Following Donald Trump’s US presidential election victory, women are experiencing a surge of online misogyny, with men using the slogan “your body, my choice” to express their opposition to reproductive rights. This slogan, originally used by feminists to advocate for bodily autonomy, is now being twisted to assert control over women’s bodies. The recent overturning of Roe v Wade, a landmark decision guaranteeing the right to abortion, has emboldened anti-abortion activists, leading to a climate of fear and uncertainty for women. Despite the lack of a federal ban on abortion, state-level laws are already severely restricting access to reproductive healthcare, putting women’s health and well-being at risk.
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On Tuesday, voters in seven states approved constitutional amendments aimed at protecting or expanding abortion rights, while three states rejected similar measures. In Arizona and Missouri, voters passed initiatives that will effectively safeguard abortion rights until fetal viability. Meanwhile, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York, and Colorado voters enshrined existing abortion rights into their state constitutions. However, voters in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota rejected proposed amendments that would have protected abortion rights. These defeats marked the first failures for pro-abortion-rights ballot measures since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The results underscore the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States and the importance of state-level initiatives in shaping access to abortion care.
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The Des Moines Register’s final poll shows Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris leading Republican Donald Trump by a narrow margin ahead of the election in Iowa, a state typically presumed to support Trump. Kamala had the backing of 47% of respondents, as opposed to Trump’s 44%. The poll, conducted by respected pollster J. Ann Selzer, is known as the “gold standard” for its accurate track record in predicting state-wide election results. However, Progressive advocates have urged that supporters should not place complete faith in a single poll, pushing for continued campaigning actions. The poll also reported that among women aged 65 and older there was a significant shift towards Harris, with 63% supporting her over Trump’s 28%, and independent-identifying women also favouring her, 57% to 29%.
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Thousands of women rallied in the US in support of abortion rights and other feminist causes ahead of Tuesday’s election. Not only the presidential election but also various state-level abortion-rights measures were in focus. As per a survey, abortion rights have supplanted inflation as the top issue for women under 30 in the presidential election. Numerous states will consider constitutional amendments for upholding the right to abortion. Other issues like LGBTQ+ rights, higher wages, paid sick leave, and efforts against gun violence were also advocated for during the rallies.
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I felt a surge of disbelief and anger when I heard that some staff members in Abilene Independent School District allegedly suggested tracking students’ menstrual cycles. How has it come to this, where educators seem more concerned with monitoring the bodily functions of minors than fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment? This isn’t just a misstep; it reeks of a deeper problem rooted in an unhealthy obsession with controlling young women’s bodies. It feels like a nightmare scenario, straight out of a dystopian novel, and it’s beyond disturbing.
As a parent, my instincts scream at the thought that anyone in a position of authority would even consider taking such invasive measures.… Continue reading
Nevaeh Crain, an 18-year-old pregnant woman, died in 2023 after being turned away from two hospitals due to complications in her pregnancy. Crain had shown symptoms of sepsis but had been sent home twice from separate emergency rooms. Her death has highlighted the fear and confusion among doctors in states with strict abortion laws who are unsure of how to treat pregnant patients with serious complications. The Texas abortion law threatens prison time for interventions that end a fetal heartbeat and abortion, even in cases of a life-threatening pregnancy. A report by ProPublica found that delays in treating Crain and at least one other pregnant woman who has died in Texas are a consequence of changing practices amid legal threats to doctors.
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As I read the headline about Trump declaring himself the ‘father of IVF’ at a town hall with an all-female audience, I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief. The audacity and arrogance of this man know no bounds. Claiming to be the pioneer of in vitro fertilization is not only false but also deeply disrespectful to the actual scientists and researchers who have worked tirelessly in the field for decades. It’s another delusional statement from a man who seems to live in a reality of his own creation.
It’s alarming how his supporters continue to overlook his narcissistic tendencies and blatant lies.… Continue reading
The issue of 200+ women facing criminal charges over pregnancy in the year after Dobbs is alarming and deeply disturbing. The fact that women who have experienced miscarriages are being accused of child abuse and locked up is beyond comprehension. Miscarriages are unfortunately common, and the idea that someone could weaponize such a devastating experience to incarcerate women is cruel and heartless.
One particular case in Oklahoma where a woman was charged with felony child neglect after her baby tested positive for marijuana at birth stands out. Despite having a doctor-approved state license to use medical marijuana during her pregnancy, prosecutors pursued the case using fetal personhood language.… Continue reading
As a woman living in the United States, recent news about the Supreme Court letting stand a decision barring emergency abortions that violate Texas state law is deeply troubling. The idea that hospitals in Texas can refuse to provide life-saving care to pregnant individuals in emergency situations goes against all notions of basic human rights and medical ethics. The fact that this decision came after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 adds another layer of devastation to an already dire situation.
The Biden administration rightfully argued that hospitals should have to perform abortions in emergency situations under federal law.… Continue reading
As I sit here with a heavy heart and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, the news of 26,000 raped women in Texas being forced to give birth since Dobbs weighs heavily on my mind. It’s a staggering number that highlights a deeper issue within our society. The fact that so many women have had to endure such a traumatic experience is beyond comprehension. The pain, the trauma, the fear that these women must have faced is unimaginable.
The statistics speak volumes about the prevalence of rape and sexual violence in our society. It is a harsh reality that only a small percentage of rapists are prosecuted, let alone spend time behind bars.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood