Reproductive Justice Task Force Co-Chairs:
Carol A. Loscalzo (The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood)
Jami Thall (Morristown UU Fellowship)
Email: rjtfchair@uufaithaction.org
Unitarian Universalist Faith Action New Jersey, representing the Unitarian Universalist congregations in New Jersey, supports reproductive justice for all individuals. Reproductive justice, a concept put forth by coalitions of women of color, promotes the right of all people to have children, not to have children, and to raise their children in safe and healthy environments. People also have a right to health and self-determination regarding their bodies and sexuality, free from oppression and shame.
Reproductive Justice takes a holistic, human rights and social justice approach to dealing with issues that affect individual’s reproductive health and lives. The task force takes an active role in ensuring that the right to abortion remains legal, and works to create greater access to abortion in New Jersey. In addition, the task force examines the issues of comprehensive sexuality education, empowering birth choices, breastfeeding and any other issue that impacts reproductive health. Following the framework of the reproductive justice movement, the task force keeps in mind the ways that the intersecting systems of race, class, and gender, gender identity and sexual orientation affect a person’s reproductive rights.
The foundation for UUFANJ’s support for reproductive justice is rooted in the Unitarian Universalist principle that affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We value life and the consciences of all people, and we are called to protect and affirm the lives of individuals when it comes to their reproductive choices. In June 2015, at the UUA General Assembly, the Reproductive Justice Statement of Conscience was passed after a study three year study followed by a year implementation. This SOC is an excellent resource for all who want to know more about reproductive justice.
UUFANJ Reproductive Justice Task Force is a member of the Thrive Coalition, a coalition of over 80 organizations in NJ working together on Reproductive Justice issues.
Reproductive Justice Task Force Goals for 2024- 2025:
Abortion Access:
- Advocate for the passage of the Reproductive Freedom Equity Act package of legislation in collaboration with our Thrive NJ partners.
- Clergy Support Letter, a statewide interfaith effort to demonstrate that access to abortion care is a matter of faith and a matter of justice
- Post Abortion Care Kit Project Handbook, a UU statewide effort to provide support to abortion patients here in NJ.
Menstrual Equity:
- Continue to advocate for menstrual products in all congregational restrooms.
- Research availability of menstrual products in public schools, shelters and food banks and pantries
Sex Education:
- Create an updated congregational contact list of Directors of Religious Educators & Our Whole Lives teams to create a rapid response cohort to respond to local Board of Education threats to comprehensive sexuality education for children and youth.
- Partner with the Thrive Coalition to advocate for sexuality education at the state level.
Maternal Justice:
- Partner with other faith based organizations for a screening of Birthing Justice in Bergen county and the Trenton area.
- Work with the Thrive Coalition to advocate for legislation to support pre and postnatal care for all people in NJ to improve maternal health outcomes.
- Advocate for free diapers at shelters & food pantries in NJ.
LGBTQ+
- Work with NJ UU congregations to support education and advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues.
- Advocate, in collaboration with partner organizations, for protections for transgender/nonbinary children and youth in NJ schools.
Reproductive Justice:
- SisterSong – https://www.sistersong.net/
Abortion Access:
- NJ Reproductive Health Website – https://www.nj.gov/health/reproductivehealth/
- Center for Reproductive Rights – https://reproductiverights.org/
- Guttmacher Institute – https://www.guttmacher.org/
- Jessica Valenti – NewJersey Abortion Access Fund
- Jessica Valenti – National Abortion Federation
- National Network Abortion Funds – https://www.ineedana.com/
- Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline – Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline
- Jessica Valente Newsletter – https://jessica.substack.com/
- NewJersey Abortion Access Fund – NewJersey Abortion Access Fund
- National Abortion Federation – National Abortion Federation
- Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline – Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline
Sex Education:
- Sex Ed For Social Change – https://siecus.org/state_profile/new-jersey-state-profile-23/
- Advocates for Youth – https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/
- answer: sex ed honestly – https://answer.rutgers.edu/
- AMAZE – https://amaze.org/
- Our Whole Lives – Our Whole Lives
Menstrual Equity:
- PERIOD. – https://period.org/
- The Pad Project – https://thepadproject.org
- The Flow Initiative – https://theflowinitiativefoundation.org
- Menstrual Health hub – https://mhhub.org
Maternal Justice:
- New Jersey Doula Learning Collaborative – https://www.njdlc.org
- The Maternal Infant Health Hub – The Maternal infant Health Hub
- Nurture NJ – Nurture NJ
- Perinatal Health Equity Initative – Perinatal Health Equity Initative
- Melinated Mom – Melinated Moms
- Ancient Song Doula – Ancient Song Doula
LGBTQ+ Resources:
- Garden State Equality – Garden State Equality
- HiTops – https://www.hitops.org/
- Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance – Bergen County LGBTQ Alliance
- Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County– Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County
Important subcommittee Links:
UU & Faith Based:
Statement of Conscience – Statement of Conscience
Two things Every UU Faith Based:
- RJ History RCAR
- Renewed Clergy Consultation ServiceFaith Choice Ohio
- Faith Roots Reproductive Action
Policy Briefs:
- Health Care: Reproductive Justice
- LARC Statement of Policy – October 2016
- EACH Act Statement of Policy – October 2016