Buckle up
Today…
Supreme Court decisions due at 10:00am ET. See you on SCOTUSblog! (And for planning purposes, Supreme Court calendar has Thursday as a decision day as well.)
There was so much news over the weekend that I blew past Substack’s email length limit, so will have to be brief.
If ever there was a time to share with your colleagues and networks, it’s now. The rest of this month is going to be jam-packed with repro/gender news. My coffee pot and I stand ready. (Well, I do. It doesn’t know. Please don’t say anything.)
Abortion
My Abortion Allowed Me to Control My Own Destiny
Minouche Kandel | LA Progressive
Your ability to have an abortion shouldn’t depend on where you work or where you live. Access to abortion is freedom, and the Supreme Court must protect it.
Coronavirus Created an Obstacle Course for Safe Abortions
Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Alisha Gupta, Monika Pronczuk | The New York Times
But during the pandemic, a few countries liberalized their requirements, allowing at-home medical terminations.
The Pandemic Gave Us a Look at a Post-Roe v Wade World
Jennifer Dalven | Teen Vogue
Some states took the pandemic as an opportunity to further limit abortion.
Iowa
Iowa lawmakers OK abortion waiting period, push to adjourn
David Pitt | AP
Iowa lawmakers approved a 24-hour waiting period for abortions during an overnight session that stretched into Sunday morning.
LGBTQ
Trump administration revokes transgender health protection
Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar | AP
The Trump administration Friday finalized a regulation that overturns Obama-era protections for transgender people against sex discrimination in health care. The policy shift, long-sought by the president’s religious and socially conservative supporters, defines gender as a person’s biological sex.
The Advocate | Trump Administration Kills Trans Protections in Affordable Care Act
BuzzFeed | Trump Guts LGBTQ Trans Discrimination Health Care Protections During Coronavirus Pandemic
The Daily Beast | Trump’s Latest Dose of Anti-Trans Poison Is Cruel, and Utterly Predictable
HuffPost | Trump Reverses Rule Protecting Transgender Patients From Discrimination
LGBTQ Nation | Trump administration will allow health care providers to discriminate against transgender people
New York Times | Trump Administration Erases Transgender Civil Rights Protections in Health Care
New York Times | Health Care Advocates Push Back Against Trump’s Erasure of Transgender Rights
NPR | Transgender Health Protections Reversed By Trump Administration
Politico | Trump finalizes rollback of LGBTQ patient protections
Rolling Stone | Trump Administration Revokes Obama-Era Transgender Health Care Protections
Slate | Trump Administration Nixes Transgender Health Protections in Middle of Pride Month
The New Yorker | The Trump Administration’s Hateful Message on Health Care for Transgender Americans
Teen Vogue | The Trump Administration Just Issued a Rule to Erase Trans Health Protections in the Affordable Care Act
Washington Post | Trump administration removes non-discrimination protections for transgender people in health care
No, the Trump Administration Did Not Just Take Away Trans People's Access to Healthcare
Harron Walker | Jezebel
What did happen is that HHS announced that it had finalized a rule regarding the implementation of the ACA’s prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex, stating that this statutory provision would no longer cover trans people or people who are pregnant, which doubles back on an Obama-era interpretation to the contrary.
This Man Is Eliminating Protections Against Healthcare Discrimination For More Than 1M Americans
Dawn Ennis | Forbes
Roger Severino, director of Office of Civil Rights at HHS, is the man responsible for erasing federal healthcare and health insurance protections from discrimination.
The New Civil Rights Movement | Christian Right Activist at Trump's HHS Finalizes Move Rolling Back 'Unnecessary' Transgender Healthcare Protections
HUD to change transgender rules for single-sex homeless shelters
Paige Winfield Cunningham | The Washington Post
Single-sex homeless shelters could choose to accommodate only people whose biological sex matches that of those they serve, under a rule to be proposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the coming weeks.
The New Civil Rights Movement | Trump is about to worsen the transgender homelessness epidemic
Two Black Transgender Women Were Killed This Week, When Will it End?
David Artavia | The Advocate Magazine
As the nation continues to demand action against white supremacy and police brutality, the recent deaths of two Black trans women are a disturbing reminder that we must stay vigilant to the growing violence against trans women of color.
