News & Commentary

There is no doubt that May was deterring for pro-choice advocates across the country. In some states, such as Alabama and Louisiana, politicians pushed through laws that ban most abortions. In others, politicians are doing everything they can to shut down the health centers that many women rely on for basic reproductive health services, including abortion access. Nevertheless, Americans have come out in large numbers to protest these restrictions, and thousands of women have come forward to share their personal stories using hashtag #youknowme.

I’m proud to lead the ACLU of Indiana LGBTQ Rights Project, where we fight for transgender people in the Indiana statehouse, in the courts and in our communities. We raise up transgender leaders and support their work all over the state. So far, we’ve trained nearly 40 advocates through our Indiana Trans Justice Project, and they are hard at work educating their communities and their lawmakers.

On May 21, hundreds of Hoosiers joined the ACLU of Indiana, Planned Parenthood of Indianapolis and Kentucky, and Indiana's Chapter of the Women's March on Washington to stand up for reproductive rights. The day of action was part of a nationwide movement in opposition to the extreme abortion bans signed into law in states across the country.

The mass incarceration crisis, in Indiana and across the country, has taken a huge toll on families and communities, and has wasted trillions of taxpayer dollars. The current system has failed, disproportionately effecting communities of color. But reformers cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach to ending mass incarceration. Legislative, policing and prosecutorial reform must be specific to combatting these disparities.

In Response to Speaker Brian Bosma’s Comments About Citizens Outrage Against Attempts to Heighten Requirements for Trans and Non-Binary Hoosiers to Obtain an ID

Challenges to the right to protest have come in many forms over the last few years. And standing up for your right to protest can be increasingly challenging when demonstrations are met with unjust punishments. Indiana elected officials are looking to add to the already prevalent fear of police intimidation by tacking on additional monetary punishment based on association.

Situated ironically in the midst of Women’s History Month, are Indiana legislators’ latest attempts to restrict women’s reproductive rights. In 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, establishing a woman’s access to abortion care as a fundamental right. But once again, Indiana elected officials are pushing multiple bills that threaten a woman’s right to make her own, personal medical decisions.

Young people should remain in the juvenile justice system, regardless of their crimes. Senate Bill 279 would automatically waive juvenile court jurisdiction over children 12 years and older who have been accused of attempted murder or murder, sending children to the adult court and prison systems.