All Work
Clovis School District: Sex Education that Gets an “F”
California state law mandates that sexual health education in public schools be comprehensive, medically accurate, science-based, and bias-free. So why are Clovis Unified High Schools teaching teens from a book that makes no mention of condoms, even in chapters about HIV/AIDS and on preventing STDs and unintended pregnancy?
One Down and 23 to Go: Judge Tosses Baseless Challenge to Birth Control Coverage
Real religious freedom gives everyone the right to make personal decisions – including whether and when to use birth control – based on our own beliefs. It doesn't give one group the right to impose its beliefs on others by denying employees access to critical health services.
We Have the Right to a Government that Neither Promotes nor Disparages Religion
The bishops are correct: religious freedom is one of our most treasured liberties. But we have the right to a government that neither promotes nor disparages religion generally, nor any particular faith.
New Ad Campaign Features Three-Star General and Veterans Against a Military Ban on Abortion Coverage
The ACLU, in conjunction with a group of retired military leaders and veterans, launched a new ad campaign today targeting the Department of Defense’s ban on servicewomen using their insurance to pay for abortion services if they become pregnant as the result of rape or incest.
Twelve More Lawsuits, Still No Case
This week, 12 new lawsuits were filed challenging the contraceptive coverage rule, doubling those already in play. The lawsuits have made a splash by virtue of their number, but when you take a moment to actually look at them, there’s nothing to see. The rule is constitutional, it violates no federal law, and it’s incredibly important for women.
Bubba and His Poor, Pitiful Women: Anti-Choice Politician Admits He Doesn’t Care if Women Die
A Mississippi politican would rather let women die than have access to abortions in his state.
Kansas to Pregnant Women: “A Little Lie from Your Doctor Won’t Hurt You”
Buried in a sweeping anti-abortion bill is a provision that would immunize a doctor who discovers that a baby will be born with a devastating condition and deliberately withholds that information from his patient. That's right.
Change Is A-Coming (Or, as They Say in Oklahoma, “If I Wanted Government in My Womb, I’d F*ck a Senator”)
I am so excited I am beside myself. I am giddy because I can see that change is a coming.
Modified Birth Control Rule Should End Controversy (But It Probably Won’t)
The administration’s accommodation should lay to rest arguments that religious liberty is under attack in this country. But it probably won't.
Pain and Shame: What Real Life Looks Like in a Religiously-Affiliated Non-Profit Without the Birth Control Mandate
An employee at a religiously-affiliated nonprofit writes about the challenges of getting her workplace to cover contraception to treat conditions like polycystic fibrosis and dysmenorrhea.
Birth Control Decision Defends Religious Liberty
Last week, President Obama stood firm for religious freedom and reproductive rights.
Score One for Women’s Health! Obama Administration Stands Up For Birth Control
Today, the Obama administration stood up for women's health and announced it would keep in place a proposed rule that ensures that new insurance plans include coverage of contraception.
Another Pharmacy Refuses to Sell Emergency Contraception to a Man
Another pharmacy in Texas has refused to sell emergency contraception to a man.
Her Service and Sacrifice Demand Fairness and Equal Treatment from Congress
If our brave military women are willing to protect our freedoms, we should protect their freedoms as well.
The Shaheen Amendment Promises Basic Fairness for Servicewomen. Now Let’s Get a Vote!
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen took a historic stand for military women. Now it's our turn to stand with her.
Military Leaders Standing Up for Servicewomen in Support of Shaheen Amendment
Flag officers in the United States Armed Forces have signed a letter of support for the pending Shaheen Amendment to the FY 12 National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1867) that would provide servicewomen and military dependents with abortion coverage in cases of rape and incest.
Who is the White House Serving, the People or the Bishops?
Allowing institutions to deny their employees contraceptive coverage is discrimination, not religious liberty. And what’s more, it’s not good sense. Making women’s health secondary to the bishops’ policy preferences serves no one – except the bishops.
Memo to Bishops: It’s Not About You. It’s About the Actual Victims.
Slavery. It’s an abomination. And it goes without saying that survivors of modern-day slavery — human trafficking — should be able to access all of the services they need to protect their health and rebuild their lives. That is, unless you’re talking to the powerful political lobbyist, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Message From Mississippi: Trust Women, And Leave Our Families Alone.
Red state, blue state — it doesn’t make a difference. The message to government is clear: keep out of our bedrooms, our doctors’ offices, and our personal lives and do your @##@$*#& job already.
Women, Watch Your Back — Anti-Choicers Are Gambling with Your Life
Tomorrow, the House will vote on the "Protect Life Act," an unprecedented bill that would allow hospitals to let women die at their doorsteps.
Keep Your Beliefs Out of My Birth Control
Today is the deadline for weighing in with the Department of Health and Human Services on important new guidelines that ensure coverage of contraception in health plans.
Worse Than Slavery? Group Claims Black Women’s Private Health Decisions Make Slavery Seem “Overly Generous”
Where's the billboard that points out the failure to educate black children, the increasing achievement gap, and the increasing poverty rates and isolation of black children?
Pregnant Women Need Health Care, Not Jail Time
We must put an end to policies that undermine basic constitutional principles in order to lock up the pregnant women and mothers who need health care most.
ACLU and PPFA File Lawsuit Challenging South Dakota’s Outrageous Abortion Law
Last week, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in South Dakota challenging one of the most restrictive—and downright offensive—abortion laws we've ever seen.
