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Today…
is French Language Day, mais je suis désolé, we’re at our language limit here. We’ve already got “distance learning” in English, Spanish and Chinese. Plenty.
And because there’s a lot in the next few days…
March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
On March 21, 1978, San Francisco enacted a first-of-its-kind gay rights bill – sponsored by Harvey Milk – banning discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation.
March 22, 1972, Supreme Court ruled in Eisenstadt v Baird that single people have the same rights as married people when it comes to using birth control.
March 22 is World Doula Day, kicking off World Doula Week. Lord knows we need ‘em now.
March 23 is the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and the first day of LGBT Health Awareness Week.
When the 12yo was younger, when I’d ask if he’d done XYZ, his go-to was often, “I got a little distracted.” He said it so much that his sister and I picked it up, which he didn’t like at all. He thought we were making fun of him – fair, though as I explained, we were repeating it because it was true for us, too. And also we’re jerks.
My point? Oh. If sometimes you don’t get a newsletter until later in the morning, it could be because I’m swamped. Or it could be because I got a little distracted by cheese and old Chris Rock bits.
Quick! Before you get distracted!
Abortion
Medical Training Must Include Education in Abortion Care. Here’s Where to Start.
Emily Trautner | Ms. Magazine
A survey of Ob-Gyn applicants across the country found 55% of med students rated abortion training as an important factor. However, over a third of Ob-Gyn residency directors reported abortion training was not a routine part of their residency – and only 22% reported residents had adequate surgical abortion training. This means nearly 4 in 5 Ob-Gyn programs provide inadequate abortion training—in spite of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s recommendation.
The FDA Could Improve Abortion Access Under Coronavirus But It Won't
Christine Grimaldi | VICE
“We have a solution to this problem, and that solution would be telemedicine provision of medication abortion. It really just doesn’t make sense to continue to restrict this practice, which has been shown in research to be very safe, highly effective, and well-liked by patients.”
Anti-Abortion Groups Are Still Holding Protests During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Leila Ettachfini | VICE
For millions of people, life as they know it has come to a halt. But there is one group that is relentless in continuing business as usual: anti-abortion protestors.
Kansas lawmakers pass transportation plan seen as stimulus
John Hanna | Associated Press
The two biggest issues were not resolved ahead of the break. Republican leaders gave up for now on their top priority, a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution, and a bipartisan plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program was stalled. GOP lawmakers also temporarily abandoned a push for income tax cuts.
Tennessee lawmakers pass budget, recess amid virus outbreak
Kimberlee Kruesi & Jonathan Mattise | Associated Press
Lawmakers adjourned with the goal of returning June 1 to pick up the more contentious issues, ranging from sweeping bans on abortion to allowing most people in the state to carry a firearm in public without a background check or training, to expanding paid family leave for state workers.
Even in Places With Accessible Abortion Care, the Coronavirus Is Drastically Affecting Services
Steph Black | Rewire.News
The coronavirus, and the actions required to protect against it, will likely erode access to abortion care—even in a place like Washington, D.C., a hub with few restrictions, an abortion support infrastructure, and providers across the region.
Birth Control
Coronavirus Is Making It Harder for People to Get Birth Control
Marie Solis | VICE
Advocates for reproductive telehealth, as well as over-the-counter birth control, hope lawmakers see that the in-person prescription model isn’t the only safe way to help people access contraceptives—and in fact, it may not even be the most effective one.
LGBTQ
LGBTQ Groups Sue Trump Admin Over Discrimination Related to COVID-19
Trudy Ring | The Advocate Magazine
Three LGBTQ organizations have sued the Health & Human Services Dept. over its refusal to enforce anti-discrimination protections during the COVID-19 crisis. HHS announced in November that it would no longer require nonprofits receiving its grants to comply with regulations dating from the Obama administration to avoid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Courthouse News Service: Groups Say HHS Grant Change Invites LGBT Discrimination
Modern Healthcare: HHS sued to block elimination of non-bias protections in grants
There Shouldn’t Be a Ban on Gay Blood Donors-Especially Now
Tim Teeman | Daily Beast
Gay men can donate blood if they have been celibate for a year. With donors urgently needed in the coronavirus crisis, it’s beyond time to lift the gay blood ban once and for all.
Idaho Senate calls it quits, but House says not so fast
Keith Ridler | Associated Press
The Idaho House adjourned Friday, apparently waiting to see if lawmakers would have to override possible vetoes from Republican Gov. Brad Little. One is a bill banning transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates despite a federal court ruling Idaho lost declaring such a ban unconstitutional, and that the Idaho AG’s office says could end up costing the state $1 million if it goes to court again. The other bill bans transgender women from competing in women’s sports despite also getting warnings that such a law is unconstitutional.
Reproductive Health & Justice
'Home Isn't a Safe Place for Everyone': How Coronavirus Is Impacting Domestic Violence Shelters
Esther Wang | Jezebel
As more Americans are being asked to shelter in place and practice social distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, one group of people will be particularly impacted—survivors of domestic violence and abuse, for whom home is dangerous.
Lawmakers urge Trump admin to protect those with HIV amid coronavirus pandemic
Nico Lang | NBC
Eleven Democratic senators called on the Trump administration Thursday to recognize the particular needs of people living with HIV as it responds to the global coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the senators warned that the coronavirus “poses a serious health risk” to the estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. who are HIV positive.
Congress' tax policies need to help more of us. Take it from a proud welfare queen like me.
Rep. Gwen Moore | NBC Think
You can call me a welfare queen. I proudly wear the crown. To me, a welfare queen is a woman who defies the odds against her to reign over her destiny and find a path out of poverty.
What Coronavirus Means for Pregnancy and Other Things New and Expecting Mothers Should Know
Nina Martin | ProPublica
Spoiler alert: If you’re currently pregnant, the birthing experience you expected pre-COVID-19 is likely to be very different from the one you actually get. Your postpartum period will be even more isolated and stressful than it otherwise would have been. Obstetric providers are having to reinvent maternity care in real time to protect you and your baby as well as themselves. For expectant mothers and their loved ones, the key to staying sane is to be as ready as possible for what lies ahead, including the likelihood that your best-laid plans will fly out the window.