CBS | New calls to confront transphobia after murders of two black transgender women
Complex | Activists Raise Awareness About Violent Transphobia After Murders of 2 Black Transgender Women
People Are Demanding Justice for Tony McDade, a Black Transgender Man Who Was Killed by Police
Joshua Espinoza | Complex
As protests began erupting following the death of George Floyd, another black man was killed at the hands of a Florida police officer last month. However, it appears this case has received relatively little media interest.
Reclaim Pride by Defunding the Police
Ash Stephens | The Advocate
The first Pride memorialized the Stonewall rebellion. Since then, mainstream LGBTQ movements have divorced Pride from its radical history of protest and uprising against police violence in order to corporatize it to sell products and paint police cars in rainbow flags. Many queer people have either stopped attending Pride events or created their own alternatives. This year must be different.
GOP publishes jawdropping claim Trump has “taken unprecedented steps” to protect LGBTQ people
Bil Browning | LGBTQ Nation
President Donald Trump, they say, has “taken unprecedented steps to protect the LGBTQ community.” The same day the party announced it would recycle its cruel 2016 platform that specifically targeted the community for condemnation.
Out | Republicans Renew Platform of Conversion Therapy, Homophobia
Metro Weekly | Republican National Committee adopts its 2016 platform verbatim, including anti-LGBTQ provisions
Pride Month Underscores the Need for Strong Anti-Discrimination Protections for LGBTQ Employees
Eric Bachman | The National Law Review
Encouraging progress is underway, as shown by anti-discrimination laws passed by states, counties, and cities. But the promise of equality in the workplace for LGBTQ people remains unfulfilled in too many places, including federal employment laws.
On Pulse Anniversary, a Call for LGBTQ+ Support for Gun Reform
Trudy Ring | The Advocate
Gun violence is an LGBTQ+ issue. That’s the message of a report released today, the fourth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, by HRC, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Equality Florida.
Making a wig and heels political: Black drag queens at the nexus of BLM and Pride
Josh Rivera, David Oliver | USA Today
Black drag queens are continuing their legacy of protesting inequalities in the U.S. by taking to the streets in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, donating to social justice organizations, supporting Black businesses and using their social media platforms to spread messages of support and to share resources.
California
Black LGBTQ+ Activists Paint 'All Black Lives Matter' on Hollywood Blvd.
Jeremy Fuster | The Wrap
Before thousands of protesters gathered on Hollywood Blvd. for a march against racial injustice and Trans rights, Black LGBTQ+ activists painted a 600-foot street mural declaring “All Black Lives Matter” in front of the Chinese Theatre.
Colorado
Colorado bill barring gay and trans panic defense heads to governor for signature into law
John Riley | Metro Weekly
On Friday, the Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill to ban the use of gay or trans “panic” defenses to justify violent assaults or murders of LGBTQ people.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico aimed to modernize its old civil code. Critics say it set back women's and LGBTQ rights.
Nicole Acevedo | NBC News
Changes to the second most important legal document after the Puerto Rican constitution infringe upon the "human rights gains of women and LGBTQI+ people," an advocacy group said.
New York
Rally for Black trans lives draws packed crowd to Brooklyn Museum plaza.
Doha Madani | NBC News
Protesters packed the courtyard of the Brooklyn Museum and surrounding parkway in New York City borough on Sunday in support of Black trans lives, merging the fight to protect two deeply marginalized groups.
Vermont
Three transgender candidates running for the Vermont House of Representatives this cycle
John Riley | Metro Weekly
Two years after Christine Hallquist became the first openly transgender candidate to run on a major party ballot in Vermont, three others are seeking to become the state’s first-ever transgender legislators.
Virginia
Denver Riggleman loses GOP nomination in Virginia after officiating same-sex wedding
Veronica Stracqualursi, Kelly Mena | CNN
The congressman, whose decision to officiate a same-sex wedding last year angered some local Republicans, lost his party's nomination to a conservative challenger in Saturday's drive-thru convention.
By the by, you know I don’t collect anti-choice and right-wing articles because eff them, but you ever wonder where they are in the midst of Alla This? Usually it’s the same old nonsense, but every once in a while, they stop me cold.
Pregnancy & Parenting
A Hospital’s Secret Coronavirus Policy Separated Native American Mothers From Their Newborns
Bryant Furlow | ProPublica
Pregnant Native American women were singled out for COVID-19 testing based on their race and ZIP code, clinicians say. While awaiting results, some mothers were separated from their newborns, depriving them of the immediate contact doctors recommend.
