Different states have had different reactions to the recent SCOTUS decision. Some state policies remain relatively similar to what they were before the decision and some states are taking action to pass same-sex marriage laws. Here’s the latest on the new frontier of marriage equality: a state-by-state strategy to legalize gay partnerships.
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Duke University to Expel Students Disciplined for Sexual Assault
Yesterday, Duke University announced that the “preferred sanction” for attackers in cases of sexual assault will now be expulsion. The previous precedent for sexual assault was suspension for three to six semesters. However, this change does not mean that every student found guilty of sexual misconduct will be expelled because the University does not have […]
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Texas Anti-Abortion Bill Advances
On Tuesday, the Texas House of Representatives tentatively passed restrictive abortion bill HB2 in the second special session, two weeks after Senator Wendy Davis’ filibuster on SB5. With this vote of 98 to 42, the House approved HB2 which includes multiple abortion restrictions such as a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. The ban does […]
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UN Presses Vatican for Information on Child Sex Abuse Cases
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has requested details from the Vatican on child sexual abuse cases from November 1995 to January 2014. The information has been requested in connection with the Holy See’s scheduled appearance in front of UNCRC in January. The information requested includes what victim support systems […]
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Judge Temporarily Blocks Abortion Law in Wisconsin
A federal judge temporarily blocked the portion of a new Wisconsin abortion law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. U.S. District Judge Conley delayed the law for 10 days, until after another hearing on July 17th.
A Women in Academia Mini-Roundtable
It’s clear that women still struggle to find standing in academia. Two FMF interns tackle the issue right at the line where the personal becomes political.
Supreme Court Reversed Woman’s Torture Case in Afghanistan
A case of three Afghans who were jailed for torturing a girl has been reversed by the Afghan Supreme Court. Sahar Gul was sold for $5,000 to a 30 years old man New York Times said . She was forced to marry in 2011 in her 13 or 14 years of age. As a result, […]
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LGBT and HIV-Positive Somali Refugees Fear Return Home
Many gay, lesbian, and HIV-positive Somali refugees now fear persecution, jail, and even death sentences upon their return home after fleeing to Kenya to avoid harsh punishmentsharsh punishments under Sharia law. Next month Kenya will be host to international leaders and groups like the International Organization for Immigration as they discuss the impending repatriation of […]
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UNC Faces New Federal Investigation of Sexual Assault Policies
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is now facing a third investigation into its sexual assault policies by the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR is investigating allegations that sophomore Landen Gambill faced retaliation after filing a federal complaint against the school for their inappropriate response to her report of sexual assault.
In Jackson, A “Solidarity Economy” Might Make Room for the Rest of Us
Lumumba has championed what’s known as a “Solidarity Economy,” in which wider economic participation and increased skepticism about “big money” in the economy are key parts of a community’s economic philosophy.
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Governor Scott Walker Signs Anti-Abortion Bills into Law
On Friday, Governor Scott Walker (R) of Wisconsin signed into law a bill that would require all abortion providers to attain hospital admitting privileges. In addition, the law will now require women seeking an abortion to first receive an ultrasound before undergoing the procedure. The law is scheduled to take effect July 8. The regulations […]
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11-Year-Old Chilean Rape Victim in Jeopardy
The life threatening pregnancy of an 11-year-old rape victim is sparking debate around abortion in the socially conservative country of Chile. The girl is fourteen weeks into the pregnancy, and doctors are reporting that both she and her fetus are at high risk. The pregnancy is the result of rape by her mother’s partner. The […]
North Carolina Passes Harsh Last Minute Anti-Abortion Amendment
On Wednesday morning, during the last minute discussion of an anti-Sharia bill, the North Carolina state Senate gave final approval to an amendment restricting abortion access in a vote of 29 to 12.
Obama Administration Delays ACA Provision Until 2015
On Tuesday, the Obama Administration announced that they would delay the implementation of a key mandate from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act until 2015. The provision, which states that all employers with more than 50 employees must provide insurance coverage to their employees or face a monetary penalty was originally supposed to take effect in 2014.
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Law Allowing Limited Abortion Passes First Vote in Ireland
The Irish Parliament voted to support a bill that would allow a pregnancy to be terminated if the woman’s life is at risk. After a vote of 138 to 24 it now faces a second reading and possible amendments. The final vote on the legislation will take place next week. Ireland has had a constitutional […]
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New Documents Released Suggest Priest Pedophilia Cover-Up
New documents released to the public on Monday suggest that Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan attempted to protect priests accused of sexually abusing minors and redistributed church funds to prevent them being seized as assets in abuse settlements.
Federal Judge Upholds Kansas Anti-Abortion Law
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil refused on Sunday to block pieces of a Kansas law restricting abortion access.
From the Other Side: Prop 8 Through The Eyes of an Ex-Mormon
In 2008, I was a Mormon sitting on the receiving end of congregational announcements about Prop 8.
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New Report Exposes VA Crisis Pregnancy Center Tactics
An investigative study conducted by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia has found that Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) in Virginia purposefully use inaccurate medical information and emotional manipulation to dissuade women from receiving abortion care (see study). The study, which was conducted undercover over the course of a year, details the methods used by Virginia’s 58 CPCs to […]
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NC House Passes Anti-Abortion Education Bill
Last week the North Carolina state House of Representatives passed a health education bill requiring middle school students to be taught in sex-ed classes that abortion is a cause of pre-term births in future pregnancies.