Obama, Roussef Pledge More LGBT Protections

During an official state visit, President Barack Obama and Brazil's President Dilma Roussef (pictured) announced the Organization of American States will establish a "special rapporteur" to promote and protect the rights of LGBT people.

The presidents pledged to work together toward "advancing democracy, human rights and freedoms for all people bilaterally," according to a statement obtained by Metro Weekly. Obama and Roussef also agreed the OAS should be working to ensure free and fair elections, and strengthening the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The OAS was established, in its earliest form, as a union of member states in North and South America, more than a century ago to ensure peace, solidarity, and justice in the Western Hemisphere.