Press Release from Action On X

Abortion Bill will deter despairing women and put lives at risk
Expert Group recommendations ignored
Chilling factor must go – decriminalise abortion

Action on X today welcomed the publication of the government's draft Bill on abortion, but regard it as having many shortcomings. Spokesperson Sinead Kennedy said:

“The proposal to make a despairing, suicidal woman or girl go through at least three, and possibly six examinations in order to end an unwanted pregnancy shows a callous disregard for women's lives. Faced with the possibility of refusal by one or more doctors and an onerous appeals procedure, a woman is likely to go overseas. Those who are too poor or too ill to travel are likely to become more despairing, increasing the risk to their lives.” read full story / add a comment

Galway Pro-Choice condemns the passing of three motions at today's Fianna Fail Ard Fheis which oppose suicide being included as a ground for abortion under proposed X Case legislation. In particular, we condemn the decision of the Galway East Comhairle Dáil Ceantair of Fianna Fáil to propose one of these motions which would continue to place women’s lives in danger.

Orlaith Reidy of Galway Pro Choice said:

“The motions presented to the Ard Fheis reveal a fundamental disregard for women's health. As Dr. Peadar O'Grady of Doctors for Choice has outlined, denying women the right to choose is a key cause of suicidality among pregnant women, and maternal deaths have markedly declined in countries where abortion is available.” read full story / add a comment

Akbayan Partylist would like to express its extreme disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision to issue a status quo ante order against the Reproductive Health (RH) Law for a period of four months.
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Women groups hail ‘triple wins,’ but warn of complacency read full story / add a comment

Abortion Rights Campaign established in Dublin today, 19/01/20130

At a national pro-choice meeting in Dublin today, the name and aims of the newly established Abortion Rights Campaign were announced. Groups and individuals from across the country, including Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Belfast came together to discuss and agree the next steps for the movement.

The aims of the campaign include legislation on the X & C cases and repeal of the 8th amendment to the Irish constitution. Actions and events are being organised across the country over the coming months.

Speakers at the event included Clare Daly TD who said, “The Abortion Rights Campaign is not a sprint, it's a marathon and we're here for the long haul. In the meantime, we want the immediate introduction of legislation for the right to safe, legal abortion when a woman's life is at risk, including from suicide. We also want the simplest, broadest legislation that includes the right to abortion in the case of fatal foetal abnormality. We will keep the pressure on until we get this." read full story / add a comment

Women’s rights have been in the forefront of international concern over the last few weeks. read full story / add a comment

Speaking following the government announcement today that it intends to bring forward legislation and regulations on abortion, a broad range of pro-choice groups welcomed the call but said that the government must give commitments on the dates by which this will happen. The groups, which include Irish Choice Network, Choice Ireland, Action on X, Galway Pro-Choice, Cork Women’s Right to Choose and Doctors for Choice said that furthermore this legislation should only be considered a first step towards liberalising abortion laws in Ireland which must include holding a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution. read full story / add a comment

Today Ireland's Justice Committee is to start hearings on prostitution legislation. You can watch online, they are taking place in Committee Room 2 from 2 p.m. G.M.T. onwards. All of the organisations invited are members of anti-sex work coalition Turn Off the Red Light (TORL). TORL initially announced the news of these hearings last month, saying they are hopeful the new law they are advocating for will be enacted before the new year. It was only yesterday in a press release the Justice Committee stated today's hearing will be the first, giving some hope that there may be further hearings at a later date which will include sex workers.

Also today a letter written by a sex worker and sent to the Justice Committee last month has come to light. read full story / add a comment

Aurora is a 32-year old Costa Rican woman. She has a job that she likes, a good relationship, after months of trying, she is finally pregnant. However, at 8 weeks, the doctors informed her that the fetus has multiple severe malformations that would not allow it to survive outside the uterus, including severe scoliosis, decreased level of amniotic fluid, and a complete absence of abdominal wall which leaves the internal organs such as the liver and intestines outside of the body. She has had many more exams since, which have all confirmed the original diagnosis of a nonviable pregnancy. A little after her first appointment, Aurora started experiencing strong abdominal and back pain that prevent her from working. The circumstances of the pregnancy are seriously affecting her physical and emotional health. Aurora has indicated that “in addition to the physical pain, the stress and suffering resulting from the news have provoked constant sadness, depression, severe stress, insomnia, nightmares, constant tears” read full story / add a comment

Savita would be alive now if it was not for the all male dictatorship of the Catholic hierarchy and their cowardly politicians. read full story / add a comment

Lobby your TDs on the immediate need for legislation to give effect to the X case

Take action and ask your TD to make legislation for the X Case a priority for the government. Your action will make a difference to ensure that we do not have to wait another 20 years for legislation to implement the constitutional right to an abortion in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. TDs need to hear from the 79% of the population who believe abortion should be available in certain circumstances. Thank you for your support!

Send emails to your TDs here: http://www.nwci.ie/takeaction/ read full story / add a comment

There’s a lot of ways to advertise data plans, I’m sure. Advertising is plainly not my thing, but I’ve seen enough of it to be well aware that there are many creative ways to sell just about anything. Which is why I’m not certain why Meteor decided to do what they did. When you’ve a world of possibilities to choose from, why would it seem like a good idea to mock marginalised groups of people? I can’t say I get it. read full story / add a comment

The IRSCNA's LGBT Solidarity Statement for 2012, issued to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion read full story / add a comment

This is an article to mark international women's day 2012. The austerity that is being forced on the Irish people so that the banks can be bailed out is causing harm to every aspect of society. This article does not suggest that hard times are an excuse or cause of domestic violence but that austerity is worsening the situation for women trapped in abusive relationships and is taking away services that are life saving to them.
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It has been over 900 years since a woman became Pope. With a woman as Pope, and President and World Army leader of a new earth army can we solve the worlds problems. read full story / add a comment

Predictable lamestream media reviewers had little to say about how The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is rife with current political, sociological, technological and religious implications. The movie is about a 24-year-old, gothic-punk-looking, cyberspace hacker, with an issue with men who have histories or sexual or violent predation. She is on a mission to right the world of a few rapists and killers. This is not a standard movie review. Plenty reviews already exist on the Internet for you to get the gist of the story and its characters. This critique is strictly in regards to the movie and is more about interesting political and social commentary in relation to the movie and some of its reviews.
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SIPTU activists were out on the streets of Derry on Saturday (27th August) supporting the second annual Foyle Pride parade. They joined with thousands of people including trade union and community activists, all united in celebrating diversity and demanding equality for the LGBT community.
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Sinn Féin was out in strength on Saturday 30th July proudly supporting Belfast Pride 2011. Ógra Shinn Féin activists and the Sinn Féin LGBT group were joined by Belfast Mayor Niall O’Donnghaile, DCAL Minister Caral Ni Chuilin, Gerry Kelly MLA and a host of Sinn Féin councillors to celebrate the biggest pride parade in Ireland. read full story / add a comment

SIPTU is calling on the public to come out in support of the week long festivities for Belfast Pride from 23rd – 30th July. The full calendar of events can be found online at; www.belfastpride.com/.

The 21st Pride festival which the organisers hail as ‘a celebration of diversity’ will culminate with Ireland’s largest LGBT parade, making its way through Belfast city centre on Saturday 30th July.
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The following is the press release about the counter-demo... read full story / add a comment