Alys Brooks
Alys Brooks is a freelance writer living in Madison, Wisconsin.
All Work
![[PHOTO: The front of the Massachusetts State House]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GettyImages-1175314927-740x525.png)
These States Are Poised to Expand Reproductive Rights
After the election, advocates are looking to strengthen abortion rights wherever they can—particularly in states with Democratic legislative majorities.
![[PHOTO: People going into a building with a sign that reads early voting center]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GettyImages-1229129403-740x525.png)
These Attorney General Races Could Be a Firewall for Abortion Rights
Voters will choose between a pro-choice Democrat and a Republican candidate ready to defend anti-choice laws.
![[PHOTO: Ballots from Washington state in a pile]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/GettyImages-1227912465-740x525.png)
Sex Ed, Paid Family Leave, and More on Your Ballot This Election (Updated)
Besides the two big abortion measures in Louisiana and Colorado, we're also tracking these important ballot initiatives.
![[Photo: Two medical students speak to a doctor outside of a hospital.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/med-students-740x525.jpg)
Medical Students Can’t Provide Abortions If They Never Learn How
Restrictions on training are not unusual, and it can prevent medical professionals from providing good care.
![[Photo: Queer parents smile as they hold their baby.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/baby_2-740x525.jpg)
As COVID-19 Highlights Need for Family Leave, Here’s How Some Reproductive Rights Groups Stack Up
The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed the urgency for paid leave benefits, as a survey suggests parental leave is more common at reproductive rights organizations than in the U.S. workforce at large.
![[Photo: Flags fluttering outside of Ohio's Statehouse.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ohio_1-740x525.jpg)
Ohio Republicans Find Another Way to Erode Abortion Access (Updated)
Republican lawmakers in Ohio are going after telemedicine abortion and pushing a so-called abortion reversal bill as access to abortion care dwindles.
![[Photo: An illustration of 4 state stamps.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/stamps-740x525.jpg)
These States Have More Abortion Clinics Today Than They Did a Decade Ago
Even as Republican-dominated legislatures passed laws designed to shut down clinics from coast to coast, some states saw an uptick in abortion clinics.
![[Photo: A worried, young woman of color speaks with her doctor.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/patient-with-doctor-740x525.jpg)
In Illinois, Struggles Putting Pro-Choice Legislation Into Action
Passing landmark abortion rights legislation in Illinois was just the start. Obstacles remain for many in the state.
![[Photo: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers speaks at an event.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tony-evers-740x525.jpg)
Here’s What Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Can Do on Abortion
While Democratic Gov. Tony Evers can't singlehandedly undo years of anti-choice restrictions, abortion rights advocates said he can take action to counter anti-choice misinformation.
Some Anti-Choice Democrats Still Haven’t Backed Impeachment Inquiry (Updated)
President Trump has delivered on major promises to abortion rights opponents, putting the president in line with anti-choice Democrats in the House.
![[Photo: A close-up of Dr. Klopfer listening during his licensing trial in 2014.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/klopfer-740x525.jpg)
Abortion Rights Foes Use Indiana Fetal Remains Discovery for Political Gain
The Trump administration and anti-choice lawmakers are using the case of Ulrich Klopfer to attack abortion providers as dangerous and unregulated.
![[Photo: A young, Black, gender non-conforming person works on their office laptop late at night.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/queer-person-at-work-740x525.jpg)
A New Trump Rule for Federal Contractors ‘Encourages People to Discriminate’
The Labor Department rule would let employers with government contracts claim religious exemptions to discriminate.
![[Photo: Pro-choice activists hold signs as they rally to stop states’ abortion bans.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/protest_2-740x525.jpg)
Total Abortion Bans Are Overwhelmingly Unpopular in Every State
Even in states most hostile to reproductive rights, less than one quarter of respondents favor a total ban on abortion.
![[Photo: The App Store logo is displayed on the screen of a mobile phone in front of a computer screen displaying the logo of the multimedia application iTunes.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/apple-store-740x525.jpg)
Anti-Choice Apps Are Violating Google and Apple Privacy Standards
A nonpartisan watchdog group argues the apps don't follow guidelines for templated apps, include extensive tracking, and don't follow privacy rules laid out by Apple and Google.
![[Photo: A crowd of LGBT rights supporters march as they wave Puerto Rican and rainbow flags.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pr_1-740x525.jpg)
In Puerto Rico, LGBTQ Political Victories Pile Up. But Challenges Remain.
“We’ve done a lot with very few resources, and that tells you a lot about the strength of the Puerto Rico LGBT community,” said Pedro Julio Serrano, an activist in Puerto Rico.
![[Photo: A young, queer person of color looking sad during a therapy session.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/conversion-therapy_4-740x525.jpg)
In Texas, a Quiet Effort to Protect ‘Conversion Therapy’ Is Underway
Texas Republicans' support for "conversion therapy" is at odds with a national trend that has seen lawmakers ban the harmful practice.
![[Photo: Illustrated speciality license plates piled on top of each other.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LICENSE-PLATES-01-1-740x525.jpg)
Funding Hate: GOP License Plate Programs Pour Funds Into Fringe Groups
Democrats in Arizona and Tennessee are pushing back on license plate programs that fund anti-LGBTQ and pro-Confederate causes.
![[Photo: A group of protestors gather holding signs protesting fascism. Two officers stand in front of the crowd.]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/fascist_Wisconsin-740x525.jpg)
Fascists Were Once Again Outnumbered by Counter-Protesters—This Time in Wisconsin
Far-right groups came to the Wisconsin State Capitol ostensibly to protest a gun regulation supported by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Wisconsin Republicans Attack Early Voting as They Strip Power From Democratic Governor (Updated)
Early voting is widely seen as part of the reason for Democrats’ success in defeating Gov. Scott Walker in November.
Wisconsin Democrats Won More Votes in the Midterms. In the Legislature, It Didn’t Matter.
The Republican-held legislature’s aggressive gerrymandering has ensured minority rule for the GOP in Wisconsin.
![[PHOTO: Black woman propped up on couch in pain]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1662687976-2-740x525.jpg)
![[PHOTO: Black woman sits beside a doctor, a Black woman]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/GettyImages-482136351-740x525.png)
![[PHOTO: Gov. Mike DeWine wearing glasses looking up]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/GettyImages-1058491032-740x525.png)
![[PHOTO: Asian woman with long hair and wearing yellow short looks pensive]](https://rewirenewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_759195952-2-740x525.jpg)