Tag: Reproductive Justice

RJTF Supports Newly Introduced Legislation

by Charles Loflin Leave a comment

The Reproductive Justice Task Force supports newly introduced legislation that will expand access to abortion and reproductive health care here in NJ. We were on hand in Trenton for a press conference with Senator Ruiz & Senate President Scutari. The RJTF partnered with our colleagues at NCJW to craft a joint statement expressing interfaith support for access to reproductive health care.

“On behalf of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex, Bergen, Jersey Hills, West Morris and Metro Jersey Sections and Unitarian Universalist Faith Action New Jersey, we applaud the introduction and support for the passage of this reproductive health insurance bill – another step forward in breaking down the financial barriers to accessing abortion care and the full range of reproductive health care options.

Many faith communities share the belief in bodily autonomy, in respect and dignity for the decisions we choose to make, and in the right of everyone to both reproductive and religious freedom in making those decisions.

So many of our respective faiths center equity and justice in our texts and teachings. In the Torah, for example, we are instructed to never forget those who live in the shadows, whose opportunity and freedom are not guaranteed. We are commanded to pursue justice.

Unitarian Universalist principles also call upon us to work toward justice, equity and compassion for everyone. In accordance with this commitment to justice, we must affirm the right of all people to have access to abortion care and all other forms of reproductive health care. This is a fundamental belief, that we all must be free to follow our conscience when making decisions about our health.”

The RJTF also issued the following statement as part of the Thrive NJ press release in support of this legislation.

“UU Faith Action fully supports the introduction of legislation expanding insurance coverage for reproductive health care. As Unitarian Universalists we affirm the right to bodily autonomy, which includes access to abortion care and the full range of reproductive healthcare options. Breaking down all barriers to care must be accomplished for everyone in our State. It’s a matter of health, of safety, of religious freedom, and, most importantly, of justice.”

Carol Loscalzo & Jami Thall, Co-Chairs UUFANJ Reproductive Justice Task Force

Words of Choice

A woman’s right to choose soars in a tapestry of 12 powerful ‘shorts’ — serious and comic. These are stories from the heart: humorous and tender; poignant and riveting; from theater, spoken word, comedy poetry, oral history and journalism. Smart, funny, endangered!

Speaker: Dr. Lynn Roberts, editor, “Radical Reproductive Justice”

Red Hot UU Minute !

by UU FA Office Leave a comment
Introducing our new monthly e-newsletter: The Red Hot Minute.  Why “red hot?”  Because it provides our supporters with a short, focused overview of the hottest social justice issues facing New Jersey.

We hope you will scan through the article titles and short descriptions, following the links to go deeper on a subject that catches your eye.

Read More “Red Hot UU Minute !”

Know Her Truths : Life Behind Bars for Women of NJ

Come learn about the persistent injustices women face in the New Jersey prison system. 
Joining this panel discussion will be returning citizens, Nafeesah Goldsmith and Ivelisse Gilestra, and NJ prisons researcher and activist, Prof. Johanna Foster (Monmouth University) and Prof. Joanna Christen (Rutgers).

Convenors: Reproductive Justice and Criminal Justice Task Force chairs.

Things Every UU Should Know About Reproductive Justice

by Rev. Rob Gregson

Things every UU should know about reproductive justice

Two Things Every UU Should Know About Reproductive Justice

1. “Reproductive justice” has a broad agenda, and is different than “reproductive rights”.

The understanding of reproductive justice has evolved over time, and there is no universally accepted definition. However, all definitions recognize that the need for access to resources goes far beyond abortion alone. These four principles are accepted by many as representative:

  1.  People have a right to have children.
  2. People have a right not to have children.
  3. People have a right to raise their children in safe and healthy environments.
  4. People have a right to health and self-determination regarding their bodies and sexuality, free from oppression and shame.

    Notably, reproductive justice is not simply a different phrase that is interchangeable with reproductive health or reproductive rights, and nor is it intended to replace these concepts. Instead, reproductive justice is a framework created by women of color that combines the fields of reproductive rights, social justice, and human rights. It is grounded in the particular experiences, values, priorities, and leadership of women of color.

    2. Reproductive justice has a different approach.

    It’s not enough to focus on reaching a set of end goals through any means possible. Instead, our approach must reflect the world we are trying to create. This includes:

    Constantly talking about the impact our personal identities (including race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, wealth, etc) have on our viewpoints and actions. In order to successfully change the culture, we must be open to growth and change ourselves.

    Centering the marginalized. Changing structures of power means that leadership must come from the groups most affected by the denial of access to rights and resources, including women and people of color, people struggling to make ends meet, and young people.

    Intersectionality. The work must be intersectional, which means engaging multiple identities and building coalitions rather than trying to keep people and issues confined in separate boxes. Changing structures of power requires that we view identities as linked and formulate solutions that are based on collaboration and solidarity.

    For people who support reproductive justice and are not already familiar with the framework, it is sometimes challenging but always important to seek relationships of accountability and leadership with women of color and organizations they lead. This is critical because it helps to avoid misappropriation, where people are claiming to do reproductive justice work without knowing what it means and without being accountable to the experiences and leadership of women of color.