| Melanne Verveer Appointed First Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues |
| On February 6, President Obama appointed Melanne Verveer the first ever Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. The White House press release announcing the appointment explained, “The President’s decision to nominate an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues is unprecedented and reflects the elevated importance of global women’s issues to the President and ... |
| New Comprehensive Sex Education Curriculum Passes in Pittsburgh Schools |
| On February 24, 2009, after two years of organizing by parents and students, the Pittsburgh school board overturned its abstinence-only-until-marriage policy and voted in a new, comprehensive sexuality education curriculum for grades K–12.
The new program affects the 31,000 students within the Pittsburgh school district, where 14 percent of pregnancies occur ... |
| Current Legislative Session Reveals Trend toward Comprehensive Sex Education Policy |
| The 2009 state legislative session is a regular legislative term for most states, during which bills will be introduced, heard, and passed in state congresses. State legislation introduced thus far this term reflects the paradigm shift taking place in federal and state politics that shows increasing support for a comprehensive ... |
| Obama Signs Fiscal Year 2009 Spending Bill; Provides First-Ever Cut to Abstinence-Only Programs |
| On March 11, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law a $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill (HR 1105) to fund most government agencies through the end of this fiscal year. |
| REAL Act Introduced to Fund Comprehensive Sex Education |
| On March 16, 2009, Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act. The bill would create a dedicated funding stream administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prov |
| The United States Government Declares Support for the UN Statement on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity |
| Robert Wood, acting department spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, issued a statement on March 18, 2009 that the United States endorses the UN Statement on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity.
The statement, sponsored by France, was brought to the United Nations General Assembly in December 2008. The UN ... |
