The freedom of religion and belief is one of our most cherished liberties. The First Amendment protects our right to believe whatever we choose. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) would like you to think this right is in peril. As defenders of the Constitution, we beg to differ, and think that some of the recent controversies actually show that the First Amendment is doing its job, and confirm that religious freedom in America is alive and well.
Every day is a day to celebrate James Esseks, director of the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and AIDS Project. How could we not? He's wicked smart, strategic, organized and charming to boot.
But today there's even more reason to toot his horn. Last night, James was awarded the 2012 Community Vision Award from the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York. It is an award presented annually "to honor individuals or organizations with a distinguished record of service to the LGBT community, including a sustained commitment to achieving equal rights for all members of the LGBT community." It makes us proud to see James recognized for what he is; a true leader in the effort to achieve equal rights for the LGBT community.
According to the bishops, religious liberty means that insurance would not cover a service that 98 percent of American women – including Catholic women – use.
According to the bishops, religious liberty means that insurance would not cover a service that 98 percent of American women – including Catholic women – use.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard arguments today in Ward v. Wilbanks, a case where a graduate student, Julea Ward, is challenging her removal from Eastern Michigan University's counseling program because she refused to counsel lesbian, gay and bisexual clients on any issues relating to same-sex relationships during her clinical training. The student was training to become a school counselor.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard arguments today in Ward v. Wilbanks, a case where a graduate student, Julea Ward, is challenging her removal from Eastern Michigan University's counseling program because she refused to counsel lesbian, gay and bisexual clients on any issues relating to same-sex relationships during her clinical training. The student was training to become a school counselor.
Thank you to Grey's Anatomy for daring to speak the A-word (abortion) in its two hour season premiere. In the episode, skilled hospital resident Cristina Yang (played by Sandra Oh) declares, in the clearest of terms, that she does not want to be a mother; she does not want children; she wants her career as a surgeon; and she wants to have an abortion.
Today, in 2011, long after abortion has been legalized, long after discrimination against women in many arenas became illegal, long after calls to end gender stereotyping, the Grey's Anatomy episode is — sadly — radical stuff.
Thank you to Grey's Anatomy for daring to speak the A-word (abortion) in its two hour season premiere. In the episode, skilled hospital resident Cristina Yang (played by Sandra Oh) declares, in the clearest of terms, that she does not want to be a mother; she does not want children; she wants her career as a surgeon; and she wants to have an abortion.
Today, in 2011, long after abortion has been legalized, long after discrimination against women in many arenas became illegal, long after calls to end gender stereotyping, the Grey's Anatomy episode is — sadly — radical stuff.
Last week, the Institute of Medicine, an independent medical authority, recommended that birth control – more specifically, the full range of FDA approved contraceptives – be among the services covered by new insurance plans under the national health care reform law. If the recommendation is endorsed, birth control would be covered in all new plans without a co-pay, as would yearly preventative, primary care visits for women. It’s about time.
