Week in Review
Supreme Court Evades Facts
On Thursday we heard that the Supreme Court “threw out a lawsuit seeking to roll back access to mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in medication abortions.” SCOTUS blog writer Amy Howe stated, “In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that the doctors and medical groups challenging the expansion of access to the drug by the Food and Drug Administration in 2016 and 2021 lack a legal right to sue, known as standing.”
Once again, the court ignores the existence of the child prior to birth, and it has chosen to emphasize the female patient and her rights without addressing the rights of the child who will die if he or she happens to exist when the abortion drug is administered. Ever since the court first dabbled in human sexuality with its Griswold decision in 1965, it has repeatedly emphasized the alleged women’s rights over all other human rights. This is further evidence that the court has no courage.
As a result, it has relegated to itself a human version of what it means to be supreme at the cost of conceding that it is the Supreme Being, God Himself, who is creator of human persons.
The court is flawed, blinded by its own hubris, and thus it renders decisions without logic.Such arrogance will not stand, however, because God will not be mocked.
During ‘Pride Month,’ New Research Exposes Why YMCA Should Quit Pretending to Be Christian
What’s in a name? In the case of the YMCA, American Life League is calling out the nonprofit for its disingenuity. Research published by American Life League’s Charity Watchlist highlights the incongruity between the name and the stated mission of the Young Men’s Christian Association and the 180-year-old organization’s current policies, programs, and June focus on “pride month.”
The mission of the YMCA, often called the “Y,” remains “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
The Young Men’s Christian Association was founded in 1844 in London, England, by tradesman George Williams to offer refuge for youth seeking escape from the hazards of sleeping on the streets. According to the history, Williams “organized the first YMCA to substitute Bible study and prayer for life on the streets.”
Throughout the month of June, YMCAs across the United States coopt rainbow icons and promote events to celebrate “pride month.” The YMCA.org website declares, “Pride Month is traditionally recognized in June by communities across the U.S. to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, other dimensions of gender identity and allies) community and honor the history of the LBGTQ+ movement.”
American Life League president Judie Brown observed that “the Young Men’s Christian Association has become the antithesis of Christian teaching.”
Katherine Van Dyke, American Life League’s lead researcher on the Charity Watchlist project, concurred with Brown’s assessment.
“The YMCA’s actions and policies show that ‘to put Christian principles into practice’ is no longer a priority for the organization,” stated Van Dyke. “It would rather defend the deceitful transgender ideology to appease a small group of individuals than defend God’s purposeful design in creating the male and female person in His image and likeness. The organization also fails girls and women by subjecting them to both dangerous situations and taking away the privacy and respect they deserve by forcing them to share changing rooms with men, without apology or amendment to its policies.”
“The Charity Watchlist wants to highlight some of the more deceptive misunderstandings about nonprofit groups, such as the YMCA, and their positions on issues of life and family values,” added Van Dyke, “as well as affirm those organizations that are doing good and remaining true to practices and principles that affirm the sanctity of human life.”
Van Dyke offered some of the incidents that have earned the YMCA its negative—red “stop”—rating on the American Life League Charity Watchlist:
- A Springfield, Illinois, YMCA allowed a biological man to use the women’s locker room, telling a 16-year-old female patron that there was nothing they could do about it.
- A San Diego area teenage girl scared by a naked man in the women’s locker room at the Sandee YMCA was told by staff that the facility’s transgender policy allows men to shower in the women’s locker room.
- Small town Ohio YMCAs allow men who “identify” as women to access women’s locker rooms, disregarding the safety and privacy of their female members.
According to American Life League, the blame sits squarely on the YMCA’s radical policies and promotions that place “inclusivity” above all, even over the safety of women and children and prevention of sexual abuse:
- The YMCA in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Illinois, allows people “to choose the locker room they most identify with.”
- The Y’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and More Resource Network (Employee Resource Group) is written about by a male YMCA staff member who labels himself as a “queer-transgender woman.”
- Affirming LGBTQ+ Communities with Pride promotes events hosted and led by YMCA LGBTQ+ employee resource groups that are supported by YMCA of the USA’s national LGBTQ+ employee resource groups.
- The Seattle, Washington, YMCA website lists resources targeting LGBTQ+ teens, including abortion vendor Planned Parenthood, which is described as a “learning and service provider for health and wellness including specialized service for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations.”
The YMCA’s support and promotion of non-biblical behaviors, including its embracing of LGBTQ+ lifestyles and transgenderism, along with its implied endorsement of abortion and Planned Parenthood, are in direct conflict with the organization’s stated mission built on “Christian principles.”
