndumie Funda and I am quoting in her own words; English being her second language.

“Today its one of the unforgettable day in my life it was round about 11am in the morning , I was walking with my partner in Gugulethu mall. My car was parked at the Camp Well Hardware so as we where near the car my partner noticed that someone was so looking at me with those you know angry eyes, he came closer so I pressed the mobilizer (gadget that enables car to star).

Andile Ngcoza came to me straight he was looking at me and he went to passenger’s side were my partner was sitting  also staring at her the after her he was looking at my car number plate; I then quickly called the police and the investigating officer.   They arrived immediately and he got arrested . We went drove to the Gugulethu police station where the investigating officer together with the police took our statement. It was said that he was not supposed to set his feet in Gugulethu so there he violated his bail conditions and he is now back in jail.  We are hopping that he’s gonna spend his Christmas there.

I know, really people,  that i’m not safe please everyone pray for me with my work that i’m doing its not easy. We need to put pressure to the justice system.

All Power to those who are fighting corrective rape”

www.stopcorrectiverape.org

www.lulekisizwe.org

More Articles on the Subject http://lezgetreal.com/?s=rape

http://lezgetreal.com/2010/11/lesbian-corrective-rape-victim-has-her-day-in-court/

Hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation are not recognised by South African law

in the last 10 years 31 lesbian women have been murdered because of their sexuality

more than 10 lesbians a week are raped or gang raped

in Cape Town alone

150 women are raped every day in South Africa

for every 25 men accused of rape in South Africa,

24 walk free

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Five years later,  her son Zheng Yuantao, 30,discussed his sexuality on local television in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou and it was then that Wu decided to become what state media calls the first Chinese parent to go on television in support of her gay child.

According to a CNN report, Zheng applauds his mother: “Many of my gay friends are afraid of going home during holidays, because their parents would ask about girlfriends and press them to get married, I grew up in a very open-minded family, I didn’t have too much of a struggle about my sexuality.”

Wu now devotes her time and energy to speaking up for gay acceptance by family and society. She is now known as “Mama Wu,” by the local Gay community who appreciate her courageous advocacy. She taught herself to use a computer and  writes a blog that has clocked more than 2.2 million hits. She also tweets frequently, has launched a hotline and founded the country’s first PFLAG – Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – group in her hometown.

“I just followed my instinct and my love for my son,” Wu said. One is awestruck by how one person can break from such deeply entrenched culture where gay invokes family shame.  Perhaps love can overcome – but it takes a very special person. Chinese parents  generally refuse to face the reality of Gay or lesbian children; some sever ties with their  children. Some even insist on psychiatric treatments, while yet the worst others may threaten to commit suicide if their children don’t change.

According to the CNN Report: “Suicide is high among Chinese homosexuals  with some surveys saying as many as 30 percent of gay youth attempt to take their lives. That trend mirrors the United States, where a spate of suicides by gay adolescents in recent months has shaken the nation. “  Most gay men in China still succumb to social pressure and marry women. It once meant heterosexual marriages, often with children, Li said. Now, gay community activists say a small but growing number of young gay men in big cities are tying the knot with lesbians to both placate families and maintain their lifestyles.

It’s not all accolades for Wu, however; she is often the subject of online abuse.

Homosexuality is not illegal in China, and in 2001 it was also removed from the country’s list of officially recognized mental disorders. But it remains largely a taboo topic on state-run media.

Wu has picked up pace in spreading the message of acceptance, giving lectures and hosting seminars across the nation.At a recent PFLAG gathering in Beijing, Wu, sporting a rainbow scarf and speaking in a calm but firm tone, addressed a packed hotel conference room of about 100 people, with her son and his boyfriend in attendance.

Thousands of blog posts and phone calls later, Wu has compiled her stories in a new book – titled “Love Is the Most Beautiful Rainbow” – and vows to continue her effort.

“I have only one child, but so many call me Mama,” she said.

Source CNN – Full Article can be found here- read more by Steven Jiang, CNN

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts

Melanie Nathan – 11-14-10.  WARNING – This is not for the faint of heart. The verbal descriptions in the Video contain explicit language.

It is a stunning and ironic testament to continued discrimination- to  ignorance. The  failure to educate a populace in the most progressive and westernized of all the  African Countries, casts an ironic shadow over the one Country that promises to protect lesbian, gay and gender equality in its Constitution.

When Nelson Mandela was released back in 1990 and Apartheid became a tear-drenched grave, a new explosion of lawlessness began and it’s legacy of unbridled hate may find a place in history that over shadows the horrors of apartheid.

South Africa has earned its title as ” The rape capital of the World,”  with an estimated 500,000 rapes per year;   tantamount to a shameful and preventable disaster of enormous  proportion.

The men in the video who speak their hate with conviction and pompous entitlement,  will be crowned coward; while the survivor women reflect the courage of true warriors and their bravery will sit in the hearts of many of us here in our  privileged nests.

At the same time for as long as our own Government here in the USA continues to ignore our own desperate call for equality, and for as long as US Evangelical demons are set loose on African soil to spew their garbage indictments negating the right to love, we as a Nation are complicit in the crimes against humanity, for if we are no longer leaders qualified to call for an end to the hate, nor are we credible to impress upon ZUMA and MUGABE and the rest of Africa the  Perils of such  hate.

WARNING – This is not for the faint of heart. The verbal descriptions in the Video contain explicit language.

READ MORE:             http://lezgetreal.com/2010/11/lesbian-corrective-rape-victim-has-her-day-in-court/

Support Lulekiizwe

Support Millicent Gaika about to testify at her rape trial

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Millicent-Gaika-Support-Page/159448417423659?ref=ts&v=wall#!/pages/Millicent-Gaika-Support-Page/159448417423659?v=wall

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/2010/11/the-shocking-truth-of-corrective-rape-survivors-speak-from-south-africa/feed/ 1 http://lezgetreal.com/2010/11/president-obama-and-his-gay-nanny-vs-president-bush-the-fetus-in-a-jar/ http://lezgetreal.com/2010/11/president-obama-and-his-gay-nanny-vs-president-bush-the-fetus-in-a-jar/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:27:00 +0000 Lez Get Real http://lezgetreal.com/?p=51064

Melanie Nathan – 11-10-2010- With his trip to Indonesia, the book has opened even wider in reflecting on President Obama’s Childhood, to reveal that he had a male nanny growing up. As it happens the nanny was a gay man.    At the same time Ex-President G.W. The Worst in History Bush, has started his closed book tour, tentatively named ” The Greatest Revisionist Tour Ever.”