Military Women Deserve First-Class Treatment, Not Second-Class Status
Our military women deserve more comprehensive reproductive health care than the current policy provides. They have demonstrated their commitment to the country they are willing to die to protect.
Defending the Rights of the Women Who Defend Us
U.S. servicewomen put their lives on the line for us every day. We owe it to them to fight for their dignity and respect their choices.
“So, an ACLU Attorney, a Sheriff, and a Pro-Lifer Walk Into a Bar…”
Idaho has passed a new law that restricts the shackling of pregnant prisoners.
The Agony and the Ecstasy: Reproductive Rights on Capitol Hill
We won the fight for Planned Parenthood, but in the process, abortion access for D.C. women was traded away like a prized baseball card.
Pregnant Women Need Support, Not Prison
Indiana charged a pregnant woman who attempted suicide with murder and attempted feticide. Here's why the state has taken the law too far.
We’ll See You in Court: South Dakota’s Governor Signs Outrageous Law Restricting Abortion Care
Today, South Dakota's governor, Dennis Daugaard, signed a bill that creates unprecedented restrictions on access to abortion care. We won't stand for this blatant mistreatment of women and blatantly unconstitutional law. We'll see you court!
Enough Is Enough: The Latest South Dakota Attack on Women’s Access to Abortion Goes Too Far
Recently, an extreme bill sailed through the South Dakota legislature, which places unprecedented restrictions on access to abortion care.
One More in a Long Line of Attacks on Women’s Access to Health Care
Liberty University is challenging the new health care reform bill in court, saying its objection to abortion should prevent other insured people from using insurance to pay for medical care that Liberty opposes.
Really, Mr. President?
President Obama's statement on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade includes many important sentiments. But, to me, it is most striking for what it fails to say: nowhere does the statement mention the word "abortion."
The Obama Administration Must Ensure That Hospitals Provide Emergency Abortion Care
A hospital in Phoenix has been stripped of its status as an official Catholic hospital after providing a life-saving abortion to a woman this year.
The Senate Gives Up on Military Women’s Access to Health Care
This Congress had the opportunity to overturn the ban on privately-funded abortions on military bases. Unfortunately, the political will wasn't there to get the provision passed.
Walgreens Continues Gender Discrimination at the Pharmacy
Couples who work together to make healthy decisions about contraception should be supported. So why is it that local Walgreens in Texas have repeatedly refused to sell contraception to men, despite corporate headquarters policy and federal guidelines to the contrary?
What’s Abstinence Got to do With Degrading Single-Parent Families?
"Mom, am I more likely to go to jail because you and Dad aren't married?" Imagine your sixth grader coming home and asking you that question after being taught family life in school.
“They Treat Us Just Like Guinea Pigs.”
Women of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe in South Dakota are being coerced into induced labor at Indian Health Services facilities.
California’s Military Women Support Our Freedom. Shouldn’t We Support Theirs?
Congress should act now to end a ban on private funding of abortion at military facilities. Our Armed Services women deserve more from their country.
The Obama Administration Takes A Page From Stupak’s Playbook
Last week, the Obama administration resurrected the Stupak amendment in the high-risk pools. For 3 1/2 years, women in these pools will not be able to buy a comprehensive policy that covers abortion even though they will be contributing large amounts of their own money to the premium.
Act Now: Tell Kathleen Sebelius to Ensure Access to Abortions at Religiously Affiliated Hospitals
The Catholic church ex-communicated a nun for authorizing a life-saving abortion at a Catholic hospital. Now, all pregnant women in the care of Catholic hospitals are at risk.
It Takes Two to Tango
Male Walgreen's customers who tried to buy the morning-after pill for their female partners were turned away at stores in Texas and Mississippi. After the ACLU sent letters about complaints by these customers, Walgreen's changed its policy.
A Pregnant Woman is Not a Meth Lab
In the past four years, more than 20 women in Alabama have been prosecuted for no other reason than that they tried to continue their pregnancies while struggling with addiction.
Religious Doctrine Can’t Trump Patients’ Lives and Health
All federally funded hospitals are obligated under the law to provide appropriate emergency care. So why are Catholic hospitals getting away with refusing abortions to women who could die without one?
Clarification On Facts vs. Fiction
On June 10 we posted a diary called “Facts vs. Fiction on the Military’s Abortion Ban.” In this piece, we were responding to misinformation about efforts by the Senate Armed Services Committee that we strongly support to remove the ban on private funding for abortions on military bases. It looks like we have a little more misinformation to respond to.
Facts vs. Fiction on the Military’s Abortion Ban
The Washington Times has published misleading stories about the Senate Armed Services Committee's recent move to repeal the ban on private funding for abortions on military bases. Here's the truth.
Remembering Dr. Tiller
There is one reason that compels me to not only be an activist — but to live my values through my life’s work formerly at Planned Parenthood and now at the ACLU. That reason is Dr. George Tiller.
Religious Liberty and Women’s Health
We all may not agree about abortion, but we can agree that hospitals that serve the general public should not be permitted, under any circumstances, to violate federal law and deny a pregnant woman life-saving care.
Illinois Teens: Can’t Win for Losing
When faced with a pregnancy, most teens talk to a parent. But not all homes are safe homes, and not all parents are good parents; some are abusive or violent and would threaten their daughter's health and safety if she told them she was pregnant.
Every Day Should Be National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers
Today is National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers. The staff of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project reflects on what this day means for them.
