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Home » E-newsletter » Archives » October 31, 2003
October 31, 2003 ACLU of Illinois E-News 10.31.03 Dangerous Abortion Ban Passes Senate Action by the U.S. Senate on October 21st to ban safe abortion procedures sets up an almost certain court challenge, since the U.S. Supreme Court already has found such laws unconstitutional. The ban, on so-called "partial birth abortion" procedures, poses a serious threat to women's health -- since it outlaws not a single procedure, but a number of procedures that are used when health circumstances warrant late in a pregnancy and also are used as part of the safest procedures during the second trimester. One of the most frustrating aspects of this debate has been the way in which the media has miscast the issue as one related to the time in pregnancy when the abortion is performed. On the day after the Senate action, for example, the Chicago Sun Times ran a story which had a headline that made reference to "late term abortion." ACLU of Illinois Reproductive Rights Director Lorie Chaiten responded to the headline in a letter that was published on October 27th. Illinois General Assembly Veto Session Set to Begin Next Week -- Senate Bill 101 at Issue The Fall Veto Session of the Illinois General Assembly gets underway next week on November 4th. One of the issues we hope will be advanced during the session is Senate Bill 101, legislation that brings to an end the last legal sanctioned discrimination in our state -- discrimination against gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons in housing, credit, employment and other public accommodations. Senate 101 is within a few votes of passage, and this is a critical time. If you have not already done so, you can read more about Senate Bill 101 and send a free fax to your State Senator by going here. A Great Discussuion About Homeland Security Chicago's Victory Garden Theater is preparing to stage a new production titled, Homeland Security. The play, written by local author Stuart Flack, the play is described as "a contemporary drama about a second generation Indian doctor and his American girlfriend, who are detained for questioning at O'Hare after returning from a vacation overseas. Post 9/11 paranoia. The emotional and social costs of unrestricted access to personal information. The meaning of patriot. These are just a few of today's hot-button issues brought forth in Homeland Security." In conjunction with the play, Victory Gardens Theater will be hosting a special discussion on the post-9/11 issues. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, will feature Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the ACLU of Illinois. You can learn more about the free event by going here. ACLU Supporting Chicago Event on Fighting for Equality for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Persons On Wednesday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Harold Washington Library, the ACLU of Illinois will be a supporting partner for a Human Rights Campaign event titled, Home is Where the Heart Is. The educational seminar will focus on overcoming the legal and cultural obstacles to building a strong family and making a home in the GLBT community. You can learn the latest about the fight for equality in civil marriage, parenting protections, health insurance, retirement and more. If you would like more information about the program, send an email to familynet@hrc.org. |
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