Women's reproductive rights in America.  We thought the books had all been written.  That's how it seemed when I was at Powell's Bookstore in Portland, OR.  (How's that for subtle name-dropping?) a few days ago looking in the Women's Reproductive Rights section (yes, they are that big that they have a special section - 3 shelves worth).  The most current book I found dealing with reproductive rights and women's bodies was from 2004 -  The Boundaris of Her Body.

Contraception in all forms became legal in the US decads ago  and abortion was legalized in 1973.  Don't want to use contraception?  Don't.  Happen to be lesbian or gay - don't even need to think about contraception.  Against abortion? Don't have one,  as the bumper sticker says.  

Sure there's been backlash over the years, people saying that abortion is taking lives.  Interesting that so many of those who are against abortion are for the death penalty, for war.  A bit of hypocrysy here?  You bet.  I have more respect and understanding of people who say that all taking of life is wrong, but I disagree with them saying that other people can't make their own choices.
I thought we had settled that no one is really pro-abortion, and that the important aspect is a woman's ability to be able to make her own choices about her own body.
 
And then there are so many who are both against using contraception and against abortion - does that baffle you as much as it does me?  

But now, there are congressmen - yes - just men - who are trying to change laws - making it so that healthcare policies or employers would be able not to offer coverage for contraception.  There are organizations that won't contribute to Planned Parenthood because abortion is one of the services they provide to their patients.  (Never mind that if we had single payer healthcare that wouldn't even be an issue, but that's another topic.)  

What's happening now? What can we do to make sure that the progressive changes that were fought for are not lost? How can we ensure that our daughters and granddaughters, our sons and grandsons, and all people in this country and around the world will be able to make their own choices around reproduction?  

Please join us on MONDAY, April 2, 2012 to learn more from Catherine Bordeau.  Catherine, an Ethical Culture Leader-in-training has been thinking about Women's Reproductive Rights for many years. Join the call to learn and discuss, to share your experiences and perspectives.  Please invite others who are interested in this issue to join our call on April 2 - did I mention it is on a Monday this time - at 5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, and 8pm ET.   The number for the call is 866-740-1260 and the access code is 5766842#.  

Join us!!

Written at the inspiring Byways Cafe in Portland, OR.