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Social Security: Tell Your Senators to Oppose Benefit Cuts

Please send a message to tell your senators you want Social Security benefits protected, not cut!

There is a raging debate going on in Congress right now about what to do with the federal deficit. Conservatives are using this opportunity to push for deep cuts to Social Security -- even though Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit.

NOW is working with allies and leading senators to push for the Social Security Protection Amendment (S.AMDT.207, as modified) that says "Hands off Social Security!" We need your help to contact senators ASAP to urge that they support the amendment.

BACKGROUND:
When Congress has to vote in coming weeks on whether to raise the debt ceiling, conservative opponents of Social Security will also push to cut benefits and increase the retirement age to 69 (also a deep benefit cut). This must not be allowed to happen! To head off such a disastrous move, NOW and other progressive groups are organizing to build support in the Senate for an amendment that says "Hands off Social Security!"

The Social Security Protection Amendment, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), declares that Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries should not be cut and that Social Security should not be privatized as part of any legislation to reduce the federal deficit.

This amendment could be brought to a vote the week of March 28, and we hope that NOW members and allies will communicate with their senators about the need to support this amendment. Social Security has not contributed one dime to the federal deficit and, in fact, has a $2.6 trillion surplus that can pay benefits through at least 2037. Social Security keeps millions of older women (and men) in the middle class and out of poverty, supports families when a worker becomes disabled or deceased and, in general, contributes to a safety net for communities during rough economic times.

Millions of baby boomers are just beginning to retire and many face an uncertain future due to the losses in the value of their savings and investments during the recent recession. Our leaders ought to be working to strengthen Social Security by improving benefits, not cutting them or surreptitiously trying to end the program.

You should know that the debate over Social Security and cutting the federal deficit is just part of conservatives' plan to privatize the entire program. Billionaire right-wingers have poured tens of millions into a propaganda campaign designed to eventually require everyone to invest in the stock market for their retirement. They want your money -- and their shills are working overtime to get you to think you have to give it up!

Please send a message right away to tell your senators that you flat-out oppose reducing Social Security benefits or increasing the retirement age. Ask them to support S.AMDT.207 and to join an important group, the Senate's Defend Social Security Caucus.

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Demand that CNN Tell the Truth About Birth Control!

CNN claims to have "fact checked" the statements made by Republican presidential candidates at the September 12th debate. However, CNN rates Bachmann's clearly false statement on what she calls "the morning-after abortion pill" as "True, but incomplete." CNN also incited needless controversy and highlights false information in its misleading article headline: "Are health plans forced to cover free 'abortion pills?'" As Jodi Jacobson at RH Reality Check clearly points out, the fact is that Bachmann's remarks are false.
Morning-after pills, or emergency contraception (E.C.), are a form of birth control. They prevent pregnancy. Medical evidence demonstrates that E.C. does not cause an abortion.

Take Action: Don't let CNN get away with this! Tell them that fact-checking presidential candidates' claims about women's health should be held up to the same standard as comments on jobs and Medicare. Let CNN know that perpetuating Bachmann's lies about primary preventive care for women is unacceptable!

What you can say: As someone who cares about women's reproductive health and accuracy in reporting, I ask that you immediately update your "Fact Check" page to call Rep. Bachmann's remarks on birth control FALSE:

1) There is no such thing as a morning-after “abortion” pill. The morning-after pill prevents pregnancy.
2) Contraception will not be “free of charge,” but rather the mandate asks insurance companies to cover all preventive care, including birth control, with premium dollars.
3) This was not an “executive order,” but the result of a collaborative, rigorous evaluation process. The Institute of Medicine conducted a review of evidence-based studies to determine gaps in women’s health care that should be included in the list of preventive care services covered by insurance without co-pays. The IOM made recommendations, based on its scientific-analysis, for eight additional preventive care services. The Dept. of Health and Human Services then accepted these recommendations. The power of HHS to approve additional services was mandated by the Affordable Care Act.

You have the facts right but the verdict is wrong.

Urge Congress to Pass the American Jobs Act NOW

“Women are being left behind in the current so-called recovery, having lost nearly 300,000 jobs since the recovery began in 2009. In fact, many jobs previously held by women are now being taken by men. Among household heads, African American women's unemployment rate is over 17 percent, and Latinas' is over 12 percent.” - National NOW press release, Sept. 9, 2011

The American Jobs Act will impact several millions of women and minorities by creating jobs, helping small businesses expand, and mandating job security. Among many other benefits, the bill will serve to:

Call or email your Representative and ask them to support the American Jobs Act. If they are already a co-sponsor, send a thank you for their vital support. Sample, cut and paste text can be found below.

If your Rep does not support the bill:
Dear Representative _________,

As an activist for women’s rights I am disappointed to learn that you are not in support of the American Jobs Act (bill H.R.2911), a bill that will help to create jobs at one of the most difficult economic times in our history. Several millions of Americans are struggling to meet their basic needs. I urge you to be pass the bill in its entirety. This is a time when Americans want to see their leaders united to do what’s best for every day people who are facing hardship. Thank you.

If they do support:
Thank our Senators from New York for supporting this bill. Contact Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Here is what you can say:

Dear Senator Gillibrand/Schumer,

As an activist for women’s rights I want to thank you for supporting the American Jobs Act, a bill that will take action at a time when 46.2 million Americans are living below the poverty line and millions of women are struggling to make ends meet. Please continue standing up for women and their families by supporting a bold, effective jobs program. Thank you.

Learn more: White House Fact Sheet on Jobs Bill & Women | National NOW’s Press Release | Democrats: Jobs and Women

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Women Need Insurance Coverage for Abortion!

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Andrew Goldman: Stop with the Tired, Sexist 'Journalism'

New York Times Magazine - In Andrew Goldman's interview with comedian Whitney Cummings, star of the new show Whitney and co-creator of this fall's 2 Broke Girls, Goldman suggests Cummings' "slept her way to the top" and questions her intelligence. No part of the interview actually addresses her career. Goldman's defense for his sexist interview is even worse. Tell Goldman to have some integrity and tell the New York Times Magazine you're not buying into it.

You can email Hugo Lindgren, Editor in Chief of NYTimes Magazine or find Andrew Goldman on Twitter at @andrewrgoldman

A brief survey of Goldman's interviews done by NOW-NYC shows that Goldman has a tendency to interview female subjects less directly about their current career or the topic at hand. For example, he asks Arianna Huffington three questions about her father, then two or three questions about her feud with the New York Times Editor out of a total of 12 questions. When talking with his female interviewees, he focuses on their appearance. Goldman also tends to ask interviewees about comments male celebrities have made about them.
See our research here.

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To New York Post: Enough with the "Hooker" References

Demand the New York Post Retract Story Calling DSK Victim a "Hooker"
The New York Post's front-page headline called the hotel maid bringing charges against Dominique Strauss Kahn a "hooker," but can't back up their claim. This slandrous example further illustrates that mainstream media refueses to take rape seriously. As Sonia Ossorio, NOW-NYC's Executive Director commented, "our culture has no sympathy for a woman we consider to be less than pristine."

Tell the Post that their victim-blaming behavior is unacceptable. Sign the open letter demanding the New York Post retract and apologize for its unacceptable coverage of this case.

On August 10, the Post showed us again that there is limit to how low they can go, comparing the stock market to a "hooker's drawers, up, down, up." In the words of our friends at Feministing.com, you should call the Post office at (212) 930-8000 or email Editor-in-Chief Col Allan (colallan@nypost.com) and raise hell!
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Take Action by Friday, September 30: ALL Women Should Have Contraceptive Coverage

Unfortunately, the guidelines also include an exemption that allows religious organizations to decide on whether or not the insurance they offer their employees covers contraception. The exemption runs counter to the fact that 98% of sexually active women use birth control at some point in their lives.

Take Action NOW:

HHS has opened up a 60-day public comment period on the rules and the exemption for religious organizations. It's important to reach out and Tell YOUR story. Do step 1 or all 3, if you have time!

1. Submit a public comment on the rules. Comments are accepted until September 30th. A sample letter is below, or write your own!

2. Email Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (kathleen.sebelius@hhs.gov) of the Department of Health and Human Services and thank her for making historic changes for women's health. Let her know why these changes matter to you, or how access to affordable contraception impacts you and your family. Then ask that ALL insurance plans be included in the rules. Regardless of where a woman works - even if it's at a religious organization - SHE should be able to obtain coverage for the health care services SHE needs. Use our cut & paste sample letter below or write your own!

3. Contact the White House! President Obama needs to hear from the public that contraception is a critical part of women's health.

Thank you for your leadership on women's health and for adopting the recent Institute of Medicine recommendations for expanding preventive care for women [CMS-9992-IFC2 / Docket I.D.= HHS-OS-2011-0023-0002]. ALL of these changes are critical, and now more women will be able to access the care they need than ever before.

It's especially important to millions of women that contraception be covered without additional out-of-pocket costs, since virtually all sexually active women rely on it at some point in their lives. Contraception allows women and men to plan their families, it reduces unintended pregnancies, and it supports the health of women and children.

ALL insurance plans should be required to cover it without additional costs--regardless of whether or not they serve a religious institution. No matter where a woman works SHE should be able to obtain coverage for the health care services SHE needs. It's important to not set a precedent of employers making health care decisions for their employees.

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Urge Judge to Give Max Sentence to Ex-NYPD Cops

On May 27, 2011, in the Manhattan Supreme Court, a jury acquitted two ex-NYPD Officers of rape charges (Kenneth Moreno & Franklin Mata) against an intoxicated woman they were dispatched to help in December of 2008. After a 6-week long trial, where mounting evidence and emotional testimony documented the sexual assault of the woman, the two officers involved were convicted of only three counts of official misconduct for entering her apartment without permission three times on the night of the encounter. Sentencing will be June 28, 2011.

Are you as shocked as we are? Take Action!

1. Sign our petition NOW to Justice Gregory Carro to ask that he sentence Moreno and Mata to the maximum of two years for their official misconduct charges.
2. Forward the petition and this article to five friends, and post on Facebook and Twitter. The more signatures we can get, the better our chances of making an impact.
3. Learn more about this case and raise awareness to this issue:

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Protect Women's Lives: Extreme Bill Will Deny Women Life-Saving Care

"Protect Life" Act (H.R. 358) Excludes Women: Will Allow Hospitals to Let Women Die
Introduced by Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA)

What the bill will do:
1. It will allow a hospital to deny life-saving care to a pregnant woman on religious or moral grounds.
Already 135 members co-sponsoring H.R. 358 agree that they would rather let a woman die then allow her access to a necessary abortion. Under current law, all patients are protected by the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act, which requires hospitals to provide treatment to any patient in an emergency regardless of ability to pay. This new bill creates an exception for pregnant women.

2. It attempts to ban all insurance coverage for abortion.
Similar to the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3), the bill also sets out to ban all insurance coverage for abortion by denying ANY federal subsidies to plans that cover abortion, even though private funds must already be segregated to cover any abortion care. Ultimately, the bill will result in a ban of abortion coverage for individuals and small businesses accessing coverage through the health care exchanges, and it will threaten all private insurance coverage of abortion.

3. Vastly expands "conscience clause" protections.
The bill would vastly broaden "conscience clause" protections so that anyone involved in the provision of abortion services - from receptionists who make appointments to insurance company employees that process claims - to refuse to provide services on any grounds.

These are only some of the many provisions the bill includes to expand the ability of health care workers and facilities to deny access to abortion and to attempt to ban all insurance coverage of abortion.

Act NOW! Email your Representative (you can use our message below or write your own) and tell them to reject this extreme bill that will put women's lives in danger and threaten insurance coverage of abortion (which is already severely restricted and inaccessible to low-income women.)

Here's a cut & paste message you can use:
I ask you to please reject the so-called "Protect Life" Act, H.R. 358. Rather than protect lives, this bill will put the lives of pregnant women in danger, by expanding conscience clause protections to the point that a hospital could legally refuse to save a woman's life on religious or moral grounds. There are already extensive protections for health care workers and religious hospitals to deny abortion services. This bill goes too far.

Furthermore, the bill will unnecessarily deny insurance coverage for abortion - legal medical care - for millions of women. Currently, 87% of private insurers cover abortion, and strict laws have already been passed to ensure that no federal tax dollars pay for abortions. Please put a stop to this outrageous attack on the women of this country.

Act NOW! Learn more and post some of these links on facebook and twitter!
Link to this alert | Bill Summary | New Bill Says Its Okay to Let Women Die | Center for Repro Rights Memo

Watch: Senator Gillibrand Defend Women's Right to Healthcare

Tell City Council that Sexual Violence Programs are Critical to the Well-Being and Safety of All New Yorkers!

New York City has eliminated all funding for sexual violence victims services and prevention programs. The recently passed budget did not alloacte funds to the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, as well as three citywide programs- SAVI, the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Intervention Program in Manhattan, and the only long-term treatment program for sexually abused children at the Bronx's Kingsbridge Heights Community Center. The elimination of funding for sexual violence programs accounts for only .001% of the city's $63.1 billion budget.

Sexual violence is a health, human rights, and public saftey issue. Urge your Council Members to reinstate funding for sexual violence programming today!

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Sexism Invades iPhone Apps

The new digital and interactive frontier is becoming a playground in which to exploit women. Numbers of misogynistic apps are being created each day and rushed to a receptive market. And now with the introduction of the iPad already reaching over 600,000 in sales since its release just this April, reports show that Apple application downloads are dramatically climbing, indicating the market for Apple’s apps is just getting bigger.

The most shocking revelation is Apple’s role in supporting this trend through an inconsistent and opaque approval process that has given a green light to a variety of sexist apps. Apple is the final arbiter and actually does have to approve ALL iPhone and iPad applications that are available through its iStore. Read more in our Spring 2010 Newsletter.

Apple must be held responsible for fueling sexism through its product's Applications. We need all NOW-NYC members and friends to get involved. If we’re loud enough, we can get some real results. The only way to fight stereotypes is to take action against them! Here’s how you can help:

Hey Glenn Beck: Planned Parenthood is Important for ALL Women

On April 11, Glenn Beck and his radio co-hosts mocked Lawrence O’Donnell’s poignant defense of Planned Parenthood—and the woman whose email made him cry. During the show, Beck played the tape of O’Donnell (of MSNBC's The Last Word) reading the email from a friend of his who decribed her need for Planned Parenthood’s services and why her health matters. Beck expressed disbelief that the email and the woman's issues could make anyone cry. He started playing the tape, but ask his producer to stop after O’Donnell read a part of the email where his friend said that she depended on Planned Parenthood. “Stop just a second!” Beck said. “Hookers? Who depends on Planned Parenthood?” He than impersonated the woman, who said she had had an abortion. “I’ve got 400 abortions that I have to have!” Beck said. “I have to have these children aborted!” He and his co-hosts continued mocking O’Donnell and the woman for several minutes.

Beck’s use of the word ‘hooker’ is demeaning and his network show promoting such anti-woman propoganda is appalling. With the Senate voting on whether to defund Planned Parenthood, we need your help to combat sexist language and sexist policies!

Here’s what you can do:
1. Contact your senator now!

2. Demand an apology from Beck and his producers. Email Stu, Executive Producer and Head Writer for the Glenn Beck Program, stu@glennbeck.com

3. Make sure to spread the word about the vote and Beck! Twitter, Facebook or Email!

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Hey Wall Street Journal: Women Deserve Equal Pay!

April 12, 2011 is Equal Pay Day, which symbolizes how far into 2011 women must work to earn what men did in just 2010 in the US. The wage gap was recently recalculated via the White House Report on Women, showing that women only earn 77 cents for every dollar that men earn. This pay gap is even more significant for women of color, and it affects women across all education levels. Despite these numbers, the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed against fair pay for equal work on their editorial page, written by the leader of an anti-feminist research and action group. This coverage is extremely biased and downright irresponsible. There was no opinion piece providing a counter-point or opposing perspective, nor was the National Committee on Pay Equity consulted for the piece.

Here's what you can do to demand balanced coverage:
1. Submit a Letter to the Editor demanding that fair and balanced opinion pieces on equal pay for women to Tim Lemmer at: wsj.ltrs@wsj.com
2. Email Editorial Page Editors to demand they run fair and balanced opinion pieces on equal pay for women:
paul.gigot@wsj.com, robert.pollock@wsj.com, henninger@wsj.com, bret.stephens@wsj.com
3. Call the Editorial Page Editor demanding fair and balanced opinion pieces on equal pay for women at: 212.416.2255

Learn more | Read the article

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Fight the Abortion Insurance Ban

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion (H.R. 3) is not a reiteration of bans already in place but an extreme and wholesale attempt to dramatically reduce abortion access. The bill was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)

What the bill will do:
Establish a federal ban of abortion insurance coverage on the new health exchanges.

Eliminate tax credits under the new health care law for individuals OR employers that purchase health insurance plans that cover abortion.

Permanently restrict abortion access for women in the military, federal prisons, and at the Indian Health Service by codifying a full ban on abortion in all health facilities operated by the federal government. There are no exceptions for a woman's health - no matter how severe.

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Don't Bring Global Gag Rule Home

There are numerous attempts to eliminate family planning funding to ALL women's health clinics that also provide abortions with their own funds. This would result in the loss of access to vital healthcare like screenings for cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes, and contraception for millions of women.

How can this happen?
First, Rep. Mike Pence R-IN introduced an amendment to the Continuing Resolution (budget bill) that would elminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. The House has already voted in favor of this amendment.

Next, the House is lining up more cuts. They are proposing to slash all family planning dollars that flow to the hundreds of women's health clinics across the country, many of which are the ONLY health care option for women. Vital health care services will be gone.

Stop the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (H.R. 217), introduced by Rep. Mike Pence R-IN.

What the bill will do:
The bill will ban Title X dollars from any health clinic or entity that performs abortions, even though such is already banned from going toward abortions.

Reality Check:
This bill brings the global gag rule home to the U.S., and it will threaten access to health care and prevention services for low-income women. This will decimate major funding for thousands of health clinics across the country, such as Planned Parenthood, that provide critical reproductive health services that include access to contraception, treatment of STI's, and cancer screening. For many women, these types of clinics provide their only health care.

What you can do NOW:
1. Contact your Representative today and tell them to protect critical funding for women's healthcare. Preventive services such as contraception and family planning education actually REDUCE the number of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion. Tell them to reject budget cuts to Planned Parenthood and vital family planning and to reject H.R. 217.

2. Flood Speaker Boehner and Representative Pence's offices with your calls, emails and comments.

3. Forward this message to your friends across New York and the country, and post on facebook and twitter.
NOW-NYC on Radical Women's Health Threats

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Help Secure Equal Marriage in New York State

VICTORY! June 23, 2011 - NYS Senate Passes Equal Marriage!

