Melanie recently graduated with a bachelor's in communication & media studies and minors in sociology and gender studies. She loves feminism, photography, and traveling.

Employees Should Not Be Fired for Being Gay

Earlier this week, an Oklahoma representative said he would support legislation that allowed employers to fire workers for their sexual orientation, because being gay ‘is a choice.’ Politicians’ personal opinions often shape our nation’s legislation, and it’s important that we let lawmakers know we won’t support laws that legalize discrimination against gay individuals.

Don’t Deny Funding to International Pro-Choice Organizations

House Republicans have proposed a budget that would block federal funding to organizations that provide abortion services to underserved populations abroad. However, these organizations also provide vital health care services such as STI and HIV prevention and birth control to people who otherwise would not have access to them. Tell representatives to protect these funds and support everyone’s right to reproductive health care.

End Workplace Discrimination Against Pregnant Women

Most women must make changes in their routine when they are pregnant. However, many employees are facing unfair termination and discrimination in the workplace for requesting simple accommodations to make work easier while pregnant. Support the legislation to ensure that no woman must fear losing her job because she is pregnant.

Oppose Anti-Choice State Medicaid Bill

A proposed bill would force states to discontinue programs that provide abortion funding to low-income women. Although the policy claims to be giving states more say on how they spend their Medicaid dollars, it would place more restrictions on them and require them to purchase expensive separate coverage plans. Tell our representatives to let the states that have chosen to provide assistance to low-income women keep their current plans in place.

Don’t Require Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients

Florida’s law requiring welfare recipients to undergo drug testing is both unconstitutional and unproductive. In its short duration, it has only shown that very few people on welfare are using drugs and it has cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. This problematic law makes assumptions about low-income families and should be abandoned.

Don’t Let Ohio Defund Planned Parenthood

Ohio lawmakers have proposed cutting $1.7 million in funding to Planned Parenthood health centers. This move would effectively defund an organization that thousands of women rely on every day for their health care needs. Tell Ohio Governor John R. Kasich to prioritize reproductive and sexual health care, not block access to it.

Stop Killing Dolphins with Deep Water Sonar

Big oil companies and the shipping industry are using deep water sonar that is causing thousands of dolphin deaths each year. In the past month alone, over 600 dolphins have washed up on the shores of Peru showing evidence of trauma caused by seismic bursts. We need to stand up for the dolphins and end this irresponsible use of sonar technology.

Say No to Mandatory Ultrasounds in Rhode Island

Lawmakers in Rhode Island are considering making fetal ultrasounds mandatory for patients obtaining an abortion. These procedures are medically unnecessary and shouldn’t be dictated by politicians. Tell Rhode Island that medical protocol should be determined by physicians themselves and that patients deserve free choice regarding their reproductive health.

Recording the Police Should Not be a Crime

In Illinois, a person can be arrested for openly recording a police officer engaging in public activities. That means that in a case of police brutality or misconduct, a civilian can be arrested for simply recording the unjust situation. Tell legislators that police officers breaking the law should be punished, not the people reporting the crime.

Workers Should Not Be Fired for Discussing Their Wages

Currently, people employed at entities receiving federal funds can be fired for discussing their wages with co-workers. However, with wage discrimination still existing in our workforce, these discussions are essential to ensuring that everyone is being paid fairly for their labor. Urge President Obama to create an order that would protect these individuals from being punished for questioning the fairness of their wages.

Don’t Cut the U.S. Food Stamps Program

House Republicans have proposed a budget that would cut our nation’s food stamp program by $133.5 billion. These cuts will leave millions of men, women, and children in poverty and without a reliable source of food. Tell our leaders that this cut is unacceptable and we should be prioritizing federal programs that help those in need, not slashing them.

Protest Anti-Choice Bills in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker quietly signed several anti-choice bills into law recently. One new law would ban coverage of abortion in policies sold through a health insurance exchange, and another places new restrictions on doctors and their patients seeking an abortion. Tell Governor Walker that his decisions will not be met without resistance and that it’s time to prioritize reproductive health.

Push for Reproductive Rights Awareness Week in Illinois

With reproductive rights being challenged by legislators every day, it is time that we make the reproductive health discussion a priority. Support the movement to establish Reproductive Rights Awareness Week in Illinois.

Provide Prenatal Care to Immigrant Women

Nebraska lawmakers are divided over a decision to provide state-funded prenatal care to undocumented pregnant women. Health care is a human right and should be provided to anyone in need, regardless of their immigration status. Tell Nebraskan Governor John Heineman that we should value the health and safety of all people, not just those who have proof of citizenship.

Bring Comprehensive Sex Education to Illinois

Currently, if Illinois public schools choose to provide sex education, the curriculum must be abstinence-only. A new bill would require schools that choose to teach sex ed to provide information that is medically accurate and comprehensive. It is time Illinois schools took a proactive, fact-based approach to adolescent sexual health and begin offering comprehensive sex education programs.

Don’t Let Arizona Ban Abortion After Eighteen Weeks

The Arizona Senate passed one of the most extreme anti-choice bills in history, banning abortion after eighteen weeks and requiring transvaginal ultrasounds. The new law would also begin the pregnancy timeline up to two weeks before conception, creating greater limitations for individuals seeking an abortion. Don’t let the Arizona House sign this dangerous and overly restrictive bill into law.

Keep Ethnic Studies at Arizona Universities

Arizona officials are considering banning ethnic studies, such as Mexican American studies, from Arizona universities. Removing these programs sends the message that other cultures and histories are not valued and would limit college students’ access to a well-rounded education. Tell Arizona to respect all histories and keep ethnic studies in their universities.

Repeal Anti-Gay Amendment from Colorado’s Constitution

An amendment in the Colorado state constitution permits workplace discrimination towards gays and lesbians. This discrimination against homosexual individuals must be opposed. Let the Colorado House of Representatives know that we must continue working towards equality and acceptance for all people, not just heterosexuals.

Stop Xenophobic and Anti-Muslim Education Plan in Tennessee

Conservative groups in Tennessee are pushing a bill that would limit the number of foreign-born teachers that charter schools can hire. This bill is specifically targeting Muslims and would prevent schools from hiring qualified instructors and would legalize discrimination. Tell the Tennessee Senate that we should value diversity in our schools, not criminalize it.

Stop Restrictions on Teens Seeking Out of State Abortions

A new law would make it illegal for anyone other than a parent to accompany a pregnant minor to an abortion clinic out of state. Relatives and other trusted individuals could be arrested for helping teens, and no exceptions would be made for rape or incest. Urge the House of Representatives to consider the various reasons why teens may feel safer with someone other than a parent and to reject this bill.

Protect our Ecosystems from Climate Change

Global warming is having devastating effects on ecosystems and wildlife, often resulting in flash floods, severe droughts, and wildfires. As climate change continues to intensify, it is imperative that the U.S. government be prepared for its long-term effects. We must ensure that federal natural resource agencies are required to have strategies for addressing global warming and preserving our natural heritage.

Put An End To Illegal Ivory Trading

Although the international ivory trade was banned in 1989, thousands of elephants continue to be slaughtered for ivory each year. Several years ago, certain countries were given the authority to legally buy ivory in the hopes of lessening illegal activity–however, the black market seems to have only gotten worse. Tell the European Union’s Environment Agency to revoke these countries’ licenses and do a thorough review of their ivory trading policies.

Stop Bullying in Illinois Schools

Over half of Illinois students report being bullied at school and 25 percent say they have skipped school because they feel unsafe. Lawmakers have proposed amendments to Illinois’ bullying policies that would strengthen existing laws and create tangible solutions to school bullying and violence. Let Illinois legislators know that every student deserves to feel safe, welcome, and loved at school.

Protect Obama’s Healthcare Act

The Supreme Court will soon be discussing the constitutionality of Obama’s health care reform, the landmark law that will provide 30 million Americans with insurance. Although it isn’t perfect, this law will have tremendous, far-reaching benefits for our country when fully implemented. Let our Supreme Court Justices know that health care is a basic human right and should be accessible to everybody.

Don’t Take Sex Education Out of Schools

Instead of simply amending Alabama’s sexuality education curriculum to be more accurate, lawmakers are proposing to repeal sex ed altogether, leaving thousands of teens without a place to learn about sexuality, STDs, and anatomy. Let legislators know that we should be educating our students for the real world, not imposing ignorance.