Choice Makes Us Human

I recently returned from a weekend in Minneapolis working with the Association of Universalist Women at First Universalist Church to help support their "Reproductive Rights: Sacred Choices" initiative. The theological reflection on abortion was amazing and attracted a large number of women, from all generations, who were eager to discuss this issue and their personal experiences "choosing the life giving path". The conversations were intense and I wish we had an entire week for discussion.

On Sunday Kelli Clement delivered an amazing sermon titled "Choice Makes Us Human"which challenged us as Unitarian Universalists to embrace our fatih as a guiding force for this work. An amazing women's choir came together to provide the songs for the service and women were honored for their work in this movement. Thanks to all the women who made these events possible, inspiring and grounded.

Here is an excerpt from my portion of the service:

"Serving as the Clara Barton Intern has opened my eyes to the many ways we, as people of faith, can influence public discussion and policy. Too often, people of faith are overlooked or lumped into one “conservative religious” group. We need to let people, and policy makers, know that we religious liberals are here and that we support values and policies that foster families and reproductive choice.

Earlier this week, I attended a panel discussion commemorating the Roe decision and highlighting the current issues regarding access to abortion services. While abortion may be legal in this country, legislation has been passed to limit access to these services which disproportionately impacts poor women and women of color. In 1976, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding for abortion. The only exceptions are in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the life of the woman. Most states have also banned state Medicaid funding for abortion.

For many low income women who are using federal or state medical coverage, a first trimester abortion costs 1/3 of their monthly income. For these women, abortion is not a viable choice. In order for them to “choose” they must decide whether they will forgo paying the rent or buying food for their families or sell some of their possessions. Congress also denies abortion coverage to military personnel and their families, women receiving care from Indian Health Services, and people on disability insurance. In addition to these federal restrictions, many state and local laws have limited the number of abortion clinics. Over 87% of counties in the United States have no access to an abortion provider, adding additional barriers for women seeking this option.

The most powerful part of the Roe anniversary event was a performance art piece that demonstrated the impact legislation can have on individual women’s lives. The text of the Hyde amendment was read word for word, sounding dry and emotionless, interspersed with the stories of women who sought financial assistance from abortion funds because they couldn’t pay to make the choice they wanted. I was moved to tears by hearing their circumstances and realizing that women and families struggle with these restrictions and decisions every day. Women in all situations are limited by laws and rules and many do not have the “right to choose” that we celebrate every January.

The understanding of how public policy intimately affects people’s lives continues to drive my activism and advocacy work. At times, the democratic process can seem slow and frustrating but it is crucial that we continue to advocate for policies that support reproductive justice, including abortion rights and access for all women. My UU vision for a just world calls me to continue this work addressing the many aspects of reproductive justice that connect to form a holistic view of sexuality and life. "

Participating in services and events with congregations always excites me as I hear so many important stories about the work of UUs. People older than myself share about when abortion was illegal in this country and the decisions they had to make as pregnant young women. Foilks share stories about how their parents supported this movement during difficult, illegal times, as undercover abortionists or for speaking out about this issues. I hope that someone can gather these storeis before the are lost so that we may fully remember the work of these important people.