The New York Times report on Wednesday added  enlightenment about  President  Obama’s childhood in that Country.  “His nanny was an openly gay man who, in keeping with Indonesia’s relaxed attitudes toward homosexuality, carried on an affair with a local butcher, longtime residents said. The nanny later joined a group of transvestites called Fantastic Dolls, who, like the many transvestites who remain fixtures of Jakarta’s streetscape, entertained people by dancing and playing volleyball.”

The nanny later joined a group of transvestites  ( as is acceptable terminology there) called Fantastic Dolls, who, like the many ‘transvestites’ who remain fixtures of Jakarta’s streetscape, entertained people by dancing and playing volleyball.

The right wing assertion that Obama was deeply impacted and embraced  Islamic fundamentalism during this period, is now a tossed ball flying off to a rainbow in the sky!   His upbringing must have been fun indeed and not in the Islamic sense of the word. His mom changed his name to Barry Soetero, in a Country influenced by Islam, and that certainly was no way to integrate an American little boy, especially when he had the option to use his real name, Barack Obama.

So because our President lived a global life  – does not mean he was influenced by its offerings whether conservative or liberal aspects.   Not to confuse the two. Even while the anti-Obamaists scream “he is a muslim,”  most of us thought he would be more liberal than he has proved to be.

However it would seem that what nanny had to offer certainly did not help the President to think of gay as anything more than .. perhaps… effeminate fun – with a second class place in society.  Perhaps his mindset placed nanny’s servile standing in accord with our American second class citizenry, which has been acknowledged by this President but yet to be changed.

When we look at childhood factors and how they can influence our Presidents, I can think of another example; one  that reared its ugly head this week.  President Bush (GW)  mentioned an incident in his new Book;  that he relates specifically on the Matt Lauer Interview (MSNBC) – his mother gave him her miscarried fetus, in a bottle, when he was a young teen.  He then took her and the bottle to the hospital He relates that this incident is what influenced his pro-life stance.

So much for child hood influences:

Bush delivered 100,000 innocent Iraqi deaths and

Obama has not yet delivered EQUALITY!

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

BUT that did not happen. Her case has been postponed to Feb 11th; reason unknown at this time.  This is outrageous in the face of the fact that her assailant is free and her neighbor and has threatened her life.  Prosecutors should apply for the bail withdrawal based on threats to her life, since she has been trying to testify.  Millicent as already felt suicidal in the face of abject fear and rejection by the authorities.  Imagine living for the next three months having to look over your shoulder for fear of the same happening again in the name of reprisal and hate.

This is typical of the Justice system in South Africa when it comes to cases of this nature. Recently a case where four men were held for murdering a lesbian in a hate crime, the case was continued 31 times. That case is four years old.

Since posting our piece last week about Milly’s first appearance, and her bad treatment by the South African Authorities, thousands have read our article.  Hundreds of E-mails and letters of support and good wishes have poured in for Milly about her courage and tenacity.  One person also started a facebook page for Millicent which garnished 170 supporters in a short time.  I have passed on all readers good wishes to her in Cape Town.

Milly is terrified to testify and she has felt suicidal, unworthy – Our Readers outpouring of  support has helped Milly to see who she really is – a courageous warrior and a symbol for any survivor of such heinous torture.   She travels on a bus to Court – the same bus that the perpetrator – out on bail and her neighbor- will travel to go to the Court.

The Video below is an extraordinary insight into how the survivors of this horror live in the poverty stricken townships.  It is a MUST watch  – The Video starts off speaking German – however when the actual report comes on there is some English. But the pictures are worth more than words.  So please persevere and sit through the first minute.  It creates a picture that will help readers with insight that is hard to imagine.

The Video is a piece that went out on German TV l with an interview with Ndumie Funda of Luleki Sizwe, and the  co-founder  theatre performer Pam Ngwabeni.   Ndumie has been helping to support Millicent Gaika since the day she was raped and beaten.  The conditions for survival have been harsh.  At one point the two room shack was flooded and yet the 15 inhabitants, most survivors of rape had nowhere else to go.

I tried to get the embed code from Germany but my request remains unanswered – so the best I can do is refer readers to their site.   So here is where it can be watched:-

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO at this link below

http://mediathek.daserste.de/daserste/servlet/content/5769222?pageId=&moduleId=329478&categoryId=&goto=&show=

Melanie Nathan (MEZA
nathan@privatecourts.com

SUPPORT MILLY  HERE:

http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1723319242109&sk=messages#!/pages/Millicent-Gaika-Support-Page/159448417423659

Related articles

• Lesbian Corrective Rape Victim has her day in Court (lezgetreal.com)
• Shock Photo as Lesbian Warrior Tells of yet Another Corrective Rape Victim (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan: Nov 03, 2010
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced that more openly LGBT candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than in any year in America’s history.

At least 106 of the group’s record-breaking 164 endorsed candidates were winners as of Wednesday morning, including Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline (pictured), who will become the fourth openly gay Member of Congress when the House convenes in January.

Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe issued the following statement about the group’s success:

“There is no sugar-coating the loss of so many of our straight allies in Congress, but we can be proud that our community continues to expand its voice at all levels of government in America. Out public officials are having a sizable impact on the local, state and national debates about LGBT equality.  Increasing their numbers is a vital part of a long-term strategy to change America’s politics and make our country freer and fairer for everyone.  We will continue to focus on training committed, qualified candidates, and we will work hard to get them elected to public office.”

Important 2010 election results include:

–David Cicilline’s election to Congress.  The Providence, R.I. mayor will be the fourth openly gay member of the U.S. House of Representatives, joining Reps. Tammy Baldwin, Barney Frank and Jared Polis, who each won reelection.

–Jim Gray’s election as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky, the state’s second-largest city.

–Nickie Antonio’s election to the Ohio House.  Antonio will be the first openly LGBT person to serve in the state legislature.

–Marcus Brandon’s election to the North Carolina House.  Brandon will be the state’s only openly gay state legislator and one of just five out African Americans to serve as state lawmakers.

–Victoria Kolakowski’s election as a Superior Court judge in Alameda County.  Kolakowski becomes the first openly transgender judge in America.

–Kevin Lembo’s election as Connecticut State Comptroller.  Lembo joins just a handful of openly LGBT candidates to have been elected to statewide positions.

–Laurie Jinkins’ election to the Washington State House.  Jinkins is Washington’s first openly lesbian state legislator, and could help her gay colleagues pass a marriage equality bill in the next legislative session.

–Maryland’s and California’s expanded LGBT state legislative caucuses.  Each will include seven openly gay and lesbian lawmakers.  In Maryland, the caucus is poised to help pass marriage equality legislation, which the reelected Gov. Martin O’Malley has vowed to sign.

