Alys Brooks

Alys Brooks is a freelance writer living in Madison, Wisconsin.

All Work

Photo of four med school students of color looking over x-rays

Medical Students Are ‘Driving’ for Change Over Gender-Inclusive Language

"People don’t get this in their formative training ... when they have a patient in front of them [after training] and they don’t know what to do."

[PHOTO: The front of the Massachusetts State House]

News Abortion

These States Are Poised to Expand Reproductive Rights

Nov 13, 10:35am Alys Brooks

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]

News Politics

These Attorney General Races Could Be a Firewall for Abortion Rights

Oct 29, 9:00am Alys Brooks

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]

News Law and Policy

Sex Ed, Paid Family Leave, and More on Your Ballot This Election (Updated)

Oct 27, 10:02am Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

Medical Students Can’t Provide Abortions If They Never Learn How

Aug 6, 12:59pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News Health Systems

As COVID-19 Highlights Need for Family Leave, Here’s How Some Reproductive Rights Groups Stack Up

Apr 7, 9:59am Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

Ohio Republicans Find Another Way to Erode Abortion Access (Updated)

Jan 28, 9:08am Alys Brooks

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.]

Roundups Abortion

These States Have More Abortion Clinics Today Than They Did a Decade Ago

Dec 23, 2:50pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

In Illinois, Struggles Putting Pro-Choice Legislation Into Action

Nov 21, 4:06pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

Here’s What Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Can Do on Abortion

Oct 31, 8:35am Alys Brooks

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.

News Politics

Some Anti-Choice Democrats Still Haven’t Backed Impeachment Inquiry (Updated)

Sep 26, 5:36pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

Abortion Rights Foes Use Indiana Fetal Remains Discovery for Political Gain

Sep 20, 12:02pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News LGBTQ

A New Trump Rule for Federal Contractors ‘Encourages People to Discriminate’

Aug 30, 4:02pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News Abortion

Total Abortion Bans Are Overwhelmingly Unpopular in Every State

Aug 13, 11:36am Alys Brooks

Even in states most hostile to reproductive rights, less than one quarter of respondents favor a total ban on abortion.

News Law and Policy

Anti-Choice Apps Are Violating Google and Apple Privacy Standards

Jul 24, 3:06pm Alys Brooks

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.]

News LGBTQ

In Puerto Rico, LGBTQ Political Victories Pile Up. But Challenges Remain.

Jul 10, 9:02am Alys Brooks

“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.