Two hunters were shot by other hunters in separate incidents in Maine yesterday. Mark Mattson (60) of Portsmouth, NH was shot in the stomach in the woods in Casco. He was airlifted to hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. The shooter has been identified as Travis Wood, of Windham, Maine, who was hunting nearby.

In Oxford, Steven Hutter (26) was shot in the lower leg by his friend and hunting buddy Linton Thompson (47) as they were tracking a deer. Hutter, of Hebron, was undergoing surgery last evening.

The shootings are under investigation.

Having grown up in Vermont, where our folks didn’t let us play outside during hunting season, news like this is never a surprise. A teenager who rode our bus showed up on crutches one year, because he’d shot himself in the foot. Friends of our family lost their horse another year, because it was shot in the barnyard by someone who thought it was a deer. After a rash of Jersey cows (smaller than Holstiens, same coloring as deer) getting shot, farmers started painting the word “cow” on their sides in red during hunting season. We saw way too many trucks at our shop with two or three cases of beer loaded next to the rifles. Our high school offered the NRA Hunter Safety course as a phys ed option, and that was something the instructor stressed (yes, I took the class. I didn’t hunt, but I was marksman-class at targets with an M1 carbine with a blade sight). Don’t drink and hunt.

But on the humorous side, there was my mother’s favorite story. I don’t remeber where it happened, but this luckless hunter was carrying his kill out, across his shoulders, after field dressing it. He’d been so happy about bagging his deer that he forgot to put the safety on his weapon. The deer’s hoof caught in the trigger, and shot him in the leg.

Let’s be careful out there, folks. And send some good healing thoughts Mr. Mattson’s way.

Related articles

• Deer Hunting Season is Almost Here (farmsafevt.wordpress.com)
• Beware the sneaky robot deer (infocult.typepad.com)
• For DWR, hunting season isn’t all about the game ()

8 July 2011
by Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Imagine being a young child watching as the Challenger explodes on live TV. I remember that day vividly even though over a quarter century has passed. I remember seeing the explosion over and over again on television, and even, as a young girl, mourning the fact that I was watching my own dreams die because, in all honesty, I wanted to be an astronaut. I remember when the first shuttle launch went off almost two years later, and living in Tampa at the time, watching as the familiar plume went up towards the heavens.

Today marks the last time that childhood memory will occur.

According to the AP: “Atlantis and four astronauts rocketed into orbit Friday on NASA’s last space shuttle voyage, dodging bad weather and delighting hundreds of thousands of spectators on hand to witness the end of an era. It will be at least three years — possibly five or more — before astronauts launch again from U.S. soil, and so this final journey of the shuttle era packed in crowds and roused emotions on a scale not seen since the Apollo moon shots.”

The very first shuttle was named the Enterprise for the Star Trek starship USS Enterprise, which, in turn, was named for the World War II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. The final mission went up today without a hitch. The shuttle carries a year’s worth of supplies for the International Space Station, and it is expected that it will be another three to five years before another space flight takes off from US soil.

The Huffington Post reported on some of the reactions to this last flight saying:

Kenneth Cox, 25, an airport employee from Danville, Ind., joined three friends at the riverside. Hauling Lucky Charms, fixings for s’mores and a bottle of champagne to celebrate the launch, they slept off and on as the sun rose.

“It’s the closing chapter of 30 years,” said Cox, who went to Space Camp when he was in the fifth grade and has been enamored with the shuttle program as long as he could remember.

“I definitely think it’s a somber attitude out here, because it’s the last one,” said Cox’s friend, Simon Lin, 26, who works at Walt Disney World in Orlando. “It’s brought so much to the tourist industry in Florida, and that’s what we are. Closing it down, it’s going to be sad.”

Cherie Cabrera, 23, a Disney World employee, tried to explain the attraction.

“It’s just powerful,” she said. “There are so few people who have the ability to go to space, and for all of us to be here on the river, watching it launch and feeling it rise and feeling the wind, you feel like you’re a part of it. You feel connected.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In its long history, two shuttles- the Challenger and the Columbia- were lost. The first on take off due to a damaged O-ring that caused one of the booster rockets to veer into the liquid fuel tank, and the second on reentry when a hole in the wing allowed for superheated plasma to enter the shuttle’s wing.

Ken Jeong hosted tonight’s MGM Grand in Las Vegas, 2011 Billboard Music Awards with Taylor Swift the big winner taking home three trophies including Top Artist. Justin Bieber as New Artist was no surprise – lame speech and all- “i am only 17, I am only 17 and thank you God” in whichever order you choose!

The List of Nominees and winners

Top Artist:
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
WINNER: Taylor Swift

Top New Artist:
WINNER: Justin Bieber
Taio Cruz
Ke$ha
Bruno Mars
Nicki Minaj

Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
WINNER: Eminem
Bruno Mars
Usher

Top Female Artist:
Ke$ha
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry
WINNER: Rihanna
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group:
WINNER: The Black Eyed Peas
Bon Jovi
Lady Antebellum
Linkin Park
U2

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Justin Bieber
Susan Boyle
Eminem
Lady Antebellum
WINNER: Taylor Swift

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Drake
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
WINNER: Rihanna
Usher

Top Touring Artist:
Bon Jovi
Michael Buble
Lady Gaga
WINNER: U2
Roger Waters

Top Social Artist:
Akon
WINNER: Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

Top Streaming Artist:
WINNER: Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
Shakira

Top Digital Media Artist:
Akon
WINNER: Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

Top Rap Artist:
Drake
WINNER: Eminem
Lil Wayne
Ludacris
Nicki Minaj

Top Country Artist:
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

Top Dance Artist:
The Black Eyed Peas
David Guetta
WINNER: Lady Gaga
LaRoux
Rihanna

Top Christian Artist:
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Skillet
tobyMac
WINNER: Chris Tomlin

Viral Innovator of the Year:
WINNER: Cee Lo Green

Fan Favorite of the Year:
WINNER: Justin Bieber

ALBUMS AWARDS:

Top Billboard 200 Album:
Justin Bieber — “My World 2.0″
Susan Boyle — “The Gift”
WINNER: Eminem — “Recovery”
Lady Antebellum — “Need You Now”
Taylor Swift — “Speak Now”

Top Pop Album:
WINNER: Justin Bieber — “My World 2.0″
Black Eyed Peas — “The E.N.D.”
Ke$ha — “Animal”
Lady Gaga — “The Fame”
Katy Perry — “Teenage Dream”

Top R&B Album:
Monica — “Still Standing”
Rihanna — “Loud”
Sade — “Stronger Than Love”
Trey Songz — “Passion, Pain & Pleasure”
WINNER: Usher — “Raymond v. Raymond”

Top Rap Album:
Drake — “Thank Me Later”
WINNER: Eminem — “Recovery”
Nicki Minaj — “Pink Friday”
Lil Wayne — “I Am Not a Human Being”
Kanye West — “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”

Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean — “My Kinda Party”
Lady Antebellum — “Need You Now”
Sugarland — “The Incredible Machine”
WINNER: Taylor Swift — “Speak Now”
Zac Brown Band — “The Foundation”

Top Rock Album:
The Black Keys — “Brothers”
Jack Johnson — “To the Sea”
Kid Rock — “Born Free”
Linkin Park — “A Thousand Suns”
WINNER: Mumford & Sons — “Sigh No More”

Top Alternative Album:
The Black Keys — “Brothers”
Jack Johnson — “To the Sea”
Kings of Leon — “Come Around Midnight”
Linkin Park — “A Thousand Suns”
WINNER: Mumford & Sons — “Sigh No More”

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Daft Punk — “Tron Legacy (Soundtrack)”
WINNER: Lady Gaga — “The Fame”
Lady Gaga — “The Fame Monster”
Lady Gaga — “The Remix”
Owl City — “Ocean Eyes”

Top Christian Album:
MercyMe — “The Generous Mr. Lovewell”
WINNER: Skillet — “Awake”
tobyMac — “Tonight”
Chris Tomlin — “And If Our God is for Us”
Various Artists — “WOW Hits 2011″

SONG AWARDS:

Top Hot 100 Song:
WINNER: Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love The Way You Lie”
Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
Katy Perry Feat. Snoop Dogg — “California Gurls”
Usher Feat. will.i.am — “OMG”

Top Digital Song:
B.o.B Feat. Hayley Williams — “Airplanes”
WINNER: Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love the Way You Lie”
Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
Katy Perry Feat. Snoop Dogg — “California Gurls”

Top Radio Song:
Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love the Way You Lie”
WINNER: Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
Usher Featuring Pitbull — “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love”
Usher Feat. will.i.am — “OMG”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love the Way You Lie”
Lady Antebellum — “Need You Now”
Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
WINNER: Nelly — “Just A Dream”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
WINNER: Justin Bieber Feat. Ludacris — “Baby”
Eminem — “Not Afraid”
Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love the Way You Lie”
Lady Gaga — “Bad Romance”
Shakira Feat. Freshleyground — “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)”

Top Pop Song:
WINNER: Taio Cruz — “Dynamite”
Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
Katy Perry Feat. Snoop Dogg — “California Gurls”
Katy Perry — “Firework”
Katy Perry — “Teenage Dream”

Top R&B Song:
Alicia Keys — “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)”
Rihanna Featuring Drake — “What’s My Name”
Trey Songz Feat. Nicki Minaj — “Bottoms Up”
WINNER: Usher Feat. will.i.am — “OMG”
Usher — “There Goes My Baby”

Top Rap Song:
B.o.B Feat. Hayley Williams — “Airplanes”
B.o.B Feat. Bruno Mars — “Nothin’ on You”
WINNER: Eminem Feat. Rihanna — “Love the Way You Lie”
Far*East Movement Feat. Dev & The Cataracs — “Like A G6″
Nelly — “Just a Dream”

Top Country Song:
The Band Perry — “If I Die Young”
WINNER: Lady Antebellum — “Need You Now”
Miranda Lambert — “The House That Built Me”
Sugarland — “Stuck Like Glue”
Taylor Swift — “Mine”

Top Rock Song:
The Dirty Heads Featuring Rome — “Lay Me Down”
Florence + The Machine — “Dog Days Are Over”
Mumford & Sons — “Little Lion Man”
Neon Trees — “Animal”
WINNER: Train — “Hey, Soul Sister”

Top Alternative Song:
Florence + The Machine — “Dog Days Are Over”
Linkin Park — “Waiting on the End”
Mumford & Sons — “The Cave”
Mumford & Sons — “Little Lion Man”
WINNER: Neon Trees — “Animal”

Top Latin Song:
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Juan Luis Guerra “Cuando Me Enamoro”
Pitbull — “Bon Bon”
Shakira — “Gypsy”
Shakira Feat. El Cata — “Loca”
WINNER: Shakira Feat. Freshleyground — “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)”

Top Dance Song:
Lady Gaga — “Bad Romance”
Lady Gaga Feat. Beyonce — “Telephone”
La Roux — “Bulletproof”
WINNER: Edward Maya &Vika Jigulina — “Stereo Love”
Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup — “We Speak No Americano”

Top Christian Song:
Kris Allen — “Live Like We’re Dying”
MercyMe — “All of Creation”
Sanctus Real — “Lead Me”
tobyMac — “Get Back Up”
WINNER: Chris Tomlin — “Our God”

The Secret Service has since apologized via CNN saying:

“An employee with access to the Secret Service’s Twitter account, who mistakenly believed they were on their personal account, posted an unapproved and inappropriate tweet,” the agency said. “We apologize for this mistake, and the user no longer has access to our official account. Policies and practices which would have prevented this were not followed and will be reinforced for all account users.”

Back when the Twitter account was started, they said to CBS “The @secretservice Twitter account will be used to highlight the Secret Service’s investigative mission, share press releases from the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, distribute information to local communities hosting National Special Security Events, explore Secret Service history and promote upcoming recruitment opportunities.”

Source

HRW and the US State department have been keeping watchful eye on the developments in Uganda and now HRW is calling for the following:

“The Ugandan government should conduct a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into the use of lethal force by security forces to counter recent demonstrations and rioting throughout the country, Human Rights Watch said today. The violence took place over several days in April when demonstrators protested against wasteful government spending and rising commodity prices.

Human Rights Watch carried out investigations into fatal and non-fatal shootings by the security forces, as well as abuses such as beatings, theft, and rape that occurred on three of the most violent days of the demonstrations, April 14, 21, and 29, 2011. Based on multiple eyewitness accounts, Human Rights Watch documented at least nine unarmed people killed by government forces – six in Kampala, two in Gulu, and one in Masaka – none of whom were actively involved in rioting.

“Uganda’s security forces met the recent protests with live fire that killed peaceful demonstrators and even bystanders,” said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “A prompt, effective, and independent investigation into the violence is essential. For far too long Uganda’s government has allowed a climate of impunity for serious abuses by the police and military.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 60 people, including victims and their relatives, eyewitnesses, community members, medical staff, members of civil society, police, military, and journalists in Gulu and Kampala. Human Rights Watch also gathered forensic evidence, such as photographs of bullet holes, and medical and police records.

The Ugandan government should include outside, independent international experts to participate in investigations and set out the concrete steps it will take to ensure perpetrators are held to account. Specifically, the Ugandan government should invite the African Union and United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial Executions to Uganda to conduct an in-depth investigation. Because of the deep mistrust between the security forces and communities affected by the recent violence, the inclusion of independent international experts will also encourage witnesses to come forward, Human Rights Watch said…..   read more…  http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/05/08/uganda-launch-independent-inquiry-killings

I spoke to a member of Ugandan parliament,  who told me the Ugandan government did not agree with nor condone torture. He asked for the name of the person who had given me the information. I informed him that I could give the name out because the person feared the government and specifically noted government security were in on his kidnap and torture.

This call by HRW may be a way to get the ball rolling in the International community, sas urely Human rights Watch realize that while asking for such Investigation,  it is unlikely that Museveni will allow external investigators into Uganda for this purpose.

The man who had been injected and released informed me that he saw one of his torturers at a roadblock in an officer’s uniform – who yelled out to him “are you still trying to stay alive..?”

It seems clear that if in fact such poison was lethal over a period of time, that such victims will die in locations where government cannot be held accountable and long after the injuries of the torture were gone.

It is my opinion , from the communications I have received out of Uganda, that Human Rights Watch is under estimating the fear and just how many Ugandans are in hiding and unlikely to emerge. The people are in desperate fear of their lives and may only be able to get messages out through people like me who are not inside Uganda.

The stories are atrocious – the Global community should not depend on internal groups  and NGO’s such as HRW for an accounting – in reality it cannot be enough,  the USA and other administrations will have to note that the serious human rights infractions are the work of  team Museveni – who may well find himself in a Mubarak model – where he may also be the subject to of a criminal trial with a possible death penalty.

Museveni might want to consider a dramatic change of course – that is if he wants to save himself from a Mubarak type fate; he will have to reign in his goons sooner than later and stop the oppression allowing for democracy to have its way.

UPDATED:
Within hours iof writing this piece, I have received a good many e-mails from people – and here is one I have chosen to quote; of course I have redacted identifying information:-:

Via E-mail 5/08/11-  ” I read your article about human rights abuse by the government of dictator Museveni with happiness about how you articulated events taking place in this country. People in Uganda today face gross human rights abuses where they are tortured, detained arbitrarily and summarily executed.

For many of us who have relatives there, they are even afraid to answer our phones to talk to us. It’s a very distressing situation, and the sad thing is, the US government doesn’t seem to care.
With people like you articulating what’s going on there, the international community may decide to pay attention, so I thank you for that article and please, don’t stop writing about human rights in Uganda.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

Hungary sided with the Nazis early in World War II and in January 1942, its troops murdered about 3,000 Jews and Serbs in Novi Sad.  About 800 Serbs and 400 Jews were killed, with Kepiro suspected of involvement in the deaths of 30 shot on the banks of the Danube River – and another four killed during a raid.

The former Hungarian captain, asserted his innocence, claiming he did not know Jews or Serbs were the targets of the raid, he thought the raid was “against anti-Nazi partisans.”

Kepiro’s daughter held a sign accusing the court of being “killers” for persecuting an “old man.”

Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff, the director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Israel, tracked down Kepiro in Budapest in 2006 and he said this could be one of the last Holocaust-era trials. “Time does not diminish the guilt of the killers and old age should not protect those who committed such heinous crimes,” Kepiro sued Zuroff for libel for calling him a war criminal and lost the case this past week.

While we think Courts are there to make determinations as to guilt or innocence, Zsolt Zetenyi, Kepiro’s lawyer thinks otherwise, telling CNN that the Jews should “find another way to seek Justice.”

Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, Vladimir Vukcevic, attended the first day of the trial.

“This is a clear example that even after 70 years of a crime being committed … a perpetrator can be brought to justice,” he said. “Justice is being served today.”

Melanie Nathan- April 23-2011

The firm represents half of the Fortune 100 and, according to a Corporate Counsel survey in August 2009, ranks fifth in its total number of representations of those companies.

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

Biology and sexual orientation is the subject of research into the role of biology in the development of human sexual orientation. No simple, single cause for sexual orientation has been conclusively demonstrated, but research suggests that it is by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences,^[1] with biological factors involving a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment.^[2] Biological factors which may be related to the development of a heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or asexual orientation include genes, prenatal hormones, and brain structure.

Twin studies Per Bible – Wiki – Version

A number of twin studies have attempted to isolate biological factors in sexual orientation. As Bearman and Bruckner (2002)^[3] describe it, early studies concentrated on small, select samples, which showed very high genetic influences; however, they were also criticized for non-representative selection of their subjects.^[4] Later studies, performed on increasingly representative samples, showed much lesser concordance among monozygotic (MZ, colloquially “identical”) twins, although still significantly larger than among dizygotic (DZ) twins.

For example, a recent meta-study by Hershberger (2001)^[5] compares the results of eight different twin studies: among those, all but two showed MZ twins having much higher concordance of sexual orientation than DZ twins, suggesting a non-negligible genetic component. Two additional examples: Bailey and Pillard (1991) in a study of gay twins found that 52% of monozygotic (MZ) brothers and 22% of the dizygotic (DZ) twins were concordant for homosexuality.^[6] Also, Bailey, Dunne and Martin (2000) used the Australian twin registry to obtain a sample of 4,901 twins.^[7] Self reported zygosity, sexual attraction, fantasy and behaviours were assessed by questionnaire and zygosity was serologically checked when in doubt. MZ twin concordance for homosexuality was found to be 30%.

A recent study of all adult twins in Sweden (more than 7,600 twins)^[8] found that same-sex behavior was explained by both heritable factors and individual-specific environmental sources (such as prenatal environment, experience with illness and trauma, as well as peer groups, and sexual experiences), while influences of shared-environment variables such as familial environment and societal attitudes had a weaker, but significant effect. Women showed a statistically non-significant trend to weaker influence of hereditary effects, while men showed no effect of shared environmental effects. The use of all adult twins in Sweden was designed to address the criticism of volunteer studies, in which a potential bias towards participation by gay twin may influence the results (see below).

Overall, the environment shared by twins (including familial and societal attitudes) explained 0–17% of the choice of sexual partner, genetic factors 18–39% and the unique environment 61–66%. The individual’s unique environment includes, for example, circumstances during pregnancy and childbirth, physical and psychological trauma (e.g., accidents, violence, and disease), peer groups, and sexual experiences. [...] In men, genetic effects explained .34–.39 of the variance, the shared environment .00, and the individual-specific environment .61–.66 of the variance. Corresponding estimates among women were .18–.19 for genetic factors, .16–.17 for shared environmental, and .64–.66 for unique environmental factors.

Thank you think Progress for putting this together. How does excluding Gays help protect marriage? Watch Maggie Gallagher incur the wrath of Congressman Jerold Nadler. Watch Rep. Conyers. Watch the Republicans and their anti-gay hate and ignorance!  Do you think the President’s actions on Defense of Marriage Act are appropriate?

Okay its hard to watch – for me it is – because I want to jump into that screen and grab those idiots by their respective collars and shake some reality into them.  Come and have dinner with me and my children Maggie and then tell me I am not good enough to share your my civil right – just because of your RELIGIOUS beliefs?   It is sickening that the America of Toady would even give this pure hate fear and ignorance its draconian drum roll!

An Aside – Maggie is not wearing her wedding band.

We asked her why not and you can see her answer on our post at…….. http://lezgetreal.com/2011/04/national-organiztion-for-marriage-nom-is-maggie-gallagher-divorced/ where Maggie herself showed up to comment!

VIDEO CREDIT to “Think Progress”

“Rabbi Gershon Steinberg-Caudill In response to gay bashing incident -” In my youth it was White gangs attacking Blacks. The Civil Rights issues change but the ignorance just seems to continue on. I think it would help if the preachers would just teach LOVE and stop with the homosexual bashing. God DOES NOT hate gays. THERE IS NOTHING AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS IN THE HEBREW BIBLE!”

Melanie says: “Maggie your religion is your religion – but you are using it to preach hate  – cause and effect-  of your beliefs being slammed at our nation – and I believe you did use the words “I believe”  -  That gay kid who got beat up yesterday, my friend who has to exile the USA to be with her wiife, and the mother of the child who committed suicide last month do not give a rats piece of turd about your beliefs.  We are on Earth! Come down to Earth! The shaming of LGBT people and inciting of hate all in the name of your beliefs are counter productive to a free and democratic society where church and state have no relationship other than to co-exist in harmony. You Maggie Gallagher are in flagrant breach of that harmony.  Now lay off my life and beliefs and I will get out out of your face.

Or have the courage to debate me……I challenge Maggie to a debate on SWIRL RADIO!  She responded to me via e-mail and now I have challenged her via email too…..

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

According to CNN - Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband wants his 94-year-old wife to become a mother again using an egg donor, artificial insemination and a surrogate mother, Prince Frederic von Anhalt told CNN Thursday.  “I’ve gone through the initial steps of donor matching and blood work and next week the donation process will begin,” von Anhalt said.

Gabor’s only child, Francesca Hilton, described herself as shocked when told of the plan Thursday. “That’s just weird,” Hilton said.

Von Anhalt, 67, said he is working with Dr. Mark Surry of the Southern California Reproductive Center in Beverly Hills. CNN calls to the center have not been returned. Gabor has suffered major health problems in the last year, including hip replacement surgery and a leg amputation. She has been unable to walk since a 2002 car accident.

“I’m a retired guy,” von Anhalt said. “I can take care of it.” -  IT – take care of IT – the THING, THE baby or the Deal?

Gabor talked about adding a new baby to the family when they got married 25 years ago, and she brought the topic up again in recent months, he said.

Gabor is not foreign to denying age and reality. Some years back my cousin was fired from a project -  styling Gabor for the cover of Vogue – way back in the 1980′s.  Gabor gave Cuz her clothing size for the shoot.  When Cuz showed up – to her horror she found that Gabor had significantly  underestimated her own size.   Was there also not a story to do with slapping a cop when stopped for a traffic violations with age dishonesty on driver’s license?

One reason is their desire to have someone carry on the famous Gabor name. None of her two sisters left an heir and her only child does not use the Gabor name, von Anhalt said.  Ahuh good reason to have a BABY – with senile and footless parents. Nice -  Interesting that BABY Gabor will not take in Daddy Gabor’s famous name! The Prince of whatever – does he have an heir or is this a one sided deal.

Francesca Hilton, 64, is Gabor’s only child, the product of her second marriage to hotel magnate Conrad Hilton.  She told CNN that her full name is Constance Francesca Gabor Hilton.

The process, which includes finding an egg donor and a surrogate mother to give birth to the baby, will cost about $100,000, von Anhalt estimated. The prince, who acquired his royal title when he was adopted as an adult by a German woman, is Gabor’s ninth husband. AH he is NOT a real Prince! or not a blood one anyway.

He has complained in recent months about financial burdens caused by his wife’s hospitalizations. While he put their Bel Air, California mansion up for sale earlier this year, he said he is not actively marketing it. “In life you need something to live for,” he said. “If my wife passes away before me, I have nothing to live for.”  Good excuse-  bring on the baby an infant an infant….

The Hungarian-born actress, famous for films a million years ago – No not T-Rex survives the Civil War – Her more prominent films include John Huston’s Toulouse-Lautrec biopic, “Moulin Rouge,” in 1952, “The Story of Three Loves” in 1953, “The Girl in the Kremlin” in 1957, and Orson Welles’ 1958 cult classic, “Touch of Evil.”

source http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/04/14/gabor.baby/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Melanie Nathan

Today is César Estrada Chávez DAY; born March 31, 1927  and lived until April 23, 1993) – an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).

After his death he became a major historical icon for the Latino community, and for liberals generally, symbolizing militant support for workers and for Hispanic power based on grass roots organizing and his slogan “Sí, se puede” (Spanish for “Yes, it is possible” or, roughly, “Yes, it can be done”). His supporters say his work led to numerous improvements for union laborers.

His birthday has become César Chávez Day, a state holiday in eight US states. Many parks, cultural centers, libraries, schools, and streets have been named in his honor in cities across the United States.

A Mexican American, Chávez became the best known Latino civil rights activist, and was strongly promoted by the American labor movement eager to enroll Hispanic members. His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers’ struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. By the late 1970s, his tactics had forced growers to recognize the UFW as the bargaining agent for 50,000 field workers in California and Florida. However, by the mid-1980s membership in the UFW had dwindled to around 15,000.

Chavez was charismatic: a self-taught rhetorical genius, he created commitment by inspiring well educated Latino idealists with undiscovered organizing potential and encouraged them to offer a liberating, self-abnegating devotion to the farmworkers’ movement. Claiming as his models Emiliano Zapata, Gandhi, Nehru, and Martin Luther King, he called on his people to “Make a solemn promise: to enjoy our rightful part of the riches of this land, to throw off the yoke of being considered as agricultural implements or slaves. We are free men and we demand justice.”

I recently had the pleasure of meeting living legend Dolores Huerta and found her one comment about   Chávez most inspiring -

When asked in an earlier interview – “You’ve endured arrests, beatings, and more. In your darkest hour, what gave you hope?”

I have to quote Cesar on this one: “You’ll always win if you don’t quit.” Think of the great movements like the women’s movement and the civil rights movement and the years that it took to make all of that happen.”

Let us make sure that their work retains its inspirational impact.

This is a teachable day for all Americans and especially for those of you who are willing to fight for the last American Civil Rights Frontier – LGBT unequivocal and non- compromising EQUALITY.

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

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Bill Of Responsibilities Headline Mainstream Press in SA

JOHANNESBURG: “Ask what you can do for your your country and not what your country can do for you! ” (we know who asked that!)  Imagine the concept made into law.  Well not quite law…. as in LAW!  Yet it has been conceptualized as an educational tool (sort of) In South Africa – the first country in the world to introduce a “BILL OF RESPONSIBILITIES” – the first of its kind in the World.

“I accept the call to responsibility.  It comes with the many rights and freedoms that I have been privileged to inherit from the sacrifice and suffering of those who came before me … I accept that with every right comes with a set of responsibilities.”  Says the non-enforceable ‘Act.’

Many countries around the world can boast a BILL of RIGHTS; this is unique and in my opinion questionable; is it a mask- trap- excuse- or a bona fidei attempt at ‘changing’ the already ‘new South Africa?’

Seen as a complimentary document to the “The Bill of Rights” (BOR) the  Bill of Responsibilities (BORESP) is intended to transform the Human Rights provisions contained in South Africa’s Bill of Rights into Responsibilities:-

Example – “The right to human dignity places on me the responsibility to:

Treat people with reverence, respect and dignity;

Be kind, compassionate and sensitive to every human
being;

There is one major difference however between the two mirroring Bills – one containing rights and the other trans-formative intended responsibilities – and that is the Bill of Rights has legal power and is enforceable through the Courts, whereas the Bill of Responsibilities has no such power!

Have "we" been leading responsibly? Photo by Mel

A mask: – a place for the First Person – The President – to hide behind – an anonymous physique of do right by he who cannot lead?

A Trap: – Taking the heat off the First Citizen and his administration – by reverting responsibilities in failed leadership back to Citizens?

An Excuse:- Not to fully enforce the Bill of Rights, by blaming  the perceived ‘low moral tide’ exacerbated by cultural normative conflicts vs. Western like Civil Statute. (“In order to build a great country we all need to improve our moral values” – so it says…)

However, it IS  a lovely document – displayed in child-like -picture fashion – designed to reach the same people who do not receive the deliverable services they desperately need from the First Citizen’s administration (would that be Jacob Zuma?) and via ANC rule over the past 15 years, since liberation from apartheid.

Examples of Service Un-deliverables:-

Electricity: Just yesterday three houses burnt down and 9 people died – because of the reliance on candles and paraffin for light.  This apparently is par for the course;

Water: A friend told me the story of her housekeeper – who spent her life’s savings on the purchase of property and 15 years building the house, brick by brick.  All this time she has been waiting for the delivery of water – but continues the two mile walk to get her daily need.

Death in Childbirth/ Infant Mortality: has increased dramatically since 1994 – because ambulance services and clinic proximity are undeliverable.

Senior Citizens: Have no shelter because pensions don’t cover a month’s worth of meals.   

The Department of Basic Education and Lead SA, with the support of the South African Interfaith Council, have officially launched a campaign to promote the Bill of Responsibilities – as the document  is a guide for active responsible citizenship aimed at learners and schools.  But it will not scratch the surface of the cultural normative examples set in homes;  until such time as the school children are taught what dignity and respect means – until it is translated into a practical curriculum that sets out more than mere words. These children still go home to the undeliverable services, their parents struggle to find the money for transport from Townships to schools in the wealthy suburbs.

Leadership must lead even in the arena of responsibly before  children can be expected to follow – education and awareness has to come at them from all directions.  Government – the Home and The Schools.

Other issues covered include how to be a “good and loyal South African citizen – obeying the laws of our country and contributing in every possible way to make South Africa a greater country.”
Also covered in the Bill of Responsibilities are aspects such as: “The responsibility in ensuring the right to life, the responsibility in ensuring the right to equality, the responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion; the responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of expression; responsibility in ensuring the right to live in a safe environment and responsibility in ensuring the right to family and parental care.”

Schoolish!

All the while the President of the first Country ever with a Bill of responsibilities has failed to deliver the services desperately needed by the remaining citizens, yet accomplished  8 wives, all driving luxury vehicles and the expenditure of R117,000,000 upgrading his residence.

