Iranian women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi’s controversial 16 year prison sentence handed down last May was upheld this past week on appeal.
Planned Parenthood to Proceed with Federal Lawsuit Against Center for Medical Progress
Last week, in a victory for reproductive rights advocates, a federal judge in California refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against the so-called Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the anti-abortion group responsible for the discredited videos released last year that falsely accused the women’s healthcare organization of illegally selling fetal tissue.
Guaranteed Legal Aid May Become a Reality for Low-Income Tenants in New York
Last week the New York City Council held a hearing concerning a bill that would guarantee low-income tenants a lawyer, provided by the Office of Civil Justice, when facing eviction charges.
Polish Women Protest Government’s Consideration to Criminalize All Abortion
Women in Poland took to the streets dressed in all black today to protest the government’s consideration to criminalize abortion in all cases, including when the life of the woman is at risk.
California Terminates Statute of Limitations in Wake of Cosby Allegations
Last week California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Justice for Victims Act, which will eliminate the state’s statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
LGBTQ Celebratory Festival Cancelled in Haiti
An Afro-Caribbean LGBTQ festival scheduled to occur in Haiti was cancelled this past Tuesday in response to eminent terror threats involving arson and death, as well as a ban by a governmental official.
California Enacts New Protections for Child Sex Trafficking Victims
More than half a dozen bills protecting child victims of sex trafficking were signed into law on Monday by California Governor Jerry Brown, including one that ensures minors cannot be criminally charged with prostitution.
Remembering Life Before Roe
This week as we raise awareness about the Hyde Amendment and the millions of women who face monumental barriers to abortion access because of how they get their health insurance, it’s important to remember why the United States moved to legalize abortion in the first place.
The EACH Woman Act Would Give 28 Million Women Access to Abortion Coverage
The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act was introduced in Congress 14 months ago in an effort to make insurance coverage for abortion available to all women, regardless of income, type of insurance or zip code.
Congresswoman Schakowsky Decries the Dangerous Tactics of the House Select Investigative Panel
Today Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky delivered a speech on the floor of the House denouncing the dangerous Select Investigative Panel that has been spending taxpayer dollars investigating the bogus allegations made by the so-called Center for Medical Progress (CMP) against abortion providers.
Texas Placed Under Federal Supervision, Tries to Reinstate Draconian Voter ID Law
On Friday, Texas’ Attorney General filed a petition requesting that the United States Supreme Court reinstate the state’s draconian voter ID law, SB 14, following the remarkable move by a US District judge to put Texas under court supervision.
Pentagon Approves Gender-Affirming Surgery for Troops
Last week the Pentagon announced that they would cover gender-affirming surgery for active duty troops on a case-by-case basis after a recommendation by a physician and approval by senior officials.
United for Coverage Week of Action Leads up to Hyde Anniversary
Today marks the first day of the first-ever United for Coverage Week of Action to repeal the 1976 Hyde Amendment.
Recognizing the Barriers to Family Planning on World Contraception Day
Today is World Contraception Day, a time when the international community comes together to recognize the barriers and cultural impediments that restrict access to family planning.
House Hearing Reveals Contention Leading Up to Hyde Week of Action
This morning the House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice held a hearing on the Hyde Amendment and the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
North Carolina Will Restrict Body Camera Videos Beginning October 1
A North Carolina law that limits public access to footage from police body cameras goes into effect on October 1st.
House Select Investigative Panel Recommends StemExpress Be Held in Criminal Contempt of Congress
Republican members of the House Select Investigative Panel, which has been spending taxpayer dollars investigating the bogus allegations made by the so-called Center for Medical Progress (CMP) against abortion providers, voted yesterday to recommend that StemExpress, a small biomedical company, be held in criminal contempt.
North Carolina Drops Lawsuit Over HB 2 Bathroom Bill
The lawsuit that North Carolina filed in May requesting federal court protection of the state’s HB 2 law came to an end this past Friday when Governor Pat McCrory withdrew the state’s lawsuit.
House Investigation of Abortion Providers Targets Biotech Company
The House Select Investigative Panel created to scrutinize fetal tissue donations from abortion providers to stem cell researchers will vote today on whether or not to hold StemExpress in contempt of Congress for allegedly failing to provide subpoenaed documentation.
LGBTQ Apps Banned in Indonesia Creating Further Setbacks for the Community
This past Wednesday, Indonesia further restricted LGBTQ rights when officials enacted a ban on Grindr, Blued and BoyAhoy, along with 80 other gay dating apps.