The Gender Justice Brief – Details, episodes & analysis

SCOTUS Chat: Court Reform Edition

Host: Erin Maye Quade, Gender Justice Special Projects Advisor

Guests: Christy Hall, Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney, and Hayley Durudogan, Alliance for Justice Durot Fellow

Court reforms proposed by the Biden-Harris administration are popular across the political spectrum.

In this episode of The Gender Justice Brief, Christy Hall and Erin Maye Quade talk with Hayley Durudogan, Alliance for Justice Durot Fellow, about the background of these specific measures, what they would entail, and how reforming the judiciary could strengthen democracy.

Gender Justice is one of over 130 members of Alliance for Justice, a judicial advocacy organization that works toward a fair and independent judicial system. Together we’re building power, transforming courts, and creating a multi-racial democracy that secures justice for all.

Additional links

Alliance for Justice 2023-2024 Supreme Court Term Review 

Full Text of the No Kings Act

Fact Sheet on President Biden’s Supreme Court Reform Proposals
Reforming the Supreme Court Should Be Commonplace, by Keith Thirion, interim co-president of Alliance for Justice, published in Ms. Magazine, August 12, 2024

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠ & Audra Grigus.

Justice for Reyzl: Standing up to LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination

Host: Noah Parrish, Gender Justice Communications Director

Guest: Brittany Stewart, Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney

In August 2024, Gender Justice and co-counsel Wanta Thome PLC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Academy of Holy Angels, a Catholic high school in Richfield, Minnesota, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis after they effectively terminated Reyzl Grace, a staff librarian, when she came out as trans.

Reyzl Grace’s story highlights the importance of ensuring that no employer in Minnesota has carte blanche to discriminate against employees simply because of who they are.  

We believe the school violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) by refusing to allow Grace, who served as a secular librarian at the school, to reapply for her position on the basis of gender identity and sex. While the MHRA does permit limited exemptions on religious grounds, the Legislature never intended for these exemptions to apply to secular employees.

In this episode of The Gender Justice Brief, Reyzl Grace’s attorney, Brittany Stewart, outlines our case seeking justice for her:

Background and context on Reyzl Grace's case

Grace v. Academy of Holy Angels — Fact Sheet

Read the complaint here

Sign up to stay informed on Reyzl Grace’s case

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠ & Audra Grigus.

On February 12, 2024, the Minnesota Court of Appeals denied an anti-abortion group’s request to relitigate the historic 2022 Doe v. Minnesota decision ending restrictions on abortion care in the state, bringing us one step closer to the end of litigation.

In this episode, Gender Justice Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade and Gender Justice Legal Director Jess Braverman review the case, analyze the latest court decision, discuss how a state Equal Rights Amendment would strengthen the constitutional right to abortion, and anticipate a joyful day in the near future when the case is complete for once and for all.

References and additional resources:

• Gender Justice statement on the ruling

• Doe v. Minnesota background and case updates 

• Minnesota abortions are up nearly 40% since Dobbs 

• What exactly is entailed in the language of the Equal Rights Amendment proposed for 2024? Jess Braverman and Megan Peterson explain on the January 30, 2024 episode of The Gender Justice Brief.

• Sign the petition to support the ERA

Register for UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Join us for a day of workshops and lobbying, or come for the rally at 2 pm and help us pack the Capitol rotunda in a visible sign of support!

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠⁠ & Audra Grigus.

Panelists: Megan Peterson, Gender Justice Executive Director and Monica Meyer, Gender Justice Political Director

2023 was truly a banner year for gender equity: from passing the Trans Refuge Bill to ending state funding for crisis pregnancy centers and repealing Minnesota’s unconstitutional and harmful abortion restrictions, Gender Justice supporters helped advance some of the most equitable policies in the country.

We know that there is much more work ahead to protect and expand abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more—on this episode of The Gender Justice Brief, we outline our policy agenda to continue making progress towards gender equity.

Key dates:

Monday, February 12: First day of the 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session

Tuesday, February 27: Precinct caucuses 

Thursday, March 7: UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day

Monday, May 20: End of the 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session

Actions you can take:

Attend UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day on March 7 

Sign up for legislative text alerts from Gender Justice

Sign the petition to support the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Gender Justice

01:07 Understanding the Role of Gender Justice

02:15 Reflecting on Past Successes

05:28 Looking Ahead: 2024 Legislative Session

07:58 Goals for the Upcoming Session

11:02 Exploring the Proposed Equal Rights Amendment

21:05 Addressing Health Insurance and Accessible Care

27:52 Other Legislative Priorities and Bills

31:30 Important Dates and Ways to Get Involved

35:23 Closing Remarks and Q&A

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠ & Audra Grigus.

Crisis pregnancy centers, or “CPCs,” are anti-abortion organizations that target pregnant people with predatory, deceptive marketing. Their main function is to attract and intercept Black, brown, Indigenous, and low-income people before they access abortion care. 

Their goal is ideological, not medical: They want to prevent pregnant people from obtaining abortion services using any means necessary, including by using delay tactics, disinformation, and deception. With nearly a hundred CPCs in Minnesota, they outnumber abortion clinics by about 10:1.

This week Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade and Organizer Jay Belsito talk with our guests, Olivia Crull and Carolyn Handke from the grassroots Minnesota Abortion Action Committee, about the harm that CPCs pose to our community. What can be done to expose them, limit their reach, and stop the deception?

If you have been harmed by a CPC, please reach out to Jay Belsito at jay.belsito@genderjustice.us

Show links:

Minnesota Abortion Action Committee Instagam | Facebook | Twitter 

UnRestrict Minnesota and UnRestrict Minnesota Action

Designed to Deceive CPC Study 

Attorney General Ellison issues consumer alert about crisis pregnancy centers

Community demands predatory fake abortion clinic out of North Minneapolis    

Why did the community protest against a new ‘crisis pregnancy center’ in the Phillips area? | MinnPost

CPC Storytelling Form (MNAAC) 

UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:09 Meet the Guests: Jay, Caroline, and Olivia

00:15 Understanding Crisis Pregnancy Centers

06:07 Jay's Personal Experience with Crisis Pregnancy Centers

08:42 The Deceptive Tactics of Crisis Pregnancy Centers

09:05 Tell us your story. Contact jay.belsito@genderjustice.us

10:56 The Impact of Crisis Pregnancy Centers on Communities

24:24 The Need for Real Support and Resources for Pregnant People

28:55 Getting Involved in the Fight Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers

32:41 Final Thoughts and Next Episode on Monday 02/12/24

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website ⁠here⁠ and "Unrestrict Minnesota" ⁠here⁠.

The GJB is produced by Michael at ⁠www.501MediaGroup.com⁠ & Audra Grigus.

In this episode, Megan Peterson, Executive Director at Gender Justice, and Jess Braverman, Legal Director at Gender Justice, discuss the work leading to the language to revise and secure equal rights in the Minnesota state constitution. 

Megan and Jess provide an overview of the stakeholder-inclusive process of identifying and revising its language and the importance of specificity and inclusivity, while remaining as all-encompassing as possible. 

Megan and Jess discuss the historical and current context, the significance of intersectionality, strict scrutiny standards, and the amendment's relationship to Minnesota's Human Rights Act. 

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Please visit these links for more information & sign-ups:

#Day1ForERA: Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol at 10 am on Monday, February 12—the first day of the 2024 legislative session

Federal Equal Rights Amendment
Minnesota Human Rights Act

SIGN UP: UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day—Thursday, March 7

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict Minnesota" here.

The GJB is produced by Michael at www.501MediaGroup.com & Audra Grigus.