Perhaps “first citizen” is absolved from the moral education of the new Bill of Responsibilities.”

It is my humble opinion that while generating some awareness – much needed – the only way South Africa will become a country worthy of its Rainbow Nation Title is when:-

1. corruption is dealt with at every strata to the fullest extent of the law – with harsher penalties and incentives to report same; and
2. when children and adults are taught the difference between which cultural norms are acceptable to the BILL OF RIGHTS and which must be eradicated for the sake of its validity!

Read Speech of Minister Angie Motshekga – at -http://leadsa.co.za/minister-angie-motshekga%E2%80%99s-speech-at-the-launch-of-the-bill-of-responsibilities/

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

MORE BY MEL- http://lezgetreal.com/?s=South+Africa+Melanie+Nathan

Reagan National Airport

We now know that the air traffic supervisor who was on duty on Wednesday night at Reagan National Airport was sleeping when two planes tried to contact the tower for clearance to land.  He has been suspended and disciplinary action is pending.

The Department of Internal Affairs website has been temporarily offline after a threat from a group of hacktivists known as Anonymous.  The DIA’s homepage and the Civil Defence website are among those experiencing problems.

A group calling itself Anonymous posted a video on Youtube last month threatening to target the department over claims it is censoring use of the internet in New Zealand.

“Internet censorship… has become one of the greatest atrocities to free speech and government transparency since the Cold War,” the video claims. It said the “denial of service” attacks would start in five days time, on March 29, at 11am New Zealand Time.

Does this lend credence to the warning by “anonymous South Africa” in the latest Video post which can be found at http://lezgetreal.com/2011/03/anonymous-speaks-south-africa-rise-up-or-is-it/comment-page-1/#comment-149637

How seriously should we take them, he she, it us ?  Well we have yet to verify that the SA You Tube Video is  in fact from the same group – although all about the Video this far points in the right direction that its you me and us and them and they.

If you are confused you are supposed to be and you are supposed to understand!

In the South African Video, the usual Anonymous voice asks for an uprising in SA because of a myriad of reasons outlined.   It points to many aspects of service delivery that has proven to be the biggest problem in SA – however the target Video does not mention corruption in SA as being the underlying source and speaks more to the old wealth history vs. poverty as a basis that has yet to be corrected, instead.   I think ANONYMOUS misses the mark – it is about corruption in SA.   But I like anonymous nonetheless because it gives all us would be “anony-mouses” a voice!!

Back to NZ, The Department of Internal Affairs senior communications manager, Tony Wallace, told the National Business Review that 41 of the department’s websites had been intermittently down since Tuesday. He could not confirm why the sites were unavailable.   “We don’t know that it’s a hacker” he said.

The Department has defended itself against the claims of censorship, saying it offers a filtering system to internet service providers on a purely voluntary basis.

It says the filter, which went live in February 2010, is aimed at reducing the trade in child sexual abuse and only blocks sites linked to the illegal practice.

So far six ISPs have adopted the system: Airnet, Maxnet, Telecom, Telstra Clear, Watchdog and Xtreme Networks.

A temporary Civil Defence website has been set up with important information

WHO IS ANONYMOUS:-

The asnwer is easy – Anonymous is you me and everyone who wants to be anonymous its not something that anyone own we can all be anonymous – its all of us ….you and me whomever may so choose. For that reason anonymous can spread like wildfire and no one can claim its is I me or them!   Its a live internet concept.

Judge for your selves.

Here is the Anonymous Video on Scientology.

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

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

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SA MUST SPEAK FOR ALL AFRICA AND SIGN!!!! Example of the effect of African Homophobia

CAPE TOWN- When it comes to the Constitution of South Africa, very few countries can compete – that is because South Africa has an all inclusive Constitution. Why then does the International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Marius Fransman, flounder when it comes to the overt endorsement pertaining to international Human Rights on the subject of Sexual orientation and Gender identity? Why is an endorsement and a vote not a mere flick of a pen?

The Ambassador of Colombia will be presenting a joint statement against violence on the basis sexual orientation and gender identity to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. But it is not clear whether  the South African Government will in fact endorse the actual statement and vote in favor of it; a matter of great concern for LGBTI activists in South Africa, where the sentiment reflected is that South Africa’s all inclusive Constitution begs for international leadership on this issue.

Instead of a direct commitment a statement from International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Fransman, in relation to the UN HRC statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) was released where he states South Africa supports ending violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as mention of a decision “to take a leading role of proposing an intergovernmental process that will provide a vision to take the issue of sexual orientation forward”, but it is not mentioned whether South Africa will be signing onto the SOGI statement.  Here is the Statement excerpt:-

“HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

The South African delegation to the Sixteenth Session of the Human

Rights Council has noted with concern the misinformation campaign

about the role of South Africa with regards to the draft statement by

certain countries on a joint statement on ending violence and related

human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN in Geneva,

Ambassador J. Matjila takes this opportunity to formally inform that

South Africa supports ending violence and related human rights

violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. South

Africa views this issue seriously from the standpoint that the South

African Constitution addresses the issue of sexual orientation,

especially as one of the grounds of discrimination. It is this

Constitutional imperative that obliged South Africa to vote for the

inclusion of the references to sexual orientation in resolution

related to Extrajudiciary Killings, which was adopted recently by the

UN General Assembly in New York in December 2010.

In the light of the importance of this issue, South Africa has decided

to take a leading role of proposing an intergovernmental process that

will provide a vision to take the issue of sexual orientation forward.

This issue is currently being discussed with the African Group to

encourage the broad consensus towards an open, inclusive and

transparent intergovernmental process that will address the issue

directly. South Africa has chosen this approach as a demonstration of

its commitment to ending violence against all human beings,

irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The discussions are still continuing in Geneva and South Africa will

not depart from its Constitution. The delegation is seized with the

matter.

“The  SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT has a duty to ENDORSE AND VOTE in favor  of ending violence against people on the basis of sexual and Gender identity, with no hesitation and with absolute commitment,” says LGBTI Activist Gareth Dallas, of Cape town.

The Joint Statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity calls on “States to take steps to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and related human rights violations committed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, encourage Special Procedures, treaty bodies and other stakeholders to continue to integrate these issues within their relevant mandates, and urge the Council to address these important human rights issues.”

All countries are required to sign onto the statement by 18 March 2011 and the statement will be debated and hopefully adopted by the UNHRC on 21 March 2011. At this point more than 58 countries have signed.

By 15 March 2011, South Africa had not yet endorsed the statement nor given a positive undertaking to the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project or the Coalition to End Discrimination. Government has indicated that it is not lobbying against the statement. This is not enough.

A Petition has been drafted to demand that Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane immediately gives an undertaking that government will sign onto the “Joint Statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity” and that South Africa’s representative on the United Nations Human Rights Council will be present to vote in favor of the statement.

Activists further demand that South Africa’s government vote positively on all human rights questions (including those affecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people) in international forums such as the United Nations.  International law including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights requires all governments to protect human rights.  The Petition notes further that the SA Constitution also commands government to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the rights to freedom, equality and dignity of all people.

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

UN- HR High Commissioner Navi Pillay

Melanie Nathan – March 12, 2011 -

Laws criminalizing homosexuality are incompatible with international human rights standards and fuel homophobia

CAPE TOWN – In light of the fact that the Ugandan pre-election parliament has been called to a seating on March 22nd, 2011 – a mere week away – where the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Bahati and Museveni will probably be voted upon, its is critical that the President of South Africa and the ANC Party – the bastion of an anti-discrimination promise – must come out (if you will) as a matter of URGENCY to stand behind the words of the High Commissioner and Secretary General of the united Nations, with a strong statement requesting the decriminalization of homosexuality.

In September 2010 a Statement was issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stating, inter alia, -

“In 78 countries individuals still face criminal sanctions on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The existence of criminal laws of this kind poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights of LGBTI individuals, exposing them to the risk of arrest, detention and, in some cases, torture and execution. Commonly, criminal sanctions are accompanied by a raft of other discriminatory measures that affect access to a wide range of rights—civil, political, economic, social and cultural.  We also know that criminalization perpetuates stigma and contributes to a climate of homophobia, intolerance and violence directed against LGBTI individuals.

Our first task, I believe, is to frame this squarely as a human rights issue and demand that it be tackled as such. As High Commissioner for Human Rights, I have a responsibility to encourage States to promote and protect the human rights of all people without discrimination.  Indeed, to believe in human rights is to believe in equality: equal rights for all people, regardless of who they are or where they are from.”

The General Assembly, in its resolution 60/251 establishing the Human Rights Council, entrusts the Council to promote “Universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.”

The language of the Universal Declaration is also very clear in this respect. The preamble refers in its first line to the “inherent dignity” and the “equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” as the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

On March 10, 2011  the following was posted on the United Nations Human Rights Office of the Commissioner Website as follows:-

“Laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults remain on the statute books in more than 70 countries. They are an affront to principles of equality and non-discrimination and fuel hatred and violence—in effect giving homophobia a State-sanctioned seal of approval. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon have both called for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality and for further measures to counter discrimination and prejudice directed at those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). In recent months, a series of incidents and developments have underscored the extent and the urgency of the challenge.”

In February 2011, Malawi enacted a law criminalizing homosexuality among women. Homosexuality is already illegal for men in that county. If convicted, a defendant could receive up to five years’ imprisonment. Responding to the Malawian decision, the High Commissioner said “I have repeatedly argued that laws criminalizing homosexuality are inherently discriminatory and incompatible with existing international human right standards, including those enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Malawi has acceded, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Malawi has ratified.”

In Uganda, on 26 January 2011, leading gay human rights activist David Kato was beaten to death in his home outside Kampala. In the months leading up to his murder, he had been a target of a hate-campaign mounted by a local newspaper, The Rolling Stone, which printed his name, photograph and address alongside those of dozens of others the paper claimed were gay or lesbian, and called for them to be hanged.

“We must await the outcome of judicial proceedings to know who killed him and why. But whoever is responsible and whatever their motive, we know the fear felt by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Uganda and elsewhere who continue to face widespread prejudice and the constant threat of homophobic violence. Kato’s death robs them of a brave and eloquent advocate. The Ugandan authorities must act to counter this climate of hate and ensure the safety of all Ugandans,” the High Commissioner said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and a pending Anti-Homosexual Bill would broaden the criminalization of homosexuality, imposing life imprisonment or even the death penalty for anyone who is found to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or HIV positive. The Bill also includes a provision that could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone who fails to report within 24 hours the identities of any LGBT individual, including members of their own family.

Even where homosexuality is not subject to criminal sanctions, LGBT individuals continue to suffer discrimination and violence, fuelled by homophobia. In the United States, for example, the recent suicide of seven teenage boys in the space of a single month was attributed to homophobic bullying in schools. Homophobia also lay behind the shocking case of three young men, kidnapped, beaten and tortured in New York City in October 2010. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs in the United States, 2,181 hate crimes targeting LGBT persons were recorded in 2009, including 22 murders.

In Honduras, seven transgender persons were reported murdered during a two month period between November 2010 and January 2011, bringing a total of 34 LGBT persons killed in that country since June 2009, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States.

In Brazil, Grupo Gay da Bahia, a long established NGO working on LGBT human rights issues, recently reported that in 2010, 250 LGBT individuals were killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity—equivalent to one person killed every day and a half. The same source reports that more than 3,100 homosexuals have been killed in Brazil since 1980.

“Decriminalizing homosexuality is an essential first step towards establishing genuine equality before the law. But real, lasting progress cannot be achieved by changing laws alone. We must change minds as well. Like racism and misogyny, homophobia is a prejudice born of ignorance. And like other forms of prejudice, the most effective long-term response is information and education,” the High Commissioner said.  (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Homophobia.aspx)

Notwithstanding the call to all world leadership to bring an immediate end to the criminalization of homosexuality in these countries, with this call, it is incumbent on President Zuma of South Africa, the only country on the continent of Africa, with a constitution that protects the human rights of LGBTI – people, to  assume a leadership role in Africa.

Bishop Christopher and Anglicans for decriminalization of Homosexuality

This can be accomplished in a myriad of ways to include:

1. An immediate  statement by President Zuma or the appropriate office of the ANC  Government, such as the Office of Foreign Affairs, calling on Countries in Africa to decriminalize homosexuality by way of legislation including significant protections of sexual and gender minorities;

2. The immediate recall of Jon Qwelane, South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda, who has gone on the record with anti-homosexuality remarks, indicative of the fact he may well be a victim of the homophobia to which the UN Commissioner refers – alternatively a statement by Jon Qwelane calling upon Uganda to adhere to the Human Rights Declaration of the United Nations by the immediate decriminalization of homosexuality in Uganda, and the withdrawal of the Kill the Gays Anti-Homosexuality Bill authored by member of Parliament David Bahati; In the latter event if Ambassador Qwelane were to issue such a statement, he may well be redeemed in the eyes of the international community and forgiven by LGBT communities in South Africa and around the world.

3. Direction from President Zuma to the appropriate offices of South African Ministers -Education, Home Affairs, and Communication to provide for national and local promulgation of protocols for the education required to help all South Africans reconcile cultural anti-homosexuality beliefs with the International standards of Human Rights as expressed by the High Commissioner, above.

4. A statement must also be issued honoring the Ugandan LGBTI Activist David Kato, by the appropriate South African Office.

In my conversations with MP of Uganda, David Bahati, he specifically told me and I am told that he expressed the same view on his recent appearance in a Johannesburg  taping of a BBC show for Television, that the Government and people of Uganda believe and I quote his words to me “homosexuality is not a human right; Uganda is a sovereign Country and can legislate its criminal law without interference from foreign governments.”

In light of the fact that the Ugandan pre-election parliament has been called to a seating on March 22nd, 2011 – a mere week away – where the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Bahati and Museveni will probably be voted upon, its is critical that the President of South Africa and the ANC Party – the bastion of an anti-discrimination promise – must come out (if you will) as a matter of URGENCY to stand behind the words of the High Commissioner and Secretary General of the united Nations, with a strong statement requesting the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Many young African LGBTI people have received asylum here in South Africa, – I have met personally met two gay refugees this past week.  Their soon to be published (by me) stories attest to the atrocities of homophobia and its impact on African youth – President Zuma, in providing refuge to these young people – and there will be thousands more to come- must speak out in  honor of their suffering and to curb much more.

____________________________________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________________________________

Related articles

• WikiLeaks Precedes Ugandan Election to Reveal Meteroic Rise of Homophobia (lezgetreal.com)
• Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo Breaks Silence on Murder of David Kato (lezgetreal.com)
• Malawi Would Rather lose Aid & Funding than Decriminalize Homosexuality (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda Landmark: Restraining Order by Court in Newspaper Outing Case (lezgetreal.com)
• Wikileaks Cable Reveals Ugandan Mockery of Activist David Kato, Diplomatic Efforts to Fight ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill (towleroad.com)
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• Tragedy as Gay Activist David Kato Murdered in Kampala, Uganda – Impact on Ugandan Lesbian Seeking UK Asylum (lezgetreal.com)
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e Nathan – March 12, 2011 -

Laws criminalizing homosexuality are incompatible with international human rights standards and fuel homophobia

CAPE TOWN – In light of the fact that the Ugandan pre-election parliament has been called to a seating on March 22nd, 2011 – a mere week away – where the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Bahati and Museveni will probably be voted upon, its is critical that the President of South Africa and the ANC Party – the bastion of an anti-discrimination promise – must come out (if you will) as a matter of URGENCY to stand behind the words of the High Commissioner and Secretary General of the united Nations, with a strong statement requesting the decriminalization of homosexuality.

