Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Gay Veteran Group Banned From Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

A group for gay veterans that has walked in Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade for the past two years has been prohibited from participating this year by the organizers. The group, called OutVets, said it was banned from the parade because members were planning to carry a rainbow banner. An attorney who fought against the group’s participation said, “the symbols and activities associated with that community do not belong in the parade.”

The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, which organizes the parade, faced immediate backlash and the mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, said he would not walk in the parade unless OutVets were allowed back in. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker also said he wouldn’t participate, and several companies said they would drop their sponsorships. Last night, the organizers announced that they are holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the matter.

So they can die for you but not march with you on St Patrick’s Day? These people sound wonderful.https://t.co/WdybZdY6B7

— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) March 9, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post RantCrush Top 5: March 10, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

Yesterday the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy celebrated National Thanks Birth Control Day, where women everywhere were encouraged to share the reasons why they love birth control on social media. The campaign aimed to dispel myths and raise awareness of all of the benefits of contraceptives, which makes perfect sense because birth control is pretty amazing.

Not only does it help prevent unplanned pregnancy, but it also stops cramps, regulates periods, clears acne-prone skin, and allows women to be able to have sex on their terms. All of these reasons account for why 99 percent of women have used birth control at some point in their lives.  Therefore talking about the subject shouldn’t be taboo or politically polarizing, but rather a celebration of women having power over their ovaries and their destinies!

Here are some of the best birth control shout outs women all across the country had on social media:

Birth control gives women power to plan their families & futures. Accessibility is essential. #ThxBirthControl pic.twitter.com/0aAsFCNVar

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for helping me regulate my periods and lessen how long they last each month. Also I enjoy not having babies. — Katelyn (@katelyn0donnell) November 11, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for giving me my life back when endometriosis threatened to cripple it. @bedsider — Tracy L F (@stillsunflowers) November 11, 2015

I get to spend all the energy I would waste on worrying if I was pregnant on writing really fire tweets. #ThxBirthControl — Caitlin Van Horn (@HelloCVH) November 10, 2015

#Birthcontrol means families can plan, women can continue their educations, and kids are born into healthy families. #thxbirthcontrol

— Amanda O. (@colorcodedlife) November 10, 2015

#BirthControl lets us take charge of our own destinies. #ThxBirthControl! pic.twitter.com/xzwDgwBLVT — PP South Atlantic WV (@PPSATWV) November 10, 2015

Its #ThxBirthControl day! So many reasons to be grateful for contraception. And this sums it up. #bossbride pic.twitter.com/Zv1Z30GGj2 — Charreah Jackson (@Charreah) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for helping us shape our futures! (CC: @Bedsider) pic.twitter.com/iRwTbatHNQ — CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) November 10, 2015

Fur babies now. Real babies later. #ThxBirthControl for giving us options! pic.twitter.com/AuGX4l74E5

— SF State SHS (@SFStateSHS) November 10, 2015

I want to thank birth control for giving me the opportunity to not worry about unplanned pregnancy. #ThxBirthControl #R29xBedsider — Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for letting me have 2 kids when I was ready and spaced apart! -Amy pic.twitter.com/cCNX3pQTKR

— CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) November 10, 2015

More than 99% of women have used birth control. I love being in good company. #ThxBirthControl — Ashley Rickards (@AshleyRickards) November 11, 2015

#ThxBirthControl For helping girls run the world #R29xBedsider pic.twitter.com/TfjNEUaAuV — Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) November 10, 2015

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post #ThxBirthControl Empowers Women’s Right to Control Their Ovaries appeared first on Law Street.