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The Biology of Gender, and When (if Ever) Children Should Be Given Sex Reassignment Surgery

The first words uttered after a child is born are often “It's a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” But sometimes doctors don’t know exactly what to say. How does this happen, and what should parents and doctors do?

The first words uttered after a child is born are often “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” But sometimes doctors don’t know exactly what to say. How does this happen, and what should parents and doctors do?

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Historic Lawsuit Claims Doctors Performed Unnecessary Surgery on Intersex Child

According to a complaint filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center and others, doctors and officials from the state of South Carolina performed unnecessary sex assignment surgery on an infant in their care.

According to a complaint filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center and others, doctors and officials from the state of South Carolina performed unnecessary sex assignment surgery on an infant in their care.

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Is a Sanford Win Indicative of 2014 Problems for Democrats?

Republican Mark Sanford.

Sanford’s win isn’t shocking in and of itself, and it may not even be a bellwether of Republican prospects in the 2014 midterms.

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‘What If She Had an Abortion?’ Tested as Smear Tactic in South Carolina House Race

The entire scenario relies on the idea that having an abortion is somehow a smear on par with going to jail or being held in contempt of court.

A new conservative push poll against Democratic candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch tries to link her to personal scandal by, among other things, inferring that she may have had an abortion.

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Attempts to Use Gosnell Case to Restrict Abortion Access Failing, But Antis Continue to Push

More lawmakers are using the Gosnell trial to create TRAP laws, but their bills are going nowhere.

More lawmakers are using the Gosnell trial to create TRAP laws, but their bills are going nowhere.

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State Policy Trends 2013: Abortion Bans Move to the Forefront

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Unlike in recent years, when the thrust of legislative activity was on regulating abortion, this year legislators seem to be focusing on banning abortion outright.

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HPV and Things That Go Bump: Time for Action on Genital Warts

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

While we await the expected and demonstrated good news of few cervical and other cancer deaths among person immunized against HPV, a recent study from Denmark already shows us that vaccination can significantly reduce genital warts.

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Sex Education in South Carolina Still Failing 25 Years After Passage of Comprehensive Law

(MPB Online)

South Carolina was ahead of the curve in adopting a mandate for health education, which includes a reproductive health component, in 1988. A new report suggests, however, that 25-years later many school districts aren’t following the mandate and students are still not getting the education they should. 

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The Road to Roe: Paved with Bodies of Women of Color and the Legal Activism of African Americans

(Favianna Rodriguez, www.favianna.com)

Every year when the anniversary of Roe v. Wade rolls around, I am troubled by the loud silences in our triumphant tales of struggle. As a history doctoral student who researches African Americans and abortion, the story I tell is quite different.

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State-Level 2012 Retrospective: Second-Highest Number of Abortion Restrictions Ever

Reproductive health and rights were once again the subject of extensive debate in state capitols in 2012. Over the course of the year, 42 states and the District of Columbia enacted 122 provisions related to reproductive health and rights. One-third of these new provisions, 43 in 19 states, sought to restrict access to abortion services.

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