It’s a new day in NYS: Governor Cuomo considers marriage equality a priority. NYC Council Speaker Quinn is pushing hard for it in Albany. 58% of New Yorkers support it, but we’re still short of the 32 votes needed in the NYS Senate. State Senators need to hear from their constituents in favor of marriage equality. Email Your Senator NOW Tell him or her, “I support equality for all New Yorkers. As your constituent from [name your neighborhood], I ask you to support same-sex marriage.” Contact your Senator NOW

May 6th: New York Times
"...State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., a Democrat from Queens who has voted against the bill in the past but said he was undecided this time, said, “We’ve gotten about 400 calls and e-mails from voters in the last two weeks, the vast majority of them opposed to the bill.” Mr. Addabbo said he kept count because he planned to cast a vote on the bill that “reflects the will of my constituents.” Read more.

Update from Advocate: Quinn thinks marriage is on the way—she is lobbying hard for equal marriage in NYS - Read more!

TAKE ACTON NOW!
Starting May 2nd, New Yorkers United for Marriage and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will be hosting phone banks every Monday and Thursday through May to help mobilize folks and ensure that marriage equality gets passed this legislative session. Volunteer for one of these stop and dials! "Stop and dials" are grassroots events where we encourage constituents to call their state representatives and demand their support of full marriage rights. HRC is hosting "stop and dial" postcarding, phonebanking and letter-writing events throughout the 5 boroughs to ensure that our State representatives know how important marriage equality is to the majority of New Yorkers. For more info, contact Stephen Anderson at HRC at (347) 850-0472 or Stephen.Anderson@hrc.org. Read more!

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Thank Your City Council Member: Disclosure Law for Pregnancy Service Centers Passes

Take Action Below: Read City Council Press Release
Women should not be lied to or misled - especially when it comes to their health and lives. Yet that is exactly what's happening at Crisis Pregnancy Centers across the city. These centers are set up to look like women's health clinics, but it's unlikely that any doctors will be found inside. Instead, women entering to get counseling about options or a pregnancy test are more likely to be met with a barrage of anti-choice propaganda and scare tactics intended to stop them from seeking an abortion.

In response, City Council Member Jessica Lappin introduced the Limited Service Pregnancy Centers bill (Int. No. 0371-2010), a new disclosure law that will require these clinics to post signs and include disclaimers in any advertising to make it clear that they do not provide information or referrals for abortion or birth control. The clinics must also post whether or not there is a physician on site. The bill passed the City Council in March.

The intention of the law is to provide "truth in advertising," by giving women the information they need to decide for themselves whether or not the clinic is appropriate for them before they call or enter.

Learn More:
NOW-NYC's Testimony in Support of the Bill | Article: Fake Clinics Are Outposts of the Anti-Choice see pg. 4

Take Action:
1. Find out how your City Council Member voted and express your thanks or disappointment on how they voted. thank them if they supported the bill. How they voted.

Here's what you can say (cut & paste message):
As your constituent, I thank you for your support of the Limited Service Pregnancy Centers bill (Int. No. 371-2010), which will require Crisis Pregnancy Centers to make it clear that they do not offer or refer for abortions or birth control. Women who find themselves pregnant and unsure of what to do next should be able to access medically accurate information and comprehensive options counseling - without being confused or misled - so that they can make their own informed decision about their health and lives. The Limited Service Pregnancy Center bill aims to stop the unconscionable deception of women seeking healthcare.

2. Please send a thank you email to Council Member Jessica Lappin or other bill sponsors.

Here's what you can say (cut & paste message):
Thank you for being a leader in stopping the deception of women, by sponsoring the Limited Service Pregnancy Centers bill (Int. No. 371-2010). As a pro-choice New Yorker, I think it's critical that women have access to comprehensive and unbiased medical information and care. Women - especially young women - are being unnecessarily misled by Crisis Pregnancy Centers operating across the city. Your bill will help put a stop to this.

Learn more: NYCLU Files Papers in Support of NYC Law that Balances First Amendment with Women's Right to Health Care

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Final Countdown for Paycheck Fairness

CALL – TWEET – SHARE THIS!

The moment is here - we are within striking distance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act! The Senate will be back in session and could vote as soon as next Thursday. As part of the Equal Pay Coalition NYC we are part of the national push to get this bill passed. Help make that happen!

1. SIGN & TWEET PETITION
Sign the petition on Twitter and send a message to 3 key Senators: Snowe, Collins and Brown to vote for PFA. Sen Collins: http://act.ly/2mc Sen Snowe: http://act.ly/2md Sen Brown: http://act.ly/2me

2. FACEBOOK
Update your Facebook page to include a PFA Action message and call to action.
Sample message: “At the rate we are going women will get equal pay in 2058. If that’s not ok with you, call your Senator on November 16th! Dial 1-877-667-6650 and simple instructions will direct you to your Senators’ offices. Tell them: "Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act without amendments!”

3. CALL-IN DAY – NOV. 16TH
CALL: Senators Schumer at 212-486-4430 and Sen. Gillibrand at 212-688-6262
MESSAGE: "Thank you for your strong support of the Paycheck Fairness Act. We are counting on you to speak on the Senate floor in favor of the bill, and to encourage colleagues to pass it NOW."

PFA: KEY PROVISIONS

Equal work deserves equal pay. In this time of economic crisis, women and families cannot afford to bear the burden of this discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act would make it harder for employers to hide pay discrimination, would help train women and girls about salary negotiation, support government collection of critical wage data, and reward employers that have good pay practices.

For employees, the Paycheck Fairness Act would:

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Judge Gives "Probation" for Convicted Teen Rapist?!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Sign the Petition NOW to Justice Cassandra Mullen to demand jail time for this violent offender and justice for the victims. We will present our petition to Justice Mullen after the rally.

2. Get more signers on this petition. Send out the link to the petition widely. Forward to friends, bloggers, and post on Facebook and Twitter. URL: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/now-nyc_justiceforassaultvictims/

3. Express your outrage by directly calling the Sex Crimes Unit at (212) 335-8971

1 Week Left for Senate to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act

You helped us to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act in the House earlier this year, and now the Senate must take action! We need the support of Senator Schumer to make this happen. Please contact him and then contact your Senator NOW. Workers should not be fired or discriminated against if they make the choice to tell their coworkers how much they earn. CALL: Senator Schumer at 212-486-4430 OR 877-667-6650 for the Senate switchboard. Read more.

While the Equal Pay Act has been effective in helping to narrow the pay gap between men and women who perform the same work, there are areas where the EPA has fallen short and in fact unfair and unequal pay practices still persist. To address these shortcomings, The Paycheck Fairness Act would:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women who work full-time still earn, on average, only 77 cents for every dollar men earn. In 2008, women were 35 percent more likely to live in poverty than men. The statistics are even worse for women of color.

Read the NY Times Editorial!

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Tell the White House That It's Discriminatory to Deny Abortion Access to Women with Pre-existing Conditions

Call the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services

On July 14, the Obama Administration issued a statement explicitly banning abortion coverage from the new "high-risk pool" insurance plans that will be put into place until the health exchanges are established in 2014. What is so alarming is that the women covered by these plans would have pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, breast cancer, or other health problems, and they are the group most likely to suffer complications during pregnancy. While there is an exception in the policy in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment, there is no exception for health.

Women will not even be allowed to use their own funds to pay for an abortion in the state or federal high-risk pool plans. This decision was not forced by previous legislation, and goes beyond any established restrictions. The Hyde Amendment restriction on federal funds does not specifically apply to the high-risk pools, however, the Obama administration has voluntarily adopted this policy. We need your help to reverse it.

Take Action NOW!

Leave a message for President Obama at (202) 456-1111 and for Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius at (877) 696-6775

Press

Sample Message: I ask that you immediately reverse the decision on banning abortion coverage from the high risk pool insurance plans. This policy will ban insurance coverage for abortion for the women most at risk for life-threatening or lasting health complications from pregnancy. This policy effectively bars full health care access for those who may need it most, and this is unacceptable.

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Help Ensure Women Receive a Fair Deal in Divorce Proceedings

Update: PMI and Counsel Fees Bills Pass in Legislature!

Post-Marital Income legislation, creating clear guidelines for the provision of what was formerly known as "maintenance" after divroce, and 'Counsel and Expert Fee' legislation, reform that would have the monied spouse provide the legal fees for the less-monied spouse in divorce proceedings, have recently passed in the New York Senate. While 'Counsel and Expert Fee' legislation has met success in both the Senate and the Assembly, Post-Marital Income legislation is in danger of being stalled in the Assembly.

We need your help and time is short. Post-Marital Income legislation is an important part of creating a system that ensures fiar, transparent, and consistent outcomes for women going through divorce. We need you to keep the momentum rolling. The legislative session will be over by July 4th weekend, and if Post-Marital Income legislation doesn't pass by then we will be back to the beginning with a new legislature in January.

How you can help:

Call these representatives and ask them to support Post-Marital Income Bill A10984- a bill that will implement guidelines today.

Executive Director Sonia Ossorio's Letter to Governor Paterson

Learn More about Post-Marital Income

NOW-NYC New York Times Letter to the Editor

Contact Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein

Contact Speaker Sheldon Silver

Find Your Representative
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Hold Johns Responsible for Soliciting a Minor for Sex

Update: As of July 2010 at the end of the legislative session, this bill has not been brought to vote.

