Anti-Shackling Legislation

Please express your support for NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery's anti-shackling legislation (S.1290-A/A.3373-A) by calling on Governor David Paterson to sign her bill into law. Below is a link to the 7/21/09 New York Times editorial (Childbirth in Chains) advocating for the bill's enactment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/opinion/21tue4.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=childbirth%20in%20chains&st=cse
 

You may telephone the Governor at 518-474-8390, send a letter to him at Executive Chamber - State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224, or e-mail him via his website at
http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html.

Reproductive Health Act

The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act of 2007 (S5829) is pending in both the Senate and the Assembly as of right now. Please go to http://www.nysenate.gov/senators to find your State Senator and http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ to find your State Assemblymember and let them know that you want them to vote for this act. The Reproductive Health Act would decriminalize abortion in New York State after 24 weeks and ensure that women who need late-term abortions would be able to get them. It also allows doctors to exercise their best judgment for women on a case by case basis without political interference. The passage of this bill is fundamental to protecting the reproductive rights of women in New York for the future.

The NYS Marriage Equality bill

The NYS Marriage Equality bill, which would guarantee same-sex couples the same rights accorded to heterosexual couples in marriage, has already been passed in the New York State Assembly. It has yet to come to a floor vote in the Senate. Please contact Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith at his district office phone number: 718-528-4290 to let him know that you want this bill brought to the floor for a vote.

Take action for the NYS Fair Pay Act (S.955)!

The bill passed through the NYS Assembly and made it through the NYS Senate Labor Committee but we are having trouble getting it onto the agendas of the Finance Committee or the Senate Democratic Conference. So now we need a blitz of phone calls.

Here's background as to why this is so important:

The current equal pay laws, even the Ledbetter Act, apply only to jobs within the same job title, so thousands of employees who work in job titles where women and people of color predominate are underpaid. Passage of the NYS Fair Pay Act will protect employees in both the public and private sectors in NYS from unfair pay.

Research has shown that:

• Across occupations, pay equity has the potential to reduce the percentage of workers earning poverty level wages for a family of 3 by 48.8% for women of color and 40% for white women, and by 37.1% for men of color and 31.8% for white men (Lapidus & Figart 1998).
• Among the working poor in occupations dominated by people of color, pay equity would raise 60% of them above the poverty threshold for a family of 3, and in occupations dominated by women of color, 52% would be lifted above the poverty level for a family of 3 (Lapidus & Figart 1998). Under pay equity, women and men of color would earn approximately 94% of what white men typically earn (Stone & Kuperberg 2005).

Take Action!

Contact Finance Committee Chair Carl Kruger by email (kruger@senate.state.ny.us ) and by phone (718 743-8610) expressing your support for S955 and your hope that he will discharge the bill from the Finance Committee with a recommendation.

Contact Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith by email (masmith@senate.state.ny.us ) and by phone (212 298-5585 ) asking him to make this S955 a priority of the Democratic Conference Committee.

Finally, contact your own NYS Senator (http://www.nysenate.gov/senators) and urge her/him to actively support passage of S955 this session.

Give Women’s History a Home Next to the National Mall

In a year when many women have made history, Members of Congress have the opportunity to recognize women's successes by passing House Resolution (H.R.) 6548 and Senate bill S. 3528, giving the National Women’s History Museum a permanent home.

Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) introduced H.R. 6548 with bipartisan support on July 17, 2008. On September, 22, 2008, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 3528 with bipartisan support. Now, we've launched the Right Here. Right Now. campaign so that you can make your voice heard on Capitol Hill. Help us urge Congress to pass H.R. 6548 and S. 3528 immediately.

Here’s a sample letter you can send or email your representative, or click on this link for the NWM website:

 http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=nwhm&hotissue=1

Dear BQNOW members and friends,
Women's Equality Day is fast approaching. It officially marks the 88th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (women's victory to win the right to vote). While we're still not in the US Constitution (we do not as yet have an Equal Rights Amendment) we can take a step forward:

GOOD NEWS! The Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act has successfully passed the House of Representatives.

This bill  posthumously awards a Congressional gold medal to Alice Paul, in recognition of her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women. Representative Joseph Baca (D-CA) was the lead sponsor in the House. Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey have signed on as the only sponsors of this bill (S 826) in the US Senate.

