Hope in Progress

The city that ended hunger

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:06:45 -0500

In just a decade Belo Horizonte cut its infant death rate—widely used as evidence of hunger—by more than half, and today these initiatives benefit almost 40 percent of the city’s 2.5 million population. One six-month period in 1999 saw infant malnutrition in a sample group reduced by 50 percent. And between 1993 and 2002 Belo Horizonte was the only locality in which consumption of fruits and vegetables went up.

The cost of these efforts?

Around $10 million annually, or less than 2 percent of the city budget. That’s about a penny a day per Belo resident.

Behind this dramatic, life-saving change is what Adriana calls a “new social mentality”—the realization that “everyone in our city benefits if all of us have access to good food, so—like health care or education—quality food for all is a public good.”

Pentagon to recognize gay troops, according to AP exclusive

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:02:40 -0400

Pentagon to recognize gay troops, according to AP exclusive:

Last summer, gays in the military dared not admit their sexual orientation. This summer, the Pentagon will salute them, marking gay pride month just as it marks other celebrations honoring racial or ethnic groups.

Officials said Thursday that they’re planning the first-ever event to recognize gay and lesbian troops. They declined to give details about what the event will be, but officials said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta feels it’s important to recognize the service of gays in the armed forces.

Transsexuals line up for new IDs as groundbreaking Argentine gender identity law takes effect

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:59:37 -0400

Transsexuals line up for new IDs as groundbreaking Argentine gender identity law takes effect:

Transsexuals lined up Monday to be the first to take advantage of Argentina’s groundbreaking gender-identity law, which enables people to change their names and sexes on official documents without first getting approval from a judge or doctor.

No other country in the world allows people to change their official identities based merely on how they feel.

"I do think that that would be fair."

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:54:48 -0400

"I do think that that would be fair.":

“I do think that that would be fair. I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women, but today where there are so many surgeries, and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life—I do accept that because I believe it’s a free country.”

(via UFW’s Dolores Huerta among Medal of Freedom honorees...

Wed, 30 May 2012 19:29:36 -0400

(via UFW’s Dolores Huerta among Medal of Freedom honorees | The Salinas Californian | thecalifornian.com)

Target Launches Line of T-Shirts Supporting Gay Pride

Mon, 28 May 2012 22:55:41 -0400

Target Launches Line of T-Shirts Supporting Gay Pride:

In a partnership with the Family Equality Council, Minneapolis=based retailer Target is selling a line of Gay Pride-themed T-shirts online this year, which grew out of “a grass-roots effort among employees and the company’s LGBTA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies) Business Council”, according to a Target spokeswoman.

After Fiery Speech, Voting Rights Amendment Is Pulled

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:13:06 -0400

After Fiery Speech, Voting Rights Amendment Is Pulled:

Representative John Lewis of Georgia pushed back with a fiery speech directed at an amendment offered by Representative Paul C. Broun of Georgia that would have barred the Justice Department from using money to enforce a part of the Voting Rights Act.

Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:30:33 -0400

Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal:

Mr. Obama said his views had changed over the years, in part because of prodding from friends who are gay and conversations with his wife and daughters.

Joe Biden Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:01:14 -0400

Joe Biden Endorses Same-Sex Marriage:

Vice President Joe Biden has endorsed same-sex marriage, becoming the highest ranking American official to back marriage for gay and lesbian people. His comments signify a split within the Obama administration and may pave the way for President Obama — who says he supports civil unions and is still evolving on the matter — to also embrace equality.

EEOC ruling that gender-identity discrimination is covered by Title VII is a ''sea change'' that opens the doors to employment protection for transgender Americans

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:51:52 -0400

EEOC ruling that gender-identity discrimination is covered by Title VII is a ''sea change'' that opens the doors to employment protection for transgender Americans:

”Given the incredibly high rate of employment discrimination facing transgender people, this is incredibly significant for us. Data from the National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found that 78 percent of transgender Americans say they’ve experienced workplace discrimination at some point in time,” Davis tells Metro Weekly. ”Given that transgender people do not have employment protections in the vast majority of states, this creates a whole new fabric of legal support for our community.”