In September 2010 a Statement was issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stating, inter alia, -

“In 78 countries individuals still face criminal sanctions on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The existence of criminal laws of this kind poses a serious threat to the fundamental rights of LGBTI individuals, exposing them to the risk of arrest, detention and, in some cases, torture and execution. Commonly, criminal sanctions are accompanied by a raft of other discriminatory measures that affect access to a wide range of rights—civil, political, economic, social and cultural.  We also know that criminalization perpetuates stigma and contributes to a climate of homophobia, intolerance and violence directed against LGBTI individuals.

Our first task, I believe, is to frame this squarely as a human rights issue and demand that it be tackled as such. As High Commissioner for Human Rights, I have a responsibility to encourage States to promote and protect the human rights of all people without discrimination.  Indeed, to believe in human rights is to believe in equality: equal rights for all people, regardless of who they are or where they are from.”

The General Assembly, in its resolution 60/251 establishing the Human Rights Council, entrusts the Council to promote “Universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.”

The language of the Universal Declaration is also very clear in this respect. The preamble refers in its first line to the “inherent dignity” and the “equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” as the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

On March 10, 2011  the following was posted on the United Nations Human Rights Office of the Commissioner Website as follows:-

“Laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults remain on the statute books in more than 70 countries. They are an affront to principles of equality and non-discrimination and fuel hatred and violence—in effect giving homophobia a State-sanctioned seal of approval. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon have both called for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality and for further measures to counter discrimination and prejudice directed at those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). In recent months, a series of incidents and developments have underscored the extent and the urgency of the challenge.”

In February 2011, Malawi enacted a law criminalizing homosexuality among women. Homosexuality is already illegal for men in that county. If convicted, a defendant could receive up to five years’ imprisonment. Responding to the Malawian decision, the High Commissioner said “I have repeatedly argued that laws criminalizing homosexuality are inherently discriminatory and incompatible with existing international human right standards, including those enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Malawi has acceded, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Malawi has ratified.”

In Uganda, on 26 January 2011, leading gay human rights activist David Kato was beaten to death in his home outside Kampala. In the months leading up to his murder, he had been a target of a hate-campaign mounted by a local newspaper, The Rolling Stone, which printed his name, photograph and address alongside those of dozens of others the paper claimed were gay or lesbian, and called for them to be hanged.

“We must await the outcome of judicial proceedings to know who killed him and why. But whoever is responsible and whatever their motive, we know the fear felt by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in Uganda and elsewhere who continue to face widespread prejudice and the constant threat of homophobic violence. Kato’s death robs them of a brave and eloquent advocate. The Ugandan authorities must act to counter this climate of hate and ensure the safety of all Ugandans,” the High Commissioner said.

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and a pending Anti-Homosexual Bill would broaden the criminalization of homosexuality, imposing life imprisonment or even the death penalty for anyone who is found to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or HIV positive. The Bill also includes a provision that could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone who fails to report within 24 hours the identities of any LGBT individual, including members of their own family.

Even where homosexuality is not subject to criminal sanctions, LGBT individuals continue to suffer discrimination and violence, fuelled by homophobia. In the United States, for example, the recent suicide of seven teenage boys in the space of a single month was attributed to homophobic bullying in schools. Homophobia also lay behind the shocking case of three young men, kidnapped, beaten and tortured in New York City in October 2010. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs in the United States, 2,181 hate crimes targeting LGBT persons were recorded in 2009, including 22 murders.

In Honduras, seven transgender persons were reported murdered during a two month period between November 2010 and January 2011, bringing a total of 34 LGBT persons killed in that country since June 2009, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States.

In Brazil, Grupo Gay da Bahia, a long established NGO working on LGBT human rights issues, recently reported that in 2010, 250 LGBT individuals were killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity—equivalent to one person killed every day and a half. The same source reports that more than 3,100 homosexuals have been killed in Brazil since 1980.

“Decriminalizing homosexuality is an essential first step towards establishing genuine equality before the law. But real, lasting progress cannot be achieved by changing laws alone. We must change minds as well. Like racism and misogyny, homophobia is a prejudice born of ignorance. And like other forms of prejudice, the most effective long-term response is information and education,” the High Commissioner said.  (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Homophobia.aspx)

Notwithstanding the call to all world leadership to bring an immediate end to the criminalization of homosexuality in these countries, with this call, it is incumbent on President Zuma of South Africa, the only country on the continent of Africa, with a constitution that protects the human rights of LGBTI – people, to  assume a leadership role in Africa.

Bishop Christopher and Anglicans for decriminalization of Homosexuality

This can be accomplished in a myriad of ways to include:

1. An immediate  statement by President Zuma or the appropriate office of the ANC  Government, such as the Office of Foreign Affairs, calling on Countries in Africa to decriminalize homosexuality by way of legislation including significant protections of sexual and gender minorities;

2. The immediate recall of Jon Qwelane, South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda, who has gone on the record with anti-homosexuality remarks, indicative of the fact he may well be a victim of the homophobia to which the UN Commissioner refers – alternatively a statement by Jon Qwelane calling upon Uganda to adhere to the Human Rights Declaration of the United Nations by the immediate decriminalization of homosexuality in Uganda, and the withdrawal of the Kill the Gays Anti-Homosexuality Bill authored by member of Parliament David Bahati; In the latter event if Ambassador Qwelane were to issue such a statement, he may well be redeemed in the eyes of the international community and forgiven by LGBT communities in South Africa and around the world.

3. Direction from President Zuma to the appropriate offices of South African Ministers -Education, Home Affairs, and Communication to provide for national and local promulgation of protocols for the education required to help all South Africans reconcile cultural anti-homosexuality beliefs with the International standards of Human Rights as expressed by the High Commissioner, above.

4. A statement must also be issued honoring the Ugandan LGBTI Activist David Kato, by the appropriate South African Office.

In my conversations with MP of Uganda, David Bahati, he specifically told me and I am told that he expressed the same view on his recent appearance in a Johannesburg  taping of a BBC show for Television, that the Government and people of Uganda believe and I quote his words to me “homosexuality is not a human right; Uganda is a sovereign Country and can legislate its criminal law without interference from foreign governments.”

In light of the fact that the Ugandan pre-election parliament has been called to a seating on March 22nd, 2011 – a mere week away – where the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of Bahati and Museveni will probably be voted upon, its is critical that the President of South Africa and the ANC Party – the bastion of an anti-discrimination promise – must come out (if you will) as a matter of URGENCY to stand behind the words of the High Commissioner and Secretary General of the united Nations, with a strong statement requesting the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Many young African LGBTI people have received asylum here in South Africa, – I have met personally met two gay refugees this past week.  Their soon to be published (by me) stories attest to the atrocities of homophobia and its impact on African youth – President Zuma, in providing refuge to these young people – and there will be thousands more to come- must speak out in  honor of their suffering and to curb much more.

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

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Related articles

• WikiLeaks Precedes Ugandan Election to Reveal Meteroic Rise of Homophobia (lezgetreal.com)
• Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo Breaks Silence on Murder of David Kato (lezgetreal.com)
• Malawi Would Rather lose Aid & Funding than Decriminalize Homosexuality (lezgetreal.com)
• Uganda Landmark: Restraining Order by Court in Newspaper Outing Case (lezgetreal.com)
• Wikileaks Cable Reveals Ugandan Mockery of Activist David Kato, Diplomatic Efforts to Fight ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill (towleroad.com)
• Wikileaks: Ugandan Activist David Kato Was Mocked At UN Human Rights Seminar (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Ugandan Human Rights Activists Fight Back vs Ethics Minister (lezgetreal.com)
• Interview with Mr. Gay South Africa on his Way to Manila for Mr. Gay World (lezgetreal.com)
• UK Judge & ‘Blogger’ Precedent – “The Brenda Namigadde Effect”: Another Ugandan’s Deportation Stayed (lezgetreal.com)
• Tragedy as Gay Activist David Kato Murdered in Kampala, Uganda – Impact on Ugandan Lesbian Seeking UK Asylum (lezgetreal.com)
• “Breakfast Without Bigotry” Protest Outside of National Prayer Breakfast (lezgetreal.com)
• Calls for UK to STOP Deporting Gays and Lesbians to UGANDA (lezgetreal.com)

President Nelson Mandela & Helen Suzman

CAPE TOWN-  I have just arrived in Cape Town and found this information to be so timely- here to ask President Zuma to take a leadership role in Decriminalization homosexuality in Africa, and with interest note South African Jewish activists who risked life and limb to end apartheid, for the very constitution that South Africa now boasts.  However what good will it do if some freedoms are not safeguarded through the spearhead of leadership on freedom and equality for all in Africa, including sexual minorities.

The following stamps have been simultaneously released into the Liberian, Gambian and Sierra Leone Post Offices today – March 1, 2011.

A website: www.legendaryheroesofafrica.com lists and describes the heroes and will serve as a teaching aide. Stamps may be purchased at the website: http://www.cyberstamps.com .  It could take up to two weeks before the stamps would be available for sale outside the countries of issue.

The wording featured on the stamps is:

In the anti Apartheid South African Liberation struggle, it was estimated that Jews were over represented by 2,500 percent in their proportion to the governing population. This stamp issue acknowledges the extraordinary sacrifices made by Jews to the liberation of their African brethren, and these stamps recognize some of the most significant contributors to global humanity in the 20th Century.

Notice that the Postal Authorities of each country placed a “Bezrat Hashem” in Hebrew letters on each stamp, as well as the Star of David.  Jerusalem Post has posted an article at.

LIBERIA

Helen Suzman

Helen Suzman (nee Gavronsky) was born in the South African mining town of Germiston on 7 November 1917 to Samuel and Frieda Gavronsky, both immigrants from Lithuania who had come to South Africa to escape the restrictions imposed on Jews.

Eli Weinberg

Eli Weinberg was born in 1908 in the port of Libau, in Latvia on the Baltic Sea. He experienced the First World War and the October Revolution of 1917 as a child, and this led to his socialist political development. During World War I, he was separated from his family.

Esther Barsel

Esther Barsel (born October 17, 1924, in Raguva, Lithuania; died October 6, 2008, in Johannesburg) was a South African politician and long-standing member of the South African Communist Party (SACP). She was a member of both her local African National Congress branch and the SACP’s Johannesburg Central Branch..

Hymie Barsel

Hymie Barsel was born on September 11, 1920 in Fordsburg, Johannesburg, South Africa to Faiga and Moishe Barsel, both of Litvak heritage. He was raised in a Zionist oriented home. He suffered from epilepsy which was ill understood at that time, eventually receiving treatment from Dr. Max Joffe, also a Zionist.

SIERRA LEONE

Yetta Barenblatt

Yetta Barenblatt was born on 24 September 1913, in Dublin, Ireland, to Basna and Solomon Malamed of Lithuanian origin. In 1925, a friend encouraged her to come to South Africa with the promise of employment. However, due to her circumstances, further education was not possible and Barenblatt was forced to seek employment at a retail store.

Ray Alexander Simons

Ray Alexander Simons née Alexandrowich was born on 12 January 1913 in Latvia. While at school, she displayed little fear in challenging authorities. Her independent thinking suggested she pursue a career in medicine but she soon took up politics. When she was about 13, she became active in the underground Latvian Communist Party.

Baruch Hirson

Baruch Hirson, named after his late grandfather, was born on 10 December 1921 at Doomfontein near Johannesburg in the Transvaal. His father was an electrician. His parents, Joseph and Lily Hirson, were Jews who had immigrated to South Africa to evade the pogroms, persecution and discrimination Jews were subjected to in the old Romanov Empire.

Norma Kitson

Norma Kitson was one of a generation of Jewish activists, who committed themselves to the struggle against racial tyranny in South Africa. The drive of these South African Jews was to give witness against racism and social injustice, even at great personal cost. Norma Kitson’s autobiography, Where Sixpence Lives (1986), uniquely fuses the personal and the political.

GAMBIA

Ruth First

Ruth First was born on May 4, 1925 to Jewish immigrants Julius and Matilda First. Julius, a furniture manufacturer, was born in Latvia and came to South Africa in 1906. He and his wife were founder members of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) or South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1921 . Ruth and her brother, Ronald, grew up in a household in which intense political debate between people of all races and classes was always present.

Hilda Bernstein

Hilda Bernstein was born in London in 1915. Her father was Simeon Schwartz from Odessa, Ukraine. He relocated to England in 1901 where he became a Bolshevik and represented the new USSR in UK for a short while in 1920′s. He returned to the USSR when recalled in 1925, and died in the 1930′s without ever having returned to the UK.

Lionel “Rusty” Bernstein

Lionel “Rusty” Bernstein was born in Durban, in 1920; the youngest of four children of European émigrés. Orphaned at eight years old, he was raised by relatives. These early disruptions to his family life were compounded when he was sent to finish his education at a boys’ boarding school. Hilton College, a private school, that was the South African equivalent of Eton or Harrow.

Ronald Segal

At an early age, Ronald Segal proclaimed himself a Socialist, saying he did not want to be a millionaire. But he had no choice. His father was a co-owner of Ackerman’s, a giant cheap clothing chain in South Africa. At their home on the slopes of Cape Town’s Lion’s Head, his Zionist parents entertained visiting dignitaries. At age eight, Ronald read “Gone With the Wind” and a biography of Disraeli.

Read more

This endeavor is indeed an  extraordinary way to acknowledge the barely recognized fact that South African Jews played an integral part, participating on many levels in the liberation of South Africa from Apartheid. What makes this phenomenal is the ratio of Jews in South Africa,  a small number, in relation to other ‘white’ activists in the anti-apartheid cause.

The fact that these separate countries are all participating in this program of recognition is mind boggling, especially that South Africa is not one amongst them.   It is a courageous tribute to heroes, to those who risked so greatly in an unfriendly atmosphere of Apartheid.  One can only hope that the South African authorities would find a way to honor all of those who played a key role in the demise of apartheid.

In their memory and  the message via the forum at Cape Town pride -

BUY these Historic STAMPS    at             http://www.cyberstamps.com

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

Related articles

• Johannesburg Protests Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” David Bahati Visit (lezgetreal.com)
• UK Parliament Discusses Corrective Rape in South Africa (lezgetreal.com)
• South African LGBT Activists Launch Unique Rainbow Flag (lezgetreal.com)

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Gay Parade Israel

Melanie Nathan- February 24-2011

Michael Lucas, a gay columnist issued a press release threatening to boycott the New York LGBT center if it took part in Israeli Apartheid Week, a seven-day series of lectures and protests organized by pro-Palestinian supporters which compares Israel’s treatment of Arabs and Palestinians to minority-rule in South Africa.

Lucas told the Post that an Israel friend drew his attention to the planned LGBT center event. He said in his Tuesday statement that “I’m preparing to organize a boycott that would certainly involve some of the Center’s most generous donors. He added ,”It was an inexcusable decision on the Center’s part to associate itself with a hate group like Israeli Apartheid Week, but there’s still time for them to reverse course and begin restoring their reputation.”

