Category: POLITICAL VIEWS

Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

July 26, 2021

United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland Overturns Trump Asylum Precedent Excluding Domestic Violence Survivors: San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2021) – Today Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era asylum precedent that undermined protections for survivors of domestic violence and other gender-related persecution. In 2020 then-Attorney General William Barr issued the precedent, known as Matter … More Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

June 3, 2021

Members of the European Parliament have been discussing the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Commission presented the Pact last September as a “fresh start,” promising to create a comprehensive, regional approach to asylum and migration. Eight months later, negotiations continue with agreement far from sight. The EU is long overdue to establish … More Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

March 10, 2021

If you know who Harvey Milk is but do not know who Sally Miller Gearhart is – then you are a victim of the impact of lesbian erasure. Read on and erase the injustice – you can participate in this important correction. Not only have lesbians suffered taking a back seat to gay men in … More The Sally Miller Gearhart Documentary Mitigates the Injustice of Lesbian Erasure

Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

March 10, 2021

When I moved to Marin County in 1995, ten years after immigrating to the United States, with Los Angeles my first stop, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was back in Apartheid South Africa. Marin was the white Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg, Marin City was Alexandria Township, Oakland was Soweto – and need I … More Marin County Supervisors and Town Councils Cowardly on Drake Anti-Slave Name Change

Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

March 9, 2021

Join in and help decriminalize LGBTQI people in Uzbekistan Although the Uzbekistani Constitution guarantees privacy, equality and non-discrimination, Uzbekistan is one of the only two Central Asian countries that retain legislation criminalising private, consensual same-sex conduct between men. Article 120 of the Criminal Code in force stipulates that “bezakalbazlyk” (sodomy), voluntary sexual intercourse between two … More Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government

February 28, 2021

AHRC joins UNHCR in appealing for access to detained asylum-seekers in Tanzania On Thursday, as Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC), I received an urgent message of distress from a group of refugee/ asylum seekers in Tanzania who noted that they were about to be “deported” back to their home country, Uganda. They … More UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government

Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

February 11, 2021

HUD TO ENFORCE FAIR HOUSING ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY HUD directive begins implementation of the policy set forth in Biden executive order to prevent and combat sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will administer and … More Biden’s HUD to Enforce Fair Housing Act for LGBTQ People

Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

January 26, 2021

San Rafael, CA – For more than 20 years, it has been illegal for most California landlords to use a minimum income standard in assessing eligibility for a rental applicant that is not based on the portion of the rent to be paid by the tenant, if the tenant has a government subsidy. In January … More Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Landlord in Sonoma

Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

January 21, 2021

President Biden’s Historic EO for LGBTQ Rights Yesterday, President Biden issued Executive Orders impacting our LGBTQI communities. President Biden signed a sweeping executive order directing federal agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including in federal employment, policies, programs, and services. This is the first day one executive order by a … More Day One: President Biden’s Historic Executive Orders for LGBTQ Rights

American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

December 26, 2020

Museveni seeks to scapegoat Gays again for his political purposes… weaponizing anti-gay sentiment to rally the vote – while brutally oppressing opposition Last week Ugandan Human Rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was seized by security forces in Kampala. Some days thereafter it was alleged by Ugandan police that he has been arrested on corruption related charges. … More American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

December 24, 2020

San Francisco, California (December 24, 2020) – Four immigrant rights organizations – Pangea Legal Services, Dolores Street Community Services, Inc., Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition – have requested a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit challenging a sweeping new rule that will eviscerate access to protection for people … More New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

December 21, 2020

Each Year I write a top 10 Heroes and Zeroes. This year it is very simple! Or should I say Pandemic worn down – renders it simple- The Heroes in each and every category are LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees and the Zeroes are Donald Trump,  his grifter family and each and every single Republican … More Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Special Envoy on Holocaust and Antisemitism

November 25, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, as follows: The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history. Seventy-five years after the liberation of Nazi concentration and extermination camps revealed the full horrors of the Holocaust, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world face rising … More Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Special Envoy on Holocaust and Antisemitism

Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

November 18, 2020

District Court Blocks Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsions Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2020) – A district court today issued an order blocking application of the Trump administration’s “Title 42” order to all unaccompanied children, nationwide, in a class-action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Civil Rights Project, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and … More Court Blocks Trump’s Illegal Border Expulsions of Children

America Erupts

November 7, 2020

As Biden Harris Elected, Joy and Celebration ERUPTS in Streets across America Today Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the United Sates Presidency, running on the Democratic Party ticket. As multiple news outlets made the call, thousands of masked Americans, from big cities to small towns, took to the streets –  singing, dancing, and chanting. … More America Erupts

On 25th Anniversary of Beijing World Conference American Women Face Regression

October 1, 2020

The United States is at great risk of regression – not only for women, girls, LGBTQI and minorities, but also as the world leader that should be helming the very progress we now are in the midst of destroying.   Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW), which took … More On 25th Anniversary of Beijing World Conference American Women Face Regression

El Salvador Police Officers Convicted of Killing Trans Woman Deported from U.S.

