Today…
Another Supreme Court decision day. 10am ET, coffee, heartburn, SCOTUSblog. Think less Groundhog Day and more Lindsey having to go down to that basement every day…
On a happier note, on this day in 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. A well-worn tale, I still love - in a funny/not funny way - that the team at NASA thought she’d need 100 tampons “just to be safe.”
It’s also National Sushi Day. If you’ve never had sushi with me, you’re really missing out. I can put away a truly impressive amount of the stuff.
Abortion
Will the Supreme Court Strike a Devastating Blow to Abortion Rights?
Caitlin Moscatello | The Cut
In its first major test on abortion since President Trump appointed conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court is expected to render a decision soon that will signal to state lawmakers how far they can go in restricting abortion access. How the Court comes down on the case could also serve as an indicator of its willingness to dial back reproductive rights going forward.
The Supreme Court Is Set to Decide an Abortion Case—Here’s What It Could Mean for Women’s Rights
Lara Walsh | The Everygirl
Fresh off of their June 15 ruling protecting the LGBT community from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act, the Supreme Court is gearing up to make a decision on one of the most controversial issues in its docket this summer: The government’s role in regulating women’s reproductive rights, and how new legislation could effectively eliminate abortion access for one state for the first time since Roe v. Wade.
Access to Telehealth Abortion Isn't Just a Pandemic Issue
Brittany Risher | The Paper Gown
Even though “nonessential” procedures are now ramping back up, proposed federal and state laws continue to threaten access to abortion. On the other hand, if access to medication abortion is expanded — particularly the telehealth model — more women will be able to obtain care easily and safely when they need it.
Can the "religious left" save abortion rights from Republican hypocrisy?
Paul Rosenburg | Salon
There could not be a more clear-cut example of anti-democratic minority rule than the multi-decade process of eroding abortion access. But it's not just a majority of Americans whose views are being overridden. It's a majority of America's religious believers, too.
Mississippi
White lawmaker likens abortion limits to civil rights issue
Emily Wagster Pettus | AP
A white Republican lawmaker invoked the name of a black civil rights leader Wednesday as the Mississippi Senate advanced a bill to ban abortion based on the race, sex or genetic anomalies of a fetus. The bill is expected to go soon to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who favors more limits on abortion in a state that already has some of the strictest laws in the U.S. Supporters said the bill would prevent abortion for Down syndrome or other conditions.
LGBTQ
Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Trump Will Attack Us
John Casey | The Advocate
In the midst of celebrating this momentous decision, we cannot forget that he ramped up his assault on our community last Friday and will likely go further during the months leading up to the election, despite the ruling from the Supreme Court.
Black Trans Women Want People To Say Their Names - While They’re Alive
Otillia Steadman | BuzzFeed News
"Everybody takes to the streets, and they rally, they protest. But where was that same energy when that lady was alive?"
Dormant Transgender Rights Cases See New Life in Supreme Court Ruling
Erica L. Green | New York Times
Transgender Americans have been fighting for their rights at work, school and housing for years. On Monday, the Supreme Court gave them hope.
The Supreme Court Defines 'Sex' in Its Title VII Ruling
Linda Greenhouse | New York Times
I want to talk about the sharply contrasting vantage points from which the majority and the dissent viewed the issue, whether from the past, present or future. These clashing perspectives help explain the decision and may even help in understanding a court that defied most expectations with its decision and might do so again.
On L.G.B.T.Q. Rights, a Gulf Between Trump and Many Republican Voters
Lisa Lerer, Giovanni Russonello, Isabella Grullón Paz | New York Times
As more Republicans say they support at least some L.G.B.T.Q. protections, President Trump and party leaders continue to stand in opposition and particularly target transgender Americans.
Queer People In 2020 Are More Visible Than Ever, But Still Not Equal
Gabrielle Korn | Refinery29
LGBTQ+ people are not strangers to fighting for the right for equal treatment, both under the law and in the culture. So it feels particularly meaningful that this month, when we celebrate Pride, is when America has erupted in protests.
Black Trans Women's Lives Fucking Matter
Elizabeth Broadbent | Scary Mommy
We know that Black Lives Matter. But at the intersection of race and sexual identity comes an even more marginalized group. It’s time we showed up for them. Black Trans women’s lives matter. Period.
Gender Critical Support Board Promotes Therapists Who Reject Transgender Identities
Heron Greenesmith | Teen Vogue
Some parents on the Gender Critical Support Board may be seeking what many would view as conversion therapists for their children — licensed mental-health-care workers who, in the parents’ words “won’t just affirm [their gender identity] without any questions.” These parents don’t view “non-affirming therapists” as conversion therapists, but the connections are clear: “gender-critical therapy” is the newest cover of a song that’s been playing for the past 50 years.
The Surprising Roots of the Supreme Court’s LGBTQ Rights Ruling
Lauren Adler | Washington Monthly
Conservatives are freaking out about the court’s decision, but they unwittingly set it in motion.
