Today…
is Super Tuesday, but you knew that.
in 1913, more than 8000 women participated in the Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington, D.C. (I guess calling it a march would be unseemly.)
is National Cold Cuts Day. For me, a nice hoagie on Italian with soppressata and capicola, in honor of David Brooks. #StaySalty
And a quick tumble into the rabbit hole of my brain…
Vox: What anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers” really do
Me: They liiiiie, when they cryyyyyy…
Then as I poked around for the gif, I found this cover of “Joe Lies,” and I kinda love it.
If you love it - and you gotta love it - tell the people!
June Medical Services v Russo
This Could Be the Week Abortion Rights End
Halley Bondy, DAME Magazine
Pro-choice groups have been decrying the end of Roe v. Wade for decades. [Personally attacked in my own newsletter.] Some of them were called “hysterical” for defending a federal law that was supposedly rock-solid. “People in the abortion-rights movement have been talking about the end of Roe v. Wade since Roe v. Wade,” says Amanda Reyes, founder of the Yellowhammer Fund, the only official abortion fund in Alabama.
Editorial | Trump’s High Court Hears Its First Abortion Case
The New York Times
If the justices agree with Louisiana’s claim, they could imperil the future of reproductive rights litigation. It’d be a sly way of rolling back women’s rights by limiting their access to the legal system. Combined with the proliferation of TRAP laws and other anti-abortion measures, millions more would be left with a constitutional right that they’re not able to exercise—which is to say, no real right at all.
June v. Russo: Justice for Louisianans Means a Future with Abortion Access
Steffani Bangel (exec. dir. of New Orleans Abortion Fund), Ms. Magazine
Louisiana has the undesirable distinction of having more anti-abortion laws on the books than any other state in the U.S. While abortion is technically legal, it does not often feel like it.
The Supreme Court Could Set Abortion Rights Back 47 Years
Lizz Winstead, Refinery29
The most dangerous challenge to Roe v. Wade is being heard by the Supreme Court on March 4. I will let you take a minute to read that sentence again. And then again. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know. Between the impeachment hearings and the now-fiery 2020 elections, who could expect you to? Well, let me fill you in so you can spread the word.
'June Medical Services' Could Usher in the Clarence Thomas Era of Abortion Rights
Jessica Mason Pieklo, Rewire.News
In June Medical Services v. Russo, the Justice Clarence Thomas revolution in abortion rights jurisprudence is just beginning.
For Black People, Roe is Imperfect. We Still Need the Supreme Court to Protect It
Renee Bracey Sherman & Brittany Mostiller, The Root
Our history is fraught with reproductive oppression and coercion … And for some, this has contributed to a very real mistrust of the healthcare industry. The system is simply rigged against us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t fight to access our rights within a system that is supposed to protect them.
The Supreme Court Might be About to End Abortion In Louisiana. Here's What You Need to Know.
Carter Sherman, VICE
Abortion clinics might even lose the right to file lawsuits on behalf of their patients — something they’ve been able to do for more than four decades. Today, providers launch most major abortion rights litigation; if they lose their ability to do that, they’d have to find pregnant women who want an abortion and are willing to sue.
As if that’s not more than enough:
Los Angeles Times: A Supreme Court retreat from Roe vs. Wade could begin this week with Louisiana abortion case
NBC News: Supreme Court's new abortion case focuses the spotlight on Chief Justice John Roberts
Wall Street Journal: Supreme Court Will Hear First Major Abortion Case Since Two Trump Appointees Joined
Abortion
Iowa House Panel Advances Bill To Increase Fetal Homicide Penalties, Define Personhood
Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio
The criminal penalties for Iowans convicted of intentionally or accidentally ending a pregnancy without the consent of the mother would be increased under a bill advanced Monday by Republicans on a House panel. Iowa Catholic Conference lobbyist Tom Chapman supports the bill. He said Iowa should treat the killing of a fetus without the consent of the woman as a form of homicide. “It protects unborn human life in the criminal code in contexts other than abortion or medical procedures,” Chapman said.
Anti-abortion activists rally behind constitutional amendment proposal at Iowa Capitol
Ian Richardson, Des Moines Register
Gov. Kim Reynolds and key Republican legislators rallied anti-abortion activists Monday behind a constitutional amendment that would specify the state constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.
Editorial | Nuns’ moral stance right on Medicaid expansion
Hutchinson News
When an amendment to the Kansas Constitution regarding abortion failed on the House floor, Senate President Susan Wagle stalled progress on Medicaid expansion, claiming it would lead to state-funded abortions. Since then, 76 Catholic nuns joined a letter urging the Kansas Legislature to pass Medicaid expansion, saying it is “deeply immoral” for anyone to go without medical care.
Utah Senate votes to ban all elective abortions - if Supreme Court ever allows it
Lee Davidson, Salt Lake Tribune
The Utah Senate voted Monday to ban elective abortions at all stages of pregnancy in Utah — but only if the U.S. Supreme Court ever reverses its Roe v. Wade decision on the matter first.
W.Va. governor signs 'born alive' abortion bill
Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Monday signed a proposal to penalize physicians who don’t provide medical care to a child born after an abortion, a largely symbolic measure due to existing laws that protect newborns. The measure easily passed both the GOP-held Senate and House of Delegates with supporters admitting that it’s more about sending a political message than solving an ongoing problem.
Birth Control
Virginia House and Senate lawmakers are deadlocked over expanding authority for pharmacists
Kate Masters, Virginia Mercury
Both House and Senate lawmakers proposed legislation this year to give pharmacists more independence in administering certain drugs. But differences between the two bills could lead to a deadlock in a conference hearing, ending any chance of a final version being passed by the General Assembly. Both proposals share the same underlying goal: offer Virginians more access to treatment from their local pharmacy.