–Dan Hill’s loss in his Nevada House race.  The Victory Fund’s endorsed Republican candidates for state legislative seats were not successful, meaning no openly LGBT Republicans will be serving as state lawmakers next year.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government in the U.S.  It has grown that number from 49 to more than 500 since its founding in 1991.  A full 2010 Election Scorecard will soon be available at www.victoryfund.org.

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

Related articles

• Barney Frank Re-Elected (lezgetreal.com)
• Openly Gay Cicilline, Rhode Island to US House of Reps (lezgetreal.com)

Melanie Nathan; 10-25-10

Earlier today LezGetReal reported on an incident that occurred at a debate in San Diego’s 50^th District where Francine Busby, Democrat was mobbed by right wingers trying desperately to ensure that Brian Billbray’s Congressional seat does not go to a pro equality Democrat; – well that is not the end of our reporting on the harassment of Francine Busby, by those who would interrupt the democratic process.

Monday a Federal lawsuit was settled in California, as reported by the LA Times, that indirectly involved the support of Busby by the Lesbian community in San Diego.  It seems that what was once Duke Cunningham’s seat may slip to a Democrat and that from the day fundraising started for Busby, the potential Congressional rep has been a target of  under handed behavior and harassment.

The county of San Diego will pay $1.2 million to eight people who say they were roughed up by sheriff’s deputies at a fundraiser last year for a Democratic congressional candidate Francine Busby who was not at the event at the time. The settlement came after repeated bargaining sessions, said Senior Deputy County Counsel George Brewster. The payments will go to three women who filed a federal civil rights lawsuit and five other people who filed claims with the county.

The incident arose during an afternoon fundraiser for Democratic candidate Francine Busby in the backyard of supporters in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a neighborhood in Encinitas, on June 26, 2009. Knowing the fundraisers were lesbians supporting a pro-equality candidate, the neighbor  complained about noise, when sheriff’s Deputy Marshall Abbott, a former Marine, responded. When Abbott asked one of the homeowners for her age, she refused to give it. He then attempted to make an arrest.

“On June 26, we hosted a fundraising event
for Congressional candidate Francine
Busby. The event was scheduled from 7pm
to 9pm and was an opportunity for those
interested to meet Ms. Busby.
Approximately 50 people attended. At
around 8:15pm, on our back patio, Ms.
Busby made a brief speech to those in
attendance with the use of a PA system.
During her remarks, a male heckler from
another property behind our home started
shouting disparaging remarks about Busby
as well as gays. Ms. Busby finished her
remarks at around 8:45pm and- left the event
continued. Shortly thereafter, most people
started leaving. Other than quiet
background music there was no other
entertainment.

At approximately 9:35pm, as the event was
winding down, with the remaining guests
just standing around engaged in
conversation, a Sheriff’s deputy named
Marshall Abbott walked into our home
unannounced and asked for the
homeowner, at which time I identified
myself. In a very aggressive manner,
Deputy Abbott said he had received a noise
complaint and I explained that Ms. Busby
had used a PA system for approximately 30
minutes but we were very aware of
finishing before the 10pm sound ordinance
went into effect. Deputy Abbott asked for my
name and date of birth. I gave him my
name and politely asked him why he
needed my date of birth. He said it was for
identification purposes in case they
needed to return to the premises. Because
he had my name and I had identified
myself as the homeowner, I asked why he
would need my date of birth. He told me I
was under arrest, grabbed my right arm,
twisted it behind me and threw me on the
ground. Some of the 25 or so people who
were still in attendance observed what was
happening and started asking the deputy
what was going on. My partner, Jane
Stratton, asked him to please be careful as
I had recently had right shoulder surgery.
His response was to knock her to the
ground. At this point, some of the guests
attempted to come to my aid and to Ms.
Stratton’s. Without warning the deputy
started pepper spraying everyone, even
those who were simply standing in the
area. All of this happened in a matter of
minutes. I was subsequently arrested and
transported to the Vista detention center
and released the following day at 11am.”

In the melee that followed, Abbott called for backup; six police cars, a helicopter and a police dog responded. Pepper spray was used as attendees at the fundraiser tried to prevent Abbott from making an arrest.

Shari Barman, 61, and Pamela Morgan, 62, were arrested; and Barman spent a night in Vista jail. They and Jane Stratton filed a federal lawsuit. Five others filed claims.

Busby, who was not at the fundraiser at the time of the incident, later won her party’s primary to face Rep. Brian Billbray (R-Carlsbad).

People who were at the fundraiser have long claimed that the noise complaint that brought Abbott to the scene was phony — made by a neighbor upset by the idea of a fundraiser for a Democrat.  It was also known that attending the fundraiser were members of the gay and lesbian community, reports the LA Times.

Since the incident, the Sheriff’s Department has revised its policy manual for deputies so that asking ages is no longer required, officials said.

“This incident and this settlement are a reminder that sheriff’s deputies are not above the law. In this country there are well-defined civil rights that are designed to protect all of us, particularly the sanctity of our homes. It is up to each of us to stand up for those rights.”

Whether  Busby has been a target because of her support for Equality or not, the Gay and Lesbian  LGBT community will show up to get her elected.

Busby provided Lezgetreal with the following statement Monday:  “I am pleased that the parties could bring this to a close with an agreement including the steps that will be taken in the future to respect the civil rights of people in their homes.”

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles

• San Diego County to pay $1.2 million to eight allegedly roughed up by deputies (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
• San Diego Democratic Candidate, Francine Busby, Mobbed by Henchman after Debate (lezgetreal.com)
• http://mauralarkins.com/arrestShariBarman.html

Hot – Hot- Hot; that is why more than half a million viewers tuned in to watch – the debut of the BBC lesbian drama “Lip Service.”  The six-episode drama, which follows the lives of a group of 20-something lesbians, premiered Monday on BBC3. That is true! Groundbreaking? Nah!

Creator Harriet Braun told BBC Newsbeat that she wanted the show to feel authentic: “It was important to me that the lesbian characters came across as authentic to a lesbian audience.”  Hogwash Harriet – that is not true!  You did not succeed in your quest for authenticity but you did succeed in increasing the temperature in my San Fran foggy night living room.

I must say that authentic it was not – not in the US sense of Lesbian drama or sex for that matter.   No way does every gorgeous woman stare at androgynous post butch beauty walking down the street. No way does ‘butchy’ androgynous beauty screw or should  I say “shag” everyone on a one day walk  in the path of her troubled life….no way do we pin straight women against walls or have them knocking over lamps in their living rooms while they seduce us! But we can dream or give “lip Service…”

The women are beautiful- no- magnificent- and hope for the sake of the world they are all really lesbians – because yes they did it for me – if that was the goal hallelujah – but dream on BBC team- there was nothing authentic about the milieu.