The problem with that big gay rights decision? It’s not really about gay rights
Daniel J. Hemel | Washington Post
The bottom-line outcome of the decision ought to be celebrated. … But the absence of language invoking conceptions of justice comes with a cost. At a time when no other national institution appears capable of carrying the mantle of moral leadership, the court’s clinical approach leaves yet another vacuum.
Social conservatives lost. Trump’s nominee voted the same way Merrick Garland would’ve.
Michael Wear | Washington Post
Religious conservatives were always wrong to deny basic LGBTQ rights in order to protect themselves. But Monday’s Supreme Court decision makes it clear that their approach was both morally and strategically flawed. The ruling also shows that social conservatives’ support for Trump was a mistake from the start.
Connecticut
Congressional delegation blasts DOE transgender ruling
Pat Eaton-Robb | AP
A group of Congressional Democrats is condemning a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Education that threatens to withhold federal funds over a Connecticut policy allowing transgender girls to compete against non-transgender girls in high school sports.
At some point, when I haven’t wasted too much time looking for stills from Angel season 5, I have a rant about the AP website, the topics and tags it uses for articles. LGBTQ articles are plunked all over the place, no rhyme or reason. No LGBTQ, transgender, “gay rights” any kind of grouping that makes sense. It’s aggravating as hell.
Kansas
‘Nobody else for them to pick on.’ KS Senate candidates scuffle over transgender rights
Bryan Lowry | McClatchy DC
Three of the Republicans running for U.S. Senate in Kansas have launched ads in the last week attacking transgender rights, a strategy intended to galvanize social conservatives in the competitive August primary.
Oregon
Our LGBTQ Community Became Stronger When We Organized
Dan DiMaggio | Labor Notes
The Crush Bar Workers Collective in Portland, Oregon made news in March when laid-off workers staged a sit-in, making demands around the COVID-19 closing and reopening. The collective began organizing last October and joined the Industrial Workers of the World in February.
Pregnancy & Parenting
Health equity includes addressing maternal mortality
Dr. Annabelle Santos Volgman | The Hill
The recent crisis of protests following George Floyd’s killing and the killings of scores of black men and women, as well as higher mortality in blacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the systems of health care that have historically and currently disadvantaged communities of color, particularly black women.
Black Babies are Born at a Disadvantage Throughout the U.S.
Christina Elston | LA Parent
Studies have long shown that where in the U.S. a baby is born can have a major impact on that baby’s health and wellbeing going forward. But a new report out this month notes that Black and brown babies, which make up more than half of all U.S. infants, start life at a disadvantage no matter where they come into the world.
No coronavirus baby boom: Births expected to plunge in US after pandemic, experts say
Katie Camero | McClatchy
A new report estimates there could be a substantial drop in births — a decline anywhere between 300,000 to 500,000 births next year in the U.S. Condom sales were even reported to have been increasing in the U.S. since coronavirus cases first emerged.
Virginia
Medicaid report shows racial disparities in opioid treatment among pregnant women
Monique Calello | The News Leader (Staunton, VA)
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services released a new report showing a significant increase in treatment rates for pregnant women with opioid use disorder following the launch of the agency’s Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services program in 2017.
Wisconsin
Responding to Inequalities: Black mothers, babies three times more likely to die than counterparts
Shaun Gallagher | WTMJ-TV (Milwaukee, WI)
Black babies in Milwaukee are three times more likely to die within a year of birth as compared to white babies. The data is a startling, but it's not new. For much of the last six decades, it's gone mostly unchanged.
Work & Money
How Pregnant Essential Workers Got Overlooked During The Pandemic
Grace Weinberg | BUST Magazine
While there have been discussions about the threat the virus might pose for pregnant folks and essential workers, what about the essential workers who are pregnant?
Ten Ways We Can Support Women In The Workplace During A Crisis
Hira Ali | Forbes
There is growing concern that gender-based inequalities around the world will soon surge, reversing progress on gender equality and sustainable development goals. Losing ground at this stage will have dire consequences for women, especially when we have come this far. It's imperative that women, girls, and other vulnerable groups are at the center of all efforts during and after this crisis.
Americans increasingly back Black Lives Matter - but will workplaces?
Meera Jagannathan | New York Post
As support for the Black Lives Matter movement grows, companies with a public commitment to racial justice are grappling with how to address the matter internally — and some employees are speaking out.
George Floyd protests lead to reckoning as Black employees speak out on racism and discrimination in the workplace
Jessica Guynn | USA Today
Seizing an opportunity to be heard, Black employees are responding on social media with painful stories of workplace racism that they say they were too fearful to discuss before. The wave of firsthand accounts and activism has led to resignations, drawing parallels to the #MeToo movement.
Texas
Many Barriers Keep Texas Women Of Color From Financial Security, Report Says
Shelly Brisbin | Texas Standard
A new report on economic issues for women in Texas shows that when it comes to achieving financial security, a large percentage of women of color in the state face several barriers – including access to affordable childcare, housing costs, college loan debt, pay inequity and a lack of health insurance.
P.S. What delayed me today? Besides reading, trying to figure out exactly when the first union in the U.S. for working women was founded – December 28, 1844 TYVM – and a fruitless search for Lindsey gifs.