After Lucas issued his this statements against the Israel-Apartheid week event, the LGBT center announced on the same day that it would not host the March 5 event called Party to End Apartheid and would bar the group which planned the gathering from meeting on its premises.

Lucas said he initially called the LGBT center to complain about the event and was told that the community center has an “open door policy” and does not “discriminate.”  He told the Post that critics of his protest argued that some of the sponsors of the anti-Israeli event are Jews, including a Holocaust survivor. “So what! There are a lot of self-hating Jews,” said Lucas, adding “they were put into death camps regardless of their IQ.”

He termed “anti-Israelism the new anti-Semitism.” The cancellation of the anti-Israel event at the LGBT center is a “ landmark” moment in his life, of which he is enormously proud, said Lucas.

Many Israelis and Israel supporters take pride in the country’s liberal attitude towards gays, especially when compared to other parts of the Middle East.  This is a country where equality laws are in some respects ahead of the U.S.A.  Such a meeting would have indeed been a travesty, given the context.

Having been born and raised in South Africa, I resent the comparison to apartheid, because the circumstances are so dramatically different and apartheid pertains to a situation where a majority of people were under the oppression of a minority. The terms is misused and misleading, designed to mask what in effect is pure anti-semitism.

“At first I thought this was a joke,” Lucas was quoted as saying in his press release. “Israel is the only country in the Middle East that supports gay rights, while its enemies round up, torture, and condemn gay people to death — often by publicly hanging or stoning them to death.”

Source: Jerusalem Post

Picture: Gay Parade Tel Aviv – A country that supports LGBT Equality

Related articles

• Michael Lucas: Boycott LGBT Center (advocate.com)

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake ripped through Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday afternoon, causing multiple fatalities as it toppled buildings onto buses, buckled streets and damaged cathedrals, authorities said.

New Zealand Police announced on the agency’s website that a large-scale evacuation of the central city was under way. According to the news release, the earthquake killed an undetermined number of people at various locations around the city, including passengers on two buses crushed by buildings that had fallen on them.

TVNZ reported that the 147-year-old Christchurch Cathedral’s spire had toppled, Christchurch Hospital was being evacuated and the airport was closed.

Laura Campbell told CNN she was at work at the bottom of a six-story building when the earthquake struck. She described seeing “windows blowing out, bricks falling down, people screaming, the whole nine yards.”

“I’m seeing a lot of damage in buildings, there are glass and bricks in the road. I’ve seen one collapsed bridge and there’s a lot of water from broken water mains,” he told CNN. “I saw one (injured) person in the back of a police car and one of our colleagues saw a person crushed by falling debris, so there are definitely dead.”

Camera footage aired by the station showed piles of stone lying atop crushed chairs on the floor of the cathedral with light shining through the collapsed tower above the sanctuary.

The quake struck in the “worst possible location,” Kevin Fenaughty, data center manager for GNS Science, told the Herald.

“It’s a nightmare,” he said. “A lot of people were just getting back on their feet after the original quake.”

TVNZ also reported that its newsroom in Christchurch was badly damaged.

Read More at Source CNN Online News http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/02/21/new.zealand.earthquake/index.html?hpt=C1

Date-Time

• Monday, February 21, 2011 at 23:51:43 UTC
• Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 12:51:43 PM at epicenter
• Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 43.600°S, 172.710°E Depth 5 km (3.1 miles) Region SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND Distances NEAR Christchurch, New Zealand
225 km (140 miles) SSE of Westport, New Zealand
305 km (190 miles) SSW of WELLINGTON, New Zealand
310 km (190 miles) NE of Dunedin, New Zealand Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 12.2 km (7.6 miles); depth +/- 0.6 km (0.4 miles) Parameters Nph= 0, Dmin=0 km, Rmss=0.98 sec, Gp= 0,
M-type=”moment” magnitude from initial P wave (tsuboi method) (Mi/Mwp), Version=D Source

• Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Event ID usb0001igm

Related articles

• New Zealand earthquake magnitude 6.3 hits Christchurch – Christian Science Monitor (news.google.com)
• New Zealand rattled by strong quake (cnn.com)

Image via CrunchBase

02/17/2011- by Natasia Langfelder

When Facebook first started up it allowed it’s users to come out without “coming out” by choosing which sex they were interested in. Now, they are taking the next step and expanding their relationship options to include “in a civil union” and “in a domestic partnership” for gays that live in places where same sex marriage isn’t legal….which unforch is basically everywhere.

Facebook is such a huge part of our society, it’s used for pleasure, it’s used for business. This is just one more step closer to normalizing same sex couples for everyone, but especially the youngest generation. Yay! Equality FB style!   

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Melanie Nathan- Feb 17-2011

“My Mama told me when I was young – we are all born superstars – She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on in the glass of her boudoir There’s nothing wrong with loving who you are  so hold your head up girl and you will go far Listen to me when I say …………………   Born this Way!   Love yourself and you are all set – No other way – Born this way ………..  on  right track. Don’t be a drag – just be a queen!!! Rejoice and love your self today.  I’m beautiful….”

… and so the snippets from Lady Gaga’s new number 1 hit – already covered and felt  by a bevy of little and bigger than little Monsters.

Lady Gaga has  indeed birthed a movement and this song tops its impetus as kids as young as the little Monster in the Video below realize and absorb its truth… the new generation and the new reality….. Born Queer, born gay, born lesbian, born straight, born transgender, born inter-sex – BORN FREE!

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

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Related articles

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Cover of Need You Now

Melanie Nathan- Feb 13-2011

A  dazzling night of performances by of Barbara Streisand, Justin Bieber with Usher and Jaden Smith, Lady Gaga – with her new release “Born this Way”, Gwyneth Paltrow with Cee-Lo, as well as Rihanna and Drake.

Not to be forgotten, Bob Dylan took the stage to perform with folk rock band the Avett Brothers and the British indie folk group Mumford & Sons.

The Tribute to Aretha Franklin by a bevy of the best from Christina Aguilera to Jennifer Hudson….

The list of 2011 Grammy Award winners is as follows:

Album Of The Year

The Suburbs – Arcade Fire

Record Of The Year

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Best Rap Album

Recovery – Eminem

Best New Artist

Esperanza Spalding

Song Of The Year

Need You Now – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)

Best Country Album

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Best Pop Vocal Album

The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga

Best Rock Album

The Resistance – Muse

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

Hey, Soul Sister (Live) – Train

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert

a

Posted  by Melanie Nathan- Feb 09-2011-

Barbra Streisand is to give a rare performance at this weekend’s Grammy awards, organizers have said.  The eight-time Grammy winner, 68, is nominated in the best traditional pop vocal album category for her latest record, Love is the Answer.

Mick Jagger, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Florence Welch are among other artists lined up to perform.

The awards will be handed out at a Los Angeles ceremony on Sunday. Streisand will also be honored this week by the Grammy’s charitable foundation MusiCares for her “creative accomplishments and philanthropy”.   Streisand rarely performs at public events unless it is for charity and has toured only four times during her five-decade career.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, she noted her plans to star in and possibly direct a new film version of 1959 musical Gypsy.

Organizers have also announced that US singers Miley Cyrus, John Legend and Kris Kristofferson will present awards at Sunday’s event.

Steinberg

Melanie Nathan; 02-07-11;

KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.  Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985. With the notable exception of northern areas, Museveni has brought relative stability and economic growth to Uganda.  However once appreciated by the USA, is now well into the realm of Military Dictator. Festered by the suppression of opposition parties, through arrests and rigged elections,  this may not sit well in a region where  current rebellious instability is spreading through the North of the African Continent.

The Ugandan news outlet, The Monitor, is reporting that two US Secretaries have just completed a visit to Uganda that was kept secret until now.  The US clearly concerned by the pending election in Ugandan, met with three opposition presidential candidates on Friday, at the US Embassy in Kampala. They told the two   that they strongly believe that the February 18 general elections will not be held in a free and fair atmosphere.

The short but intense meeting was held at the US embassy between the US Deputy Secretary James Steinberg, Ass. Secretary Johnnie Carson, and  Dr Kizza Besigye of Inter-Party CooperationPC, Mr Olara Otunnu of Uganda Peoples Congress and Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao among other officials.

According to the Monitor, while the three leaders openly expressed disappointment over, among other things, what they calledan “organized rigging machinery that has been set in motion”, the meeting was primarily to brief Mr. Steinberg and his team on what the opposition has seen as challenges in the elections which are a mere twelve days away.

Steinberg and Carson were apparently told that militia groups were being trained secretly around the country by Museveni ‘s party;  be to antagonize the opposition and engineer the rigging of the elections; with millions who do not have voter registration cards steered toward an “appropriate vote.”

Given the spread of anti-dictator sentiment, in the region, the US clearly wants its perspective in advance of any instability to the region.  This is indicative of a dangerous situation and one cannot under estimate the impact of what is likely to be an imbalanced process.

According to the report , candidate Dr Besigye boldly addressed the Ugandan army, asking them  not to “dishonor the memory of 300,000 people who died in the liberation war that brought the NRA into power. “Thirty years today, the ideals which huge risks were taken, have been forgotten by the NRM government. Uganda is still be-deviled with the same ills that sparked the actions of Tarehe Sita,” Dr Besigye said.”

Seizing on the climate in the region Besigye  warned an ominous: “The struggle for change is not mine alone. I will not go to the court of law if these elections are rigged. It is useless. I will seek the court of public opinion,”

The US urged the Ugandan authorities to ensure a fair and peaceful election and noted that their Uganda report for 2011 will only be issued 30 days after the election.

It is my hope that the Report will refer to more than the usual aspects such as the well noted criticism of elections, appointments and process in the country;  but also that it will delve extensively into the anti-homosexual agenda of the current regime -and provide some extensive detail on policy in so far as how the US will deal with Uganda, if Homosexuality continues to be criminalized as “against the order of nature,” and worse yet, if MP, David Bahati’s “ Kill The Gays Bill” find its way into legislation, in any form whatsoever.

The raging hate against gays, lesbians and transgender people in the region is a critical component to this election as the opposition Presidential candidates are perceived to be against the criminalization of homosexuality; while this may seem like a mere wedge issue, it has the effect of derogating from the economic issues – poverty-dictatorship – and sits in the shadow of genocidal ‘scape-goating ‘ to which the world said “Never again.”

The current regime has been noted to tout homosexuality as being excluded from “human rights” and hence not subject to the International Declaration of Human Rights.

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

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Related articles

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• Uganda opposition leader warns of public protests (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
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• Tragedy as Gay Activist David Kato Murdered in Kampala, Uganda – Impact on Ugandan Lesbian Seeking UK Asylum (lezgetreal.com)
• South Africa Must Recall Homophobic Ambassador Qwelane from Uganda (lezgetreal.com)

LezGetReal is about to roll into the next countdown to yet another mIllion page views-  a Newish News Magazine that is two years plus a bit -  for the first full year we hit under a million and in  the second full year we hit under 2 million – we are about to explode into 3,000,000.   For a fledgling, unfunded, non monetized endeavor we are indeed proud.

The site serves as a News-Mag-blog from “a gay gals view of the world” -  and as a popular and influential platform for LGBT activism, both globally and domestically; we have readers all over the world!  We are a small bunch of gals working and working and working for what we believe in and to share our perspective. The reward? You !Having you visit and appreciate and criticize and debate and pass on…. that is the reward – opening eyes and hearts — well that too!

We know our articles are read by Presidents and Senators and Members of Parliament- and ….. people …. and ..straight and LGBTQI  of course our  co-bloggers, and readers who fuel our fire with sourcing and comments and just the odd pat on the back that makes us feel it is all worth it.

So join us in celebrating and we do not make a habit of this – but if you feel so inclined I think we do have a paypal button for donations somewhere on this site – not that I have ever noticed it!!

Posted by Mel.

Lets Make it A  LezGetReal SuperBowl Sunday at 5.30 PM PST we need 613 Page Views to hot the 3 Million Mark

We Are Everywhere- Washington D.C. California, New York, Vermont…. and our Guests around the World…….

Here are All time top hits for LezGetReal-

Most  Viewed:

Number One:-    Woman-attacks-her-wife-with-turkey-baster-full-of-sperm

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Current Writers to Explore:

Dr. Paula Brooks 1273 Posts – http://lezgetreal.com/author/paula-brooks/

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Crusades: (Ahem…) – ur Amen…:
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• Breaking: Swedish Lesbian Couple Receive Good News (lezgetreal.com)
• UPDATE: Ugandan Lesbian Brenda Namigadde’s Deportation is set for 9.20PM from London (lezgetreal.com)
• Jack and Linda Klenk Hosted David Bahati (lezgetreal.com)
• Castro Protest: No MILK for HRC – Harvey’s Legacy ‘Not for Rent’ - (lezgetreal.com)
• Corrective Rape Petition Causes Chaos for South African Authorities (topix.net)
• Rep. Baldwin Calls For Responsibility For Words Used In Wake Of AZ Shooting, Violent Campaign Season (lezgetreal.com)
• GetEQUAL Gets GAY Message to National Prayer Breakfast Attendees (lezgetreal.com)
• Valentine’s Day, Same-Sex Couples Re-Engage in National Marriage Counter Actions (lezgetreal.com)

Cover of Last Tango in Paris

Melanie Nathan, Feb 03, 2011.

In 1972 South Africa, I remember the buzz – it was about a movie – a ‘banned movie!  SO controversial the government  had banned it outright – censored – too steamy – too torrid – South African adults, at the whim of Calvinistic ideals of the Afrikaner minority government – simply did not get to watch it.   So we sat in living rooms at private screening of the “Last Tango in Paris” surreptitious – trusting that no one would ever find out.  That is what we did one Saturday night in my house on Englewold Drive, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

And so I remember Maria Schneider – my first ever same-sex crush – or at least the one I remember – I was 16 at the time.  She was 19 – a mere three years older than me, cavorting on the screen with Marlon Brando aged 48 at the time.

I heard that she had passed away after battling breast cancer; yet her image and sensational performance alongside Marlon Brando in the  steamy controversial Last Tango in Paris, will gain her the immortality deserving of such performance. Maria Schneider died age 58, reports UK newspaper Guardian.

The  Bernardo Bertolucci-directed film, which originally received an X rating, a romantic drama created a media frenzy for its sexual content.  Opinions on whether it was art or pornography were so intense that the film landed cover stories in both Newsweek and Time.

The performance made Schneider a star, but she later disavowed the film, saying she’d been exploited by Bertolucci and Brando; and maybe by me too – well in my mind anyway – until I found out that she had come out as a bisexual in 1974.

She starred opposite Jack Nicholson in Michelangelo Antonioni’s highly regarded existential drama, The Passenger. Her post-Tango career was hindered by drug addiction and mental illness. After walking off the set of the 1979 film Caligula she reportedly checked herself into an asylum.  Who can blame her though; gosh I almost checked into an asylum after just watching that Movie.

Her last notable performances was the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Eyre, as the insane first wife of Rochester, played by William Hurt.

Nonetheless an immortal cinematic hero – Schneider made her mark and will continue to do so if you can dust off the movies from the floor of the reel rooms and bring it to Plasma in your living room, soon.

By Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles

• ‘Last Tango in Paris’ Actress Maria Schneider Dead at 58 (moviefone.com)
• Maria Schneider dies aged 58 (guardian.co.uk)

Giles Blood on his hands Muhame

Muhame Giles is a young Ugandan man who recently graduated from Makere University in Kampala.  He has give up the “booze” and now high on ego, touts his dinners with President Museveni and his popularity as a clear precursor to his desire to run for political office.  Perhaps even a seat on the Ugandan Parliament. But that is not all who he is …    He is also the man who displayed the face of now brutally murdered, gay activist and hero, David Kato and another 99 at risk gay people in Uganda on the front page of the Ugandan Rolling Stone Magazine, next to the header “HANG THEM,”  last year, 2010.

“FaceBook – Muhame Giles:  Had dinner with President Museveni at his ranch in Ntungamo Wednesday night. It was a bit refreshing…..he told me why he will never forgive terrorists that killed our brothers and sisters on Sunday…he was feeling too low but seemed so angry…let’s wait and see how he will respond…July 15, 2010 at 9:33am

Muhame Giles the people of  ibanda south constituency are on their knees, begging me to represent them in parliament _2016.”

He is also a deeply religious man – has found his soul saved by Jesus Christ and he thanks the Lord a lot.

Muhame Giles:  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up….blessed   Sunday to you all

He is the man, who used the following vengeful and hate filled words when his magazine lost the court case so bravely fought by David Kato and other plaintiff’s, resulting in the injunction against outing gays and lesbians in Rolling Stone Magazine:

FaceBook Statement by Giles Muhame- “Homos had a short-lived smile today morning after The Rolling Stone management announced it would appeal against a High Court ruling which “permanently restrains” the investigative newspaper from outing their pictures.” And “We remain strong that indeed in times of war, losses are expected. The newspaper will fight homos on different fronts,” serving not to quell the fire he had already started but to exacerbate it, increasing the threat that he had started to Kato as a designated target.

He is the man, who, when hearing of the death of David Kato, was quoted in the Ugandan press as saying that he was sorry that David Kato had been killed in a robbery.

He is also the hypocrite who posted this disgusting ‘status’ on Facebook at the same time as expressing his sorry:

Muhame Giles :  NABBED: The latest intel shows the killer of Uganda’s king of sodomy David Kato has now confessed to police that the guy mercilessly worked on his bum for the entire night and wanted more during the day!! “I killed him in defense of my bum, it was emitting gallons of blood yet Kato could not give me a break,” Nsubuga told detectives shortly after his arrest. More details coming in….watch this space…hehehe

Resulting in the following comments:

Abby Twesigye likes this.

Muhame Giles tx Abby, keep ear on ground…heheh

Justine Juliet Can’t people deal in better stuff other than bumdeals? Eish!Not with the flooded red Speke Street among other places!Thx chf investigator.

Bwesigye Friday Brian Naye investigator also specialises in people’s bums?

Muhame Giles Thanks my dear Justine…imagine all girls in k’la but one goes for a prisoner’s bum!! Brian….i have just gotten news from CID…heheh

Deo Tiba Santos JJ those guys dnt go 4 bums bse they luck pussies bt thy were confused 2 thk dats d way to go. D money 4rm US en canada thru xches does dat. Muhame bt thts a strange specialisatn…bums

Muhame Giles hehehe..Deo, i even hear they have of recent been fighting over dollars from embassies in Uganda…their sins are catching up with them…

Mpirirwe Doreen Giles dont u think the world is cmg to an end??I hear bum drillers!

Dixon Okello the wages of sin is death.kato is now in hell.

Muhame Giles Doreen, these guys can be easily defeated – their strength – lack of awareness in the communities they terrorise – but now people’s eyes are wide open…..@Okello…true that- eternal roasting in hell

Ms. A (from overseas and a pro-gay voice on this post)

‎

‎@Giles,the corrupt people in Uganda,who make sure that there are no drugs in HOSPITALS, the people who practice Nepotism,the people who practice human sacrifice,the church leaders who steal from the unsuspecting population,promising them h…ealing and heaven,Contractors who do shoddy jobs on the roads,all these are true ENEMIES of your society.If you put all your Energies fighting these people instead of fighting men who chose to love their fellow men or women who chose to love their fellow women,you better serve your society with your head held high.You are directing your energy on issues,that you can never reverse.

Primus Agaba ‎@Anika;Are you Ugandan ? Just asking….

Primus Agaba

I see!! Though in my world they say Never say Never!! I appreciate the existence of bisexuals and homosexuals because it has helped identify our generation as the most immoral. Anika in Uganda
1. homosexuality is a vice, just like corruptio…n…
2.These guys practicing homosexuality are doing so mostly out of ignorance…thats why you find cases of blood oozing from a mans anus.
3. The western world that is trying hard to create these perverts in our country is not doing enough to support there cause by facilitating their evil acts but rather by painting a particular picture using their press.

Like you say if the drugs are not in hospitals, and there is a lot of corruption, there is also alot of perversion being imported!! And its a duty of Ugandans to identify and stop it.See More

Justine Juliet Shame upon the ch+,once in a while i fail 2go pray in there coz of what the clerics do off the altar/pulpit!

Ms. A ‎@Primus, if you de-link Western world from your arguments,it would do you good.It’s inapropriate of you to say that homosexuality is Western pushed value(hat you call a vice)
It’s documented that King Mwanga of Buganda had some homosexual t…endencies,would u call that Western ‘vice’?
Being gay or heterosexual is a natural inclination.All records or human history show there were always homosexuals throught THE AGES.
When you say the guys practicing homosexuality do it out of ignorance,what makes you adduce that thinking? How do you know,yet you have never been one?
The Western world as contrally to what you are saying,are trying to peotect all the inherent rights of everyone no matter their sexual orientations.
Infact the people who i call perverts are you people who murder and harass people because they dont have the same sexual orientations as yours.See More

Primus Agaba ‎@Anika;FYI…there is a lot of literature (both-ve and +ve) I suggest you google homosexuality in Africa and read up on most of those articles!!

MS A ‎@Primus,i dont need to read homosexuality in Africa.Homosexuality in Africa is the same as homosexuality every where on earth.Only that only progressive countries have constitutionalized gay rights.In Africa its only Southafrica that has legalised same sex marriage.But those who want to harass others because they don’t have the same feelings like them,then i think they are criminals.

Deo Tiba Santos Linden r u saying when a man wants to marry a goat he shd be allowed just bse he has feelings for a goat??? i dont see a diff here.

Deo Tiba Santos if u talk of natural inclination, why do the people born with deformities have to be taken to hospital to rectify them why dont we say they were born like that hence we shd leave them. but bse its aganst the natural law or order thats why we have to tell them and if possible make them thk right like u want to take a child born with brain disorder to hospital.

MS A @Deo,soon you will start killing the left handed people,or those with Squinting eyes,because they are not like you.

Notably on Giles Muhame’s Wall on FaceBook he mentions his  hero  (Julian Asange)  – here is what I wrote him and his response:-\

Melanie Nathan: I dont think that Julian Assange would approve of your hate towards gays, Giles!!

Giles Muhame: There might be a difference of opinion simply because he does not know how gays are terrorising kids this side. I wouldn’t blame him. I have as well been following your articles. You are completely biased my good friend….thanks

Melanie Nathan: Yes I am as biased as you are Giles…. because I have asked Bahati and others for proof on how gays are harming and terrorizing kids- when you send me proof other than set ups that you are so good at, I will be happy to revisit my bias.  In America we know gays to be peaceful and loving people. There is no accusations here of gays terrorizing kids.  In Uganda and in USA – Only straight men who commit incest on their daughters and who rape children. That to me is terrorizing. I have way more proof of that and the numbers are staggering. Why does Uganda not focus on the straight men who recruit sex slaves for export to foreign countries under pretense they are students?  The FBI has broken a ring and AFrica is a BIG player in this obscenity.    I have helped a few lesbians out of Uganda who have never ever hurt a child in their life- who simply need to leave because of the terror they feel at the hands of your magazine, Bahati’s Kill the Gays Bill and what that has briught to the streets.

Okay now World – you have to choices you can either barrage Muhame Giles on FaceBook with the reality and truth that he has and we all believe him to have DAVID KATO’s Blood on his hands – after we have had our way with him on FB then we can get him booted off, but before we do, remember it is a means to communicate what we in the Western World know to be the truth.  We are peaceful loving people who are no different from anyone else; indeed our sexual orientation pertains to the same sex – but our humanity is the same as that of anyone who may be born to love the opposite gender.

Go for it….. in solidarity and may our hero rest in peace….  mel…

OUTING THE GAY HATERS;

Dixon Okello

Dio Tiba Santos

Abby Twesigye

THERE WILL BE MORE…….

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Related articles

____________________________________________________________________________________________

• National Prayer Breakfast Ignores David Kato’s Death, Vigil Called For New York City (lezgetreal.com)
• Hate Follows David Kato to his Grave (lezgetreal.com)
• Is Rolling Stone’s Managing Editor Responsible for the Murder of Uganda Gay Activist 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)

Daniel Hernandez - getting ready to go in

Melanie Nathan- January 25-2011- Tweet from Daniel Hernandez, openly gay man, just turned 21, credited with saving the life of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, as he works his way towards guest status at the White House and his first ever and maybe not last attendance at the State of the Union Speech. (SOTU)

He says “the Really excited for my 21st bday and #SOTU.”

Historic DANIEL’s Earlier Tweets leading to today-

Daniel Hernandez

Getting ready to go to the white house. http://yfrog.com/hsadldkj

30 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thanks to Jimmie L for the fun 21st birthday festivities! Really excited for my 21st bday and #SOTU.

16 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Greeting First Lady

Celebrating 21st bday with DC friend Jimmie at Jr’s on 17th if in the area say hi!

18 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

On a private tour of the Blair house #SOTU.

24 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

@ltdanchoi I’m going to the State of the Union thanks for that plug to get me there earlier last week!

24 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

Just landed in DC. Heading to hotel. Excited for the next couple of days.

23 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

Finally through security bags checked now waiting for boarding with my dad.

23 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

I’m doing well. Hectic at best. How are you?

23 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

First ASA Board Meeting tomorrow but I’m calling in from Sky Harbor Airport. DC here I come.

23 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

Excited to go to Phoenix today to get back to work representing and advocating for Arizona students and higher education in AZ.

21 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

»

Just a minor correction to your tweet about me. I am not a naturalized citizen. I am a Tucson Arizona Native.

16 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

In absolute awe how people have been coming together to support the families of the victims. We are one big family 300+ Million strong.

11 Jan Favorite Retweet Reply

At the bank found out someone in california is using my identity to have an account with Wells Fargo…..

Excited for my first day at the @Rep_Giffords office tomorrow for my internship!

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

Related articles

• Tucson Hero Hernandez To Attend State of the Union Speech (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

Cuéntame  tackles wide-ranging subjects from latest in Latino culture, music and arts to exposing Tea Party racism and Glenn Beck’s dangerous hate speech.  The hosts of Cuéntame  express sadness and frustration at  how Tea Partiers have unjustly and unfairly targeted the Latino community to further their political agenda.

“This is why our latest campaign exposing Tea Party racism has hit a nerve, not only within the Latino community but also with many folks across the country who like us are fed-up of all the hatred, the violence and the bigotry peddled by Teabaggers.” says a spokesperson for the site. ” From calling Mexicans “filthy, stinking animals,” to listening the likes of Tom Tancredo and Sarah Palin deliver hateful speech after hateful speech to the increase use of violence in their words and actions, Teabaggers have come out in full force against our community.”

The latest topic that Cuéntame has been campaigning on -  hate crimes have struck the nation and Latinos or anyone that looks Latino have become the new target. Cuéntame  has put together a video asking the public to stop the hate taking place all over the U.S.

Fed up and ready to fight back, readers can help not only by watching and spreading these videos, but also by joining the  page and recruiting   friends – Latino or not – to do the same:

Email:  cuentame@bravenewfoundation.orgWebsite: http://facebook.com/cuentame

The official page of Cuéntame the ¡Latino Instigators!

Cuéntame a Brave New Foundation Project

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

Melanie Nathan – Jan 22-2011- Oprah Winfrey has fans on the edge of their seats after promising to reveal a family secret that she says ‘literally shook me to my core’.

Some say gayyyy
some say maybeeee
others wonderrrr
was there a babyeee… (Sung to the tune of The Rose)

The 56-year-old talk show queen will spill the beans in an upcoming episode after teasing viewers with a bombshell discovery she recently made. ‘I thought I’d seen it all… but this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles,’ Winfrey says during a trailer for the show, which is part of her farewell season. She would not give any more details, apart from saying that it involves a recently made discovery which is known to only a handful of her closest confidantes.

‘I was given some news that literally shook me to my core,’ she says. ‘This time, I’m the one being reunited… I was keeping a family secret for months and on Monday you’re going to hear it straight from me.’

When I told my 13 year old  daughter, who recently experienced a first ever racial slur against her, about the mystery,  her immediate response was, “Maybe its that she is really white.”

I guess anything is possible.

Sourced: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article

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

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

Melanie Nathan – Marin County – Jan 18-2011
MARIN TASK FORCE ON HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
On Tuesday, the Marin Task Force on Housing Discrimination & Fair Housing of Marin will open a Photographic Exhibit of the historic Civil Rights Marches of 1965 and 66.  The Exhibit can be viewed in the center space of the first floor gallery of the Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, from January 18 through January 31.

The exhibit, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, pays tribute to the years of work and sacrifice by Americans to end racial and ethnic segregation in housing.  Throughout the 1960s, civil rights activists around the country petitioned Congress for a comprehensive fair housing law. In 1965, Dr. King came to Chicago to see if non-violent civil demonstrations could help to desegregate housing in the North.  Marchers in many neighborhoods were greeted with rocks and catcalls with a ferocity that appalled the nation, leading two years later to the passage of the first Federal Fair Housing Act.

In dozens of pictures taken by Bernie Kleina, Fair Housing advocate and marcher, Marin residents and school children can view the courage of the major Civil Rights leaders and local advocates as they faced the intensity of the opposition.  Mr. Kleina believes that the photos are the only color photos taken of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fair Housing of Marin provides counseling, investigative services, mediation, and legal or administrative referrals to persons experiencing housing discrimination. There is no charge for these services; Spanish is spoken.  Fair Housing of Marin also offers advice and seminars for the housing industry, to help housing providers fully understand fair housing laws. Individuals with questions are encouraged to call Fair Housing of Marin at (415) 457-5025 or visit its website at www.fairhousingmarin.com.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Disclosure: Melanie Nathan is VP on the
Board of Fair Housing of Marin.

Melanie Nathan-  Jan 18, 2011- San Francisco -  Two young men who filmed themselves having sex have been sentenced to death by stoning in Iran.  The film was discovered on the mobiles of Ayub and Mosleh, 20 and 21 years old, by agents of the Iranian regime in the Kurdistan city of Piranshahr in northwest Iran.

Pictures of President Ahmadinejad and a headshot of Supreme Leader Khamenei pasted over a donkey were allegedly incorporated into the film.  Reports say that the  stoning was immediately ordered for this Friday “to instill fear in the people of Iran”.

News of the sentence originates from a Kurdish newspaper and has been distributed by The International Committee Against Stoning, who launched the worldwide campaign against the stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani for adultery.  It has since been confirmed by other sources.