In this episode, Erin Maye Quade, Gender Justice Special Project Advisor talks with:

Shayla Walker, Our Justice Executive Director
ShaVunda Brown, Our Justice Communications and Advocacy Director, and
Destini Spaeth, Prairie Abortion Fund President

Please find the links mentioned in the episode here:

• Our Justice Website Instagram Facebook Twitter
• Our Justice Text Line 612-208-7119
• Prairie Abortion Fund Website Instagram Facebook Twitter
• Prairie Abortion Fund Book Club
• Choice Desserts (biggest annual community fundraising event for the Prairie Abortion Fund)
• Birth Control Blitz: Partnership between Fargo’s Canopy Medical Clinic and the Prairie Abortion Fund, supplying one year of FREE birth control for the month of February
• National Network of Abortion Funds
• UnRestrict Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day: Expanding Access and Protecting Bodily Autonomy
• Republican Officials Openly Insult Women Nearly Killed by Abortion Bans

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

01:14 The Importance of Abortion Funds

01:38 The Impact of Abortion Restrictions

02:48 Understanding Abortion Funds and Their Work

04:41 The Challenges of Providing Abortion Care

07:44 The Role of Birth Control in Abortion Care

10:23 The Struggles of Abortion Access in Different States

14:08 The Importance of Supporting Abortion Funds

19:20 The Threat to Abortion Access in Minnesota

22:48 The Impact of Abortion Laws on Pregnant People

33:20 The Need for Investment in Abortion Care Infrastructure

38:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict Minnesota" here.

The GJB is produced by Michael at www.501MediaGroup.com & Audra Grigus.

Megan Peterson, Executive Director of Gender Justice, visiting in Washington, D.C., interviews Paula Ávila-Guillén, Executive Director of the Women's Equality Center. 

They discuss the Green Wave movement, focusing on abortion rights in Latin America. Paula details the movement's origins, its significant societal and legal impacts, and its stamps on global abortion rights advocacy. Megan and Paula also talk about the recent changes in abortion law in the United States, how these developments compare to progress made in Latin America, and the challenges they still face. Paula suggests learning from other countries' successes and experiences can be beneficial in advancing reproductive rights in the U.S. She also highlighted understanding that the abortion rights movement is global and interconnected.

Visit the Women's Equality Center here: la-wec.org

Follow Ávila-Guillén on Instagram @PauaVilg and on X (Twitter)

Follow actions of the Green Wave on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at @somosjacarandas

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation

00:33 Discussion on the Green Wave Movement

01:58 Origins and Significance of the Green Wave

06:22 Impact of the Green Wave Movement

07:35 Strategies for Advancing Reproductive Rights

08:40 Challenges in Accessing Abortion Services

10:18 Addressing Misinformation and Disinformation

12:47 Influence of U.S. Abortion Rights on Global Stage

17:03 Legal Frameworks and Human Rights

19:13 Healthcare Infrastructure and Access to Abortion

30:51 Impact of U.S. Abortion Rights on Global Advocacy

37:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict Minnesota" here.

The GJB is produced by Michael at www.501MediaHouse.com & Audra Grigus.

In this episode, Erin Maye Quade and Jess Braverman, answer you questions related to their work on gender justice, legal challenges, and lawmaking.

Erin and Jess delve into controversial issues including the Kate Cox abortion case in Texas, discuss their experiences and challenges in their respective roles as lawmaker and lawyer, and share insights into how legal cases are chosen for action.

Erin and Jess also touch on their expansion into North Dakota, and explore personal topics like their favorite Supreme Court justices and methods for winding down.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:31 Introducing the Hosts

01:30 Discussion on School Board Elections

02:42 Personal Experiences and Reflections

05:45 Discussion on Kate Cox Case

16:06 Insights on New York Times Piece on Dobbs

23:47 How Gender Justice Decides Which Cases to Take

27:25 Reflecting on Past Cases: Fighting for Trans Rights

28:53 Expanding the Fight: Gender Justice's Plans in North Dakota

31:52 The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Lawmaker

34:24 The Impact of Writing to Lawmakers

37:57 The Highs and Lows of Being a Lawyer

44:35 Supreme Court Favorites and Musical Preferences

47:39 Setting Intentions for the New Year

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict Minnesota" here.

The GJB is produced by Michael at www.501MediaHouse.com & Audra Grigus.

2023 has almost drawn to a close, and we have one more episode to go.

On Saturday, December 30th, Erin Maye Quade and Jess Braverman unpack the "Mailbag", answering the questions you asked us.

From all of us at Gender Justice, we wish you Happy Holidays!

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Visit the "Gender Justice" Website here and "Unrestrict Minnesota" here.

The GJB is produced by Michael at www.501MediaHouse.com & Audra Grigus.