In the episode, Erin Hart and Christy Hall discuss the legal protections for transgender students and their families under federal and state law The Minnesota Human Rights Act ensures rights for transgender students and their families. If you have experienced discrimination, you can report it to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights here: https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/consultationinquiryform/ Gender Justice has won cases against school districts who violated transgender students' rights,...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Allison Glass and Sara Jane Baldwin discuss rights for pregnant employees and for pumping at work. They cover: Changes in the Minnesota's Women's Economic Security Act (WESA), which include more frequent breaks, seating arrangements, and lifting limits for pregnant employees. A focus on creating safe, private spaces for pumping that are not bathrooms, with access to electrical outlets. The definition of retaliation against employees who assert these rights is...

In this episode, host Erin Hart speaks with OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn, Gender Justice Legal Director Jess Braverman, and Gender Justice Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 303 Creative v. Elenis. In their analysis of the ruling they cover:   The background of the case, including the “hypothetical” harm caused to the plaintiff who never made wedding websites What the majority opinion, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch,...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Erin Mae Quade, and Jess Braverman reflect on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade Reflections on the one-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, leading to nationwide upheaval for abortion access and reproductive healthcare Theories and reactions to the leaked opinion in Dobbs, exploring motives and potential impacts from the leak Recap of the Roe and Casey decisions that were overturned in Dobbs, years of anti-abortion...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Christina Sambor (North Dakota State Director of Gender Justice), and Meetra Mehdizadeh (Staff Attorney from the Center for Reproductive Rights) discuss:    The legal motion to amend the ongoing abortion rights lawsuit in North Dakota Background on the original lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s trigger ban on abortion Significance of the North Dakota Supreme Court's decision upholding the preliminary injunction The implications of the new extreme abortion...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Jess Braverman, and Phil Duran discuss “Lusk v DOC” "Christina Lusk versus Minnesota Department of Corrections: Transgender Rights in Government Custody" Discussion about the settled lawsuit and its significance for transgender rights in government custody. Christina's struggle to access necessary care and involvement of Rainbow Health in resolving related issues. Joint representation by Phil and Jess after Christina filed a discrimination charge with the...

Erin Hart discusses major wins and the work ahead after the 2023 legislative session with Senator Erin Maye Quade, Megan Peterson, and Monica Meyer.   Reproductive Freedom Legislative Achievements: Beyond Roe Agenda: Repealing restrictions, protecting patients and providers, ensuring affordability. Reproductive Freedom Codification Act: Undoing anti-abortion laws, decriminalizing abortion. The advocacy team, organizers, and supporters played a vital role in advancing reproductive...

Join Erin Hart and Megan Peterson in this conversation about the history of Gender Justice and the landmark legal victories of the past years. The Coalition's Early Days: Follow Megan Peterson's journey as she uncovers gaps in abortion coverage for low-income individuals and the formation of a coalition in Minnesota to advance reproductive justice. Landmark Decision and Ongoing Challenges: Explore the 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court decision establishing the right to abortion and the...

In this episode, Erin Hart and Christy Hall reflect on Christy’s 10 years at Gender Justice and big wins for bodily autonomy and transgender rights. They discuss: An update on Doe v. Minnesota, a historic lawsuit that resulted in most of Minnesota’s abortion restrictions being ruled unconstitutional. Victories for transgender rights involving the Affordable Care Act and protecting transgender students’ rights’ in schools. Despite trends in other states, Minnesota stands out for its...

In this episode of the Gender Justice Brief, Political Director Monica Meyer discusses the organization's work on LGBTQ and reproductive rights, highlighting progress made in Minnesota's healthcare benefits and non-discrimination laws. Meyer's experience as Executive Director at Outfront Minnesota has given her extensive knowledge of LGBTQ issues and policies, which she brings to her role at Gender Justice. This episode emphasizes the need for more inclusivity and accessibility in politics,...

Erin Hart welcomes Christina Sambor, new North Dakota State Director for Gender Justice, and Megan Peterson, Gender Justice Executive Director, to discuss the political climate in North Dakota and recent legislation and rhetoric targeting the transgender community and LGBTQ rights. A discussion of the discriminatory nature of the conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in North Dakota's conservative political circles Highlighting the passage of bills that protect trans and reproductive...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Megan Peterson, and Jess Braverman discuss: The FDA approved Mifepristone for as part of a two-drug regimen for medication abortion in 2000 with unnecessary restrictions, but during the pandemic, the FDA relaxed rules allowing telemedicine access to the medication. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion, an anti-abortion group went after medication abortion in a manufactured lawsuit Alliance for Hippocratic...

Join Gender Justice experts to unpack the contradictory court decisions on medication abortion. We’ll discuss why the decision out of Texas is so extreme and the impact it could have if it goes into effect, what to expect next, and what we need to do now. This episode was recorded live, via Zoom, on Monday, April 10 at 5 pm CT Speakers: Megan Peterson, Executive Director Jess Braverman, Legal Director MN State Senator Erin Maye Quade ### Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Megan Peterson, and Abena Abraham provide a legislative update, covering: Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNC), testified on the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act in the Senate Health Committee. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, PPNCS has seen a 13% increase in patients coming from out of the region for abortion and a 40% increase in second-trimester abortions. Efforts to pass SF 165, the Reproductive...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Megan Peterson, Jess Braverman, and Abena Abraham talk through the latest updates from the Minnesota legislature and abortion rights. First, we cover the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, a Minnesota law that protects patients and providers from legal attacks from anti-abortion states. The bill is expected to be voted on in the House on Monday, March 20. Legal director Jess Braverman provides an overview of cases coming out of Texas and the legal landscape that...

The Supreme Court heard important cases in the October 2022-2023 sitting. In case you missed it, here is a refresher of what was ahead for the court. Decisions are still pending on these cases. Erin Hart, Gender Justice's Communications Director, and Jess Braverman, Legal Director, discuss 4 Supreme Court cases. 1) Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard, challenges whether schools can consider race in their admissions policies. 2) Brackeen v. Haaland, challenging The Indian Child Welfare...

In this episode of The Gender Justice Brief, Erin Hart, Senator Erin Maye Quade, and legal director Jess Braverman return to discuss the groundbreaking case of Cooper versus USA Powerlifting, which has set a precedent for trans inclusion in sports. JayCee Cooper, Gender Justice's first client to join the podcast, shares her experience and why she brought the case against USA Powerlifting, highlighting the ongoing attacks against the trans community. The case sheds light on the importance...

In this episode, Erin Hart and Megan Peterson, and Abena Abraham discuss the current state of legislation. Cynthia Lin's keynote leads into the episode. Description: In this episode, Cynthia Lin from the National Network of Abortion Funds delivers a keynote address at Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day in Minnesota, emphasizing the importance of advocating for reproductive autonomy and abortion access. We also discuss the fractured landscape of abortion rights in the US, the impact of the recent...

In this episode, Erin Hart, MN Representative Leigh Finke, and Kat Rohn discuss the Trans Refuge Bill advancing at the Minnesota legislature. Anti-LGBTQ+ states like South Dakota are blocking necessary gender-affirming care for minors, denying them the support they need to thrive. The proposed Trans Refuge Bill in Minnesota is a crucial piece of legislation for the trans community, protecting their rights and making space for them to thrive. Trans and gender-expansive people are...

Gender Justice Legal Director Jess Braverman and Executive Director Megan Peterson discuss the Alliance Defending Freedom’s lawsuit against the FDA for its approval of Mifepristone over 20 years ago. Mifepristone is the first pill in the two-pill regimen that makes up medication abortion. If successful, the lawsuit could hinder access to medication abortion across the country. The Gender Justice team discusses how this ruling would affect Minnesota providers and patients, as well as new...

Header: In this episode, Erin Hart and Erica Soloman (Exec. Director at NCJW MN) discuss HF44, the Menstrual Equity Bill. NCJW Minnesota is pushing for the "menstrual equity bill" (HF 44 and SF 50) to fund menstrual products in public and charter schools. One in five students experiences "period poverty," and many miss class without access to menstrual products. NCJW Minnesota has distributed over 200,000 menstrual products since 2018 but seeks a systemic solution. The bill has...

Erin Hart and Gender Justice Executive Director Megan Peterson give a quick update during a marathon debate on the Senate floor before the PRO Act vote. They cover the latest updates from the legislature, including the latest updates on the Minnesota Beyond Roe: Leadership Agenda for Abortion Access bills: the Reproductive Freedom Codification Act, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, and the Positive Pregnancies Support Act. ### Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict...

In this episode, Legal Director Jess Braverman and Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade discuss how religion is being used to expand and limit civil rights. The Supreme Court's Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case called into question the use of the Lemon Test for Establishment Clause violations and raised questions about religion in public spaces. Title IX's exemption for religious organizations raises concerns about discrimination protection for women in religious-affiliated...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Megan Peterson, and Abena Abraham discuss the latest news from the legislature and the 50th Anniversary of Roe v Wade. We discuss the latest news from the legislative session, starting with the PRO Act (Protect Reproductive Options Act), which successfully cleared the house with a vote of 69-65. The bill will now move on to the Senate. We then dig into the Reproductive Freedom Codification Act and Positive Pregnancies Support Act, focusing on expanding access...

In this episode, Erin Hart, Jessica Nyman, and Abena Abraham discuss the intense start of the Minnesota legislative session: What is it like being at the Capitol again? A lot of movement around abortion-related legislation. The PRO Act, which would establish a statutory right to choose reproductive healthcare options, including abortion, was introduced quickly and is a top priority for legislators. The bill had its first hearing last week, with strong support from providers and...