If we keep letting schools ignore students' rights and work with politicians to silence young critics, we can't call ourselves a democracy.

More than one in three women will experience rape, domestic abuse, or some other form of gender-based violence. Regardless of of where a woman or girl lives, no one should live in fear because they are born a woman and nowhere should we accept violence against women and girls.

Our government is made up of federal, state, and local court systems that are relied upon by citizens to mete out justice according to the law. This means, all citizens are held accountable based on the law. The laws concerning expunging a person’s court record should be held with the same acknowledgement of justice as any other law. This is not the case, however, because the internet has become the court of public opinion, and is literally ruining the lives of tens of thousands of people who made a mistake at one point in their life, but paid their debt to society and now deserve (and by law have been granted) the opportunity for a second chance. It’s unfair that negative content that stays on the internet for years and years can make you guilty for life, even after the courts have cleared your name, and even after you have done everything in your power to turn your life around. This needs to change! Now is the time to push back against online publishers' claim of “free speech” and fight for the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Guilt by internet should be stopped.

Who in their right mind would oppose a common-sense anti-rape law, especially when it covers juvenile detention centers, too?

The price of a college education should not include a 1 in 5 chance of being sexually assaulted.

Drug Enforcement Administration head Michele Leonhart can't convince anyone in America that the DEA does anything but throw kids in jail.

AB 1513- a proposed bill that would change the way evictions happen in the state of California, making it faster and easier for landowners to remove residents from our homes. AB 1513 allows property owners to initiate an extrajudicial eviction of residential property by submitting a written declaration to law enforcement. Under current law a property owner has the ability to request removal of trespassers pursuant to Penal Code section 602(o), and law enforcement has the discretion to determine if probable cause exists to remove such occupants. Property owners would no longer have to take people to court or give meaningful notice to have us removed from our houses. This law is extremely unconstitutional and anti-tenants rights! There is no need for this law because current trespass laws provide adequate protection to property owners! The bill goes up for a vote by the Judiciary committee April 29th!

The new "don't say gay" teacher contract in Cincinnati Catholic schools could cost educators their jobs if they attend a gay family member's wedding or share kind words with a bullied student. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati just distributed a new 2014 teacher contract that not only bans teachers from leading a "homosexual lifestyle" or living with a partner outside of marriage, but prohibits "public support" for any position contradicting official church policies. This new contract is the culmination of a growing right-wing crackdown in this archdiocese. In recent years, teachers and administrators have been fired for becoming pregnant by artificial insemination or writing personal blog posts supporting marriage equality. Teachers have until the end of the school year to sign the contract, but local Catholics are already beginning to object. Let's show the archbishop that there's a growing national outcry calling for the church to start living up to Pope Francis's call for a new tone.

Dear Senator Dianne Feinstein, Being an American, one tends to embody the idea that the United States represents a nation of equality and open mindedness, for the 14th amendment states that any citizen born or naturalized in the United States has the right to be treated equally. That idea however has been jeopardized, and disregarded as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning) citizens suffer through the constant harassment throughout the military. Although the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal took affect for these LGBTQ citizens to serve openly for our country they continue to face many injustices such as harassment, lack of benefits, and unfair discharges. Reaching a state of equality in the armed forces is not only the main goal, but also being able to recognize that the military operates best when all citizens are treated fairly. Eric Fanning is the acting secretary of the Air Force and one of the highest-ranking government officials and continues to be discriminated against and harassed for his sexuality (Shinkman, 2013). Considering Fanning is one of the highest ranking officers it is surprising that he is still harassed, but the fact that he is openly gay makes him a role model for those who are worried about revealing their sexuality. In 1999, 37 percent of those responding to a survey proposed by Defense Secretary William Cohen reported that they had witnessed or experienced harassment due to sexual orientation (“Harassment of Gays in the Military,” 2000). This is close to half of the people responding to the survey, which also means that there are some who did not respond. Many do not want to talk about the harassment and/or violence they witness toward others that are openly gay in fear of being targeted by those opposing them. Prohibiting benefits for Veterans' Same-Sex Spouses in states that are not recognizing Same-Sex Marriages or civil Unions violates the Constitution's 14th Amendment equal-protection guarantee clause, which prohibits the different and demeaning treatment of LGBT persons. Many gay service members have been wrongfully denied honorable discharges even though they deserved them based on their service record. Most of the gay service members in the military who have engaged in homosexual acts are given a less than honorable discharge, whereas, the military does not even interfere with the needs of the heterosexual servicemen (Woltman, 1972). A less than honorable discharge automatically bars gay service members from applying for Federal, State or local government jobs, as well as excluding them from Veteran’s benefits (Woltman, 1972), The unfair exclusion from access to these benefits creates a hindrance to employment for service members in the civilian life (Shear, 2011). This is an act of discrimination that requires attention because equality does not only start and end in providing cultural and religious freedom, but sexual freedom as well. Military service men and women now have the ability to be who they are, without repercussions. However, with the repeal of, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” there are still plenty of issues to be upset about and therefore stand as equals and make right for those who have served our country. We must stand against anti-LGBTQ harassment that still persists, stand for benefits for veteran’s same sex spouses, and stand against “less than honorable” discharges before 1993. Will you join with us to fight for LGBTQ rights in the military? Sincerely, Magdalena, Mollie, Ovsana, Renee, and Sandra

Because I Hallie AnneMarie Shannon believe in equality, god created all so why destroy our rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Dear Secretary of State John Kerry, As stated by Senator Paul Wellstone on July 7th 2000, it “is that quite often the victims [of human trafficking] are the ones who are punished, and these mobsters and criminals who are involved in the trafficking of these women and girls with this blatant exploitation get away with literally murder.” As you are aware, the trafficking of human beings is a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. This is unfortunately very common in the United States, especially in the labor force. Some of the common places where forced labor has been found range from small operations to large-scaled factories. While the Department of Homeland Security looks to protect victims, we find the T-Visa (T Nonimmigrant Status) to restrict this protection due to the incredibly stringent set of requirements for eligibility. In your letter to the readers in the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2013, you state that human trafficking “tears apart families and communities1” and that we “have a moral obligation to meet this challenge head-on.” However, the stringent requirements to obtain a T-Visa only result in more challenges for victims of human trafficking. It is estimated that over 17,000 people are trafficked into the United States each year yet only slightly over half of the T-Visa applications submitted between 2002 and 2010 were approved. We applaud the work being done by you and others such as Representative Chris Smith and Representative Sam Gejdenson in an attempt to prevent men, women, and children from being trafficked. However, we feel as though there is always room for improvement especially in regards to the stringent policies that govern the requirements for eligibility for T-Visas. Sincerely, Arthur, Enya, Jeran, Kathyrn and Dr. Paul Lopez, Ph.D

I have been personally affected by the current child support system in a negative manner. The current law is outdated, unfair, and in many instances, unconstitutional. Reform is needed so that the modern family and our diverse situations can be correctly addressed. This will ensure that proper guidelines are being mandated and followed. No child deserves to be subjected to witnessing their parent fall victim to the child support system.