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Cheryl Wetzstein

Cheryl Wetzstein

cwetzstein@washingtontimes.com

Cheryl Wetzstein, a Washington Times staff member since 1985, is manager of special sections in The Washington Times' Advertising and Marketing Department.
Previously, she spent 30 years as a Washington Times news reporter, covering national domestic policy, in addition to being a features writer, environmental and consumer affairs reporter, and assistant business editor.
Beginning in 1994, Mrs. Wetzstein worked exclusively on welfare and family issues such as child support enforcement, abstinence and sex education, child welfare, sexually transmitted diseases, marriage, divorce, cohabiting and gay marriage.
She has won several newspaper awards, including 1977 Cub Reporter of the Year and 1983 Heart of New York award, both from the New York Press Club.

Articles by Cheryl Wetzstein

Ali Vanderzanden, with Equality Maine, hugs a friend before a Thursday news conference at the Statehouse in Augusta, Maine, at which a bid to legalize gay marriage in Maine was launched. (Associated Press)

Mainers to vote on gay marriage again

Gay-rights activists pledged Thursday to reclaim Maine as a gay-marriage state by asking voters to vote in November for a ballot measure legalizing same-sex nuptials.

January 26, 2012
** FILE ** One dose of the HPV vaccine Gardasil, developed by Merck & Co., is displayed in February 2007 in Austin, Texas. (Associated Press)

HPV carried in mouth linked to virulent cancers

A first-of-its kind study released Thursday estimates that about 7 percent of the U.S. population carries in their mouths and throats a sexually transmitted virus that can cause a virulent form of cancer.

January 26, 2012

Court revives gay-marriage suit

A ruling released Monday by a three-judge appellate panel in Minnesota has revived a gay-marriage lawsuit just as the battle over a state marriage amendment is getting underway.

January 23, 2012
** FILE ** Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, a cardinal-designate, celebrates Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

HHS mandate on birth control cheered, jeered

Pro-choice leaders and organizations applauded the Obama administration's Friday decision to require almost all employers to provide free birth control in their health insurance, but Catholic leaders quickly vowed to resist the rule.

January 22, 2012
President Obama announces a renewed American commitment to making HIV treatment available in the United States and around the world during a speech Dec. 1, 2011, on World AIDS Day at George Washington University in Washington. (Associated Press)

Report: Americans curbing behaviors that lead to AIDS

Fewer Americans are engaging in behaviors that raise their risk for HIV/AIDS, primarily because men and women are changing their sexual activities, according to an extensive new federal report released Thursday.

January 19, 2012
** FILE ** Archbishop Timothy Dolan (Associated Press)

Religious leaders: Gay marriage a ‘peril’ to liberty

Nearly 40 religious leaders, including Catholic, evangelical, Jewish and Mormon figures, issued an open letter Thursday that argues that the battle against same-sex marriage is a fight on behalf of religious freedom.

January 12, 2012
Mitt Romney celebrates with supporters, his wife, Ann, and five sons at Tuesday's victory party in New Hampshire. A survey with no church ties found that 56 percent of Mormons think the country is "ready" to consider a member of their faith as president. (Associated Press)

Mormons overcoming hurdles

U.S. Mormons say that they are still not fully accepted in America, especially by evangelical Christians, and believe the entertainment media - from the Broadway play, "The Book of Mormon" to HBO's "Big Love" portrayal of polygamy - aren't helping improve their image.

January 12, 2012

HHS offers aid over Guatemalan STD lawsuit

The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced $1.8 million in aid to Guatemalan health authorities to fight sexual disease and improve research with human subjects.

January 10, 2012

N.J. Democrats pledge push for gay marriage

New Jersey Democratic lawmakers Monday said they will fast-track bills to legalize gay marriage, echoing promises made by state officials in Maryland and Washington state.

January 9, 2012

State abortion curbs rose in 2011

State lawmakers added a record 92 restrictions on abortion in 2011, ranging from bans on most abortions after 20 weeks of gestation to changes in rules governing abortion clinics, the Guttmacher Institute said Friday.

January 8, 2012

Another try for vote on personhood amendment

Colorado authorities this week approved a resident-led ballot initiative that would prohibit the killing of innocent human life, but opponents are expected to file a legal challenge by next week.

January 5, 2012
** FILE ** In this Dec. 22, 2011, photo, President Obama speaks during a news conference in the South Court Auditorium at the White House complex. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

In abortion war, pro-choicers take fight to Obama

When President Obama was elected in 2008 with a 100 percent approval rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, he brought in supercharged hopes that he would make historic advances for abortion rights — especially with support from a Democrat-led Congress.

January 1, 2012

Teens turning to marijuana while use of tobacco falls

U.S. teens are continuing to steer away from tobacco and alcohol, but seem to be warming up to marijuana, possibly because it has legal status as a medicine in some states, federal officials said Wednesday.

December 14, 2011
A New York judge said in ruling on a petition seeking to relax FDA rules on the morning-after pill that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius could be added as a defendant. (Associated Press)

Judge’s ruling not an end to Plan B debate

A federal judge Tuesday said that a last-minute Food and Drug Administration response to a citizen petition seeking to relax FDA rules regarding a birth-control product rendered moot a complaint to hold the agency in contempt of court.

December 13, 2011

Government fighting food stamp fraud

Thinking of selling your federally subsidized food stamps on Craigslist? Uncle Sam says that's a big no-no, and anyone who advertises their "intent to sell" these benefits risks getting kicked off the nation's largest feeding program for the poor.

December 6, 2011
Chris Illuminati, 33, holds his one-year-old son Evan, as they sit in their Lawrenceville, N.J., home Thursday, March 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Economy has more dads on day care duty?

The recent recession may be leading more families to rely on family members — especially fathers — to care for young children, new federal data suggest.

December 5, 2011

Loss steels resolve in ‘personhood’ movement

The Nov. 8 defeat of the "personhood" amendment in Mississippi is galvanizing supporters to have a do-over in the state and also push measures in Colorado, Virginia and at least eight other states, say leaders of the anti-abortion movement.

December 4, 2011
Same-sex couples wait in line to receive marriage licenses at the Manhattan City Clerk's office on July 24, 2011. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Part of N.Y. same-sex marriage suit can proceed

A lawsuit that seeks to overturn New York's gay marriage law because of the way it was passed in the state Senate can proceed, but only on one charge, a Livingston County, N.Y., judge has ruled.

November 29, 2011