Harriet, the Creator – added that she was looking to “tell stories about people’s passions, not their sexuality.”  Well first episode – nada – no way – mission not accomplished – anyway not the mission of the creator!   The only passion I saw was sex, more sex and sexy sex with straight beauties bedded – not in bed- but against walls – the way we see men do it in the movies.   No lovemaking yet!Maybe episode 2; because episode one  is  all lust and thrust amidst the real one – a sweet femme lipstick lez  lovelorn going without!

“Often gay characters in drama, the storyline centers on their sexuality, so there’s stories of coming out or issues around homophobia. I guess what I would like to see more of is gay characters where their stories are potentially about fighting crime or being a doctor.”

Hmmmm maybe the Glasgow / BBC crowd has yet to pick up on American TV, where we have lesbian characters all over the professional field.

The show – dubbed the “British L Word” – features Ruta Gedmintas (Spooks) as Frankie, (  Shane seem like a kid from a Teensville coming of age flick)  young woman whose return from America to Glasgow for the funeral of her beloved aunt creates a stir among her friends. Her former girlfriend, Cat (Laura Fraser, Vanilla Sky) becomes anxious when she learns that her old flame has returned after a two year absence. “Exciting – but wild – Frankie quickly gets the town talking.” say the critics… thats it?

I rest my case!

Melanie Nathan

Last month I was feeling a little down and impulsively booked a trip with my grown son for a week in Mexico. Running off is one of my favorite ways of coping with the devastation of the break-up of my relationship of 27 years.

Max was on summer break from San Diego State and wasn’t booked for a home game at his job making Kettle Corn at Petco Park for a week. He is the one adult in my immediate family who was available and actually wanted to spend time with me, just me.

We’d settled into our casita in the little fishing village of Sayulita, Nayarit near Puerto Vallarta and were enjoying playing board games, eating street tacos, buying local crafts and surfing.

One afternoon, after spending the morning exploring the jungle paths for remote surf spots, Max came home from a swim at the beach to find me in tears. I told him I missed his other Mom and he gave me a hug and said: “I know how hard this must be, I guess you just have to let it out”.

How on earth did he get so wise? I was relieved he didn’t try to cheer me up or talk me out of my feelings. If I thought I felt proud when I heard him tell another young man out in the water that the woman who just caught a big wave was his Mother… it doesn’t compare to this.

I never know what blessings in life will get thrown at me and on the flip side I never know when the grief and loss will overwhelm me. I’m just grateful to have raised a boy that gets it. I know we were on the right track when my partner and I attended that Lesbians Considering Parenthood workshop all those years ago. We were the first of all our friends to go for it and we were so enamored with our son that we had another boy six years later. It’s been a wild ride, exhausting and fulfilling and everything in between.

When it’s all said and done, I have no regrets. We need more men in the world like my boys, and I am incredibly thankful for the blessing of having them in my life.

© 2010 Robin Lowey (permission to post on LGR granted)

Robin Lowey is the creative mastermind behind the new lesbian website Epochalips – www.epochalips.com. Epochalips is all about the generation of Lesbians who cleared the way for all Lesbian/Gay/Queer/Bi/ Transgender youth , celebrating diversity with amazing writers such as Jewelle Gomez, Monica Palacios and Margie Adam and many others. Epochalips is a cyber environment that empowers and heals, and validates common experiences. You’ll find anything from “Cub’s Corner” to “Ask a Battle Axe” and everything in between. Check us out!

Posted by Melanie Nathan with permission of Robin Lowey.

Lezgetreal has continued to maintain a pulse on missing child abductor Lisa Miller. After a long and complex custody battle between lesbian Mother Janet Jenkins and ‘ex-lesbian’, now turned missionary Lisa Miller, the US Courts finally granted custody to Janet Jenkins, based on Miller’s failure to adhere Court orders.

Lezgetreal has received information that Lisa Miller is hiding out as a Missionary in Quito Ecuador.

Jenkins and Miller joined in a civil union in 2000, but broke up in 2003. Judge Cohen, in Vermont,  ordered that Jenkins be granted unsupervised visitation, but Miller, the biological mother of Isabella Miller-Jenkins, refused and fled to Virginia where she announced that she was an evangelical Christian and renounced homosexuality. After fleeing to Virginia, her home state, Miller retained Liberty Council, a Conservative Christian legal firm which is associated with  Liberty University. Liberty Council attempted to claim that Miller was not bound by Vermont’s laws regarding civil unions because of Virginia’s Constitutional provisions regarding the legality of civil unions and marriages between people of the same sex. In addition, they claimed that DOMA negated the laws regarding Vermont’s jurisdiction on this case.

In 2007, the Virginia Supreme Court sided with Jenkins, the non-bio mother and the Vermont Courts. The ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, who declined to hear the case. In November 2009, Judge Cohen granted Janet Jenkins’ motion for sole custody after Miller still refused to comply with the court ordered visitation.

Miller had been scheduled to turn over custody of the child on Jan 1st, at Jenkins’ parents home in Fairfax, VA, but failed to appear  and went into hiding with Isabella.  Cohen, who had ordered the custody change two months ago, rejected Jenkins’ plea for a contempt-of-court citation against Miller but found her in violation of his previous order.

Eventually the contempt order was issued and according to the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, Lisa Miller is now officially listed as an abductor, and the child, Isabella as missing.

Rumor had it that Lisa fled to a Latin country and today Lezgetreal received information regarding her whereabouts.

In publishing this, all we can do for now at Lezgetreal is ask the questions and hope that authorities will move quickly to bring the child back home to the USA where she belongs, legally, in the custody of her mother Janet Jenkins.

A reliable source has informed us of direct knowledge of Lisa’s whereabouts.  We have not been able to verify the accuracy of this report. However due to the position and relationship of the source, we have determined that it may well be viable.

Lezgetreal has always questioned the money trail. How could Lisa Miller afford her extensive representation; how did she afford to go into hiding; who paid her way out of the USA;  who is feeding her and Isabella?  We cast our suspicion on one obvious lead – the Evangelical anti-gay community and made specific reference to friends of Miller who were audacious enough to indicate their disobedience of USA law through actions such as filing of a motion that tacitly implied their bold defiance. We knew she must have received help in her flight!

In fact after we reported our initial questions websites were pulled off the internet for fear of further exposure. So we were sure we were on track.