Men who buy sex should face appropriate consequences for their actions. A new bill passing in the Senate would make it easier to prosecute johns for soliciting sex with a child. By making the crime of patronizing a prostitute in the first or second degree an "affirmative defense," the new law would place the burden of checking age on the perpetrator, where it should be. The "I didn't know" defense would no longer stand. (This doesn't change current law that if a sex act is completed, a john would face statutory rape charges.)

This law is an added step in the right direction for curbing the demand for commercial sex and the exploitation of young girls that goes along with it, but it is being held up in the Assembly.

How you can help:

Contact Speaker Sheldon Silver and ask that A11214 is put forth for a vote immediately.

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Ensure Trafficking Survivors Have a Fair Shot at Rebuilding Their Lives

Update: Bill passes in Senate and Assembly!

A person who is forced into sexual slavery should not be further victimized with a criminal record. The new legislation would help victims of sex trafficking who have been convicted of prostitution to have the unfair charges against them removed. This bill has passed in the Senate and is set to be voted on in the Assembly next.

How you can help: Call your Assembly Member and tell them to support A07670, a bill that would give needed help to trafficking victims.

Find Your Assembly Member

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Support the Midwifery Modernization Act

Update: Midwifery Modernization Passed the Assembly and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Paterson!

The Midwifery Modernization Act, which passed on June 28th in the New York State Assembly, will grant Licensed professional midwives the ability to practice independently without the need of a Written Practice Agreement (WPA) with an obstetrician or hospital that provides obstetric services. This bill is currently awaiting vote in the NY State Senate, and if passed, will improve and increase access to midwifery. Midwifery is a model of maternity care that has proven to result in low risk pregnancies, as it significantly reduces the rate of cesarean section, neonatal mortality, and low birth weight when compared to convential forms of obstetrical care.

How you can help:

Call NY State Senators today and ask them to support the Midwifery Modernization Act S. 5007-A, a bill that will ensure a woman's right to choose her own reproductive healthcare.

Find Your Senator

Read NOW-NYC's Letter of Support
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Help Keep Child Care Centers Open for Low-Income Families

The Office of the Mayor decided in February that on July 15 childcare centers, the majority of which are in Brooklyn, will become casualties under city budget cuts. The decision to shut down over a dozen childcare centers concentrated in one part of the city will undoubtedly be a detriment to low-income members of newly gentrified communities which rely on subsidized childcare to make ends meet.

Many of the people benefitting from subsidized childcare offered at the institutions the city is determined to close are working women and single parents. The closure of childcare centers will inevitably force many women to choose between their job and their family when those who rely on these centers simply do not have that option.
The budget cut is slated to save the city $9 million, but how much revenue will the city lose when women are forced to stop working because childcare costs have gone up? What will happen to the unemployment rate when childcare center employees, the majority of whom are also women, find themselves without a job?

HOW TO TAKE ACTION: Contact the office of the Mayor and your New York City Council Member to let them know how you feel about budget cuts that will further burden working families, women and single parents.

Write to Mayor Bloomberg:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Hall, New York, NY 10007 OR
PHONE 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) | FAX (212) 312-0700
E-MAIL: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

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UN Appoints Iran to Women's Rights Commission

The United Nations has elected Iran to its Commission on the Status of Women, granting a four-year seat on what is supposed to be an influential human rights body to a country where stoning is still accepted and practiced by law and where lashings are required for women deemed to be “immodest.”

The Iranian government has taken extreme measures to hinder women's progress and institute an active regime against gender equality. In the past year alone, it has arrested and jailed mothers of peaceful civil rights protesters. It has charged women who were seeking equality in the social sphere with threatening national security, subjecting many to hours of violent interrogation. Its prison guards been permitted to beat, torture, assault and rape female civil rights protesters.

This is not a government that supports equality. This is a government that treats its women as second-class citizens, and one of the only governments in the world that has not ratified CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Descrimination Against Women. Iran is one of the only governments in the world - including the U.S. - that has yet to ratify CEDAW. Read more below.

This appointment is indicative of the ways in which women's rights are continually sold in exchange for political favors. Read more.

Protest the UN's election of Iran to its Women's Rights Commission through UN Watch.

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Stand Against Female Genital Mutilation

UPDATE: On May 27, 2010, in response to activist pressure, The American Academy of Pediatrics rescinded their controversial policy statement concerning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The statement suggested that in order to "build trust between hospitals and immigrant communities", a "ritual nick" described as "no more of an alteration than ear piercing" could be performed on female minors to circumvent the possibility of families sending girls overseas to have more extensive and potentially life-threatening procedures.

This is a significant step towards halting the of the practice of FGM, but there still exists a loophole in federal law that does not yet criminalize FGM carried out on American citizens abroad. The Girls Protection Act championed by Congressman Joseph Crowley of New York and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack of California seeks do just that.

Help pass The Girls Protection Act!

Contact the Representative of your Congressional District to let them know that FGM is an indefensible crime:https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

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Demand that the American Academy of Pediatrics retract a portion of their policy statement endorsing Type (IV) female genital mutilation of female minors.

On 26 April 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a “Policy Statement – Ritual Genital Cutting of Female Minors” (AAP Statement) that in effect promotes changes in US federal and state laws to “enable[] pediatricians to reach out to families by offering a ritual nick” such as “pricking or incising the clitoral skin to satisfy cultural requirements.”

FGM is a harmful traditional practice with serious health risks that affects up to 140 million women and girls around the world. It is acknowledged internationally as a human rights violation and an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. This practice involves the removal of various parts of female genitalia and is carried out across Africa, some countries in Asia and the Middle East, as well as in locations where FGM-practicing immigrants reside, including the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated in 1997 that over 168,000 girls and women living in the U.S. have either been, or are at risk of being, subjected to FGM. Read more.

Please write to the American Academy of Pediatrics asking it to retract the portions of the AAP Statement that in effect promote changes in US federal and state laws to enable physicians to "nick" girls' genitalia. Urge the Academy to abide by the principles of gender equality in its practice and to recognize that human rights are universal and apply to all genders and cultures.

Send your letters to:

Errol R. Alden, M.D.
FAAP, Executive Director/CEO, American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Blvd
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1019
Phone: +1 847 434 7500
Fax: +1 847 434 8385
Email: ealden@aap.org

Please send copies of your letters to the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Pediatrics at the addresses listed below:

Kevin B. Weiss, M.D., MPH
President and CEO, American Board of Medical Specialties
222 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: +1 312 436 2600
Fax: +1 312 436 2700
Email: kweiss@abms.org

Alan R. Cohen, M.D.
Chair, The American Board of Pediatrics
111 Silver Cedar Court
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: +1 919 929 0461
Fax: +1 919 913 2070
Email: abpeds@abpeds.org

Please also ask your own doctor to take action on this issue.

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Tell Urban Outfitters Brand: Stop Disrepecting Your Customers

In June 2010, Urban Outfitters started selling its "Eat Less" t-shirt for Women. The brand is known for it's clothing's bold messages, including one tee that reads, "Fathers, It's Up to You to Preserve Your Daughter's Virginity." As a retailer, Urban Outfitters often boasts is so-called humor, but clothing that objectifies its customers and now, supports eating disorders is no laughing matter. The shirt has been removed from Urban Outfitter's website, but it still remains in stores.

Read how activist Shelby Knox is protesting, and then TAKE ACTION!

How to take action:
Call or email Urban Outfitters to let them know you won't support a retailer that degrades its customers and makes light of eating disorders.

Call:
Urban Outfitters Customer Service: 800-959-8794
Urban Outfitters Corporate: 215-454-5500

Email:
Richard Hayne, President: richard.hayne@urbanout.com
Glen Senk, CEO: glen.senk@urbanout.com

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Support Anti-Strangulation Bill

How to take action:
If you have 5 minutes: Call your representative in the Assembly and ask her or him to support the anti-strangulation bill: A-10161

You can find out who your reps are by calling this number and providing your address:
(518) 455-4218 OR link to: My Assembly Member | My State Senator

It's simple and only takes 5 minutes!
What to say:
1) Tell them you are a constituent.
2) Tell them that current law is not strong enough to protect individuals who are strangled by an abuser.
3) Ask them to please support the bill that Senator Schneiderman has introduced (A-10161/S-6987).

If you have 10 minutes, then go ahead and call the leaders who helped to make this bill happen:

Assemblymember Helene Weinstein at 518-455-5462 or 718-648-4700
Assemblymember Joseph Lentol at 518-455-4477 or 718-383-7474
State Senator Eric Schneiderman at 518-455-2041 or 212-544-0173 Bill Passed Senate--Thank the Senator

Thank and commend them for sponsoring this strong and much-needed legislation. Then urge them to make sure it gets passed as soon as possible!

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Protest Choice of Osvaldo Rios

The directors of the 2010 Puerto Rican Day Parade chose Osvaldo Rios, convicted domestic abuser, as Padrino Internacional of the annual parade. Rios, who served three months in prison for his conviction, is meant to be a symbol of the vibrancy of the Puerto Rican community and representative of their cultural contributions. NOW-NYC is already speaking out against the choice and letting parade directors know that it is unacceptable, but we need your help.

Osvaldo Rios issued statement on June 8 that he would step down as leader of the parade as a result of public pressure.

Read the NOW-NYC Press Release protesting the selection of Rios or watch NOW-NYC discussing the decision to pull Rios.

National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Board of Directors
2804 Third Avenue, 5th Floor
Bronx, NY 10455
T: 718-401-0404 (ext. 325 for Madelyn Lugo, Chairperson)
F: 718-292-2305
Email: nprdpin@yahoo.com | nprdpin@aol.com

Contact Maria Roman, Board Member: MRoman@nysdhcr.gov| 212-480-7467

Mayor's Office:
T: 212-788-3000

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Women's Rights are Human Rights: Ratify CEDAW!

Contact Your Senators!

CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, is a United Nations treaty that sets out internationally-accepted principles that uphold women's rights. Countries that ratify CEDAW must incorporate the equality of men and women in their legal systems, abolish discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones, establish tribunals to ensure the protection of women, and eliminate acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises. It is also “the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations”.

The only countries who have not ratified CEDAW are Somalia, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Sudan, Iran and the United States. It is key for the U.S. to ratify CEDAW, as other countries may follow by example. Read more.

Get Your Photoshop Off My Body!

Designers like Ralph Lauren's promote ads depicting photo-shopped models that even Barbie couldn't compete with. Apparently, one of the biggest labels in fashion thinks that women's heads should be wider than their waists. Contact the Ralph Lauren Headquarters in NYC to demand that the company put an end to its grossly misinformed portrayal of women. Do not wait idly by as women's bodies are "shooped" and edited beyond reality.

• Demand that Ralph Lauren stop issuing ads that depict women as sick and waif-like.
• Call for new industry-wide standards: Real women demand real images!
• Force new regulations that photo-shopped and airbrushed images contain disclaimers.

Ralph Lauren NYC Headquarters:
650 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-318-7000
Fax: 212-318-7690

Check out NOW-NYC's Sex & Body Buzz for more lead stories on images of women in the media and advertising.

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Restore Women's Rights to Jury Trials

Four years ago, Jamie Leigh Jones was drugged and gang-raped, vaginally and anally, while working for defense contractor KBR (a subsidiary of Halliburton at the time) in Iraq. She then was locked in a shipping container without food, water or medical treatment in an attempt to keep the story quiet. She was unable to sue KBR for sex discrimination in open court because KBR was one of many companies with government contracts that require employees to sign individual contracts barring lawsuits and forcing mandatory binding arbitration, where the company almost always wins.

Sen. Al Franken's (D-Minn.) introduced an amendment to a defense appropriations bill pending in Congress restores women's rights to jury trials when employed by a company with a government contract. This amendment is in jeopardy, thanks to the lobbying of Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Daniel Inouye (D -Hawaii) by deep-pocketed defense contractors.

Call the Appropriations Committee office to demand that Sen. Inouye keep the Franken Amendment in the defense appropriations bill.

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Call for Convicted NYS Senator Hiram Monserrate to Step Down

Call for the Health Care Reform We Need

Learn more at National NOW or at Raising Women's Voices

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Urge More Support for Crime Victims

The Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act of 2009 (S. 1340 and H.R. 3402) would dramatically increase the minimum amount of Victims of Crime Act funds made available for the next five years from the non-taxpayer Crime Victims Fund. Ask your reps in the House and Senate to co-sponsor this bill. These funds support much needed criminal victims services such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and victim witness-assistance programs at the federal, state and local levels.

Find your U.S. House Rep | Find your Senators

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Thank Senator Gillibrand for Standing Strong on Women's Health

On Thursday, October 8th, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from NY spoke on the floor of the Senate to address women's health in health care reform. View her remarks, and then send her a thank you for underscoring the importance of equality in health care and the critical need for women's health clinics. Women can pay up to 25% more for the same care as men, and critical services related to cancer screening or pregnancy are often not covered. Contact Senator Gillibrand

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Fight for Lateisha Green!

On November 14, 2008, Lateisha Green, a young African American transgender woman, was brutally murdered in Syracuse, New York. The alleged killer, Dwight R. DeLee, is thought to have perpetrated the crime because of his anti-LGBT sentiment and because he assumed that Lateisha was gay. Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) is taking action in Syracuse by educating people about the violence many trangender people experience, and by offering daily updates on their Web site on the trial for Green's murder, which began Monday, July 13th. Support TLDEF by talking to your friends about the Lateisha Green case, and contact the organization if you see misleading interpretations of Lateisha's story. You can also send emails of support to Lateisha's family.

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Protect the Caregivers of New York City!

While New York City has one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation, it still fails to protect caregivers from employment discrimination. Proposed by public advocate Betsy Gotbaum in 2007, the Caregiver Bill, Int. 565-A, would explicitly amend the New York City Human Rights Law to protect caregivers from discrimination in the workplace.

Employer assumptions about care-giving responsibilities (for children or the elderly) often negatively and unfairly impact salaries, pay increases, and promotion decisions. Though discrimination due to one's care-giving status could happen to anyone, working mothers and women overwhelmingly pay the price. Studies have shown that while fathers garner more respect in the workplace, mothers are viewed less favorably: mothers earn about 2.5 percent less than women without children, while fathers enjoy an increase in earnings of 2.1 percent, compared to men without children.

Join NOW-NYC in supporting Betsy Gotbaum and the Protecting Caregivers Campaign! Sign a petition to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn, urging them to protect caregivers and end all forms of discrimination by supporting the passage of Int. 565-A.

NOW-NYC stands firmly against the proposed "compromise" on abortion coverage.
Both the Senate and House versions of health care reform contain major restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions, which at best discriminates against women (forcing them to pay separately for abortion coverage) and at worst will result in lack of abortion coverage for all women.

The Senate version, also known as the Manager's Amendment, is the less restrictive of the two--but make no mistake, these restrictions are sweeping and unaccpetable. The House restrictions, known as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, are even worse, calling for a total ban on insurance coverage on abortion on any of the newly created health exchanges. The ban even prohibits women who use their own money to buy health insurance from obtaining abortion coverage.

Let your leaders know that you are outraged that health care reform is moving forward at the expense of women's health and lives. There are more negotiations ahead as the Senate and House come together on one bill. Get the details below.

Senator Gillibrand 202-224-4451| Senator Schumer 202-224-6542 | Take Action From Any State

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Senate Update

1) Essentially allow states to implement Stupak: States can decide to BAN abortion coverage on the health exchanges in their state. This means that poor women and any women who need to purchase insurance on the exchange in conservative states will not be able to get coverage for abortion. Since most Americans will be required to buy insurance, this also means that women will be forced to pay for insurance that does not cover all of their health care needs.

2) Force women to write separate checks to pay for abortion coverage. This is discriminatory, creates a stigma around abortion, poses privacy issues, and will result in many women not obtaining coverage, since women do not plan to have an abortion. Furthermore, it is questionable how the cost difference between genders would be eliminated if women are writing separate checks for abortion coverage.

3) Throw into question whether or not insurance companies will cover abortion at all. The patchwork of regulations and the big administrative burdens placed on insurance companies that cover abortion could result in a total loss of insurance coverage for abortion.

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House Update

If there has ever been a time where we need you to act, it is NOW.
The House health care bill passed last year included a last minute amendment--Stupak-Pitts--that would result in an outright ban on abortion coverage in ANY insurance plan that receives federal dollars, threatening the loss of abortion access for millions of women and preventing women from securing abortion coverage EVEN WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Bob Nelson (D-Nebraska) are expected to introduce a similarly restrictive abortion provision in the Senate as early as Monday, December 7th.

Click here to email your Senator NOW: Get in touch with your Senator today and ask everyone you know to act NOW to keep politics out of our health care. Pass the link on to your friends, including those outside of New York State!

The Stupak-Pitts amendment prohibits both private insurance companies participating in the federal program and any government plan or "public option" from providing coverage for abortion. That's right. Abortion coverage will become unavailable for millions of women if the final version of health care reform includes this amendment, and one of the largest restriction on women's access to abortion since Roe will be enacted at the national level.

Read More in NOW-NYC's Statement.

We need you to take action NOW!

For our sample letter and more background information on the
Stupak and Hyde amendments, click here.
Let's make sure these restrictions are not in the final reform bill- take action today!

Urge House Members to Reject more Abortion Restrictions

Take a Stand on Women's Health!

The Senate Finance Committee has released the framework for a health care bill that is a compromise that women cannot accept. If the bill is passed as it is, it will offer reproductive care for men, women, and families; however, anti-choice groups are hard at work in placing restrictions on women's access to abortions and family planning, even in private insurance plans. Seeing as the new health care plan may not even contain a public option, the need to act has become urgent. If abortion opponents are successful in prohibiting private insurance from including abortion coverage, millions of women will be affected.
Women's health centers such as Planned Parenthood should be a part of any plan that is passed. Both Planned Parenthood and NOW-NYC believe that there should be no restrictions placed on women's reproductive health services in health care reform legislation, and this includes prevention as well as pro-choice options. Please take the time to contact your local New York senators, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and demand that there be a plan that includes comprehensive reproductive care.

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Tell the Media: Include Single-Payer in Healthcare Debate!

FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) has found that coverage of the healthcare debate is skewed to exclude discussion of single-payer national health insurance. Take action! Learn more & sign a petition to send a message to ABC, CBS and NBC: the media and politicains can't ignore the single-payer plan any further! make your voice heard to ensure that all Americans get adequate healthcare, and that women don't bear the brunt of a failing system.

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Demand That the New York State Senate Gets Back to Work!

Stalemate in Albany: State Senate Puts Power Before People
The stalemate in the New York State Senate is forcing our important issues off the agenda. Reproductive Rights, Fair Pay, and Equal Marriage are only some of the critical pieces of legislation that are being held hostage by the current power plays in Albany.

