American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union is an organization which takes on the issues of concern to the American public and any violations of their rights, or liberties, including I turned to their web site for information regarding their activity. The following information is from the summary of their work in 1999. Although it's two years old, I feel it paints an accurate picture of the ACLU, their work, and what they stand for.Teen Mothers in National Honor SocietyIn the spring of 1998, two 18 year old teen mothers were barred from admission into the National Honor Society(NHS) based on the fact that they'd had premarital sex. The selection committee blatantly disregarded the fact that these two girls were highly qualified for induction into the NHS. At this point the ACLU's Women's Rights Project filed a discrimination lawsuit, and the following May the girls were inducted into the society.AbortionThe ACLU, which is a pro-choice organization, filed a legal challenge through it's Reproductive Freedom Project concerning New Jersey's Parental Notification Act. The act requires minors to obtain either parental consent or a court order before getting an abortion. The ACLU feels that this law will do more harm than good. They believe that most teens considering abortion have already involved their parents in their decision; and that the ones who haven't have done so for a reason.In a similar situation, the House of Representatives passed a bill making a criminal out of anyone other than a parent taking a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion. The ACLU feels that this bill will once again do more harm than good, by dissuading girls from getting help from someone they trust.Adoption By Gay/Lesbian CouplesThe ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project is challenging Florida's ban on gay and lesbian adoptions, citing the 2,000 foster children without homes. In addition, the ACLU is also challenging re...
