Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from the around the country.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Part of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The U.S. Supreme Court finally released its rulings on two marriage equality cases. A key part of DOMA was struck down, giving legally-married same sex couples the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. Meanwhile, they upheld a lower court’s ruling that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, reinstating the right of same-sex couples to marry.
After 12- 1/2-Hour Filibuster, Texas Senate Bill 5 Dies
Nearly 13 hours after she began talking, Texas Senator Wendy Davis could successfully say that her filibuster to block Senate Bill 5 succeeded. During that time, Davis shared stories of those who would be affected by the proposed law. If passed, the law would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks and essentially shut down all but five clinics in the state.
Gov. Perry Calls Second Special Session of Texas Legislature To Address Abortion Restrictions
Not surprisingly, Texas Governor Rick Perry has already called for a second special legislative session in hope of passing Senate Bill 5. Lawmakers will meet again on July 1 to act on the abortion proposal and a handful of other bills.
The AIDS Crisis Is Far from Over in Black America
New maps created by an AIDS-focused epidemiological research center shows huge differences in the rates of HIV diagnoses between black and white Americans. These maps are based on the data from 2010 and show infection rates that are eight times higher for blacks even though they make up only 14% of the U.S. population.
Law Would Grant Whistle-Blower Protection to Military Victims of Sexual Assault
The U.S. House approved a bill that requires the military to investigate allegations of retaliation against any service member who reports sexual assault. The bill, which still needs approval from the Senate, is part of a recent focus on better responding to an estimated 26,000 annual sexual assaults in the military.