News & Commentary

As you know, ACLU SD worked on a lot of issues during the 2016 Legislative Session. I’ve already blogged about the slew of anti-LGBT legislation we saw in Pierre this year and detailed our successes there. That was the good news portion of my legislative recap. Today, let’s delve into the bad news: this session was dismal for supporters of women’s reproductive rights.

By James Esseks, Director, LGBT & HIV Project

By: Libby Skarin, Policy Director & Lobbyist, ACLU SDA glance at my calendar as I write this tells me that today is March 31. That date is cause for much celebration around the ACLU of South Dakota office because it means that we have officially made it to the other side of the 2016 legislative session! This year's 38 day session was a whirlwind so take a deep breath, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and let's recap!

Turning an official press conference into a vehicle for government sponsored prayer is simply a violation of the Constitution.

Today our marvelous victory is standing by each other to defeat South Dakota’s anti-trans measure. Tomorrow, it is bringing that fight and our voices to Tennessee, Washington and to support each other as we strive to live without the constant threat of interpersonal and state violence.

By Chase Strangio, Staff Attorney, ACLU LGBT & HIV Project

Gov. Daugaard's Veto Protects the Health and Safety of Transgender Students in South Dakota

By Chase Strangio, Staff Attorney, ACLU LGBT & HIV Project

The 2016 legislative session is well underway and the most-ever anti-LGBT bills have been introduced in states across the country. Dozens of bills in half the states threaten the livelihood of LGBT people. In many states, vulnerable transgender young people are singled out for discrimination.