Womens rights protest

Thousands of people prepared to descend on Paris on Sunday (Oct 6) to protest a government plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments, the first major social reform since France legalised gay marriage in 2013. IVF treatment is currently only available to heterosexual couples in France. (Photo: AFP/Josep Lago) Organisers say they are hoping 100,000 will turn out against a law heading to the Senate this month, after it was approved by the lower house of parliament in September. President Emmanuel Macron pledged during his 2017 election campaign to push the law despite deep resistance among right-wing opponents as well as conservative Roman Catholics and other religious groups. They had mobilised massively in 2012 and 2013 against a move by Macron's Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande to legalise marriage for homosexual couples, with one Paris protest attracting 340,000 people according to police. But that law did not allow lesbian … [Read more...] about French to protest pro IVF law for single women, lesbians

“People avoid talking about it,” said Jan Krause Greene, a writer, peace activist, and grandmother who moved to Bellingham five years ago. “It’s the first time in my life I’ve avoided talking about it. . . . I don’t bring it up unless I’m in a safe space.” The taboo topic, of course, is politics, and more specifically, President Trump, whose 2016 election uncloaked a chasm between voters all over the country, but here especially so. In Bellingham, residents turned out in force at the polls that day, mostly unaware of the rift within their ranks. When the votes were counted, Bellingham emerged as the most closely divided town in Massachusetts, a mere 26 votes out of almost 9,000 deciding the race locally in favor of Donald Trump. For a time, people tried to talk about it. Arguments flared; Facebook friends were un-friended. Soon, unspoken rules were laid down, and an uneasy quiet descended. Last month, as House Democrats … [Read more...] about What’s better left unsaid in Bellingham? Politics

Suffolk Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins attributed the rise in the number of women incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system to substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, and “relationships that have compromised them.” According to Tompkins, gender-specific programming allows his office to help address issues of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and substance use disorders. “This is not about ICE, this is not about Trump, this is not about the federal government, this is about saving lives,” he said. The decision was grounded in helping people get back on their feet, according to Tompkins. “To do that, I need space,” he said. The South Bay facility houses about 1,200 detainees, according to Tompkins. Of that number about 200 are ICE detainees, who are all housed in the same building, he said. The move will allow his office to house 200 to 250 more women at South Bay by the end of the month, he said. There are 80 … [Read more...] about Suffolk sheriff’s department ending contract with ICE