First Virginia Clinic Closes Due to TRAP Laws

First Virginia clinic closes due to the state board of health approving the unnecessary abortion provider regulations proposed by the state legislature, which are meant to close as many abortion clinics in the state as possible. Just a few months later, the effects of that legislation are already being felt, RH Reality Checkreported April 24. Hillcrest Clinic, which has offered safe, legal abortion care for four decades, announced it would not be seeking renewal of its license, deciding that the new architectural regulations required by the state—widening hallways, changing the size of rooms, adding specialized sinks and sprinklers—would be too much of a financial burden.

Obama Dines with Female Senators 

On April 23 all 20 female senators -- 16 Democrats and four Republicans -- showed up for dinner and legislative talk with President Obama at the white house discussing a wide range of issues from the economy to immigration, USA Today reported April 24. Another thing that was talked about was how women can play a major role in bringing people together on a budget deal and bring the debt down.

Washington State Adopts Gender Neutral Laws

The state just completed a six-year effort to rewrite its laws using gender neutral language.Terms like fisherman and freshman were replaced by "fisher" and "first year student," NPR reported April 24. "Penmanship" became "handwriting."

France Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

French lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday, despite vocal protests from some conservatives opposed to the step, CNN reported April 23.The nation's lower house approved a marriage bill, which will also give same-sex couples the right to adopt, in a 331-to-225 final vote. They cast their votes after impassioned speeches by lawmakers for and against the legislation. President Francois Hollande, who pledged his support for same-sex marriage on the campaign trail last year, will have to sign the bill before it becomes law.