The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Gives 750 Million Dollars To The Global Fund to Fight AIDS

For those of you who think Bill Gates and Microsoft are evil.  Maybe they really aren’t that evil after all.

Via Press Release:

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today renewed its commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Gates Foundation is giving $750 million through a promissory note—a new and innovative funding mechanism. “These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world’s poorest,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. “The Global Fund is one of the most effective ways we invest our money every year.” Providing funding through a promissory note gives the Global Fund the flexibility and authority to distribute funds efficiently based on immediate needs, leading to greater impact. “By supporting the Global Fund, we can help to change the fortunes of the poorest countries in the world,” said Gates. “I can’t think of more important work.”

Up until now Bill Gates has donated over 29 BILLION DOLLARS to AIDS Education and Research

Julie Roberts, Alec Baldwin to star in "The Normal Heart"

Hollywood — Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy is bringing "The Normal Heart" to the big screen, starring Alec Baldwin, Julia Roberts, and Mark Ruffalo.

The movie is based on the Tony Award-winning, semi-autobiographical play by Larry Kramer, which chronicles the life of gay and HIV activists in New York City from 1981 to 1984.

Ruffalo will play the main character, gay activists Ned Weeks; Baldwin will play Weeks' homophobic brother; and Roberts will play Dr. Emma Brookner, one of the few health officials in New York to be taking the disease seriously.

Jim Parsons, one of the stars of "Big Bang Theory," has appeared in Broadway version of "The Normal Heart" and will reprise his role as a Southern gay activist.

Ruffalo, who is straight, has been active in helping the gay community, and headlined a fundraiser for a small gay club in his hometown of Kenosha, Wisc., last year.

 

Activist Mike Tidmus Dies At 60

Well-known San Diego activist Mike Tidmus has died of AIDS-related cancer at the age of 60. Mike was a longtime JMG commenter and regular news tipster. His passing was disclosed yesterday by his brother via an email sent to Mike's list of Facebook contacts. His friend and GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger said via email:

Mike was an early leader in LGBT civil right internationally and right here at home. He was a cantankerous guy with a great wit and sense of humor. He battled HIV-AIDS for nearly 25 years and finally lost that battle today. He was so disappointed with the poor HIV-AIDS care in San Diego and worked to try and improve it. He was courageous to the end and, fought like he did all his life, to make things better for others.