Equal Rights Amendment
Utah Legislature continues to deny women equal rights
Charlotte Maloney, Salt Lake Tribune
Women, please pay attention. The Republican-led Utah Legislature continues to deny us the equal treatment under the law that we deserve.
LGBTQ
Appalachia's "Queer Auntie" Wants to Bring LGBTQ Sex Ed to the Rural Region
James Michael Nichols, NewNowNext
Eight years ago, the self-described “queer auntie” looked around her community and realized that young people living across the Appalachian region, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ, had been severely underserved by the public education system when it came to understanding sexual health. Virtually all LGBTQ people she knew lacked access to inclusive sex education that spoke to their needs and identities.
How LGBTQ Legal Rights And Protections Have Shifted Under Trump
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR
The White House has the power to interpret whether LGBTQ people are protected by sex discrimination protections in laws passed by Congress, to issue rules and policies that reflect that interpretation, and — through those actions — the power to send a message to the country. In the last several years, two White House administrations have used this power in diametrically opposite ways. LGBTQ activists and their allies say it feels like civil rights "whiplash."
Today in “new research finds water is wet…”
4 of 5 transgender youths want preferred names, pronouns in health records
Brian P. Dunleavy, UPI
When young transgender people seek healthcare services, how physicians refer to them can affect their comfort level – which influences whether they receive proper care. Nearly 80% of transgender youths want medical records to reflect their preferred names and pronouns, according to a survey published in JAMA Pediatrics this month.
Buttigieg's White House Bid Ensures Place in LGBTQ History
David Crary, Associated Press
Buttigieg’s presidential candidacy, though ending far short of its goal, will likely go down in history books as a success: proof of the remarkable advances made by LGBT Americans in their quest for equality and acceptance.
Pete and Chasten Buttigieg's Presentation of Their Gay Marriage
Rich Juzwiak, Jezebel
“Their marriage is at once banal and extraordinary,” is how TIME’s Charlotte Alter described the union of Pete and Chasten Buttigieg in a profile last year. The photo on that issue’s cover—two white men in brown-belted business casual—said as much without words. Chasten smirked while Pete looked on with a presidential seriousness: he was, after all, the first openly gay man to be a serious contender for the commander in chief of his country.
The 'Pete Effect': LGBTQ Americans reflect on Buttigieg's historic run
Tim Fitzsimons, NBC News
For many LGBTQ advocates, Buttigieg’s run served as a historical counterpoint to the notion that Americans would never vote for a gay president — and a sign that many more LGBTQ candidates would seek elected office.
Reproductive Health & Justice
A Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare could affect nearly all Americans
Tami Luhby, CNN
The future of the nation's health care system now lies in the hands of the Supreme Court. The justices announced Monday that they will determine the fate of the Affordable Care Act next term, after lower court rulings found the law's individual mandate unconstitutional. The justices' ruling could uphold, eradicate or greatly change the landmark law that has transformed America's health system in many ways.
See also:
DailyKos: It's 2020, the Supreme Court might strike down the ACA, and the Republicans STILL don't have a plan
New York Times: Supreme Court to hear Obamacare appeal
USA Today: Supreme Court once again will decide fate of Affordable Care Act
Washington Post: Supreme Court will once again consider fate of Affordable Care Act
From #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen to ‘Hood Feminism’: A Q&A with author Mikki Kendall
Cynthia Greenlee, Prism
Dr. Cynthia Greenlee talks to Mikki Kendall about who’s a hood feminist, how Kendall came to be a clapback queen, the original sin of the feminist movement, and what words she has for reproductive justice activists and other organizers.
How High School Sex Education Is Changing Post-#MeToo
Eliza Brooke, GQ
A new vanguard of educators is not just teaching the importance of planning pregnancy or helping students to decipher whether or not they got a "yes" in the moments before clothes start coming off. Instead, they’re emphasizing the importance of healthy relationships and teaching their students strategies to cultivate them.
Spokane adopts law to keep the noise down during Planned Parenthood protesters
Adam Shanks, Spokesman-Review
The Spokane City Council adopted new protections for health facilities amid pressure to dampen the loud protests outside of Planned Parenthood. The ordinance passed 6 to 1. Council members who supported the measure stressed that it was not intended to restrict protestors’ rights to march, hold signs, and pray. “All we’re asking is that you keep the noise down to a reasonable level,” said Councilwoman Karen Stratton.
Workplace Equality
Women in top U.S. medical school positions earn less than men
Linda Carroll, Reuters
Even in top positions at U.S. medical schools, women earn less than men, a study suggests. Women who chaired departments at state medical schools were paid less than men with the same job, even after accounting for factors such as length of time in the field, number of papers published and number of government grants obtained, according to the analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
MSNBC's Chris Matthews resigns from 'Hardball' after allegations of inappropriate behavior
Cydney Henderson, Andrea Mandell & Maria Puente, USA Today
Chris Matthews is "retiring" immediately from his MSNBC show following accusations of inappropriate behavior. "I’m retiring," Matthews said at the start of his show Monday. "This is the last ‘Hard Ball’ at MSNBC and obviously this isn’t for lack of interest in politics.
Nearly half of women face gender discrimination almost every day
Sarah Kocher, New York Post
A study asked 2,000 Americans about their opinions on gender inequality and found half of the 1,000 women surveyed reported facing gender discrimination nearly every day. 63% percent of Americans believe there will always be gender discrimination in the US.