reproductive freedom

With permission of Jill Filipovic of Feministe! I am reposting her piece, A Story In Pictures. I stared at it for a long time trying to imagine how I could post about it and ultimately decided that it says everything it needs to say all on its own and I just wanted to share it with readers here. 

A Story In Pictures (Feministe! January 29, 2009)

Two of the most important women’s-rights-related bill-signings in the past few years.

The Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003:

And the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009:

I think the pictures say more than I can. Thanks Jill!

Today is January 22, the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade which made abortion bans unconstitutional, and which has been marked for the last three years by "Blog for Choice" day. The Blog for Choice folks prompted bloggers to write about their top pro-choice hope for the Obama administration. (Can I tell you how much I love typing those words: "Obama administration," "President Obama" ... gives me chills!)

My immediate hopes are of course for a rescinding of the Mexico City policy (aka the global gag rule) that prohibits any clinic anywhere in the world that receives US federal aid money from counseling women about abortion or providing abortion services. I am also hoping that the news of Obama's freezing the "conscience exemption" enacted by Bush in a "midnight regulation" is true. RH Reality Check reported yesterday, based on articles in the LA Times and the Press Democrat that both were likely to happen.

But what is my long term wish? (Click here to read more)

There is a reason they only allow one person in at a time!

We are suddenly less than a week away from Election Day in the United States an there is sex on the ballot all over the place. I'm especially interested in the following ballot questions that deal with

• Sex worker rights and public health
• Marriage
• Reproductive freedom

A few days ago JanieBelle wrote about the Senate vote that would end the global gag rule if it isn't vetoed. A veto is a very real possibility, though. And before the President even has a chance to veto the bill, it has to get through a reconciliation conference with the House. NARAL Pro-Choice America is calling for 50,000 people to write to Congress to make sure that the gag rule repeal stays in the bill that goes to the President. That'll also help build a good base to organize an override of the veto if it becomes necessary.

If you can't come to our "coming out party" because you're in San Francisco then consider this very worthwhile event. Nora Dye rode across the country on her bike to promote sex education, and sexual and reproductive freedom. She is a remarkable young woman and her project is worthy of tremendous celebration!

~~~

Nora Dye says: 15 weeks on my bicycle. 4600 miles across the country. 19 states. 2 massive dog bites. Wrong turns, dazzling vistas, bears, moose, and midwestern misadventures.

Plus enough stories about sex, politics and culture to tease your brain and challenge all the things you thought you knew about the politics of sexual freedom in America.

Join me, Rhonda and my temporarily rock hard calves for a report back and slide show of my adventures across the US. Find out what they're thinking in Wyoming, why they can't get enough of masturbation in Ithaca and why they're doing things in Madison that will blow your mind.

Join us for a fun filled night of adventures, laughter and good conversation!

6:30 PM Appetizers and refreshments
7:00 PM Slide show and stories from Nora

What are you doing for Fathers Day? My partner, a father of five children all adopted or conceived long before I entered the picture, is off sailing for two days on the Schooner Pioneer and enjoying parts of the Clearwater Festival. (Check his blog for an account, probably Tuesday.)

Our fathers and grandfathers have all passed away (my father when I was a child, my partner’s father just a few months ago) but my partner is himself a father and today I thank him for helping to shape the lives of five truly unique and wonderful individuals. I am honored to know them, and glad that they came into my life as adults so that we could develop relationships based on something other than a step-parent/step-child dynamic. (Don’t get me wrong, step-families can be wonderful! I had an amazing step-mother myself for a while, but I’m grateful for having the chance to know these people without the inevitable difficulties that come with any kind of parent/child relationship.)