Condoms, Not Laws, Help Cut Abortions

Staff / Truthdig Oct 14, 2009 This isn't going to sound all that shocking, but remember that this country is still wrapping its head around evolution: Criminalizing abortion does not reduce the number of abortions; it reduces the number of safe abortions. Contraception, however, does reduce abortions, according to an epic study of 197 countries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

America’s War on Sex: The Contraception Battle

Staff / Truthdig Jul 19, 2008 Dr. Marty Klein, author of "America's War on Sex: The Attack on Law, Lust and Liberty," has some additional questions for John McCain -- who flailed in the face of a perfectly reasonable query about Viagra versus birth control last week -- as well as his rivals for the presidency. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Birth Control Is Back

Marie Cocco / Truthdig Jul 18, 2007 The U.S. continues to have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world, despite this week's reports of doubled sales of the controversial over-the-counter birth control method Plan B, otherwise known as "the morning-after pill." So why does Washington continue to push abstinence-only sex education against all better scientific judgments? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

House Overturns Abortion Aid Ban

Staff / Truthdig Jun 22, 2007 The House has voted to lift a ban on aid, including contraception, to family planning clinics and organizations that perform abortions. The measure would still block the direct funding of abortions, but Republicans opposed to the bill say sending condoms to the clinics would give them more resources to perform abortions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Catholic Church Still Out of Touch

Staff / Truthdig Nov 15, 2006 The U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has voted overwhelmingly to back the Vatican's stand against gay sex, marriage and adoption. The group also renewed its opposition to contraception, though only 4 percent of Catholic Americans abide by the ban. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Bush Supports Over-the-Counter Plan B Sales

Staff / Truthdig Aug 22, 2006 The president said he favors the FDA's plan to OK sales of the so-called morning-after pill without a prescription -- but not for minors. We'll give Bush a golf clap for supporting Plan B at all. But behind his no-minors policy is an unfounded fear that emergency contraceptives encourage promiscuity. Don't bother the man with facts; his mind is made up. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ellen Goodman: Popping the Cork Halfway on Plan B

Ellen Goodman / Truthdig Aug 10, 2006 With the FDA set to restrict over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after pill" to people over 18, right-wingers are sending the message to young girls that motherhood is their punishment for having sex. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Ellen Goodman: Putting a Wedge Between the Right and Loony Right

Ellen Goodman / Truthdig Jul 20, 2006 The columnist says Bush's veto of the stem cell bill has set him apart from his colleagues in the GOP and put him squarely in the ranks of the loony right. She also takes on a range of other "wedge issues" that have proved so divisive as to end up dividing even the staunchest conservatives. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Vatican Rages at Contraception, Gay Unions

Staff / Truthdig Jun 13, 2006 In a newly released report, the Vatican described same-sex marriages as an "eclipse of God," and said that feminism "reinforced the individualistic image of man and woman" and in doing so was "surpassing the family." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sex is Essential, Kids Aren’t

Staff / Truthdig Jun 7, 2006 Thirty percent of German women are childless--the highest proportion of any country in the world. And it's intentional. Why? Because they can be. Free will, baby. A professor of psychology examines what this trend augurs for conservatives who wring their hands at the thought of people enjoying sex outside the context of procreation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gene Gerard: Abstaining from Sex Education Politics

Gene Gerard / Truthdig Jun 2, 2006 New Truthdig contributor Gene Gerard, a longtime college professor of history, religion and ethics, examines the efforts of conservative legislators to stifle discussion of contraceptives in public schools--in favor of abstinence-only education. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

No Tampon Ads During the Papal Visit

Staff / Truthdig May 29, 2006 The Polish town of Wadowice has banned ads for alcohol contraceptives, lingerie and tampons during Pope Benedict's visit You won't believe why Read on. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )