This week, Texas' legislature attempted to ramrod sweeping abortion restrictions through a special session. Hundreds of protestors packed into the Texas State House Capitol. But the legislature first insulted, then ignored them, calling their testimony "repetitive." Senator Wendy Davis wouldn't stand for it: "The leadership may not want to listen to TX women, but they will have to listen to me. I intend to filibuster this bill." And filibuster she did - without food or drink, without even being allowed to lean on anything, for 11 hours. She shared women's real stories of their experiences with abortion and spoke of the profound impact SB-5 would have on their lives, including closing 35 of the state's abortion clinics. Finally, after 11 hours, she was forced to stop on trumped-up claims of rule violations. But her actions had caused a groundswell of support that could not be silenced. In the early hours of the morning, it became clear that SB-5 had failed. Senator Davis, you are a hero.

Last night I heard Texas State Representative Jodie Laudenberg say, as she rationalized legislation that would deny victims of rape and/or incest the right to any pregnancy termination services, that Rape Kits in the emergency room will take care of the “problem”!!! When I heard that junk science I decided – we must call out this punitive legislation that has no scientific basis and is targeted at women because our Legislature thinks women should just “sit down and shut up.” Senator Wendy Davis is going to stand on floor of the Texas Senate today and filibuster this overreach by a ideological and opportunistic Governor and his band. She will be speaking until after midnight in order to block passage of this legislation. In her words, “The partisan State leaders in Austin don’t speak for Texas women and their families – they are acting on behalf of extreme and narrow special interests. That’s why, with your help, I am going to take the microphone on the Senate floor and turn it over to you. So give me direction and let me be your voice. Tell me, if you were speaking to the Senate, what would you say about the dangerous partisan attempts to hurt Texas women and their families? Please stand with me and share your story. Over the next few hours and for as long as it takes, I will be your voice speaking on the Senate floor.” Sign this petition – which we will deliver – and send Senator Wendy Davis your stories! http://wendydavisforsenate.com/standwithwendy/

I am a survivor of domestic violence/abuse. My situation is a bit unique, because I am an American, but I was living in India while this occurred. I felt trapped, isolated, and helpless. Helping women internationally is a must. WE are responsible for educating and empowering women across the globe. WE need to let them know they are never alone.

I propose keeping DNA samples from active military members in a database. Knowing this is a horrendous problem, not only in the military but in civilian life as well. The no-tolerance policy can only be enhanced by a DNA database. There have been an estimated 26,000 rape cases in 2012, with just a little over 3,000 reported. Due to the tests and DNA samples already required from military personnel throughout their military careers, there would be minimal cost to the government or Department of Defense to enact this program. A DNA database would reinforce the military's no-tolerance policy and aid in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault and rape cases. It would also send a clear message to our society regarding rape and sexual assault in our local communities. Let's take the question of "guilty or not guilty?" out of the equation with a positive reinforcement message to keep all of our troops safe.

Last week, Republican legislators in Wisconsin voted on party lines to limit women's access to healthcare. Under the new legislation, if you are a woman seeking an abortion for any reason, you may be required to have an invasive, trans-vaginal ultrasound because Wisconsin Republicans want you to be "educated" about the pregnancy.

Military Sexual Trauma, I was affected by this issue when I served in the US Army. There are veterans besides myself at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center who relive our trauma everyday.

VOTE COMING UP: URGENT ACTION NEEDED! A nationwide ban on abortion after 20 weeks is under debate in Congress, even though an appeals court has only recently called one such ban "blatantly unconstitutional." These pointless theatrics waste time and do nothing to protect women's health. Research shows that barriers to access only lead to unsafe abortion. If Congress is truly concerned about women's health and safety, they should work on improving access to safe abortion care. Congress will begin debate soon and could vote as early as this week, so sign the petition now!!

As of this week, Iowa Governor Branstad is the sole decider for each Medicaid-funded abortion performed in Iowa! Everyone needs to know about this violation of human rights and women's rights, to be able to make her own personal decision, no governor or government needed.

Rape is a brutal attack. First, Missouri Republican Congressman Todd Akin made the infamous "legitimate rape" remarks. And today, while debating restricting a woman's right to choose, Congressman Trent Franks claimed that “the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low.” Rape isn't some political game. These sort of remarks have no basis in fact and show no understanding of the trauma that women go through.

FACT: Of the 1.4 billion people worldwide estimated to subsist on just over one dollar per day, 829 million are women. U.S. International development programs play a vital role in addressing the needs of these women and girls. Unfortunately, the House Appropriations Committee recently approved dramatic cuts to these programs as part of its consideration of 302(b) allocations. These cuts could be devastating for millions of women and girls around the world, and they must be stopped.

Japan's Osaka Prefecture Governor, Ichiro Matsui, is planning to meet with California Governor Jerry Brown in mid June 2013. Matsui is known to be a close ally of Osaka City Mayor, Toru Hashimoto, who has publically denied that WWII Japanese military forced women and girls in Korea and other Asian countries to be sexual slaves. It is important for Governor Brown to call on Matsui to clarify his stance on this issue to demonstrate that California will not stand by anyone who violates human rights.

Louisiana's legislature goes out on June 6th. Let’s keep fighting alongside Louisiana’s women and families and against out-of-touch politicians till the end of session! Instead of passing legislation that provides Louisianans with access to health care, politicians at the state capital are passing resolutions that could leave thousands of women without access to lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, HIV testing, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. How Louisiana compares nationally: • Teen birth rate is higher than the national average; in 2010, teen birth rate was 6th highest in the nation. • Rates of infection for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis — sexually transmitted infections that can impact fertility — are among the highest in the USA. • Two of its cities (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) rank 2nd and 3rd highest in HIV infection rate in the county. There is already a serious shortage of health care providers in the state, and as a result, too many women in Louisiana aren’t getting access to high-quality, affordable health care. Opportunity to expand care while decreasing costs: • Passing Medicaid legislation could expand access to health care to as many as 400,000 people. • Medicaid expansion would also bring 15.7 billion dollars into the Louisiana economy over the next decade, which will help create jobs and support businesses. • For every $1 spent on family planning services, like those Planned Parenthood provides, an estimated $12 is saved in costs associated with unintended pregnancies. Louisiana's legislature has an opportunity to EXPAND access to health care to an additional 400,000 Louisianans by expanding Medicaid. What are they doing instead? Passing bills that RESTRICT access to health care in a state that already suffers from some of the greatest health disparities in the country. Join us as we fight alongside Louisiana’s women and families! Sign this petition by the end of Louisiana’s legislative session, June 6th, to send a message to the Louisiana legislature to stop playing politics with women's health and start providing health care. Sincerely, Melissa S. Flournoy, PhD Louisiana State Director, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast