Nevada Archives - American Atheists

Protect Nevada Children from Forced Marriage

American Atheists — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 17:40:12 +0000

The Nevada Assembly is considering AB 139, legislation that would prevent forced child marriage by prohibiting marriage between individuals under the age of 18. This legislation is important because, too often, marriages occur in religious sects where very young girls are forced to marry men much older than them. Child marriage remains a widespread problem in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, more than 167,000 children in 38 states, and as young as age 12, have been forced to marry. Research shows that 5.9 of every 1,000 children in Nevada will be married as children, one of the highest rates in the U.S.—second only to Texas and West Virginia. The U.S. State Department has called forced marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” Tell your Nevada representatives to protect young people in Nevada from this devastating practice! Child brides forced into marriage because of their parents’ religion have few options. As minors, they face legal dead ends: Their parents still have custody rights, and organizations and shelters are unable to interfere with those rights. As a result, these children remain with abusive families and husbands, and they are often removed from school, raped, and live in poverty. The only way to give child brides the legal right to say “no” to marriage is to eliminate the ability for minors to marry and close religious loopholes to existing laws. Postponing marriage until both parties are 18 gives young women the legal right of refusal, emancipation from their families, and the ability to take legal action against domestic abusers. Children should not be forced into marriage or made to suffer because of the religious beliefs of their parents. Tell Nevada lawmakers to support AB 139!

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Support Death with Dignity in Nevada

American Atheists — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 14:59:31 +0000

Lawmakers in Nevada are currently considering SB 165, important legislation that will allow terminally ill people to receive compassionate medical aid-in-dying. This measure would create a patient-driven system that honors the values and beliefs of the individual. By passing this legislation, Nevada would join the 8 states that already offer these end-of-life options, allowing terminally ill people to die in the comfort of their homes without receiving unwanted medical care. However, religious groups, including the Catholic Church, vigorously oppose this common-sense legislation. Please help us tell lawmakers in Nevada to stand strong and pass this bill! Although approximately 80% of Americans desire to pass away in the comfort of their own home, less than 20% actually do so. We need your help to pass this important legislation to allow terminally ill people in Nevada to die with dignity, in peace. Please take action by emailing these committee members now.

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Atheists Tell Nevada to End Forced Child Marriage

American Atheists — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 21:18:15 +0000

Carson City, NV—American Atheists, on behalf of its constituents in Nevada, wrote in support of AB 139. This bill would end child marriage in Nevada. AB 139 would protect young people in Nevada from being coerced into marriage against their will. Unfortunately, this harmful practice happens all too frequently across our nation. The U.S. State Department has called marriage before age 18 a “human rights abuse.” It destroys the child bride’s health, education, and economic opportunities. It also increases risk of experiencing violence. Those who marry before 18 have a 70 to 80% chance of getting divorced. Teen mothers who marry and then divorce are much more likely to end up in poverty than teen mothers who stay single. Current Nevada law permits young people under the age of 18 to marry under certain conditions. Young people ages 16 or 17 may marry with permission provided by a parent or guardian. Children younger than 16 may be do so with permission provided by a parent or guardian, as well as court approval. These loopholes invite abuse and endanger young people in Nevada. “Parental ‘consent’ hardly mitigates the danger of forced child marriage,” wrote Alison Gill, Vice President for Legal and Policy. “When a child is forced to marry, the perpetrators are almost always the parents. There will always be parental “consent” when there is parental coercion in the first place. Therefore, Nevada law currently contains no effective procedural safeguards against the danger of forced child marriage.” By adopting AB 139, Nevada would remove these dangerous loopholes.

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