Welcome to the third episode of: SGN Out Loud! A new podcast series where staff at the Seattle Gay News do weekly deep dives into the topics and issues that most greatly impact our LGBTQIA+ community.In this week's episode, Managing Editor Madison Jones has a conversation with Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition Melanie Nathan. Melanie is a Queer, South African–born human rights lawyer with over two decades of on-the-ground experience advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ Africans. In this discussion, Melanie sheds light on the deep ties Watoto Child Care Ministries in Uganda has had with the "Kill the Gays" laws of that country, and the current struggles LGBTQIA+ Africans are facing due to the Trump administration cutting funding to USAID. Watoto is a religious organization based in Uganda, founded in 1984 by Gary Skinner, an evangelical missionary born in Zimbabwe and raised in Canada, and his spouse Marylin. It has faced over a decade of anti-LGBTQIA+ and human rights abuse allegations. Thank you so very much to Melanie for agreeing to sit down and interview with us! The Watoto church story can be found on our website at: https://www.sgn.org/story/157461/News...And you can support Melanie's work at her website: https://www.africanhrc.org/Support the Seattle Gay News: Celebrate 51 Years with Us!As the third-oldest LGBTQIA+ newspaper in the United States, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) has been a vital independent source of news and entertainment for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest since 1974. As we celebrate our 51st year, we need your support to continue our mission.A monthly contribution will ensure that SGN remains a beacon of truth and a virtual gathering place for community dialogue. Help us keep printing and providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices.How you can donate!Using this link: givebutter.com/6lZnDBText “SGN” to 53-555