Iranian LGBT activists and human rights organizations have reported a number of other death sentences for homosexuality in the past two years.  However the Iranian government maintains that “most of these individuals have been charged for forcible sodomy or rape.”  The original newspaper report claimed that the boys raped another.

Soheila Vahdati, an independent human rights defender for Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Iranian Queer Organization based in San Francisco, said:  “They don’t differentiate between rape and homosexual acts. As well, there is a culture of shame. The families won’t defend their loved ones from this brutal punishment.”

“We are very concerned even though we haven’t got all the details. We’ll try to save their lives but unfortunately Iran has quickly executed people in the past.”    Judges order execution by stoning under a 1983 law detailing offences proscribed by God, and then under the general Islamic penal code. Some senior Shia clerics have spoken out against stoning.

The International Committee Against Stoning have urged “the young people of Piranshahr to hasten to the aid of Ayub and Mosleh and declare that they will not permit this tragedy to occur.”

The Association of British Muslims, alongside an international coalition of Muslim organisations, has condemned the sentence and said that they do not see anything in the Koran to justify such punishment.

They said: “Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, “…if anyone slays a human being unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth – it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind…””

Last month Human Rights Watch published a large scale report on the repression of LGBT in Iran. It said that those charged with same-sex offenses stand little chance of receiving a fair trial.

There are few reliable statistics on the frequency with which stoning takes place in Iran. Recent years have seen a rising number of cases reported. Some members of parliament are reportedly hoping that the Supreme Leader will pass a fatwa against stoning.

Story by Paul Canning, Editor, LGBT Asylum News , LGBT Asylum News

Posted by
melanie Nathan
nathan@privateourts.com

–

Could Not resist the Opportunity for the Black Swans Gals

Melanie Nathan -Jan 16-2011 - “The Kids are Allright ” All Right -  – Lisa Cholodenko WOW- Imagine a Lesbian Film a lesbian relationship a Golden Globe and not a single mention of EQUALITY.  I am so happy the film won and that lesbian movies may continue indeed to cross over into somewhat normative – to be yet ‘just another movie’ mode; BUT hey for as long as we the subjects of your movies remain marginalized – suffering, unnoticed- because we cannot import our beloveds the way you import your talent, you HOLLYWOOD are remiss – you are remiss when you ignore the civil rights issue of this Century.

Can s0meone stand on stage and please yell out “Green Cards for Same Sex partners”

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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The  Masterpiece – Black Swan- wins its Golden Globe for Best ACTRESS Natalie Portman.

Now this is pure Art – and perception – and truth – and while the two second the lesbian scene may fuel debate – it will be for the real sex of it – just as it is- no gay no lesbian no straight  no one cares – just erotic and appropriately under-themed but yeah – not  for Equality’s sake – unlike  tacit and irrelevant nemesis -”The Kids are All Right, where lesbian couple is a theme….”

So no Equality speeches are expected- of this one…. except for us to note that no longer shall there be a need to steer clear of rampant realistic sex scenes in straight themed movieseven if ‘just for the heck of it.’

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

@oblogdeeoblogda

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Melanie Nathan – Jan 16 -2011.

What a great acknowledgment that Lesbian films embracing reality, from bed death to affairs, to confusion to sperm donors to children can actually captivate interest from talent such as Bening enough to bring a slice of America to the big screen. AND HEY BY THE WAY hellooooo the elephant in  the room…  – that couple in that movie have no Federal Rights – they are missing 1,138 rights that straight couples have.

As an activist what a shame that Bening did not refer to equality and BEG on behalf of the LGBT community for a repeal of the Defense of marriage Act, DOMA.

Her speech indeed referred to “About two women who are deeply in love trying to keep their family together,  Juliane Moore my partner- made it all possible…. It was a labor of love.”

So all we can do as lesbians living as second class citizens is to hope that there will be more brave actors who normalize our de facto existence and  hopefully find a way to embrace the realities of our de jure pain, at any given opportunity.

UPDATE : – Best Screenplay – goes  to Erin Sorkin Social Network and NOT the lesbian movie okay okay….

In Solidarity,

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

@oblogdeeoblogda

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Melanie Nathan Jan 16-2011 – -Hollywood ‘s Big Night,  Golden Globe Awards, which are given out by the nearly 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, on Sunday scooped  its gaydar for the much deserving Chris Colfer,  from Glee – who in sweet voice trembling thanked his “fair godfather and spoke about bullies in the schools saying “screw that kids!”

Christopher Paul “Chris” Colfer^[1][2] (born May 27, 1990) is an American actor and singer, known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on Glee, for which he has received several nominations and awards. 1.

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I wrote a brief critique here on LGR asserting that the first episode was unrealistic.  There were too many a scene where Frankie,   gorgeous, overtly sensual, and sexually aggressive , would conquer straight and lesbian alike, with a quick swoop of the eye and a quick orgasmic fracas against the walls of  studios, funeral-homes walls a- top office desks.

But things tapered off becoming more realistic, though equally hot,  through the following five episodes.  It would be nice to see a second season – if not for the story form the more fascinating realm where straight woman actors ditch long hair and dresses for boots and matching haircuts.  Below are some Video depictions to give the US a taste – so to speak – and the pictures depict the characters’ real life look and lesbian transformation.  Who said stereotypes could not be cool and sexy?

Produced by Kudos Film and Television (Spooks, Hustle) through BBC Scotland, Lip Service demonstrates BBC Three’s ongoing commitment to original UK drama for 16 to 34 year olds.

Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas and Fiona Button lead the cast of twenty-something lesbians whose sex lives and love affairs thrilled each week. Lip Service attracted an average audience of over half a million across all six episodes and enjoyed massive support from fans and the online community.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, says: “Lip Service is the second drama I’ve recommissioned on BBC Three; the audience clearly have a real appetite for original home grown young drama on the channel and I’m thrilled Harriet Braun’s fresh and contemporary take on relationships will return.”

Harry Lansdown, Acting Controller, BBC Three, says: “I’m delighted to announce there will be a second series of Lip Service; a deserved return for both the drama and its fantastically loyal following.”

Writer and creator Harriet Braun says: “I am incredibly happy to be given this opportunity to take the characters forward and to allow all of our loyal viewers a chance to get to know them even better. I’ve got some great twists, turns and surprises up my sleeve for series two.”

Derek Wax, Executive Producer, Kudos Film and Television, says: “Lip Service was a wonderful series to make, and we were overwhelmed by the hugely enthusiastic response from the audience. Kudos are thrilled at the prospect of making a second series with Harriet Braun, and proud to be setting out once again on this adventure in Glasgow with our wonderful cast and team. We are of course delighted by the BBC’s continued support for the series.”

Matthew Read, Executive Producer, BBC Drama, says: “We were delighted by the audience response to Lip Service – both in terms of its loyal fan base and the level of discussion online – so its incredibly exciting to be moving forward with a second series.”

MONTAGE OF ALL EPISODES

THE FINAL  SEX SCENE   and end…

WAITING FOR SEASON TWO.

Meet Lesbian favs

Franki – Ruta Gedmintas

Ruta Gedmintas

Frankie and Cat AS Lesbians

Frankie, Ruta Gedmintas , before role

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

Sam (Heather Peace)

A detective sergeant with the police, Sam is Cat’s first date since her break-up with Frankie. Sam is stable, funny, cynical and insightful. She rarely hides her feelings, preferring things out in the open – Sam can be disarmingly honest and expects the same level of honesty back. She doesn’t like to play games in her relationships. Although she can be very understanding she has a lot of self-respect and won’t be messed around.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

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Melanie Nathan, Jan-01-2010-

Oprah Empire

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Find your local channel here:   http://www.oprah.com/own/channel_finder.html

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Image via Wikipedia

“Dutch women grow up thinking home birth is good for you, and that it’s part of mother nature. But I didn’t consider it at all. I think it’s too risky. If something is wrong, it’s better to be in hospital,” said a recently new Dutch mother. The Dutch government is worried by the fact that the rate of death among newborn babies is higher than in the Netherlands than other European countries.

The health minister said recently that obstetric care needed to improve, and there was sometimes “insufficient communication” between professionals.  Some doctors say women are choosing hospital birth because they want a full range of pain relief and quicker deliveries.

Image via Wikipedia

One unique feature of the Dutch system is a network of maternity nurses called Kraamhulp, who assist midwives during the birth, help new mothers begin breastfeeding and provide vital back-up during the crucial first week with maternity care and even housework.

Last year in the Netherlands, there were around 1,700 stillbirths and deaths among newborn babies. Everyone agrees that figure is too high, and that Dutch midwives and doctors should work more closely together.  But are home births being unfairly blamed?

Some believe that home births are safe and even if totally abolished, wouldn’t make a small dent in the mortality statistics. “It’s very short-sighted. I think it would be really sad if choice disappears – and there’s a real risk of this happening in the Netherlands.”

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Dear Mr. & Mrs. Klenk,

David Bahati, the MP of Ugandan Parliament, author of the Anti Homosexual Bill, otherwise notoriously termed – “The Kill Gays Bill” informed Rachel Maddow that he had been a guest in your home.  He also described himself as a friend of your family. Your radical hospitality has incurred the wrath of the LGBT community in the USA, because Mr. Bahati believes strongly that all Gays should be put to death, citing saving the children as his motive.

Mr. Bahati told Ms. Maddow on her show  that the Bill is founded and rooted in one fact; he said it is a based on evidence that Homosexuals are “recruiting children in Uganda, into homosexuality.”   Now I am a lesbian and cannot for the life of me imagine what that means. I asked a gay male colleague what it meant to him and it defied his sense of logic too.  So when Maddow asked Bahati for proof, Mr. Bahati said he would provide this proof.  Maddow is waiting and the gay community is not holding its breathe because we know its a lie. The very concept is non-existent.  If anyone was indeed harming children in a sexual way, I imagine such would fall under Uganda’s sexual assault laws, no matter who would cause such harm, gay or straight.

The only recent recruitment of children that I have been privy to is the very serious international problem of child and human trafficking and that tends to involve heterosexual men looking for young girls as sex slaves.  Recently the FBI broke a large ring, of human traffickers, rescuing 69 young female teens, recruited in Africa for sex by a ring of African adults and sent to the USA as sex slaves to American pedophiles. Now that may warrant a Bill in Uganda – The Anti-Human Trafficking Bill. Maybe Mr. Bahati considers protecting children a human right; he made it clear that ‘being homosexual in Uganda,” and I quote, “is not a human right.”  I also have been informed that there are young students being recruited for J1 (Student Visas) in African Countries such as South Africa, by a ring of traffickers, on the pretense that they would come here to study and sell magazines; and instead they are required to do sexual favors for good straight men in the USA.

Linda Sowter Klenk

You took into your home a man, infamous in the Western World and persona non grata here in the USA; you housed him, fed him, gave him Linda’s cell phone and took him shopping.  You had a man in your house who had been barred from a conference, while others from his country were permitted,  and whose visa was the subject of contention as expressed by the USA and Ugandan Press.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which David Bahati authored and which he has promised to pass as part of his campaign for re-election pitch,  asserted this week on Maddow, that the Bill will pass in Uganda’s parliament next year.    Bahati informed Ms. Maddow that what became known as the “Kill Gays Bill”  is a derivative of his association with the “C” Street “Fellowship” (otherwise known as The Family.) I have included an extract from the Bill below as taken from Box Turtle site, so you can see how far it goes.

I presume you must have already been aware of the content of the Bill, since the Truro Church in VA, where you worship, has members also your Face Book friends, with direct connections to the missionary communities in Uganda and the Church has links to Ms. Diane Stanton of Texas who funds The Christian University in Uganda-  programs and people who presumably endorse the Bahati Bill, whether overtly, tacitly – as indeed silence can be noisy!

Stating the obvious,  gay people  have children, parents, aunts , uncles, sibling and grandparents; all are targets of  The Anti Gay Bill, considered accomplices.

The initial intent of the Bill was to make this a crime, punishable by death, but with the influence of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mr. Kofi of the UN, the execution aspect has been removed and kept only for serial situations – that means it could apply to anyone.  But this  spells death nonetheless – by its very existence; it invites hate crimes and witch hunts.

Making homosexuality a crime in Uganda is like declaring war on an entire minority and could result in great mistrust, fear and harm to the community in general. It could be used as a political weapon and it would in essence take the country back with very wide international repercussions.  Hence anyone supporting this in my view is irresponsible and  complicit in the result and all its trickle down implications.

I hope that friends of Bahati with respect including the Klenks,  will use your influence and friends of the Uganda people such as your Truro Church in Fairfax, VA,  will speak up to debunk the myths that fuel ‘Idi-Aminesque’ consequences.

Here is my prediction – if this Bill passes or even if it goes one inch further;

1.   America will be faced with having to withdraw all its Embassy personnel, unless they were granted express immunity from the anti Gay law- because we do hire gay and lesbians into the State Dept and we even had an openly Gay Ambassador in the department;

2. American Companies and others from the European Continent will have to withdraw from Uganda because most Companies have diversity policies, which mean that gays and lesbians and transgender people are not only not discriminated against, but encouraged to apply for employment. In fact many corporations such as Google, Apple, A&G  pride themselves on their Diversity programs. Ugandan will be forcing these companies to out employees so they are not complicit in the ‘Crime of Homosexuality’ and Companies?

3. America may have to recall Its AIDS funding and Programs for fear of outing of recipients;

Last week when David Bahati stayed at your home in Lorton, Virginia, I had your names and address in my hand but did not release it  to my activists friends from Get EQUAL who were chomping at the bit to show up at your home.   When Rachel Maddow released the information I wrote my first rushed piece about your hospitality and your guest.   If Bahati would not have left on Thursday, after being out shopping with Linda, then about 50 protesters would have been outside your home with signs saying “David Bahati Go Home’ and “Who Houses Hate Mongers?” The minute Bahati got on a plane we breathed a sigh of relief and called off the protest scheduled for early Friday am – outside your house.

So now that this has been said, I am asking for your help for the LGBT community- for Uganda and for the World – and it is because you are clearly very close and influential ewhen it comes to BAHATI.  and we would let go of the apology we  so desperately wants to hear from a man of and family of your standing, as a career government official who served the USA for many years through the Non-Public Education Directorship in the US Department of Education -

1. Please go Public with your denial of support for the Bahati Anti-Homosexuality Bill;

2. Please Ask Bahati to reconsider his Bill and offer support for an anti-human trafficking Bill instead;

3. Implore upon your Church the true Teaching of Christ – the one of love and acceptance;

It is my keen hope that other Churches that do indeed accept all G-ds Children will contemplate going into Uganda to counter this horrendous Bill.

If this Anti Homosexual Bill Passes in any form, there will be a massive withdrawal from Uganda of American interests and we will lobby the State Department to withdraw our Embassy too. Americans will be advised by the State department of the serious threat to travelers and tourists who may be accused of being gay or knowing someone who is gay.    We will ask that all Ugandan officials be denied entry into the USA, based on the serious violation of the International Declaration of Human Rights. We will ask that AID to Uganda ceases until the Bill is withdrawn and that would unfortunately have to include aid for AIDS.  We would boycott all Coffee and other Ugandan exports and our Companies will take their business elsewhere.

While Uganda is criminalizing Gays the Philippines, a religious country, is contemplating protecting gays.   Israel protects Gays, South Africa has vowed to maintain it anti- discrimination Constitution which includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.

I hope this letter will provide a picture of the reality of this situation and that your family act proactively to prevent the spread of the lie and this true abomination perpetrated on the people of Uganda.

Sincerely,

Melanie Nathan BA LLB
US Citizen, Lesbian mother, daughter, sister, friend and human right’s activist.
San Francisco, California, USA.

Box Turtle Highlights the following from the Death Portion as amended of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill:-

• (1) A person commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality where the
• (a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of 18 years;
• (b) offender is a person living with HIV;
• (c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed;
• (d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed;
• (e) victim of the offence is a person with disability;
• (f) offender is a serial offender, or
• (g) offender applies, administers or causes to be used by any man or woman any drug, matter or thing with intent to stupefy overpower him or her so as to there by enable any person to have unlawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex,
• (2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death.
• (3) Where a person is charged with the offence under this section, that person shall undergo a medical examination to ascertain his or her HIV status.

See the Video below – Mr. Scott Lively is supposedly involved in the same Fellowship as BAHATI.  Scott Lively is running scared and would not meet with Bahati on this last trip to the USA.  But as BAHATI himself said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is the FELLOWSHIP – so that statement together with this Video shows exactly where the finger can be pointed.

Recommended Reading is the “C “Street Book by Jeff Sharlet, who has spent time with Bahati in Uganda.  excerpts via Box Turtle Bulletin:

“Sharlet accompanied Bahati to a restaurant, and later to his home, where Bahati told Sharlet that he wanted “to kill every last gay person.”

“It was a very chilling moment because I’m sitting there with this man who’s talking about his plans for genocide and has demonstrated over the period of my relationship with him that he’s not some back bender — he’s a real rising star in the movement,” Sharlet says. “This was something that I hadn’t understood before I went to Uganda, that this was a guy with real potential and real sway and increasingly a following in Uganda.”

Bahati also has increasingly a following in the U.S., including people like Lou Engle; Andrew Wommack and his man in Kampala, Leland Shores; and now, a former director of non-public education at the Department of Education under the President George W. Bush. Sharlet has more on that in the next segment.

Sharlet describes Uganda as an American Evangelical “laboratory of ideas” that they cannot promote in the U.S. By exporting those ideas to a place like Uganda, the hope is these ideas can ferment so that they can then use those “successes” to re-import those ideas back to the West. In fact, Bahati has said several times that he believes his bill will serve as an example for the rest of the world to follow.”

A side Note:-  Please do not waste your comment by telling me not to promote a boycott and how that would hurt the Ugandans.  What comes first the cart or the horse. Here the Horse is the Bill and the cart is the Boycotts.  So Ugandans need to take responsibility and be educated and told the truth – Gays do not set out to impose their orientation or intend to hurt anyone.  Perhaps some Church with a  conscience would send counter missionary Christians into Uganda to help the People with the truth.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Melanie Nathan- nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan  Dec 05, 2010- Leslie Stahl of 60 minutes  interviews Mark Zuckerberg. Under the word Graffiti “HACK”  which means “to build something very quickly.”  He has 500 engineers who write code at record speed. They have ‘hackathons’ – which according to Zuckerberg means simply to build code. Starting tomorrow we will see a new lay out for heart of site. Scrapbook entries will now have a layout that will tell you exactly who a person is.  Bio’s will feature more prominently.

Here are some articles on the subject:-

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Melanie  Nathan – 12-04-2010. From Marin County  California, -The largest wildfire in Israel’s history is raging on the Carmel mountain range south of Haifa in northern Israel. A national disaster has been declared, as more than forty lives have been lost, and many more are in danger Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services and JNF-KKL foresters battle the blaze. Starting in the Muhraka area of the Carmel hills on Thursday morning, December 2, the fire quickly spread, threatening communities and forcing the evacuation of more than 17,000 residents, including the campus of Haifa University. At least 20% of the Carmel forest reportedly is affected as the fire continues to burn.  The Israel Foreign Ministry is in contact with the United States government and countries from around the world regarding assistance in extinguishing the blaze. A number of nations have sent fire-fighting aircraft as well as equipment and supplies to help control the flames.

Statement from Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren:

The State of Israel is facing a fire of unprecedented magnitude.  We mourn the tragic loss of life and deeply regret the devastation to communities, wildlife, and forests.

The People of Israel have been profoundly moved by the outpouring of support from a number of foreign countries, including many in our region.  We are especially grateful to President Barack Obama for his expression of support.  “That’s what friends do for each other,” he said last night, and he personally assured me that the administration would do its utmost to aid Israel swiftly in its hour of need.

We are ready to begin the task of rebuilding – restoring the damaged communities, replenishing the wildlife, and planting new forests.

The State of Israel has surmounted many challenges in its short history.  Together with our friends worldwide, we will overcome this too.

Statements and Remarks:

Israeli Officials
Ambassador Michael Oren
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

United States Officials
President Barack Obama
Secretary Hillary Clinton
Ambassador James Cunningham

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“As soon as the fire broke out, I set two goals: First, saving lives, and second, extinguishing the fire, which effectively means aerial efforts with international cooperation.  The work on the ground is the responsibility of Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Israel Police Inspector-General Dudi Cohen and the Fire and Rescue Service, with the assistance of the IDF, MDA and all the bodies that are represented here.  First of all, I would like to say that this goal has been achieved.  After the tragedy that has befallen us, the loss of 41 people, we grieve along with the families.

“That we have no suffered additional losses is thanks to the police personnel, the firefighters, the soldiers, the pilots, the MDA personnel, the local council workers, the many volunteers and the citizens of Israel.  The Israeli people know how to come together.  The State of Israel knows how to come together and unite in moments of crisis and this is happening here very well.” (full statement)

Additional remarks from Prime Minister Netanyahu:
PM Netanyahu Talked with US President Obama
Statement from PM Netanyahu Regarding the Mt. Carmel Fire
More…

US President Barack Obama Remarks (link)

“I want to begin by offering our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all of those who’ve died as a result of the terrible forest fire in northern Israel.

“As rescuers and firefighters continue in their work, the United States is acting to help our Israeli friends respond to the disaster.  A short while ago, our ambassador in Tel Aviv, Jim Cunningham, issued a disaster declaration, which has launched an effort across the U.S. government to identify the firefighting assistance we have available and provide it to Israel as quickly as possible.  Of course, that’s what friends do for each other.

“And, Mr. Ambassador, our thoughts and prayers are with everybody in Israel who is affected by this tragedy and the family and loved ones of those in harm’s way.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Remarks (link)
On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in the fires in northern Israel. The people of the United States know all too well the devastation caused by wildfires, and we are fully committed to assisting Israel during this tragedy.

Our Ambassador to Israel, James Cunningham, has already issued a disaster declaration, prompting significant coordination within the United States government to identify and provide Israel with firefighting assistance. We are moving as quickly as we can to provide this assistance, and are heartened by similar efforts to contribute resources from Israel’s other friends around the world. My hope is that the fires are extinguished soon. The hearts of the people of the United States go out to the people of Israel, and we stand with them at this difficult time.
US Ambassador to Israel James B. Cunningham’s Message to the People of Israel (.pdf)

Information Centers in Israel

Emergency Information Center for public inquiries – Israel National Police: 1255144

Hospital Hotlines:
Rambam: 1255144
Bnei Zion: 1255145
Carmel: 1255142

Families of prison wardens – Israel Prison Service:  08-9775717; 08-977-5701
Social Services:  118
ZAKA- 1220
Families of police victims:  02-542-8910
Israeli Government Website:  www.gov.il
Haifa Municipality:  04-8706127
Israel National Police – updates on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/israelpolice?v=wall&filter=2
Haifa University – updates on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52121266435&v=wall
Assistance to the elderly:  1700-700-113
Kibbutz Movement HQ- 050-767791

Donations

Rescue teams and equipment are being brought in from all over the world. Shimon Romach, Israel’s Fire Commissioner, is calling on the international community for support during this disaster. To donate to the firefighting and recovery efforts, please visit Jewish National Fund, the U.S. fundraising arm of Friends of Israel Firefighters:
https://secure2.convio.net/jnf/site/Donation2?df_id=3180&3180.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=x31p4pn702.app220a

——————————————————-

Source http://www.israelemb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=353&Itemid=245&lang=en

Posted by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Melanie Nathan – Dec 04-2010  -

Sources have informed LezGetReal of an apparent ploy and motive on the part of Bahati. Behati does not care about the Convention – that is not why he is really coming here. In fact if he is locked out organizers will in effect be facilitating Bahati’s ploy and so the gate would open for him to to pursue his actual agenda.

The Member of Ugandan Parliament is attempting to gain entry to the USA, hiding behind a convention.  He has decided that he is coming regardless of his ability to attend or not. Why would he do that?  Well the convention is the reason provided to obtain a USA VISA; generally speaking that would prompt DHS to approve a VISA.

However Bahati’s real  motive is to get support amongst his evangelical supporters and cohorts.  He needs support for his reelection bid in February 2011 and plans to ensure that through his agreement to push the anti- LGBT legislation in Uganda.

If you think this is an exaggeration you only have to read the original Bill tabled by Bahati and the extremes he has gone to.

During October 2009,  Bahati tabled a private-members bill before the Ugandan parliament titled the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’.  At the time, the Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Dr James Nsaba Butoro made a strong statement in support of the bill and for the greater sanction of individuals and organizations supporting homosexuality. The bill is aimed at increasing and expanding penalties for ‘homosexual acts’ and for all institutions (including NGOs, donors and private companies) who defend the rights of people who engage in sexual relations with people of the same gender. (Language from change.org Petition to keep Bahati out of the USA.)

The bill also calls for Uganda to withdraw from all international treaties and conventions which support the rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals, introduces extradition arrangements for Ugandan citizens who perform ‘homosexual acts’ abroad, and includes legal penalties for people who fail to report alleged homosexual acts or individuals and institutions that promote homosexuality or same-sex marriage to the authorities. The death penalty is mandated for HIV-positive people who engage in sex with people of the same gender. The tabling of the bill has been accompanied by threats against any Ugandan media organization that allows LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) Ugandans to air their views or publish press statements.

The Bill is currently lurking and could be pursued to legislative passage. In a recent updated October 2010 interview Behati stated that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, as it’s formally known, will “soon” be law.  “We are very confident because this is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children,” says Bahati .  Does this have a ring to it; like Evangelical parroting? Read more: http://www.queerty.com/ugandan-lawmaker-david-bahati-kill-the-gays-bill-will-be-law-soon-20101028/#ixzz178VixWYb

There is an abundance of evidence, including video obtained by bloggers and featured first in prime media on the Rachel Maddow show,  pointing to the fact that the original impetus and current support for Bahati’s bill has come from extreme-right Christians in the United States of America who are working through allied churches and parliamentarians in Uganda.

In March 2009 the Family Life Network, led by Ugandan Pastor Stephen Langa (affiliated to the Kampala Pentecostal Church), hosted a workshop entitled ‘Exposing the truth behind homosexuality and the homosexual agenda’. The workshop trainers included members of three American organizations well-known in US Christian right wing circles:

- Scott Lively, co-founder of the hate group Watchmen on the Walls and author of The Pink Swastika, a pseudo-history book claiming that militant male homosexuals helped mastermind the Nazi holocaust
- Caleb Lee Brundidge, a ‘sexual reorientation’ coach for the International Healing Foundation, a Christian organisation that aims to ‘free’ people from ‘unwanted same-sex attraction’
- Don Schmierer, a board member for Exodus International, an umbrella body for Christian groups that seek to ‘reform’ homosexuals using Christian teachings.

PETITION

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

To Secretary of State,

The Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, in East Africa, is presently considering legislation (“the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009”) which, if enacted, would punish intimate contact between members of the same sex (homosexuality is already outlawed in that country) with life imprisonment, and in certain cases, death by hanging.

The bill, which has come to be known internationally as the”Kill the Gays” act also provides sentences of imprisonment for persons who conceal knowledge of another’s homosexuality, who publicly discuss the subject of homosexuality, or who agitate or advocate for homosexual human or civil rights or for the decriminalization of homosexuality.

The bill was drafted by its sponsor, one David Bahati, M.P., a member of the governing party, and has met with widespread support among Uganda’s populus

Mr. Bahati has recently announced that he will attend the National Prayer Breakfast to be held in Washington, DC on February 4, which President Obama is also expected to attend. The annual prayer breakfast is organized by The Fellowship Foundation (also known as ‘The Family’), a conservative Christian organization that numbers several high-ranking members of Congress among its members and whose teachings are said to have inspired Bahati’s bill.

The proposed legislation has been noted by several news agencies to be heavily influenced by U.S.-based religious personages and organizations: indeed, a special parliamentary motion to introduce the legislation was passed one month after a two-day conference was held wherein three U.S.-based Christian organizations asserted the need for such legislation, as homosexuality was a direct threat to the cohesion of African families.

RELIEF SOUGHT:

INSOFAR as Section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides, inter alia, that “Any alien who, while serving as a foreign government official, was responsible for or directly carried out, at any time during the preceding 24-month period, particularly severe violations of religious freedom, as defined in section 3 of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, [is] inadmissible;”

AND FURTHER, insofar as subsection E(ii) of the same section provides that : Any alien who has engaged in conduct that is defined as genocide for purposes of the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide is inadmissible.”

AND FURTHER, given that the subject’s activities as a legislator in his own country are contrary to the principles of respect for and promotion of human and civil rights for all and are directly and intentionally injurious to those principles,

AND FURTHER, insofar as it is within the Secretary of State’s lawful discretion to deny entry to the United States to any person who represents a threat to internal security and orderly administration, it is our respectful request that Mr. Bahati be denied permission to enter the United States, and that a visa for that purpose, if already issued, be withdrawn.

Sincerely,

___________________________________________    CLICK HERE TO SIGN

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Related articles

• Uganda’s “Kill The Gays” Bill Author Coming To Washington, D.C. Next Week… GET HIM!!!! (lezgetreal.com)
• Ugandan Newspaper Blocked From Publishing Names, Photos Of Gays As Bahati Promises Kill The Gays Bill Will Pass Soon (lezgetreal.com)
• ‘Hang them’: Uganda Tabloid Publishes Photos & Adds of Top 100 Gays (lezgetreal.com)

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Melanie Nathan – Dec 03, 2010

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

We at LGR offer condolences to all our family, friends and supporters in Israel, while praying  for a speedy recovery.

Melanie Nathan Nov 30, 2010 -  This Film is in post production and the film makers could do with some help to complete post productions – let us help support lesbian artists.

So if you have you ever fallen in love with your best friend? The donate, watch trailer and hope for a great movie….. and if not …well the same rule applies…

WATCH trailer  “Jamie and Jessie are Not Together” is about two women whose codependent friendship is fraught with erotic tension. It’s not about “coming out”, but about two intimate friends, figuring out how to grow together or how to grow apart. (think GLEE with lesbians & a beach)

WEBSITE:  to donate http://tinyurl.com/2egqfjh

Written and Directed by Wendy Jo Carlton, the director of the award-winning feature film Hannah Free, which starred Emmy-winning Sharon Gless!

Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts. com