We need 68 Senators to Co-Sponsor S 826 before September 26, 2008 when the Senate adjourns. Otherwise, we need to start over with the 111th Congress next year. This bill will also revitalize interest in passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (aka the Alice Paul Amendment).   Please do the following:

Call Senator Clinton and Senator Schumer TOLL FREE at 1 866-338-1015. That's the DC Capitol Switchboard. Ask to be connected to the Senator (by name). When connected, tell your senator's aide that you want the Senator to SPONSOR S 826, the Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act. Also request that your senator influence other senators to do likewise. Send this email on to your family and friends, colleagues, etc in other states asking them to contact their senators with the same message.

You'll get personal satisfaction from knowing you are part of our 85 year struggle towards making the ERA happen!!!

The Equal Rights Amendment: Simple Justice.  It's about Time!

Just a couple of months ago, a mother was kicked out of a museum in New York for breastfeeding, a perfectly legal act in this state. Mothers continue to suffer discrimination and humiliation for breastfeeding, even though doctors recommend breastfeeding for all infants. Clearly we need Congress to pass the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236) now—before more mothers are stigmatized and humiliated for breastfeeding.

But this Act is currently stalled in Congress, and isn't going to move forward without increased citizen pressure. You can supply that pressure. There is no companion bill yet in the US Senate.

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON NOW (go to thomas.loc.gov for contact information).

Sample letter – cut and paste this message into your own letter or email:

Hon. [Cong. Representative’s name]

I am a member of Brooklyn Queens NOW, and I support The Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236).

Please co-sponsor and pass this legislation now. Mothers continue to suffer discrimination and humiliation for breastfeeding, even though doctors recommend breastfeeding for all infants.

Studies show that breastfeeding is the best possible way to ensure that babies thrive. In turn, we must ensure that breastfeeding mothers are able to breastfeed, and are given the time and environment to pump at work or during other professional obligations.

Both the medical profession and the government agree that breastfeeding is best for mothers and children. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) actively advocates breastfeeding and states on their website that the, “CDC is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices.” And, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leads a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign to promote breastfeeding, and notes on their website that, “The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby.”

Please sign on to co-sponsor the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236) today—and please act to make sure this passes in the near future. Thank you for taking the time to consider this serious issue.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address and email address]

Ask Secretary Clinton to focus on the violence and discrimination against women that exists around the world. Click here for a sample letter.

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Raising Our Voices For Choice

BQNOW and NOW-NYC join together at NY's City Hall to "Raise our voices for choice" on January 22nd, 2009. This event marks the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Now that we have a president who has pledged his support for reproductive rights, let's keep this issue on his agenda. See the flyer attached and RSVP today!

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NOTE: To find your representative’s contact information, click here.

Dear [NYS Senator or Assembly Member],

I write as your constituent to urge you to sign-on as a cosponsor of the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (S06045A). The Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v Carhart, permitting a ban on an abortion procedure without any exception to protect a woman’s health, is a strong blow to women’s reproductive rights. The Supreme Court’s recent actions have made it clear that Roe v Wade is at risk, and that New York can no longer afford to rely on federal constitutional law to protect the fundamental right to make private reproductive healthcare decisions.

The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act would help reverse the trend of increasing restrictions on women’s rights by codifying the protections of Roe v Wade in New York State law. We must act now to strengthen the foundation for reproductive freedom in New York State law, update our archaic legal code, and ensure that women’s health is protected.

As a New Yorker, I am proud that our state has historically been a beacon and a leader in women’s rights and would like to uphold this hard-earned reputation. As your constituent, I urge you to demonstrate your support for women’s health and reproductive choice by cosponsoring this critical legislation.

Sincerely,

[Your name, home address and email address]

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Background:  For nearly 2 years, BQNOW has worked with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women to end human trafficking in NYC and NYS. We join with NOW-NYC in targeting New York Magazine next Thursday, November 8th.   NY Magazine has been asked repeatedly to refuse Sex advertisements. They categorically refuse. It's time to tell them where we stand!

Tell your friends and coworkers. We must end this practice.
~BQNOW Board~

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Stand together to send Congress a strong message: KIDS CAN'T WAIT FOR HEALTHCARE: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/momsrising/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12417

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For more information: www.equalitynow.org

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There are bills in the House of Representatives and in the U. S. Senate which would mandate a minimum hospital stay.  Sadly, nothing has happened since April, 2005.  This year, an election year, is the time to change that.  Of note is that NEITHER CLINTON NOR SCHUMER are co-sponsors of the Senate bill S-910.  In the House, Brooklyn and Queens representatives are mostly behind the legislation HR 1849, but still, the bill languishes in committee.   Here's a link to the website and some information about the bills: http://thomas.loc.gov/

Title: A bill to require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations.

Latest Major Action: 4/26/2005.  Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. In the House, the bill was referred to Ways and Means and various subcommittees. Nothing has happened in either house.

ACTION: Contact your representatives, Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton. Tell them you want to see these bills become law this year. NOTE THAT CLINTON (who is up for re-election this November) SITS ON THE COMMITTEE TO WHICH THE BILL WAS SENT.

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The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2005 Reauthorization bill will be introduced by both the Senate and House early this spring.   Please help by asking your senators and representative to co-sponsor the reauthorization.

VAWA was passed in 1994, reauthorized and enhanced in 2000, and is due to expire this Fall unless it is reauthorized again.   Because of VAWA, a broad range of services now exist to provide much-needed aid to women who must cope with the aftermath of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, rape, incest and stalking.   Although we have made advances in public attention to this issue and improved services to victims since VAWA's passage a decade ago, much still remains to be done to combat and prevent intimate, family and sexual violence against women.  

During these political hard times with budget deficits and program rollbacks, advocates face an uphill battle to win support for legislation that will call for more funds and expand services and attention to this issue.   But we cannot abandon nor dilute our determination to make eradicating sexual and domestic violence a fundamental national priority.   We must fervently and insistently ask for support for an expanded and enhanced VAWA that continues the integrity of the original bill and diversifies the prevention and program efforts.

VAWA 2005 Improvements must include:

• Giving violence survivors reasonable unpaid leave from work to address their situation, including attending court hearings; unemployment coverage if they can't continue working or are released from their jobs; and protection from job discrimination.
• Increasing the options for survivors of domestic violence who need transitional housing.
• Expanding prevention and intervention programs targeted at children and youth, and including "minors" in all programs and services. Additional attention must be paid to underserved communities and individuals.
• Improving the training and education of health care providers to improve medical services for survivors.
• Extending VAWA's outreach to communities near and far to ensure that everyone has access to prevention strategies and to vital protective and recuperative services.

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EC for Rape Victims.   Ask your representative to sponsor H.R. 1214, a bill introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). This proposal, which has more than 50 sponsors, will require the Department of Justice to include emergency contraception for rape victims in its national protocol for treatment of rape survivors. These first-ever national medical guidelines originally included EC as part of the rape treatment options, but recommendations about EC disappeared in the final version. Rape survivors who seek medical treatment must have information about EC and the option to take it as part of their medical treatment.

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DEMOCRATIC LEADERS RECRUITING ANTI-ABORTION CANDIDATES!   Democratic leaders are actively recruiting anti-abortion candidates and forcing out pro-choice Democrats!   Tell Democratic leaders that moving to the Right is the Wrong strategy.

Democratic leaders recently forced winning pro-choice candidate Barbara Hafer out of the 2006 Pennsylvania Senate race against extremist Republican incumbent Rick Santorum.   Why? So they could run an anti-abortion Democrat.   This is the same losing tactic they used against Santorum in 2000. We must speak out to stop the Democratic Party from becoming "Republican-lite" on women's issues and undermining its own women candidates.

Barbara Hafer is a strong advocate for reproductive rights and was the frontrunner to take on Rick Santorum in the 2006 Pennsylvania Senate. She has just been forced out of the race by Democratic leaders and consultants in favor of an anti-abortion candidate they recruited.

Who did top Democrats pick to run against Santorum, one of the leading anti-abortion, anti-women's rights and anti-gay senators? Top Democrats recruited Robert P. Casey Jr., a staunch abortion opponent. And who made sure that Hafer would not run? She was pushed out by our Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, who, as head of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, serves as the top Senate recruiter for the Democrats. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who previously supported Hafer, then made the call forcing her out of the race. Political consultants are already lining up with the Casey campaign.

Don't mistake this for a random act—it is a calculated effort by party leaders to build a so-called "bigger tent" at the expense of women's rights. It almost happened in Rhode Island as well, where Schumer and national Democratic leaders tried to recruit an anti-abortion candidate to run against a pro-choice candidate in the party's Senate primary and against a pro-choice Republican Senator in the general election. Thanks to the strong and vocal opposition of Rhode Island NOW activists, the anti-choice candidate decided to stay in his safe house seat, and every remaining potential candidate for the Democratic Senate nomination now professes his commitment to reproductive rights.

Call or write Senator Schumer and tell him that, moving to the Right is the Wrong strategy! If you won't stand up for women and women's rights - core Democratic values - then you can't expect women's rights supporters to stand up for you.

Senator Charles Schumer, 313 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-3203, Telephone: 202-224-6542. Fax: 202-228-3027

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