Equal Rights

Since the nation’s birth, the question of equality has been at the forefront of America’s promise. Read articles that explore this in our Equal Rights section.

Recent Stories

Hospital Visitation & Decision-Making Rights for More Americans
Aug 2010

An April 2010 decree from President Obama states that hospitals must allow designated loved ones access to a patient even if they aren’t related by blood or marriage. The decree was prompted by a hospital denying Janice Langbehn the right to see Lisa Pond, her long-time partner, before Pond’s death. The decree is viewed as a win for gay rights. more...

Conjugal Visits: Preserving family bonds behind bars
Sep 2008

Most of us assume that prison life precludes any private contact between inmates and their significant others. After all, that's one of the penalties of going to prison. But then what about conjugal visits? Do they still exist? And who is entitled to them? more...

The Right to Refuse Service: Can a Business Refuse Service to Someone Because of Appearance, Odor or Attitude?
Oct 2007

Is it a violation of your civil rights for a business to refuse to serve you because of the way you look, the way you smell, or the way you act? The answer is . . . it depends. more...

What does HIPAA mean for your privacy?
Oct 2007

You may have seen news stories in which a camera pans over a dumpster overflowing with unshredded medical charts. News anchors follow-up and interview patients, bringing them the very file discovered amid the trash. Hearing such horror stories is grounds for worry about the safety of your own health information. Here's how HIPAA can and does protect you. more...