Oakland A’s Pitcher Thinks Making Two Straight Guys Smooch For Kiss Cam Is “Offensive” / Queerty

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:52:24 -0400

Oakland A’s Pitcher Thinks Making Two Straight Guys Smooch For Kiss Cam Is “Offensive” / Queerty:

NBC Sports showcased a tweet from Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who railed against the practice: “They put two guys on the ‘Kiss Cam’ tonight. What hilarity!! (by hilarity I mean offensive homophobia). Enough with this stupid trend.”

Good on him for calling out a practice that belittles homosexuality to something embarrassing that two straight men are forced into for cheap laughs.

"This ruling, the first to come after the Justice Department announced it would no longer defend this..."

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:30:05 -0500

““This ruling, the first to come after the Justice Department announced it would no longer defend this discriminatory statute in court, spells doom for DOMA,” Tara Borelli, the lead Lambda Legal attorney on the case, said. “The Court recognized the clear fact that a law that denies one class of individuals the rights and benefits available to all others because of their sexual orientation violates the constitutional guarantee of equality embodied in the Fifth Amendment.””

- DOMA’s Federal Definition of Marriage Unconstitutional, Judge Rules in Golinski Case

Mass Effect 3 An Upgrade In Accessibility

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:31:05 -0500

Mass Effect 3 An Upgrade In Accessibility:

Mass Effect 3 is easily one of the most anticipated games of the year, but after Mass Effect 2 received a score of 5 on PC and a 4 on Xbox from us, we can only be curious as to whether or not accessibility will be an issue with this third installment. The demo has hit EA’s downloadable service Origin recently and after playing it a few times, I can definitely say that the game’s accessibility has been improved (at least on PC).

White House Hosting TBLG Conferences Across US

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:30:06 -0500

White House Hosting TBLG Conferences Across US:

The events are a collaboration between the White House Office of Public Engagement and other offices and agencies and will cover topics such as housing and homelessness, safe schools and communities as well as HIV/AIDS prevention

Unemployment Among Black Men Drops

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:30:05 -0500

Unemployment Among Black Men Drops:

It is not just a coincidence that, during the first bit of job growth we’ve had since Barack Obama was elected, black men are “being hired in larger numbers than anyone can remember.” It is evidence of the known effects of visible diversity.

Gates donates $750 million to fight AIDS, TB and malaria

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:30:05 -0500

Gates donates $750 million to fight AIDS, TB and malaria:

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will inject $750 million into the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced Thursday at the World Economic Forum.

Washington is likely the next state to allow gay marriage

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:30:05 -0500

Washington is likely the next state to allow gay marriage:

Washington state may soon allow same-sex couples to wed — potentially the seventh state to take such a step in a growing nationwide debate.

Washington’s state Senate passed the bill 28-21 Wednesday. This week, the bill goes to the House, where it is likely to pass, said Sen. Ed Murray, a Democrat and the bill’s sponsor. Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, has said she will sign the bill if it makes it to her desk.

9th circuit court rules for marriage equality (via What’s...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:05 -0500

9th circuit court rules for marriage equality (via What’s Next for Proposition 8? - Andrew Cohen - National - The Atlantic)

Housing Department introduces new LGBT protections

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:30:06 -0500

Housing Department introduces new LGBT protections:

Under the new guidelines, any program that receives funding or insurance through HUD will be prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes Section 8 housing, emergency shelters, and other social services, as well as mortgage lending through the Federal Housing Administration. Importantly, all of these programs will now be required to recognize same-sex and otherwise LGBT families — regardless of their marital status or the adoption status of their children — to ensure they can stay together as a family unit when accessing HUD resources.

Justice Minister declares all same-sex marriages legal and valid

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:31:05 -0500

Justice Minister declares all same-sex marriages legal and valid:

All same sex marriages performed in Canada are legal and the law will be changed to ensure that divorce is readily available to non-residents who were married in the country, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says.