Issues backed by liberal advocacy groups

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Some measures that liberal advocacy groups would like to see passed by the new, Democratic-controlled Congress.

GAY RIGHTS:

_Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. According to gay-rights groups, it is now legal in 34 states to fire someone based on their sexual orientation.

_Add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of categories covered by the federal hate-crimes law, which now covers crimes based on race, religion and national origin. About 14 percent of the 7,163 hate crimes reported nationwide in 2005 involved sexual orientation, according to the FBI.

_Replace "don't ask, don't tell" — the military's policy prohibiting openly gay people from serving — with a policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

HEALTH AND SEXUALITY:

_Reduce unintended pregnancies by boosting funding for family planning, requiring private health plans to cover contraception, ensuring that emergency contraception is available to rape victims and other women, and ensuring that government-funded education programs do not misrepresent the effectiveness of contraception.

_Ensure that women can obtain the Plan B morning-after pill and other forms of birth control at a pharmacy without harassment or delay. It would override state measures allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill women's birth-control prescriptions.

_Halt the Food and Drug Administration's approval process on silicone breast implants until certain safety concerns are addressed.

WORKPLACE:

_Help women and men balance work and family by providing greater access to family and medical leave, expanding child care options, increasing funding for after-school programs and encouraging family-friendly workplaces.