What's happening in Albany?
Placing the fate of bills on critical issues like same-sex marriage in jeopardy, two Democratic Senators voted with all 30 Senate Republicans to oust Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and re-establish Republican control of the senate in early June. Senators Pedro Espada, Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens joined with Republicans in the maneuver. Since then, Hiram Monserrate has returned to the Democrats, leaving the senate deadlocked in a 31-31 stalemate. Governor Paterson has been calling extraordinary sessions, urging the Senate to reach an operating agreement so that the people's agenda can move forward. The Democrats have suggested a power sharing agreement for the extraordinary sessions to ensure that critical legislation is passed. However, no agreement has been reached at this time and the Senate has failed to get anything accomplished by the June 30th deadline.

What's at stake?
Bills that NOW-NYC and advocates have been working to secure to protect reproductive health and advance equality have been sidelined (Read about these bills below.) Mayoral control of the schools has expired. Critical operating funds that local governments depend on are in jeopardy. Thousands of upstate jobs (part of the Power for Jobs program) are at risk. And apartments across the city may lose their rent control or rent regulation status.

Take Action
New Yorkers should not be forced to wait another year for these issues to be addressed. Elected officials need to be responsible to the people who voted them in office. Contact your senator today and let him or her know that you demand a functioning government. Tell them you support the bills listed below. You can also take the added step of calling these State Senators, as they played a central role in the current stalemate:

Pedro Espada Jr. - defected to voting with the Republicans

Hiram Monserrate - defected to voting with the Republicans and is now aligned with the Democrats

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Close the Wage Gap!

Help Pass the New York State Fair Pay Act

Forget about 9 to 5; if women worked the equivalent of what their pay is valued, they'd be walking out at 3:15! Women still earn only 78 cents for every dollar men earn, and for women of color the statistics are worse: African-American women earl approximately 69 cents on the dollar and Latina women only 59 cents. These numbers add up: women stand to lose between $700,000 and $2 million over the course of their lifetimes due to pay discrimination and persistant inequities that undervalue the fields in which women work.

The New York State Fair Pay Act (A03911; S00955), introduced in the Assembly by Assembly Member Susan John and in the Senate by Senator Craig Johnson, would put real reforms into place to close the wage gap for women by ensuring equal pay for equal and comparable work and protecting workers from retaliation when seeking salary information. NOW-NYC and fair pay advocates have long supported this legislation, which has passed in the Assembly every year since 2002, but has never made it to a vote in the Senate. On Tuesday, April 28, NOW-NYC President Sonia Ossorio addresssed the New York State Senate, asking them to pass the New York State Fair Pay Act.

Before the Senate was thrown into chaos, the bill was at a critical juncture in the Finance Commitee headed by Brooklyn's Carl Kruger. The bill had the overwhelming support of 27 co-sponsors. Reach out to your own State Senator, and let them know you support the Fair Pay Act.

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Support Equal Marriage in New York State!

On May 12, 2009, the New York State Assembly passed a bill that would legalize marriage for same-sex couples in New York State. The bipartisan vote saw an increase in four supporters over the 2007 vote, and five Assembly members who voted against the bill in 2007 voted in favor of equality on Tuesday, reflecting the rising tide of support for gay marriage among New Yorkers. Chaos in the New York State Senate has put a real shot at same-sex marriage in New York State on the back burner. NOW is the time to contact your Senators and let them know that their constituents support equal marriage!

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Help Pass the Reproductive Health Act in New York State

Defend Women's Reproductive Rights!

New York State's abortion law was created before Roe v. Wade and has not changed since. Though groundbreaking for its time, the law needs serious revisions to bring women's healthcare into the 21st century. Now that the Supreme Court has actively restricted our abortion rights, it is urgent that we change New York law to protect the health of women. Since there is currently no explicit, affirmative right to an abortion written into New York state law, there will be no protection at all for women's health after 24 weeks if Roe is overturned.

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End Inhumane Treatment of Incarcerated, Pregnant Women

Urge Governor Paterson to Sign Anti-Shackling Measure
New York State actually does not have any law on the books that protects incarcerated women from being cruelly restrained during childbirth. There have been numerous cases across the U.S. where women have been subject to this humiliating and dangerous practice. Freedom of movement during childbirth is critical for the health and safety of the mother and her baby. Call (518.474.8390) or email Governor Paterson's office today, and urge him to sign the Anti-Shackling Bill (S.1290-A) into law.

NOW-NYC's Letter of Support | RHReality Check Coverage | NYS Senate Coverage

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Tell CVS to Unlock the Condoms!

Support Public Health and Equal Access to Contraceptives

In CVS stores around the country, condoms are locked behind glass cases. To buy condoms at these stores, shoppers must request assistance from a CVS clerk, who will monitor the shopper’s selection and then lock the case behind them. Public health advocates have criticized this practice, saying the cases create a barrier which could decrease condom use. In February, NOW-NYC joined Change to Win outside of local CVS stores to hand out free condoms and educate the public on CVS's policy. "When you think of shopping for something that's locked up behind a thick glass case, you think of jewelry or electronics- expensive items that you don't necessarily need. However, here in NYC, drug stores like CVS are keeping their condoms under lock and key, making it burdensome and awkward to buy something that is both life-saving and life-altering," says NOW-NYC deputy director Jean Bucaria. "What's worse, CVS disproportionately locks up the condoms in minority communities. This is discriminatory, pure and simple. NOW-NYC has a message for CVS: it's time to unlock the condoms."

As Ms. Bucaria noted, a Change to Win survey conducted in CVS stores in six major cities revealed that when the population of an area is over 90% white, only 0 to 9% of the stores had locked condom cases. However, when the population is over 90% people of color, these statistics range from 67 to 100%. Improving access to condoms is a public health imperative, critical for fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Rite-Aid and Walgreens have a corporate policy against condom lockup- it’s time for CVS to do the same.

Spread the message: sign a petition calling on CVS to change its unfair condom lockup policy

NOW-NYC participates in NYC Condom and other City programs to provide free condoms (female and male) to the public out of our NYC office.

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Support Working Women and Families!

Press for Revisions to the New FMLA Regulations

The landmark Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), signed by former President Clinton in 1993, guaranteed up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in the case of a serious illness, or to allow the employee to care for a new child or for a family member with a serious medical condition. However, during its last seventy days in office, the Bush Administration introduced new regulations which, while providing much needed expansions of FMLA access for military families, serve to restrict access for the rest of the workforce, placing an undue burden on American workers and families. In the words of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, “ A serious economic downturn is the worst time to ask workers to choose between their jobs and their families or health.” New York City Council Member Jessica Lappin has introduced a resolution calling on President Barack Obama to revise the new Family Medial Leave Act (FMLA) regulations to be more employee-friendly.

Take action today to support working women and families! We urge you to your City Council Member and send them a letting them know that you support Council Member Lappin’s resolution. To send your feedback directly to President Obama, call the White House at 202-456-1111.

Act NOW! Tell Obama and Congress You Support Family Planning

House removes Medicaid Family Planning provision from Economic Stimulus Package

The House of Representatives has removed the Medicaid Family Planning State Option, a provision that would allow millions of low income women to obtain basic health care, including breast and cervical cancer screenings for states that choose to opt into the program. Currently, low-income women must go through a time consuming waiver process. For states that implement the waiver, it would mean a significant expansion of access to family planning services, including contraception. The provision would also extend safety net health care coverage for millions who are losing their jobs and health insurance in the economic downturn.

Pelosi and other allies in the House are determined to pass this provision separately, since it has been removed from the recovery bill, and they are actively looking for a piece of legislation to which they can attach this provision as an amendment, but they need your help to reach out to House members and insist on passage. We need as many voices as possible!

We urge you to contact Obama and your Congressperson today, to work towards passing this provision. Here’s a sample letter you can send. You can also take five minutes to call the White House directly: 202-456-1111.

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Support the Clinic Access Bill

Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care!

Even here in New York City, reproductive health clinics are the target of anti-choice protestors who harass and intimidate women who need to enter the clinic. Although protest is legal, many activities, such as blocking clinic entrances and exits and harassing women in need of services and medical staff, go beyond peaceful demonstration, threatening the safety of those going to the clinic and denying women the right to reproductive health care. However, under the current clinic access law, it is difficult to stop or prosecute harassers. The Clinic Access Bill (Proposed Int. No. 826) would address this gap and strengthen the existing law by prohibiting persons from knowingly obstructing or blocking the entrances, exits, driveways, and parking lots of a reproductive health care facility; and by creating a fifteen-foot area around a reproductive health care facility in which persons may not follow or intimidate any individual or place an individual in fear of physical harm, while still allowing people to peacefully gather and protest.

Take action today to protect the right to reproductive health care! We urge you to find your City Council Member and send them a letter letting them know that you support this bill.

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Ratify CEDAW!

Contact Your Senators!

The only countries who have not ratified CEDAW are Somalia, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Sudan, Iran and the United States. At the 2008 National Organization of Women Conference, NOW President Kim Gandy eloquently expressed how the United States should be a leader in women’s human rights not an obstacle.

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Congratulate Obama & Biden

Speak up, NOW!

What's next after celebrating their amazing victory? President-elect Obama wants you to share YOUR vision for where he should lead this nation. Express to them your ideas for a feminisist administration by telling them what you want. Learn more.

