NLIRH works to ensure the fundamental human right to reproductive health and justice for Latinas. Find out more.

Press Release

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health Responds to Conviction of Scott Roeder in the Murder of Dr. George Tiller

The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health issued the following statement in response to the jury conviction of Scott Roeder for the murder of Dr. George Tiller.  Mr. Roeder was found guilty of first-degree murder.

“Today, after just minutes of deliberation,  a jury of Mr. Roeder’s peers rightfully found him guilty of murdering Dr. George Tiller. For years, extreme members of the anti-choice community have used threats of violence against reproductive health care clinics in an attempt to limit women’s legal reproductive rights. Today’s decision is an affirmation that abortion providers have the support of the justice system.

“Dr. Tiller was a faithful champion for women’s reproductive health in spite of the threats and constant intimidation he and his family faced. He recognized that women facing difficult health decisions need comfort and care, and placed the health and well-being of his patients above his own personal safety concerns. It is fitting that Dr. Tiller often wore a ‘Trust Women’ button.

“Our thoughts are with his family as they continue to mourn their loss. We are also hopeful that the conclusion of this trial will aid his congregation, which endured this violent murder in their sanctuary, as they continue their healing process.” Read more »

Breaking News

The health care reform fight continues, but your voices are being heard!

January 22, 2010

The ongoing effort to reform our health care system received a shock on Tuesday with Scott Brown's upset win against Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts Senate election race to replace the late Edward M. Kennedy Jr.. This means that Democrats no longer have the filibuster-proof 60-seat majority to pass health care reform as planned, and are currently in the process of re-assessing their efforts and strategies.

Several options have been put forward, but it is as-of-yet unclear what strategy will prevail. The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has already announced that the House will not adopt the Senate bill, a strategy that would have avoided another vote in the Senate. The Senate version of the health care reform legislation includes the problematic Nelson-Casey provision that would place tremendous bureaucratic obstacles for abortion to be included in insurance packages in the Exchange. Additionally, the Senate bill would not allow undocumented persons to purchase health insurance from the Exchange with their own money. Another option, one put forward by President Obama, would be to pass a smaller, pared-down bill that encompasses some "core elements" of the reforms currently being proposed. Yet another option would rely on the budget reconciliation process. What has become clear, however, is that lawmakers are operating under different circumstances than they were before the Massachusetts election results.

Staff from the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) visited the offices of key legislators this week, and we will continue to work towards the best possible package. Legislators said they received a record number of phone calls and letters from our activists on the ground and in their districts. We must sincerely thank you for your support and continued hard work - your voices are being heard.

 Read more »

In the News

Securing Real Choices Means Going Beyond "Choice"

RH Reality Check, 01/22/2010 –

This post is part of  RH Reality Check's "What Does Choice Mean to You?" series commemorating the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

I was a junior in high school the first time I understood the political meaning of the term pro-choice. My very progressive, feminist “herstory” teacher organized a school trip to attend the 1992 abortion rights march in Washington DC. Sadly I was unable to go, but I eagerly made feminist signs, created slogans, and supported my friends who did attend. I soaked in everything about the abortion rights movement.  It was a turning point in my political consciousness. Read more »

In the News

Executive Director Silvia Henriquez on GRITtv

GRITtv, 01/14/2010 –

Executive Director Silvia Henriquez talks about reproductive rights as human rights on this episode of GRITtv.

Watch the video »
Press Release

United States Renews Commitment to Achieving Global Development Goals

Health and Human Rights Organizations Applaud U.S. Support for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights

This afternoon, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commemorated the 15th anniversary of a major international agreement on health and human rights, stating a renewed U.S. commitment to making access to reproductive health care a “basic right.”   

 
“If we believe that human rights are women’s rights,” said Secretary Clinton “then we cannot accept the marginalization of half the world’s population.”  

“Women’s health is essential to the prosperity and health of all people,” said Secretary Clinton. “Investing in the health of women, adolescents and girls is not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.”  Read more »

In the News

Executive Director Silvia Henriquez in the NY Times on Health Care Reform

New York Times, 12/10/2009 –

A Letter to the Editor by Silvia Henriquez, Executive Director of NLIRH, was published in the New York Times this week.

 Read more »

Press Release

CDC Removes Discriminatory HPV Vaccination Requirement for Immigrant Women and Girls: Victory for Reproductive Justice Advocates

National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), and California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) commend the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for taking the critical final step in removing a mandatory vaccination requirement for immigrant women and girls to receive the HPV vaccine. Today, the CDC published a rule that finalizes a set of criteria for evaluating whether vaccinations recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices should become automatic requirements for immigrants. Starting December 14, 2009, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will no longer be a required vaccination for immigrant women and girls.

 Read more »

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