Now our questions are addressed to HCJB Global an organization which, according to its website, is:-

“focused on being the Voice and Hands of Jesus through Media and Healthcare ministry. However, more foundational than these two key outreaches, is our work in Leadership Development. Our desire as an organization is to see voices and hands around the world equipped and trained to be authentic leaders that can impact the communities in which they live.”

Website: “HCJB Global is blessed wit a highly trained personnel with nearly 1,000 staff members worldwide, including about 300 missionaries and 700 employees who represent some 30 countries. The largest contingent of workers is in the Latin America Region with nearly 600 employees and missionaries, primarily in Ecuador. The HCJB Global Ministry Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., is home to about 60 workers while some 41 staff members serve at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind. Additional staff serve at Regional Offices in Asia Pacific (18), Europe/Eurasia (6), North Africa/Middle East (about 10) and Sub-Saharan Africa (7). There are also staff members at the mission’s World Offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and U.K.”

Our source says Lisa Miller is hiding in Ecuador as a missionary and specifically in Quito.   We are told the Mission is full of Americans and would be the perfect place for a fugitive from the USA to go unnoticed and fit well in.

In fact reading one of the Blogs of a volunteer it would seem the perfect place to hideout: “Quito during the summer is an interesting place to be. There seems to be a mass exodus of missionaries during the school vacation, and they are replaced by summer missionaries, work teams and tourists. There are a lot of new faces around!” 

While Lezgetreal does not seek to discredit any good work that may be performed by the organization, around the world, we have been told that a group in Ecuador has been paid to look after Lisa Miller, a fugitive from the USA.  We have no verification of any money trail to prove this. With limited resources LGR can only ask the questions.

So we provide this challenge to HCJB – please come out in public and tell us you are not hiding Lisa Miller.  Obviously you cannot answer that question without conducting your own investigation.   You can submit your comment to this site or me at nathan@privatecourts.com.

We want to hear your side of this.  At the same time we are submitting this Article to the relevant authorities.

Lezgetreal is calling on the following Board members and Trustees of HRJC GLOBAL.  We ask you to take responsibility to investigate our assertions and to hand Lisa Miller over to the US authorities.

If they fail to look into it as an organization we at Lezgetreal will be left with the single question, the same which we asked of Liberty Council earlier this year :

“Are you complicit?”

Board of Trustees

• John T. Baugus, chair (assistant professor of communications, Azusa Pacific Univ., Glendora, CA)
• Wayne Pederson* (president, HCJB Global, Colorado Springs, CO)
• Glen Adams (retired, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA)
• James D. Allen (vice president of team development, HCJB Global, Colorado Springs, CO)
• Ronald A. Cline* (HCJB Global ambassador, retired, Colorado Springs, CO) – lifelong member
• James P. Estes (Assistant Director for the Latin American Region, HCJB Global)
• Jim Gordon (president, Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI)
• Paulette Kutzler (consultant, Minneapolis, MN)
• Walt Larimore (Associate Medical Director and Staff Family Physician, Oak Springs Family Medicine, CO)
• Dudley Moore (retail management, ownership and consultant, Tauranga, New Zealand)
• Dennis Roberson (vice provost for new initiatives and research professor of computer science, Illinois Institute of Technology, Wheaton, IL)
• David Russell (director, HCJB Global Technology Center, Elkhart, IN)
• John Thomas (senior pastor, King of Kings Baptist Church, Cape Town, South Africa)
• Ian Leaver* (joint ministry representative Canada, director, WRMF in Canada, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)* board members who have voice but no vote.

Officers: Secretary, Cheryl Birkey; Chairman of the Board, John T. Baugus; Vice Chairman of the Board, John Thomas; Treasurer, Daniel H. Shedd

By  Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

Information from National center for Missing and exploited Children:-

http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1138096&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

---

Bedford County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia) 1-540-586-7827

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http://lezgetreal.com/2010/03/is-fugitive-lesbian-mom-lisa-miller-being-housed-by-church-liberty-council/

• Lisa Miller Appears To Vanish Before Court Ordered Custody Exchange Takes Place (topix.net)
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Yes we were; nice Jewish lesbian feminist girls and we made a book. The first one of its kind – decades ago and it is still being used in Women’s Studies classes, to this day!  And now, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis is proclaiming acceptance of gay and lesbian Jews.

Ok, so it’s the “love the sinner hate the sin” line perhaps, but for Orthodoxy to come out with a proclamation such as this one, we have something to celebrate. Something IS changing.

Gloria Greenfield was the driving force behind and in front of “Nice Jewish Girls” and with pen and her press (Persephone Press), she made sure we were a force to be seen and heard. Amazing, beautiful and unstoppable, she got us onstage to read our contributions.

We filled an auditorium somewhere in Boston, eight of us, facing a room full of beaming ‘Nice Jewish Girls’ and their non-Jewish lovers and friends. Outside the hall a group of self –proclaimed Preservers of Judaism were yelling at the women going in, and claiming our “Excommunication!”

Growing up a rare Jew in Japan; sent to Catholic missionary school, for lack of choice, I fully understand the idea of excommunication.  We also knew Jews cannot be excommunicated!

So the taunts were laughable and we laughed!

The men in the black robes soon left with little impact on the magnificence of the evening and everything we believed it stood for. Our ‘Nice Jewish girl’ faces glowed, as we read our stories aloud – all about being Nice Jewish lesbians- to our non Jewish girlfriends and their friends.

We were so validated by what we had accomplished; the book, the stories, our lives, regardless of black gowned frowns. Unstoppable, our courage and energy took up all the space. There was no place left for the men to go but back to where they came from.  Change happens. They may be singing a different tune today. Who knows?

And now the Orthodox Rabbinate have  made an important – sensational- statement; Jews must accept all Jews, as a requirement of Torah, rather than rejection as professed by the men in black those decades ago – how nice for us ‘Nice Jewish Girls’   these 2.5 decades later.

Picture:- Left to right:  front row: Evelyn Torton Beck,Adrienne Rich, Gloria Greenfield, Melanie Kaye Kantrowitz, Standing, left t o right:  Savina Teubal, Josylyn Segal, Rachel Wahba, Irena Klepfisz.

The Book can be purchased at Amazon, in a new edition -( which excludes the original pictures.)

By Rachel Wahba

Other Articles by Rachel

• Lez Talk with Rachel – Brit Milah Penis Rage (lezgetreal.com)
• Outing My Father (lezgetreal.com)
• Generation to Generation – “you’re with girls now aren’t you?” (lezgetreal.com)
• Lesbian Separatist Alix Dobkin Changes Tune – BUT Outlandish Caveat (lezgetreal.com)

• U.S. Orthodox Rabbis Urge Community to Accept Gays, Lesbians BT (lezgetreal.com)

Film Showing and Reception Set for Sept. 14, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO-  Twenty-five years after its premier, the groundbreaking documentary “Choosing Children”—the first film to explore and chronicle the journey taken by lesbians and gay men to become parents after they came out—will return to the silver screen at the Herbst Theater on Sept. 14 to celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

The landmark film, produced by two Bay Area filmmakers, Academy Award winner Debra Chasnoff and Kim Klausner, was released in 1985, introducing viewers to the first generation of lesbians and gay men who chose to become parents after coming out, and contributed to an expanded definition of family that has since opened the doors for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to become parents. “Before the early 1980s, it was just assumed that if you came out, you gave up the chance and the right to be a parent,” says Chasnoff. “But a small number of brave lesbians and gay men began to challenge that belief. With “Choosing Children” we wanted to share their stories with the world and inspire others that they, too, could redefine family for themselves.”

Chasnoff and Klausner conducted a nationwide search for lesbian-headed families that were navigating what was then a very new legal, political, and social terrain. Ultimately, they found six families who reflected some of the racial and ethnic diversity of our vibrant communities, and who had “chosen children” in different ways. Their stories provide an intimate look at the challenges and joys faced by this early generation of lesbian and gay parents in their quests to build their families—stories that are still fascinating and relevant today.

“Without the pioneering generation that we were able to capture in “Choosing Children,” none of us would have the rights or opportunities for creating families that we have today,” Klausner says. “It is almost beyond comprehension how much the political and social landscape has changed since we made the film.”

The film poignantly captures some of the important history that has contributed to today’s LGBT family rights victories, including the recent Proposition 8 decision by Judge Vaughn Walker here in California. It is partly why so many community groups are cosponsoring this evening celebration for LGBT families, our allies, prospective parents and others.

One of the arenas where the most significant advances have been made is the legal system.

“The legal advances we have made for our families are nothing short of breathtaking,” says National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell. “These gains are largely due to this early generation of lesbians and gay parents, who charted a previously unseen path in order to become parents and raise children, becoming role models for LGBT people everywhere.”

Many Bay Area organizations are joining together for this community-wide screening and celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of Choosing Children, celebrate all the wonderful children LGBT people are now parenting, and raise funds to permanently preserve this historical gem on DVD. The restored 35 mm film print, courtesy of the OUTFEST Legacy Project and the UCLA Film Archive, was a huge hit at last summer’s Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

If you’ve never seen Choosing Children, here’s your chance to soak up a delightful piece of our cultural history. If you are planning on having children, you will be inspired by the courageous pioneers in the film who figured out how to bring kids into their lives, co-parent with a same-sex partner, and handle concerns from relatives and schools. If you saw the film “back in the day,” this will be a trip down memory lane (including a rarely heard song by Holly Near) and a special moment to marvel at how much progress we’ve made.

The 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception includes a viewing, and remarks by Chasnoff, Klausner, and the Honorable Donna Hitchens, founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights who is featured in the film, and dessert reception The event is presented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Groundspark, COLAGE, Frameline, Equality California, Our Family Coalition, and PFLAG to celebrate the advances our movement has made in family law and society, and to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD.

TICKET and EVENT INFORMATION

“Choosing Children” 25^th Anniversary Screening and Reception

What: “Choosing Children” 25^th anniversary celebration to raise funds to permanently preserve this historical film on DVD
When: 6:30 p.m. on September 14, 2010 (Program begins at 7 p.m.)
Where: Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $25 (regular admission); $10 (student admission)

Learn more and order tickets

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan -08-04-10

3:09-cv-02292

Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al

Tell Congress we want all of our Civil Rights NOW.  Prop 8 makes the case for an Ominbus and Amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Congress must act to stop  the inequality and the attempts to legitimate hate against Americans.

You can now bear witness to what the proponents of Prop 8 did not want you to see.  Their evidence – the Bullcrap they delivered in defense of Proposition 8.  Well they lost and its time to use what they have said and done to further our cause. So bloggers and friends- Congress and America, visit this site and explore the evidence for yourselves.  I still believe that Equality will be won for all and hope this impacts our representatives enough to have the courage to  to consider picking up an OMINIBUS – The American Equality Bill - as an amendment to the Civil Rights Act Urge your representatives to do the right thing. Save us from years and years of rulings – back and forth. The only way is to add sexual orientation as a discriminated class into the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cand/09cv2292/evidence/index.html

The AMERICAN EQUALITY BILL – was conceived of by a handful of activists including  Melanie Nathan, Todd Fernandez, Karen Doerig who did the draft – Hello Congress here it is – I am sure you can improve on this – http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/breaking-first-release-the-american-equality-bill/

By Melanie Nathan
Thanks to Dr. Paula Brooks, Bridgette LaVatoire,
and also Nancy Collins -
Oh yes Perez Hilton for the Tweet that brought the House down and – to Paula for its restoration.

And all for helping win the DAY here at LGR!

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Not only, is this deplorable for its timing by injecting hate and intolerance into a personal tragedy, but it also brings to light the unending vitriol raised against Trans people in our society.  Since the ruling in 1999 the decision in Littleton v. Prange  has been used to deny Trans people their rights on many fronts – not just in marriage.  The family of Mr Araguz have shown insensitivity and greed in their attacks on a valid marriage.

TENT calls on the ENTIRE LGBT community to step forward and help.  Executive Director, Lisa Scheps said, “The queer community as a whole needs to step up and fight hard alongside Nikki and her supporters to see some real change in this country… Change for the better.  I urge everyone to reach into their heart and help both in the legal defense as well as the financial and emotional support that Nikki needs right now.”   Ms Araguz needs support as her assets have been frozen and the Transgender Center in Houston (http://www.tgctr.org) has stepped up to fill that need.  Please help them with a donation by sending a check to:

Transgender Foundation of America
604 Pacific
Houston, TX 77006

Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America.  Please make sure to note that the payment is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.
Credit card contributions can be made using the following link:
www.tiny.cc/nikkisfund

Phyllis Randolph Frye as been retained as council and is donating much of her firms resources to this fight.  This is very likely to be a landmark case for the Transgender community and may find its way to the United States Supreme Court.  Contributions are needed to keep the support going.  Please visit Frye and Associates for more information about how you can help.

Guerilla Lesbians are lesbians who are committed to raising visibility for our community while advancing lesbian interests.

It takes a special kind of lesbian to be considered a “Guerilla Lesbian”, and I am definitely one! Are you one too?