August 3, 2020

As a country conditions expert who testifies for LGBTQI people from African countries, I often speak about the risk of death for deported lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer asylum seekers and allies. I know some American judges do not take this seriously and that often government lawyers fight asylum cases in disbelief. Well ‘the proof of the pudding,’ … More El Salvador Police Officers Convicted of Killing Trans Woman Deported from U.S.

Trump Must Stop destroying the US Asylum System

July 31, 2020

First Appeared in Gay Star News: We must stop Trump from destroying the US asylum system 20 JUL 2020 by Melanie Nathan. In his 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump claimed Mexico was offloading ‘rapists’ at the border. And he vowed his administration would no longer accept this. Four years later, his trajectory of scapegoating and … More Trump Must Stop destroying the US Asylum System

Marin Board Slashes Sheriff Doyle Budget to Fund Racial Equity Initiatives – The Relic Should Resign!

June 25, 2020

Board Approves County Budget with Amendments – Sheriff-Coroner budget reduced by $1.7 million to fund racial equity initiatives- SHERIFF DOYLE PETITION TO RESIGN IS HERE. San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted a budget June 24 that largely maintains current services and includes one-time budget reductions to close a $10.5 million revenue … More Marin Board Slashes Sheriff Doyle Budget to Fund Racial Equity Initiatives – The Relic Should Resign!

Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

June 24, 2020

Federal Court Again Blocks Removal of Honduran Youth in First Challenge to Trump Administration’s Illegal Border Expulsion Order – Judge Says Trump Order Likely Unlawful A federal court has once again provisionally blocked the deportation of a Honduran boy in the first legal challenge to the Trump administration’s order restricting immigration at the border based on … More Trump Loses in Federal Court as Deportation of Boy under Public Health Laws Halted

UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

June 23, 2020

UNSETTLED follows LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East as they flee persecution to seek safety in the U.S. A documentary film by Tom Shepard Airs on WORLD Channel via local PBS stations – June 28 (and on WorldChannel.org from (June 28-July 12) and radio/ live streaming interview with Tom Shepard, Melanie … More UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America – Broadcast Premiere

NO NO NO to the Rabidly Anti-LGBTQI Cory Wilson for Fifth Circuit Lifetime Appointment

June 22, 2020

Rep. Thompson, Civil Rights Groups Oppose Cory Wilson for the Fifth Circuit – Part of a sweeping effort by President Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate to pack the courts with extremely conservative justices, Mississippi judge Cory Wilson has been open with his anti-LGBTQ political views…. and more… WASHINGTON – On a press call today, civil … More NO NO NO to the Rabidly Anti-LGBTQI Cory Wilson for Fifth Circuit Lifetime Appointment

ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin County Sheriff Doyle to Resign

June 22, 2020

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Melanie Nathan nathan@AfricanHRC.org Dated June 22, 2020 ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin Sheriff Doyle to Resign “Public safety is not more incarceration. It is not more old-school policing.  A community feels safe when everyone in it has access to opportunity, in housing, jobs, education and healthcare.” … More ICE OUT Joins in the Call for Marin County Sheriff Doyle to Resign

Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

June 16, 2020

June 16th, 1976 seemed like just another regular coolish South African winter’s day. Frustrated by parking problems, I made my way into my law class at the mostly “white only” University of the Witwatersrand, (WITS). Little did I know where this day would lead: A fellow student ran into our class screaming that children were … More Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

June 15, 2020

Today the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to California’s sanctuary law, which restricts state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Over the dissents of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the court denied review of a lower-court ruling that concluded the 2018 state law does not interfere illegally with federal immigration … More Marin’s Sheriff Doyle Should Resign as SCOTUS Rules Against Trump Challenge of California Sanctuary Law

George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

May 31, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) Statement on how the Murder of George Floyd Denotes America Unsafe for Refugees and Asylum Seekers from African Countries at this time: African Human Rights Coalition expressed its condolences and outrage on social media the moment we saw the video evidencing the cold blooded murder of George Floyd, a black … More George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

May 8, 2020

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple to Have Their Day in Court in Challenge to HHS and South Carolina Foster Care Policy. District court allows lawsuit to go forward challenging HHS waiver that permits a government-funded South Carolina foster care agency to reject applications from same-sex parents   A U.S. District Court today denied an effort by … More VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban

May 1, 2020

State Department, CBP Illegally Withholding Records on Immigration Ban Waivers and Purported “Worldwide Review” Washington, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) sued the U.S. State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for failing to respond to a records request for essential information about the Trump … More Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban