Women's and LGBTQ Rights
Equal Pay for Equal Work - On average, a woman earns only 79 cents for every dollar a man earns. Not using half of our population to its full potential is hindering our economic growth. Bill Gates once famously said to a gender segregated audience in Saudi Arabia, "Well, if you're not fully utilizing half the talent in the country, you're not going to get too close to the top."
Violence Against Women - Intimate partner homicide accounts for almost half of women murdered each year. Most of these women are killed with a firearm. More must be done to protect these women. Rhode Island should authorize the removal of firearms from scene of domestic violence incident.
Health Issues - One in four teenage girls have an active sexually transmitted infection. This is an incredible disease burden. Being more open about sex education will go a long way in reducing both unwanted pregnancies and improving the health of our children.
Abortion - Until Congress is comprised of mostly diverse female representatives, they have no business in dictating a young woman's future. "Are you pro-life or pro-choice?" is often the litmus test for politicians, but it frames the entire debate in the wrong light. We can all agree no matter our beliefs, that we should be working to decrease the number of abortions. We can do this by educating children and making contraception free and easily available. Children on average are exposed to hard core pornography at age twelve, but do not receive formal sex education until fourteen. This makes for risky sexual practices and behaviors.
Discrimination Against LGBTQ - In 1964, job discrimination on the basis of race and sex was outlawed. Yet 50 years later, workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is still completely legal. In a rare show of bipartisan support, the Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to stop this practice. It is time for the House to follow suit.
Violence Against Women - Intimate partner homicide accounts for almost half of women murdered each year. Most of these women are killed with a firearm. More must be done to protect these women. Rhode Island should authorize the removal of firearms from scene of domestic violence incident.
Health Issues - One in four teenage girls have an active sexually transmitted infection. This is an incredible disease burden. Being more open about sex education will go a long way in reducing both unwanted pregnancies and improving the health of our children.
Abortion - Until Congress is comprised of mostly diverse female representatives, they have no business in dictating a young woman's future. "Are you pro-life or pro-choice?" is often the litmus test for politicians, but it frames the entire debate in the wrong light. We can all agree no matter our beliefs, that we should be working to decrease the number of abortions. We can do this by educating children and making contraception free and easily available. Children on average are exposed to hard core pornography at age twelve, but do not receive formal sex education until fourteen. This makes for risky sexual practices and behaviors.
Discrimination Against LGBTQ - In 1964, job discrimination on the basis of race and sex was outlawed. Yet 50 years later, workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is still completely legal. In a rare show of bipartisan support, the Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to stop this practice. It is time for the House to follow suit.