in Human Trafficking
In the countdown to Stephen Colbert's Rally to Keep Fear Alive, he's made several tongue-in-cheek references to Reese's, a rally sponsor, being “the candy with something to hide, specifically peanut butter." It's time for Colbert to reveal what Reese's is really hiding -- child labor and human trafficking in its cocoa.
in Gay Rights
Amber Yust, a transgender woman living in California, went to San Francisco’s DMV to get her name changed on her driver’s license. But she wasn’t counting on a transphobic employee taking her personal information home, and sending her an anti-LGBT letter that called her an “abomination” and said she wouldn’t get into heaven.
in Environment
At the oil spill's height, a whistleblower called BP's Atlantis another ticking time bomb in the Gulf. Federal officials said they'd "look into it" rather than shut it down. Six months later, they have still failed to produce a safety report or 94 percent of the incomplete records. Old habits die hard in government, but meanwhile time may be running out.
in Criminal Justice
President Obama took office pledging to make his administration the most transparent ever. But as former Justice Department lawyer-turned-whistleblower Jesselyn Radack tells Change.org, Obama is prosecuting the very people trying to make that transparency a reality -- including a man who exposed the NSA’s illegal spying on Americans.
in Human Trafficking
The governor of California elected next week will have to decide whether or not to release a child trafficking victim imprisoned by the state for sixteen years. That is, unless Governor Schwarzenegger can put election politics aside, cement his reputation as an anti-trafficking hero, and give justice to one brave woman.
in Gay Rights
Fighting bullying should be everyone's business, whether it’s based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or more. But in one California school district, parents are trying to stop students from learning about anti-gay harassment. Will the district cave in to homophobia, or take a stand for equality and safe schools?
in Human Rights
While the Obama administration has made development a central pillar of his unconventional approach to diplomacy, Congress has blocked bills aimed at alleviating global poverty. Take action by calling on your representative to bring back the Global Poverty Act!
in Health
BPA is linked to a laundry list of diseases, but because it’s difficult to measure everyday exposure, the plastic industry continues to claim it’s safe. But a recent study shows that high levels of BPA caused decreased sperm count in factory workers, indicating that it does, indeed, mean bad news for human health.