Tyler LePard

Tyler LePard has worked in and volunteered with a variety of reproductive health organizations, as well as in other progressive causes. Her background includes advocacy, public policy, communications, and health services.

Tyler is currently working in Global Health Policy & Advocacy.  Previously, she was Associate Editor for Rewire and then the Media Manager for Population Action International. She received her B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Public Policy from George Washington University. See Tyler’s blog at Rewire.  

European Parliament Asks Sauerbrey to Reconsider

Tyler LePard

The European Parliament is asking U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey to reconsider attending the World Congress of Families next month because speakers' views are out of step with the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Media Watch: Time Magazine Calls Emergency Contraception “Abortion-Inducing”

Tyler LePard

An article in Time Magazine on March 30th sported some sloppy reporting on reproductive health. The article "A Pro-Choice Movement in Mexico" included a comparison of abortion policies in surrounding Latin America (emphasis mine):

Although Chile has one of South America's strictest anti-abortion codes, it's estimated to have twice as many abortions each year (200,000) as Canada - a country with twice Chile's population. (Abortion is legal in Canada.) As a result, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, a socialist, late last year sanctioned the free distribution of abortion-inducing "morning-after" contraception pills at government-run hospitals.

Keroack is Gone! Kappeler to Replace Him?

Tyler LePard

Eric Keroack resigned Thursday as Director of the Office of Population Affairs (in charge of Title X, family planning funding). I'd love to tell you it was because of the public outrage at his ridiculous positions on birth control and family planning (among other things), but it looks like it's because the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid is taking action against him. Hmmm... sounds like there's some dirt there.

Media Watch: The Palm Beach Post and The L.A. Times Take on Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Tyler LePard

Congratulations to The Palm Beach Post for their op-ed last Sunday "To have fewer abortions, stop subsidizing the lies." The editorial denounces Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and takes the position that CPCs should not receive public funds. We have previously highlighted the lies and deceitful tactics used by these health-center-imitators, but it bears repeating until funding goes to medically-accurate programs (instead of zealots who believe that stopping abortion justifies lying to and harassing women).

Stumping John McCain

Tyler LePard

Last Friday, reporters managed to stump 2008 presidential hopeful John McCain. What tough topic caused the senator to pause awkwardly and stumble for an answer? Iraq? No ... Poverty? Try again ... Healthcare? Getting closer ... Contraception? Bingo! Specifically, whether contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV and should they be publicly funded.

Now, this should be a no-brainer. Honestly, anyone who has been through sex ed should know that condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV infection. Oh wait ... except that abstinence-only education gets tons of funding (while comprehensive sex ed gets none) and so it is prevalent in our nation's schools despite the fact that it doesn't teach kids medically accurate information, it doesn't teach them how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and abstinence-only programs actually spread misinformation and religious dogma. Well, don't worry—McCain is also confused about his position on sexuality education. After a long pause, he decided that he thinks he supports the president's policy.