Domestic:
Freedom of Choice Act (S.1173 & H.R. 1964) have been introduced. See if your members are co-sponsors. Then, participate in the Feminist Majority Foundation's Call in Day, tomorrow, April 25. Call the Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your members.
The G.O.P. wasn't always staunchly anti-choice. In fact, one of the co-chairs of the party was an outspoken abortion & women's rights advocate.
Gonorrhea is going drug-resistant. As usual: wait to have sex, get tested, and use protection.
Work:
Gender pay gap seen from year one. "Even after controlling for hours, occupation, parenthood, and other factors known to affect earnings, the research indicates that one-quarter of the pay gap remains unexplained and is likely due to sex discrimination." The study apparently (on p.38, which I haven't gotten to yet) takes into account the fact that women often seek lower-paid jobs in the non-profit sector or those with increased work flexibility due to child-rearing demands. Mainstream press coverage around. Well done, AAUW.
Slate covers a new study that shows that maybe women don't work more than men (housework & market work, combined)? At least not in developed countries.
Science:
Saletan covers something we already knew (but which continues to be legislated) that abortion does not cause breast cancer. Stop making it part of informed consent. He also talks about the continuous cycling Pill, see previous post. [Ed. if you're still confused, check out the Well-Timed Period]
Ab-only education still doesn't work (.pdf). The Christian Science Monitor says that abstience should be a part of comprehensive sex-ed, which I think is what most people have been arguing for.
Merck is applying for expanded use for Gardasil, arguing it protects against vaginal & vulvar cancer as well. Still no mention of penile or anal cancers. Glaxo's vaccine, Cervarix, works for 5.5 years. Speaking of HPV vaccines, Roche & Transgene are partnering on developing a vaccine.
Frozen sperm + Frozen egg = baby! This is news, especially since non-fertilized eggs don't store well. Between that and the fact that we can create sperm cells from bone stem cells...maybe we are headed for a future without men.
International:
Mexico City's legislature is considering legalizing abortion. Some people are protesting this proposed change.
A woman was too smart to be harassed, says a Spanish judge (thanks Brian!).
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Fucked up story of the week: Dad impregnates daughter repeatedly, she carries to term, he has her throw the babies down the air shaft.
