It's not often that I agree with Michael Gerson, the conservative former speech writer for President George H.W. Bush, advocate for abstinence-only policies in U.S. global AIDS programs, and columnist for the Washington Post. Today, however, I am in near full-agreement with him on why a pro-choice position on a public health intervention is also pro-life in the real sense.
Anti-choicers have taken to claiming that women shouldn't have contraception, because "pregnancy isn't a disease". This makes as much sense as saying women shouldn't have access to exercise, because being out of shape isn't a disease.
Over and over and over again people tell me to leave religion out of the debate over abortion. "Many Christians believe in the right to abortion, at least in cases of rape or incest," I am often told, "So, why alienate them by bringing up religion?"
Autumn Sandeen explains how transphobia could hurt renewed ERA efforts. Rick Perry's campaign dogged by sexual health issues, and Arizona forces three clinics to stop providing abortion.
How do you tell a partner that you're not comfortable with something they want to do, whether you have sexual abuse in your history or not? You tell them you're not comfortable with something they want to do.
The population problem is all about me: white, middle-class, American me. Well-meaning people have told me that I'm "just the sort of person who should have kids." Au contraire. I'm just the sort of person who should not have kids.
The best way to find out what a Perry presidency would look like for women and social issues writ large? Look at what far-right, conservative, religious and evangelical power players want him to do; whatever it is, he'll do it.
