Statement from the New York Women's Equality Coalition:

For at least the last four years, polling conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, Lake Partners, Global Strategy Group, and Hart Research, all working independently, has consistently showed that New York voters overwhelmingly support an initiative to strengthen our protections for reproductive rights under state law.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded Governor Cuomo for bringing together more than 250 organizations in support of the Women’s Equality Agenda. The governor’s office today launched a website dedicated to the development of this groundbreaking legislative package and uniting advocates across the state in making women’s equality a priority this year. The following can be attributed to NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a federal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today against UPS for unfairly forcing a pregnant package driver to take unpaid leave, refusing to accommodate her with light-duty work and forcing her to lose her company health insurance just before the birth of her child.

In response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address, the New York Civil Liberties Union released the following statement, attributable to NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman: “We’re pleased that the governor’s priorities for the coming session include a vigorous agenda for women’s equality that would make major strides in closing loopholes in New York’s existing protections for women. We particularly applaud his commitment to pay equity, extending protections against sexual harassment to all workers in New York, and protecting women’s fundamental right to choose.

Many public school districts across New York State provide sex-ed instruction that is inaccurate, incomplete and biased, according to a report released today by the New York Civil Liberties Union that analyzes sex-ed materials that have been used in 82 public school districts.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Rochester Board of Education’s decision to make condoms available to city high school students. “This new policy will help keep our teens healthy and safe,” said KaeLyn Rich, director of the NYCLU’s Genesee Valley Chapter. “It is an important step in providing Rochester's young people the tools they need to protect their sexual and reproductive health.”

The New York Civil Liberties and 26 other women’s health organizations have sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., thanking her for sponsoring a bill to expand access to crucial health-care services for the more than 400,000 women serving in the U.S. military. The legislation, the Military Access to Reproductive Care and Health (MARCH) for Military Women Act, would provide federal coverage for abortion care for military personnel and families in cases of rape or incest and allow privately-funded abortions to be performed at military treatment facilities.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded the New York City Department of Education’s announcement that it will mandate sex-education classes for middle and high school students beginning this fall.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that all new insurance plans under the health reform law provide women contraception without co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses. The new measure will ensure that millions of women in New York State and nationwide have greater access to a broad range contraception and preventative health services. A panel of experts at the Institute of Medicine had recommended the policy.