A UN report predicts millions of unintended pregnancies due to healthcare restrictions during lockdown
Anna Medaris Miller | INSIDER
One UN estimate found that for every 6 months of healthcare service disruption in low- and middle-income countries, 47 million women will lose access to contraception and 7 million will experience unintended pregnancies.
Reproductive Health & Justice
Anxiety Disorder: Women Are Twice As Likely To Be Diagnosed And Should Be Screened To Improve Detection, Treatment
Alice Broster | Forbes
Research suggests that women are nearly twice as likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, and a coalition of women’s health groups has recommended that all women should be screened for anxiety with the aim of improving detection and treatment.
‘Long overdue’: lawmakers declare racism a public health emergency
Maanvi Singh | The Guardian
Systematic racism is itself a pervasive, deadly pandemic – one that kills both instantaneously and insidiously, burdens Black and Brown Americans with generational trauma, contributes to higher rates of infant mortality and heart disease, and even speeds up the ageing process.
PBS NewsHour | Why chronic stress and COVID-19 are a ‘perfect storm’ for the health of black Americans
Side Effects Public Media | Systemic Racism Is Cradle To Grave Health Issue For Black Americans
Work & Money
Reddit Is Finally Facing Its Legacy of Racism
Kaitlyn Tiffany | The Atlantic
Social-media platforms can’t evade the scrutiny that so many other institutions in America are currently confronting.
As the venture industry is under pressure to address its lack of racial diversity, the #MeToo moment offers both lessons and a cautionary tale
Troy Wolverton | Business Insider
Ongoing protests over police brutality and systemic racism have led to scrutiny in Silicon Valley over its poor track record on racial diversity, particularly in the venture industry. Many see parallels to the #MeToo movement and spotlight it shone on gender discrimination in the tech and venture businesses.
The Wing's Mini Empire Is Built On Trauma, Racism, and Neglect
Ashley Reese | Jezebel
In interviews with Jezebel, 11 people who have been employed by the corporation allege it fostered a climate of racist mistreatment in the workplace, and that it spanned from now-former CEO Audrey Gelman on down to individual members of the space.
Ignited by public protests, American newsrooms are having their own racial reckoning
Paul Farhi, Sarah Ellison | The Washington Post
News organizations across the country are facing a racial reckoning, spurred by protests from their own journalists over portrayals of minority communities and the historically unequal treatment of non-white colleagues.
HuffPost | ‘To Say That She’s An Abusive Figure Is An Understatement’: At ABC News, Toxicity Thrives
New York Times | Newsrooms Are in Revolt. The Bosses Are in Their Country Houses.
What The Pandemic Reveals About The Male Ego
Nicholas Kristof | The New York Times
Those leaders who handled the virus best were those who humbly consulted public health experts and acted quickly, and many were women; in contrast, male authoritarians who botched the response were suspicious of experts and too full of themselves.
Montana
Local leaders form task force to tackle gender, racial inequity
Shaylee Ragar | Bozeman Daily Chronicle
In a push for gender equity, local leaders have formed a new task force to tackle gender and racial discrimination in the Gallatin Valley in all its forms — including pay inequity and other workplace discrimination, violence against women, economic insecurity and disparities in health care.
More, More, More
The ERA and the Dynamic of Deafness
Jane J. Mansbridge | The American Prospect
The Equal Rights Amendment was defeated less by Phyllis Schlafly than by an inward-looking failure to listen. Are we now in a moment when potential movement allies at last listen to one another?
No good headline, Prospect.
What Colleges and Universities Need to Know About the Department of Education’s Final Title IX Rules
Amanda T. Quan | National Law Review
On May 6, the Education Dept released final regulations governing how institutions that receive federal financial assistance covered by Title IX must respond to allegations of sexual harassment.
How women make protests more successful
Elizabeth Ralph | POLITICO
One of the most striking things about the anti-racist protests marching across America right now is how diverse they are. Look at the crowds, and you are likely to see faces of all races, ages and genders. And having women there, it turns out, is especially important for the success of a movement.
Who are police protecting and serving? Law enforcement has history of violence against many minority groups
Rick Jervis | USA Today
Police departments have a long history of violence and aggression toward many minority communities, including Latino, Muslim, LGBTQ and Black Americans, creating a deep mistrust of police that has resulted in many minority communities already under-using police departments because they are reluctant to call them for help.
Is it time to build feminist cities?
Leslie Kern | Vox
From woeful public transportation to dimly lighted streets, urban areas consistently fail women. As we rethink the safety of cities, could we rebuild them with women more in mind?