“The YMCA should take ‘Christian’ out of its name since the organization has made it clear it has no intention of upholding Christian values,” remarked American Life League national director Katie Brown. “The YMCA has shown that, in the name of nonsensical equality, it would rather protect grown men who want to disrobe in front of young girls. Long gone are the days of trusting the YMCA for your swim lessons and basketball camps. We need to call out this behavior for what it is. The YMCA is protecting child predators and making them its new priority, not your children and certainly not Christian values.”
Judie Brown added, “While as Christians we pray for those misled by the so-called LGBTQ community, we do not elevate them in the eyes of others, but the YMCA has done exactly that. Shame on them!”
American Life League’s Charity Watchlist is an online tool currently profiling 125 tax-exempt nonprofits. The list uses simple stoplight green-yellow-red color coding to allow donors to know if they “go ahead” and donate to a green-coded nonprofit without reservations, “proceed with caution” after being fully informed of the potential risks at an organization assigned yellow, or “stop” any support of an organization that is designated as red because of its endorsement of abortion and other practices that conflict with life-affirming principles or are disingenuous in their messaging.
Massachusetts’ Latest Attack on Pregnancy Care Centers and What We Can Do About It
When we think of pregnancy care centers (also referred to as pregnancy resource centers), some of the first words that come to mind are “supportive,” “confidential,” “assist,” “volunteer,” “faith-based,” “abortion alternative,” “life-affirming,” and “resources for women.” However, pro-abortion factions are constantly attempting to replace these words with others such as “dangerous,” “harmful,” “misinforming,” and even rebranding PCCs as “anti-abortion centers.”
According to a press release on June 10, 2024, by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Massachusetts governor Maura Healey and her administration launched a so-called education campaign that attacks pregnancy care centers for “mislead[ing] people about their options if they are pregnant and dissuade them from accessing abortions.” Governor Healey stated the following:
In Massachusetts, we are committed to protecting and expanding access to safe and legal abortion. That includes protecting patients from the deceptive and dangerous tactics that anti-abortion centers often use to stop people from accessing comprehensive reproductive services. This campaign is an important way to provide accurate information so residents can make informed decisions about reproductive care that are right for them.
According to a Charlotte Lozier Institute report in July 2022, there are more than 2,700 stand-alone pregnancy care centers (over 3,000 locations with medical mobile units included) in the United States versus the estimated 700 abortion clinics in the United States. As these highly different numbers show us, pregnancy care centers are growing, posing a potential threat to pro-abortion advocates.
The release blasts pregnancy care centers for not having “licensed medical professionals on-site to deliver services, oversee care, or provide information and answers to clients.” That is, they appear to be outraged that PCCs exist to support women with emotional, spiritual, and material sources rather than refer women to or perform abortions. The press release goes on to refer people to the educational campaign by clicking on a mass.gov site, which features a section called “Avoid Anti-Abortion Centers,” giving “warning signs” to women on how to avoid going to these places when pregnant.
In contrast, the Lozier Institute even admits that depending on the pregnancy center, there are “an expanded range of essential and professional care encompassing support services, medical care, and resources, usually at no cost to the women, men, and youth they serve. Personalized care is provided within a respectful, compassionate, and supportive environment by trained workers/individuals.” While some centers have medical staff to perform ultrasounds and exams in addition to counseling services, other centers offer pregnancy tests, counseling, and clothing/baby items to both mother and child.
Though this is not the first or only attempt to take down the work of the volunteers and staff of PCCs by pro-abortion groups and government, the Healey-Driscoll Administration brags that this public education campaign is the “first-in-the-nation” of its kind. Other recent attempts to attack PCCs include NY State Attorney General Letitia James and her lawsuit against Heartbeat International, Inc. for “false and misleading statements to advertise” abortion pill reversal, and pro-abortion filmmakers creating a documentary called Preconceived to highlight the “complex role of deception, finances, faith, and privacy” by PCCs.
So, what can we do about this? First, if you live in the state of Massachusetts, contact your state representatives and voice your concerns about this so-called “education” campaign. Second, support your local pregnancy care center by volunteering or donating to them, especially maternity clothes, baby items, etc. Finally, pray for government leaders and their conversions, especially those who are outrightly and unjustly attacking the centers that truly stand by women to make life-affirming decisions for themselves and their babies. Pray for mothers in difficult situations who are considering not keeping their babies, that they may receive the true support and resources needed to take care of themselves and their children. Let us also pray for the volunteers and staff of these centers who often volunteer their time and resources to help women and their preborn children.