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Urge President-elect Obama to Give the Boot to Rick Warren

Inauguration No Place for Anti-Gay Pastor

Obama has asked Rick Warren, the evangelical pastor who took a leadership role in getting Proposition 8 passed in California and who has likened pro-choice supporters to Nazis, to give the invocation at the inauguration. Read National NOW's statement and let the Obama team know that this sends the wrong message for day one. Submit your comments directly to Obama at http://www.change.gov/

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Urge Senators to Support Pay Equity!

The House passed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act! Now we must advocate for the Senate to do the same!

The Ledbetter legislation, which was blocked in the Republican-led Senate last year, will reverse the Supreme Court decision that requires workers to file charges on a pay discrimination claim within the first six months of receiving their first discriminatory paycheck. The Court's decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear gave employers the go-ahead to discriminate as long as they weren't caught in the first six months after the onset of their illegal actions.

The companion bill, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which did not even make it to the Senate floor last year, closes loopholes that allow employers to pay men and women discriminatorily and provides consequences.

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Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act

Unequal Pay Must End!

Even in the year 2008 women are still making only 77 cents for every dollar that men earn. In Ledbetter v. Goodyear the Supreme Court ruled to ban women from filing employment discrimination law suits outside a 180 day time limit, making it harder for women to receive equal pay for equal work. Congress is working to change this: While the House passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act in 2007, the Senate has not taken initiative to support women's economic equality. The Senate has hesitated to pass the Fair Pay Restoration Act, an act that would ensure women's right to equal pay by allowing victims of pay discrimination to seek back pay and damages when they become aware of the injustice.

Support Equal Marriage in NYS

Bush Threatens to Restrict Women's Access to Reproductive Health

Fight Back!

Once again the Bush administration is trying to restrict women’s access to reproductive health. In a Health and Human Services memo released on August 21st , the Administration proposed regulatory changes that could greatly expand conscience clause protections for healthcare facilities and individuals to refuse to perform abortions or even refer women to obtain an abortion. This initiates a 30-day public comment period, and we need you to send in your comments!

An earlier draft of the memo proposed even more extreme changes radically redefining “abortion” to include the birth control pill, IUDs, and emergency contraception! Although the alarming language expanding the definition of abortion was not included in the final draft, the intentions of the Administration are clear and the proposed regulations are likely to have negative implications for access to abortion and full reproductive healthcare. Check back here for regular updates.

We ask all members to take action by submitting written comments. All comments must reference “Provider Conscience Regulation” and can be submitted by email to: consciencecomment@hhs.gov or regular mail: Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: Brenda Destro, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 728E, Washington, DC, 20201.

Read the HHS Press Release | Read the Proposed Regulation | Take Action!

On Friday, July 18, NOW-NYC joined Senator Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Nita Lowey at Bellevue Hospital to oppose Bush's latest attack on women's health. Read Senator Clinton's statement on the HHS memo, and take a look at the video of the press conference below.

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NY Met’s Interim Manager, Jerry Manuel, Refers to a Disgruntled Player as a Woman

Jerry Manuel used the oldest trick in the book by alluding to the fact that women are weak, emotional and irrational when he referred to Reyes as a “she” after he reacted negatively to Manuel’s orders to sit out the rest of the game. Manuel was quoted as referring to Reyes as “She acted up with me and she had a day off”. Contact the Mets with your comments about Manuel’s sexist statements.

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Restore Affordable Birth Control

Promote Student Access!

Birth control prices have exploded, increasing up to 5 times in cost at college campus health centers and clinics serving low-income women across the country. This is a result of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which took effect in January and eliminated the discounts on birth control that drug companies were traditionally able to offer to colleges and clinics. Reproductive health care is taking a double hit, as the ability of clinics to charge patients a slightly higher price to support their own operations is significantly reduced. And students who used to pay only $10 a month now need to spend up to $53 for the same method of birth control.

Congressmembers Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Nita Lowey (D-NY), and 171 co-sponsors have introduced the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act (HR4504) to restore affordable birth control prices for university-based and safety-net clinics. Take Action today to increase access for all women!

Status: This bill was last referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has not been voted on. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and 35 co-sponsors. It was referred to the Committee on Finance, and has not been voted on.

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Urge the Senate to Pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act

Support Free Gender Expression On June 3rd, the New York State Assembly passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The Act will put an end to discrimination in "public accommodations," including employment and housing, against individuals who identify as transgender, transsexual and gender variant in New York State. The Act also amends the 2000 hate crimes statute, including gender identity and expression as a protected category. The State Senate still needs to approve this bill before it can become law.

As activists for women's rights, NOW-NYC strives to advance equality for all groups. Under Article Three of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it states "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person." Every community's human rights are important to us at NOW-NYC. Please show your support for the rights and safety of everyone.

Urge your Senator to vote YES on GENDA, and thank your Assemblymember for supporting this bill.

Status: Although the Assembly has passed GENDA, the Senate has not voted on it yet.

Thank your Assembly Member | Contact your Senator | Does your Senator support GENDA? | Learn more about GENDA

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Urge Your Senator to Co-sponsor International VAWA

Help End Violence Against Women Worldwide

According to the World Health Organization, one in three women in the world experiences some violence in her lifetime. It is stated U.S. policy to promote women's civil and human rights and opportunities throughout the world and to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The International Violence Against Women Act addresses gender-based violence in its many forms -- including rape, domestic violence, sexual violence, genital mutilation, forced and child marriage, "honor" killings, dowry related violence and human trafficking -- both directly and comprehensively.

This legislation streamlines federal efforts by centralizing all U.S. policy and programs related to international women's issues in a new Office for Women's Global Initiatives at the State Department. The bill requires the department to develop a five-year comprehensive strategy to fight violence against women in 10 to 20 countries. It authorizes an annual funding stream of $175 million to support coordinated programs in the areas of legal reform, health care, economic empowerment, educational opportunities and public awareness. The bill also strengthens the protection of women and girls when violence is used as a weapon of intimidation and abuse in situations of armed conflict.

Senators Clinton and Schumer are co-sponsors of the act, please take a moment to let them know they are on the right track. Contact your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). Take action NOW .

Status: IVAWA (S. 2279) was introduced by Sens. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) last fall, and is pending in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Stop LGBT Discrimination

Support the Full Version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

The Employment Non Discrimination Act, passed in the House in November of this year, would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The original version of the bill, which Bush threatened to veto, also included provisions for transgender employees. Senator Edward Kennedy (D - MA) said that he would move quickly to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.

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Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act

Unequal Pay Must End!

In Ledbetter v. Goodyear, the court ruled to ban women from filing employment discrimination law suits outside the 180 days time limit, making it harder for women to receive equal pay for equal work. Women are paid an average of 77 cents for every dollar men are paid. In this decision, the court makes it clear that equal pay is not a priority.

The Supreme Court recently ruled to limit the extent Title VII can protect women and minorities from discriminatory employment practices. In wake of this decision, Senator Kennedy (D-MA), introduced the Fair Pay Restoration Act legislation to overturn the ruling and ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. (The Fair Pay Restoration Act's counterpart, the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 (H.R. 2831) was passed in Congress August 1!) The legislation clarifies the congressional intent of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The new bill expressly states that the statute of limitations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 runs from the date of each payment of a discriminatory wage. With your help, we won the battle in the House of Representatives to restore our equal pay rights. The bill now needs to pass in the Senate. Our New York senators, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer are both co-sponsors of the bill, please take a moment to send them a thank you for saying no to payment discrimination!

Say Thank You!

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We Need the Healthy Families Act

Ensure Paid Sick Leave

Sixty-six million full-time and part-time workers have NO sick leave, even after a full year of employment -- which means their jobs may be at risk when they or members of their family are ill. This represents 54% of all private sector and state/local government employees. You can help us change that situation. The Healthy Families Act (S. 910/HR. 1542) was introduced by Senator Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Representative DeLauro (D-Conn.) in March, and would grant workers paid sick leave in the event of their own personal medical emergency or an illness in the family.

Please ask your representative to co-sponsor this important legislation, which will help ensure that workers are not forced to choose between losing their jobs and caring for themselves or a sick loved one during a time of illness or injury. Take action online now!

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Let Goodyear Know What You Think!

Don't Let Them Profit From Discrimination.

Lily Ledbetter lost not because she hadn't proved her case, but because they said she had missed the 180 day filing limit. So she should have figured out what her peers were making within 180 days of her last raise. Thank you, Mr. Roberts, it is so easy to find out what your peers are earning. In other words, she lost on a technicality. So Goodyear got off scot-free after nearly twenty years of treating Lily Ledbetter like a second-class employee. Now Goodyear has the audacity to go after Lily Ledbetter to pay their court costs. Shame on them!

Take Action. Tell Goodyear executives what you think of their outrageous demand -- and tell them that profiting from discrimination will cost them the business of thinking consumers, who might just buy Firestone or Goodrich tires next time!

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Pressure U.S. Leaders to Ratify CEDAW

Eliminate the discrimination of women worldwide

Please tell the U.S. government that the time has come to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) treaty and support basic rights for all women. The U.S. Senate has failed to ratify this treaty for more than two decades. As of March 1, 2007, 185 countries have ratified CEDAW, and the U.S. stands out as one of only eight countries that have yet to ratify CEDAW. Take action to improve women's rights in the U.S. and around the world.

Join the "Umbrella Petition"

Help Pass the NYS SAFE HARBOR Law

Defend sexually exploited children

Under current law, American children runaways who end up in prostitution are labeled as criminals. If caught, they are sent to the juvenile equivalent of prison. The New York State legislature is trying to change this through its new Safe Harbor Law. The law would ensure that exploited children end up in safe houses instead of prisons, where they can obtain medical treatment and counseling. Contact your state representatives to let them know that you support this legislation to protect abused children.
Find Your State Assembly Member
Find Your State Senator

Protect the Rights of Immigrant Women

Ensure Safety for Victims of Violence

The U.S. Senate is currently debating an Immigration Reform Bill. Amendment 1158 offered by Senator Coleman (R-Minn) and Senator Domenici (R-N Mex) would discourage immigrant women from seeking aid from law enforcement when they are the victims of domestic, sexual violence and human trafficking. The amendment would allow law enforcement officials to inquire about an individual's immigration status and, in turn, report findings to federal authorities.

The amendment would overturn state and local policies that ensure that a victim's immigration status would remain confidential when reporting battery and other illegal activity to law enforcement.

It will be a close vote, and we need your help to ensure the amendment does not pass. The same amendment was introduced in late May and was voted down by ON ONE VOTE.

Call or email your Senator TODAY to tell them to vote AGAINST the Coleman-Domenici Amendment,
SA 1158.

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Support Marriage Equality in New York State

Get the Marriage Bill to the Floor of the Senate for a Vote!

The New York State Assembly made history this June, by passing the Governor Spitzer's marriage equality bill, A. 8590, with a final vote of 85-61. Despite the milestone achievement for gay rights advocates, NYS Senator Joseph Bruno pledged to not bring the bill to the floor this session. As we move into the next legislative session, keep the pressure turned up by letting your State Senator know that you support equal marriage.

Find Your State Senator

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Help Pass the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act

Defend Women's Reproductive Rights!

NOW-NYC applauds Gov. Spitzer's commitment to the women of New York and his recent pledge to introduce legislation to update New York's reproductive rights laws. New York's abortion law was created before Roe v. Wade and is now antiquated. Given the recent Supreme Court decision, changes to the New York law are necessary to protect the health of women. Contact your state representatives to let them know that you support this legislation to protect reproductive rights.
Find Your State Assembly Member
Find Your State Senator

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Hold FOX Accountable

Complain about sexist comments aired

NOW-NYC President Sonia Ossorio appeared on John Gibson's Fox News show, The Big Story, on May 9th to criticize the violent jokes made on Opie and Anthony's XM Satellite Radio Show, recently. As reported online on News Hounds, " Ossorio, NOW New York City President, argued that there are so many derogatory and misogynist images and remarks in the media today, women expect to be offended when they tune in or turn on the TV, and this should not be the case." Gibson's other guest, Patrice O'Neal proceeded not only to tell his own offensive jokes, which Gibson chose to air, but inaccurately criticized NOW for not standing up for all women during the Don Imus scandal (NOW-NYC took an active part).
Gibson has since apologized, but let's not let him off the hook so easily. Keep the stream of complaints flowing and defeat O'Neals belief that women and men have to tolerate sexism and racism in the media.
News Hounds Full Story
Think Progress Story

Call or email to register your complaint!

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Support Fairness in Women's Health

Ask the FDA to Put Science Before Politics.

Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor the FDA Scientific Fairness for Women Act. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) is reintroducing legislation that would make women's health issues a priority at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Urge your representative to co-sponsor this important legislation, the FDA Scientific Fairness for Women Act.
Take Action

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Ensure Our Reproductive Freedom

Does Your Representative Support FOCA?

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling to ban a specific type of medical procedure for abortions, federal legislation has been introduced: the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). The law would codify women's reproductive freedom, taking it out of the hands of the politically motivated Supreme Court. The law would also override the recent Carhart decision, which upheld bans that prohibit the most commonly used and safest abortion procedure after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Why are the following NYC Representatives not on board? Call or write today and let them know that they are not standing up for our rights!

Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Joseph Crowley, Rep. Vito Fosella, Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Eliot Engel

Please take a minute to thank your NYC Representatives for Co-Sponsoring the bill:

Don' t forget to thank Senators Clinton and Schumer for supporting the bill in the Senate!

LETTER URGING SUPPORT

Call on Your Pharmacy to Lower the Cost of Emergency Contraception

The price of Emergency Contraception, commonly referred to as "Plan B," at New York City pharmacies has reached an alarming peak, prompting NOW-NYC to call on pharmacy chains, including CVS, Duane Reade and Walgreens, to reduce their inflated costs. NOW-NYC's Reproductive Rights Committee crisscrossed the five boroughs and found prices as high as $50 at some local pharmacies, and a recent study conducted by the New York City Council found the average price of "Plan B" at New York City pharmacies is $41.84, which is higher than the price at which it was sold by prescription only.
Contact your pharmacy's corporate headquarters. Learn More!

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Jets' Games Mob Harasses Women

Gate D is the new halftime show at Jets home games. Here, men gather at the spiral ramps and chant for passing women to flash their breasts. Women who don't comply are taunted and spit at. Several recent articles in the New York Times detail the threatening scene. Although stadium security at Gate D, provided by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, has increased since the first Times article appeared, they have taken no direct action to stop the raucous tradition. And the New Jersey State Police that staff every home game pass the buck to the stadium security on this one.

The last home game of the season is December 30th. Allowing this mob to gather incites violence and mistreatment of women. Let Dennis Robinson, president and chief executive of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, know that letting security guards stand by and watch is unacceptable! Contact the him and the NJSEA at mailto: publicaffairs@njsea.com

NOW-NYCArchived Actions

2011

Demand Manhattan DA Fulfill his Campaign Promise and Publish Sex Crimes Stats

Social Security: Tell Your Senators to Oppose Benefit Cuts

Demand that CNN Tell the Truth About Birth Control!

Urge Congress to Pass the American Jobs Act NOW

Women Need Insurance Coverage for Abortion!

Andrew Goldman: Stop with the Tired, Sexist 'Journalism'

To New York Post: Enough with the "Hooker" References

Take Action by Friday, September 30: ALL Women Should Have Contraceptive Coverage

Take Action NOW:

Urge Judge to Give Max Sentence to Ex-NYPD Cops

Are you as shocked as we are? Take Action!

Protect Women's Lives: Extreme Bill Will Deny Women Life-Saving Care

Tell City Council that Sexual Violence Programs are Critical to the Well-Being and Safety of All New Yorkers!

Sexism Invades iPhone Apps

Hey Glenn Beck: Planned Parenthood is Important for ALL Women

Hey Wall Street Journal: Women Deserve Equal Pay!

Fight the Abortion Insurance Ban

Don't Bring Global Gag Rule Home

Be Proactive: Support the Reproductive Health Act (A.6112)

Help Secure Equal Marriage in New York State

Thank Your City Council Member: Disclosure Law for Pregnancy Service Centers Passes

Final Countdown for Paycheck Fairness

CALL – TWEET – SHARE THIS!

PFA: KEY PROVISIONS

Judge Gives "Probation" for Convicted Teen Rapist?!

1 Week Left for Senate to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act

Tell the White House That It's Discriminatory to Deny Abortion Access to Women with Pre-existing Conditions

Help Ensure Women Receive a Fair Deal in Divorce Proceedings

Hold Johns Responsible for Soliciting a Minor for Sex

Ensure Trafficking Survivors Have a Fair Shot at Rebuilding Their Lives

Support the Midwifery Modernization Act

Help Keep Child Care Centers Open for Low-Income Families

UN Appoints Iran to Women's Rights Commission

Stand Against Female Genital Mutilation

Demand that the American Academy of Pediatrics retract a portion of their policy statement endorsing Type (IV) female genital mutilation of female minors.

Tell Urban Outfitters Brand: Stop Disrepecting Your Customers

Support Anti-Strangulation Bill

Protest Choice of Osvaldo Rios

Women's Rights are Human Rights: Ratify CEDAW!

Contact Your Senators!

Get Your Photoshop Off My Body!

Restore Women's Rights to Jury Trials

Call for Convicted NYS Senator Hiram Monserrate to Step Down

Call for the Health Care Reform We Need

Urge More Support for Crime Victims

Thank Senator Gillibrand for Standing Strong on Women's Health

Fight for Lateisha Green!

Protect the Caregivers of New York City!

Senate Update

House Update

Take a Stand on Women's Health!

Tell the Media: Include Single-Payer in Healthcare Debate!

Demand That the New York State Senate Gets Back to Work!

Close the Wage Gap!

Help Pass the New York State Fair Pay Act

Support Equal Marriage in New York State!

Help Pass the Reproductive Health Act in New York State

Defend Women's Reproductive Rights!

End Inhumane Treatment of Incarcerated, Pregnant Women

Tell CVS to Unlock the Condoms!

Support Public Health and Equal Access to Contraceptives

Support Working Women and Families!

Press for Revisions to the New FMLA Regulations

Act NOW! Tell Obama and Congress You Support Family Planning

House removes Medicaid Family Planning provision from Economic Stimulus Package

Support the Clinic Access Bill

Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care!

Ratify CEDAW!

Contact Your Senators!

Congratulate Obama & Biden

Speak up, NOW!

Urge President-elect Obama to Give the Boot to Rick Warren

Inauguration No Place for Anti-Gay Pastor

Urge Senators to Support Pay Equity!

The House passed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act! Now we must advocate for the Senate to do the same!

Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act

Unequal Pay Must End!

Support Equal Marriage in NYS

NOW-NYC
Archived Actions