Guerilla Lesbians are not afraid to stand up for lesbian rights and speak out against any injustice towards the lesbian community. We are signing petitions, sending donations, rallying together, and infiltrating the heterosexual world as much as we can to let society know and see that we are here, we are queer, and it’s time to get used to it!

Visit www.guerillalesbians.com and see our site, plus sign up to receive updates to your inbox so you can participate in what we’re doing to advance the fight for lesbian rights worldwide.

About the Author: Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her website at www.juliephineas.com.

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The deal is meant to allow anyone who wants to buy it to have a second copy of the film in order to pass along to a friend. There is nothing hidden in this. Apologies are being offered due to the lack of notice on this offer.

6-28-2010 Melanie Nathan

U.S. SUPREME COURT upholds  university non-discrimination policy In National center for Lesbian Rights ( NCLR )case

Rejects challenge to Law School Policy Requiring Funded Student Groups To Welcome All Students

(Washington, D.C., June 28, 2010) — Today, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Ruth Ginsburg, the United States Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the University of California Hastings College of the Law’s policy of requiring all funded student groups to be open to all students. The policy was challenged by the Christian Legal Society (CLS), which argued that the policy violated its right to freedom of association.  In Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, the Court held: “In requiring CLS—in common with all other student organizations—to choose between welcoming all students and forgoing the benefits of official recognition, . . . Hastings did not transgress constitutional limitations. CLS . . . seeks not parity with other organizations, but a preferential exemption from Hastings’ policy.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Paul Smith of Jenner & Block LLP represent Outlaw, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender student group which intervened to defend Hastings’  nondiscrimination policy.

The Court affirmed that the First Amendment does not require public universities to subsidize discrimination: “The First Amendment shields CLS against state prohibition of the organization’s expressive activity, however exclusionary that activity may be. But CLS enjoys no constitutional right to state subvention of its selectivity.”

“Today’s decision affirmed the longstanding doctrine that university non-discrimination policies do not violate free speech when applied in a consistent and even-handed way,” said NCLR Senior Attorney Christopher Stoll. “The Court rejected the dangerous argument that anti-gay groups must be given a special exemption from non-discrimination policies. ”

Hastings, like many public colleges and graduate schools, requires student groups applying for university funding and other resources for group related events to abide by a nondiscrimination policy. In 2004, the Christian Legal Society filed a lawsuit against Hastings, arguing that the nondiscrimination policy violated the First Amendment. CLS argued in the Supreme Court that it had a constitutional right to discriminate against LGBT and non-Christian students while receiving official recognition and public funding from Hastings.

On March 17, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of Hastings and Outlaw, rejecting CLS’s arguments that the school’s policy violates its rights to freedom of speech, religion, and association. The court explained: “Hastings imposes an open membership rule on all student groups—all groups must accept all comers as voting members even if those individuals disagree with the mission of the group. The conditions on recognition are therefore viewpoint neutral and reasonable.” The Ninth Circuit’s decision affirmed an earlier ruling by United States District Court Judge Jeffrey White upholding the nondiscrimination policy against CLS’s First Amendment challenge.

“We strongly support free speech and robust dialogue on college campuses,” said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter. “The Supreme Court’s decision enhances campus speech and debate by giving universities the option of requiring that officially recognized student groups admit students of all backgrounds and viewpoints, leading to richer discussions both within and among groups.”

Hastings is represented by Gregory Garre and Maureen Mahoney of Latham & Watkins, and by Ethan Schulman of Crowell & Moring LLP. Mr. Garre argued on behalf of Hastings.

Read the opinion: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1371.pdf

###

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.nclrights.org

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Advocacy Groups Release FAQ Guide for Maryland Same-Sex Couples Married Out of State

Posted by Melanie Nathan ( March 13, 2010) –   Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Maryland, and the American Civil Liberties Union released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide for same-sex couples in Maryland who married out of state.

These leading advocacy groups have jointly released the following statement:

“This FAQ follows a favorable opinion by Maryland Attorney Douglas Gansler that says recognition of out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples is consistent with Maryland law, and a response by Maryland’s Governor assuring residents that they should expect state agencies to comply. This is a big step forward for Maryland and should bring greater security, protections, and peac e of mind for many married couples living, working, and visiting in Maryland – though true equality will come only when same-sex couples in Maryland can marry in their home state. In the meantime, couples who married in other jurisdictions should live their lives as all married couples do and expect to receive respect in Maryland in a broad range of areas.

“This is a new and emerging area of law and this FAQ addresses just the tip of the iceberg. This is an exciting time as State and local governments, private parties, and members of our communities assess all the ways that marriage recognition brings protections to same-sex couples in Maryland and how to implement it, but we should be aware that many answers await further developments and analysis.

“Legal conflicts may arise, but rushing into court may not be the answer, as we work to clarify all that marriage recognition brings to Maryland families. Litigation on this issue could have widespread impact for many couples and should be considered with care. If you are denied a service or protection to which married couples are entitled, please contact one of our organizations for assistance.”

To download the pdf: http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/factsheets/fs_fqa-about-marriage-recognition-for-ss-couples-in-md.html

Signed on to Guidline:

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

The American Civil Liberties Union is America’s foremost advocate of individual rights. It fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.

Equality Maryland is Maryland’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, focused on making life better for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Maryland. Equality Maryland works to secure and protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels and educating the public about the issues faced by our diverse community.

The Maryland ACLU works to ensure that all people in the state of Maryland are free to think and speak as they choose and can lead their lives free from discrimination and unwarranted government intrusion. We are guided in our work by the United States Bill of Rights and the Maryland Declaration of Rights. The Maryland ACLU acts without partisanship to achieve these goals.

By Melanie Nathan, www.privatecourts.com
nathan@privatecourts.com

Bi-National UAFA Column by Melanie Nathan

http://lezgetreal.com/?cat=5029

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Maryland – Next big battleground in the fight for equality!

Dear Friends,

On February 24, 2010, Attorney General Doug Gansler released an official opinion instructing state agencies to begin the process of recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages. This means that our home state will now honor the marriages of many Maryland couples. This is a big step forward for our community, but we are already under attack.

Anti-equality forces, from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) to the grandstanding Bishop Harry Jackson, have set their sights on Maryland and will stop at nothing to ban marriage recognition for same-sex couples. Delegate Don Dwyer of Anne Arundel County is introducing articles of impeachment against Attorney General Gansler. Even worse, there have been six different bills attempting to roll back this recent gain or in some cases even take away the relationship recognitions that are already on the books – things like hospital visitation and medical decision making.

Despite these attacks, we are moving forward in the Free State. A recent comprehensive poll demonstrates that for the first time, a majority of Marylanders support civil marriage for our community. During the 2010 General Assembly Session, we added 4 new co-sponsors on marriage equality legislation and continue to soundly defeat anti-equality constitutional amendments. We also brought in new partners in our work to enact protections for transgender Marylanders. National equality groups are looking to Maryland to be a leader on civil marriage and anti-discrimination in the coming year. We’re even hosting a national conference for state equality leaders in Baltimore this summer.

Without a doubt, Maryland is one of the key battleground states in the fight for equality!

We are grateful to each and every supporter of Equality Maryland. Their generosity has truly made a difference!

Can we count on you? We can continue to make advancements and defend the Attorney General’s Opinion, but we need your continued support. Please make a contribution TODAY of $50, $100, $250 or whatever you can afford to help us beat back these attacks and move forward in our work to create true and lasting equality.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication over the years. We are honored to have you by our side in this important work!

Sincerely,

Morgan Meneses-Sheets
Executive Director

P.S. We need your support more than ever! Please, donate online TODAY at www.equalitymaryland.org/donate/supporteqmd.htm. Thank you for investing in your statewide LGBT civil rights organization!

http://www.dcagenda.com/2010/01/07/unfinished-business-as-lawmakers-prepare-to-convene/

Dlugacz, President and founder of Olivia Companies, a lesbian-oriented vacation company, commented that “so many of our passengers have been touched by the destruction and poverty in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. It is important that as LGBT Americans, we come together to show our community’s solidarity and support for those living through this unimaginable disaster.”

Rachel Wahba told Lezgetreal that Olivia has a history of helping in disasters mentioning the time when she and Judy visited a Club Med in Mexico on an Olivia vacation, soon after a hurricane had caused devastation.   The guests arrived after the hurricane and raised a lot of money which was matched by a local bank.

American Red Cross Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Floyd W. Pitts stated “We are thrilled with this partnership with the LGBT community and we are delighted to be working with organizations which take such a strong interest in humanitarian response”.

The other cruise groups involved include Atlantis and RSVP cruises (a subsidiary of Atlantis), has also joined the effort.

According to PR-USA.dot.net.  Atlantis/RSVP have pledged $15,000 in matching contributions, Olivia has pledged an additional $7,500 for a total of $22,500. Olivia is also offering a limited number of free cruises to those who contribute $7,500 or more. They are urging all LGBT individuals and organizations to contribute and provide matching funds when possible. To contribute to the fund, visit: http://american.redcross.org/LGBT-pub

“Olivia was created to serve a lesbian market that ranges from women who must live quietly in suburbia, to women who have the freedom to walk the streets holding hands. I am extremely blessed to have been part of this amazing experience. When the company launched 35 years ago, I never dreamed Olivia would become the company that it is today,” says Judy Dlugacz, President and Founder of Olivia.

Olivia’s has featured headliners such as Melissa Etheridge, kd lang, Heart and The Indigo Girls. Sports stars (Sheryl Swoops, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Rosie Jones, Diana Nyad) and comedians (Margaret Cho, Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin) are no stranger to Olivia, either. Olivia also has amazing house entertainers—fantastic singers, comedians and other performers who have become part of the Olivia family.

Olivia has also recently rolled out its Sisters at Sea™ and Sisters at Play™ programs, which are designed for lesbians of color and their friends and provide special programming and activities onboard or at the resort. Olivia also has a solos/singles program so women traveling solo can meet up for meals, excursions and special parties and activities designed just for them.

In addition, Olivia has a strong online presence in the lesbian community, and Olivia.com boasts a vibrant community of women from around the world. Olivia.com was designed with the needs of the lesbian market in mind, and enables lesbians of all ages, cultures and passions to connect online. The site allows women to network, find out about Olivia and its lesbian-friendly partners, as well as plan their next trips. Olivia seeks to create memorable community experiences and Olivia.com is an extension of that mission.

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Melanie Nathan LGBT ADvocate /Activist

 by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Where’s My Lesbian is a site for the LGBTQ community to express themselves using all forms of artwork. We encourage members to contribute their poetry, music, artwork and participate in our forums. We want to help develop an online community where all members will feel welcome and feel like they have a place to go when they want to be heard or seen. Everyone is welcome.

It is a place where one can find humor, enjoy a video, and network with others in the online LGBTQ Community. There are resources to off site places, including one to this site. There are also forums to which people can go to discuss various topics as well. the site includes movie reviews, reviews of various other topics, and on site games.

The site is a work in progress. The site is small, but growing, and there is certainly hope that it will grow further in the future. We certainly recommend that those who are interested in a welcoming LGBTQ online experience head over, give it a good look, and join if social networking is something you love to do.

The site can be found at: Where’s My Lesbian

This vlog is funny as hell and AJ always starts her videos with the phrase “Hellooooo Ladies!” which can only be done best by her. Her show is called “Tuna Talk” and features advice, interviews, and commentary about a variety of topics, mainly those affecting the lesbian community.

AJ says…

Need gay advice (or if you’re straight I’ll try my best)?? Send your queries about anything dating, sex, relationships, the meaning of life, whatever, to me and I’ll spend about 4.27 seconds formulating a response. But we’re talking QUALITY advice here. None of that Ann Landers shit.

to be a part of my Harem please SUBSCRIBE!!:)

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO— AskAJanything@yahoo.com

OR CHAT VIA YAHOO:
AskAJanything

You can find Tuna Talk on the Ask AJ Anything vlog at http://www.youtube.com/user/AskAJanything.

Here is a sample video of Tuna Talk just to give you a taste of AJ’s vlog and style… enjoy!

Lesbian.com was registered in 1995 by Sue to protect the domain from the radical right and because she thought the web would be “an excellent avenue for dykes around the world to connect and network”.

In 1998, Sue, Mel, Ana, and Gisele (“The Dykes of Lesbian.com”) came up with their mission statement and began to grow their site. Lesbian.com now offers a lesbian-friendly marketplace, personals, news, and more such as the column Roving Lesbian Astrologer by Jenny Yates.

My favorite part of Lesbian.com is the extensive directory that it offers as a main feature to the site.

On the left hand side of Lesbian.com is an index list with topic names to choose from which will take you to a page with a list of links on that topic. So if you are looking for Deaf lesbians, Herstory, Land dykes, Lesbians of color, etc. you can find links for sites on those topics in the directory at Lesbian.com.

Make sure you take some time to add Lesbian.com to your bookmarks and the marketplace is a great find too so be sure to check that out as well.

Thanks for reading this lesbian website and we hope you enjoyed this post.

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her online by visiting her website at www.juliephineas.com.
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