ALL in the News
ALL’s latest press release blasted the YMCA for promoting and encouraging dangerous bathroom policies that put young girls in danger.
Susan Ciancio, editor of Celebrate Life Magazine and director of the Culture of Life Studies Program (ALL’s pre-K-12 pro-life education program), wrote an op-ed on the new movie Jesus Thirsts. The article was published by LifeSiteNews.
Ed Martin, the director of STOPP, was invited to be a guest on the show Vocal Point. Ed discussed ALL’s deep dive into the Planned Parenthood annual report. Listen to the show here.
Twice a week, Judie’s commentaries are distributed to an expansive media list. The list contains over 100 media outlets such as Fox News, The Federalist, Breitbart, and The Daily Caller, among others. Judie’s commentaries are each featured on the front page of ALL.org.
Pro-Life Education
Culture of Life Studies Program
Designed as a fun way to learn about the culture of life, the Miracle of Life Coloring & Activity Book is packed with puzzles and information to help children ages three and older understand the beauty and sacredness of preborn life and the necessity to defend it. With nearly 50 pages of puzzles, coloring pages, mazes, and facts about fetal development, this book is a must-have for every home! ORDER HERE
ALL’s Education Materials
Have you ever wondered how birth control pills work? In this easy-to-read brochure, we explain what they are and what they do, emphasizing their abortifacient nature—the fact that the can kill a tiny preborn baby. SHOP NOW
Pro-Life Social Media
Missouri AG Takes Planned Parenthood to Court
Planned Parenthood need not worry when Republicans pass laws restricting the abortion giant’s business. It will either ignore the law or slither its way around it until a higher court rules in its favor, which it eventually does.
Today, Planned Parenthood faces another court challenge, this time by the attorney general of Missouri.
Yesterday, we took Planned Parenthood to court after they were caught on video admitting to trafficking minors out of state to obtain abortions without parental consent.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
Some takeaways from our day in court:
THREAD pic.twitter.com/xXItB2qovP
Planned Parenthood showed no remorse after being CAUGHT ON VIDEO explaining to a grown man how they would aid him in trafficking his 13-year-old niece out of state to obtain an abortion without parental consent.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
In the video, Planned Parenthood detailed how they traffic minors "every day, every day, every day", including when they book hotels for minors and remove letterhead from fabricated doctors' notes to remove children from school.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
All of this is done WITHOUT parental consent.
All of this is performed in the dark of night to conceal illegal conduct.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
Watch the video here: https://t.co/tiWlO2YsSu
Also in court yesterday, Planned Parenthood asserted they have a First Amendment right to counsel children to obtain abortions out of state without parental consent.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
FACT CHECK: There is no First Amendment right to traffic minors.
CITATION: 188.250 RsMO
Planned Parenthood also attempted to assert that because they didn't know the video was being recorded, it's not an accurate representation of how they typically handle said situations.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
Sure seems like Planned Parenthood knew what they were doing: https://t.co/tiWlO2YsSu
This is the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood in the State of Missouri.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
What they conceal and conspire to do in the dark of night has now been uncovered.
It will not go unpunished.
I will make sure it never happens again.https://t.co/7wPsJWwrp6
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
We can expect a ruling in the coming weeks.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) June 11, 2024
Given Planned Parenthood’s record of winning in courts, we’re not holding our breath.
I’m happy light was shed on this. The fact that this goes on without the parent knowing is scary. Planned Parenthood may think they have good intentions but their approach is deceitful. They should be shut down.
— waaayell (@waaayell) June 12, 2024
Last time I checked this is conspiracy to commit a crime. The crime originated in your state, take em down.
— Daniel F. Monroe (@USArmyOfficer) June 11, 2024
I would like to buy you ALL the beers for your endless hard work – thank you good man!
— Proud American (@Meow81998508) June 11, 2024
Planned Parenthood: You don't have a 1st Amendment right to make pronouncements that disagree with the left but WE have a first Amendment right to counsel minors to abort babies without parental consent.
— RealTalK (@SmallAxe2016) June 12, 2024
Isn't PP afraid of covering up Sexual abuse by adults?
Planned Parenthood opposes the 1st Amendment right of sidewalk advocates to council abortion-minded women, yet it has the 1st Amendment right to council children to cross state lines to kill a preborn baby.
Only time will tell if the AG can bankrupt Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which is no easy task. If Republicans grow a spine, they can stop Democrats from stealing taxpayer money to fund the nation’s largest abortion business. When that fails, Planned Parenthood can rely on its millionaire donors.