In a 36-20 vote, the Georgia Senate passed a bill that would require insurance companies to pay for prescription contraceptives. The bill had already passed in the state’s House. The bill’s Republican opponents argued that small businesses could not afford its mandate but were unsuccessful in attaching amendments that would limit the bill’s powers. State […]
Early this year, California Governor Gray Davis (Dem.) announced a new proposal that was designed to off-set huge declines in minority enrollment caused by state affirmative action bans including Proposition 209, which passed in 1996. Under the new proposal, the University of California would admit all applicants who graduated in the top 4% of their […]
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Massie Tillman has banned female lawyers and witnesses from wearing pants in his Tarrant County, Texas courtroom. New courtroom rules that went into effect Monday stated, “Women are to wear a dress, skirt and jacket or skirt and blouse in the courtroom. women are not to wear pants or pantsuits.” While many […]
Mattel Inc. announced yesterday that it will buy girls’ software and entertainment company Purple Moon. Included in the acquisition will be Purple Moon’s Web site, its CD-ROM computer games and related merchandise. Purple Moon’s products were created for pre-teen girls between the ages of 12-15. The company excelled in creating entertaining, non-violent computer games and […]
European Commissioner Emma Bonino may soon become Italy’s first woman president. Bonino is the only potential candidate who has already started an active campaign for the presidency. Her opponents are likely to include Treasury Minister Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Senate President Nicola Mancino. Italy’s current president, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, announced this past weekend that he […]
A University of Michigan student group called Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality is demanding that clothing and other products which bear the U of M logo be produced under humane working conditions. The group wants to verify that the factories producing university goods do not use underage workers, underpay their workers, or expose […]
Last year, District judge Frank Plaut of Colorado’s Jefferson County awarded two former lesbian partners joint custody of their daughter and ordered that the girl should remain in Colorado. The child’s biological mother, Kelly Cunningham, now wants to move her daughter across the country to live with her male partner in New York. The case […]
Retired Army Maj. Gen. David Hale was ordered to pay $22,000 and was reprimanded by military judge Col. Stephen Saynisch for seven counts of “conduct unbecoming to an officer” and one obstruction of justice count. Hale was originally charged with 17 charges but nine were dropped in a plea-bargain after Hale agreed to plead guilty. […]
A new “Work Trends” survey indicates that, while Americans understand the important of balance their work and personal lives, few feel that they are succeeding. A nation-wide poll of 1,000 adults said that job flexibility is more important to them than job security, the quality of a working environment, or relationships with co-workers and bosses. […]
Minnesota state’s Health and Human Services Policy Committee has endorsed three bills that endanger abortion rights in the state. In a state traditionally dominated by pro-choice Democrats, several anti-choice Republicans are taking advantage of their new majority in the state House. The first requires abortion providers to distribute information on fetal development and possible medical […]
The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that the illegal “date-rape” and body-building drug gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) has been linked to 32 deaths and 3,500 overdoses in the U.S. since 1990. Gamma butyrolactone, a similar drug that transforms into GHB when taken orally, has been linked to 55 health problems including one death and 19 […]
Gynetics Inc., maker of the PREVEN Emergency Contraceptive kit, has donated 25,000 of its kits for distribution to low-income women. The PREVEN Emergency Contraception kit is an FDA-approved product that can prevent pregnancy when used within 72 hours of sex. The kits are available to women who obtain a prescription for them and cost about […]
The director of Barcelona’s prestigious “Salon Gaudi” fashion show announced that the show will no longer accept models who wear smaller than a Spanish size 40, which is comparable to a U.S. size 10 or a British size 8. El Mundo director Paco Flaque was quoted as saying, “I am aware that if we promote […]
In a gathering held last night at the White House, President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton held a discussion with women’s historians and activists on the topic of women’s rights, past and present. Others were invited to participate by calling in questions or submitting thoughts via the Internet. The discussion was part of a […]
The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) guarantees women equal rights to work, pay, benefits and safe working conditions free from sexual harassment. The treaty also prohibits discrimination against women in political activities and requires a minimum age for marriage. On Friday, the U.N. Commission on the Status […]
Retired Maj. Gen. David Hale has been charged with seven counts of “conduct unbecoming to an officer and a gentleman” and one count of making false official statements and is slated to face a court martial. Although Hale was originally accused of 17 violations of military law, but nine of the charges were dropped after […]
Dow Corning Corp. is seeking approval of a $3.17 billion settlement that would end most silicone breast implant lawsuits filed against the company. The company sent ballots to an estimated 170,000 women around the world, asking them to either approve or reject their settlement offer. Voters have until May 14 to respond. Under the settlement […]
The United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan reported Sunday that Afghanistan’s Taliban regime and its northern opponents have brokered an agreement to cease fighting and to create a common government. If both parties fulfill the United Nations-brokered agreement, Afghanistan will be free from the civil war that has killed more than 50,000 people and destroyed […]
A bomb exploded outside Asheville, North Carolina’s Femcare clinic early Saturday morning. The bomb, which only partially detonated, caused damage to the outside of the building but did not cause any physical injuries. The Femcare clinic has been the target of numerous anti-abortion protests during its 10-year history and received an anthrax threat last month. […]
A report issued by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network suggests that anti-lesbian and gay harassment in the military has increased since the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was enacted. Lawyers for the Network, which advocates on behalf of gay and lesbian clients, received reports of 400 anti-lesbian or gay incidents, up from 182 the […]
