Cheryl Wetzstein

Study: ‘Ticking clock’ inspires nesting urge in some women

The "biological clock" is a well-known metaphor that refers to women's age-limited time for childbearing. But can just hearing a gentle "tick tock" while thinking about marriage and babies make a difference in people's plans?

South Koreans hope Pope Francis’ visit will ‘heal the wounds’ of separation, tragedy

Pope Francis' calls for peace will continue Friday as he celebrates a stadium-size Mass and visits a Catholic shrine as part of his five-day trip to South Korea.

Pope Francis taking message of peace, reconciliation to South Korea

With an optimistic message taken from the Prophet Isaiah, Pope Francis arrives Thursday in South Korea with plans to uplift youth, talk about peace and honor Catholic martyrs who were killed centuries ago for daring to say that God loves mankind regardless of social class.

Tenn. judge bucks trend, upholds marriage amendment

Unlike more than a dozen other jurists, a Tennessee judge has upheld that state's voter-passed marriage law that says marriage is only the union of a man and a woman.

Massachusetts lawmakers OK new abortion clinic buffer law

Barely a month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state's previous statute as unconstitutional, Massachusetts lawmakers Wednesday cheered passage of a new abortion clinic "buffer zone" law Wednesday, while pro-life supporters warned that the law was worse than the old one.

Mississippi abortion law can’t be enforced

A federal appellate court has blocked a Mississippi law from being enforced against the state's lone abortion clinic, saying the state cannot put an "undue burden" on women by forcing them to travel out of state to get the procedure.

Federal appeals court rules against Virginia’s gay marriage ban

In another victory for proponents of gay marriage, a federal appellate court Monday ruled that a Virginia law banning same-sex nuptials is unconstitutional.

Events honoring 20th National Parents’ Day reaffirm family

The 20th National Parents' Day was celebrated Sunday, with local events held around the nation to honor numerous people who have shown excellence in parenting, said organizers.

‘50 Shades’ movie trailer outrages anti-porn groups

With 100 million copies of "Fifty Shades of Grey" sold and massive public anticipation for the movie's debut in 2015, the recent release of a trailer for the film was bound to attract attention, but anti-porn activists are getting upset even at the movie's promotional trailer.

Tougher clinic rules lead to drop in Texas abortions

Tougher state regulations have led to a spate of abortion clinics shutting their doors in Texas and a 13 percent fall in the number of abortions performed in the state, according to a new study published this week.

David Tyree hired by Giants in a move bashed by gay-rights groups

A gay-rights organization has denounced the New York Giants for hiring — and defending — former player David Tyree after he said he believes some people can change their sexual orientation.

U.S. social and economic trends on worrisome track, survey finds

Abortion and divorce rates are falling, but the United States is falling behind on a growing number of other measures of prosperity and social health, according to a report released Wednesday by a conservative think tank.

HIV rate drops in U.S. for most groups; percentage for young gay, bisexual men up

The nation's HIV rate has fallen by a third in the last decade, federal researchers said in a new report released in advance of this week's upcoming AIDS conference in Australia.

JAMA opinion piece calls for ending lifetime ban on blood donation by gay men

Gay marriage laws and court rulings against sexual-orientation discrimination are all signs that it's time for the federal government to change its blood-donor policy for gay and bisexual men, authors said in a commentary released Saturday.

Justina Pelletier talks to Republican lawmakers

VH1’s ‘Naked Dating’ outrages parents group

The Parents Television Council plans to hold the show’s advertisers accountable.

Democrats move to protect abortion rights

Congress should step in and prohibit states from harassing abortion providers and impeding women's right to obtain the procedure, witnesses told a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

EEOC aims to stop discrimination against pregnant women

A federal agency has updated rules aimed at preventing employers from taking adverse actions against pregnant women, new mothers and women in their childbearing years.

Gays, lesbians more likely to abuse alcohol, smoke

Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults are likelier to smoke and be heavy drinkers compared with heterosexuals, but all groups are likely to report being in "excellent" or "very good" health and have access to health care, says a first-of-its-kind federal report released Tuesday.

Denver lawsuit accuses abortion clinic of not reporting rape of 13-year-old

A Denver Planned Parenthood office and four unidentified employees are being sued for failing to recognize child sexual abuse when they gave a 13-year-old girl an abortion and birth control.