Stories on Activism in Support of Abortion Access and Reproductive Rights

Posted April 30, 2024
Share

Reproductive Rights: A Personal Journey

My journey with reproductive rights began at the tender age of ten. I remember feeling confused and embarrassed when I experienced my first period. I felt “dirty” and couldn’t keep my clothes clean no matter how hard I tried. Eventually, I mustered the courage to confide in my mom, who handled the situation with grace and reassurance. She explained to me what was happening and provided me with the necessary supplies, easing my embarrassment and uncertainty. Reflecting on that moment now, I realize how shame and stigma surrounded conversations about reproductive health, even within my own family. My mom, who struggled with irregular and heavy periods, never openly discussed her health issues. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon her birth control medication that I began to understand her struggles. When I turned 18, I made the decision to start birth control, but my mom initially discouraged me, advocating for abstinence instead. However, I persisted, and she eventually supported my decision. My journey with reproductive health took a turn when I experienced excruciating abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. Facing limited options due to insurance constraints, I opted for long-term contraception. Throughout my experiences, I’ve come to realize the importance of reproductive rights and abortion access. Growing up in a low-income household, I relied on government assistance for basic needs. I firmly believe that access to abortion is a fundamental right, not a privilege. In Texas, access to abortion is severely restricted, contributing to stigma and barriers for individuals seeking reproductive health care. It’s essential to recognize that reproductive rights impact everyone, regardless of gender, and that each person’s story is unique. As I continue on my journey, I advocate for comprehensive reproductive health care and equitable access to abortion services, knowing that my story is just one among many in the fight for reproductive rights. Alejandra is a community college student who is highly interested in sex and reproductive education.

The Reasoning for My Abortion Support Journey 

My advocacy journey for access to abortion care has been deeply intertwined with personal experiences and observations. Growing up in a large family with nearly 30 cousins in the Philippines, where access to abortion is limited, I witnessed firsthand the consequences of this lack of access. Teen pregnancy was distressingly common among my cousins, with some experiencing it multiple times. As a result, I became the godfather of seven children, and my brother became the godfather of seven more. While I cherish my godchildren, it’s heartbreaking to see them raised in the challenging conditions of a single-parent household in a third-world country. The strain this puts on my extended family due to the repercussions of limited abortion access is immense. Transitioning to Texas, a first-world nation with better living conditions, I still encountered similar challenges. Despite the relative affluence, many families in my hometown of Porter face poverty, lack of education, and insufficient access to health care. Approximately 60% of families are considered low income, highlighting significant issues in health care access, food insecurity, and health care education. While contraceptives are more accessible in the United States, inadequate education on safe sex practices has led to a high rate of teen pregnancy in my high school. Additionally, the lack of general health care access results in minimal prenatal care for expectant mothers. Many of my peers have been forced to forego their education to care for their children, perpetuating a cycle of poverty exacerbated by food insecurity. Access to abortion care is crucial in addressing these complex issues. It offers individuals the agency to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, mitigating the economic and social challenges associated with unintended pregnancies. By advocating for comprehensive reproductive health care and access to abortion services, we can empower individuals to control their futures and break free from the cycle of poverty. Brandon Kusaj is currently a Biology major on the pre-med track at The University of Texas at Austin. He hopes to achieve his dream of becoming a cardiologist while advocating for health care rights in need.

Supporting Abortion Access

My journey in support of abortion access and reproductive rights started with self-advocacy. Since the age of 19, I have experienced intermittent chronic lower abdominal and pelvic pain. I had to start advocating for myself when OBGYN doctors denied me equitable care, coming to an inconclusive resolution regarding my pain without any examinations or blood work. Despite visiting different doctors’ offices and clinics in the Bay Area, each doctor’s message was the same. I was told to monitor the pain, create a calendar log of when the pain occurred, and to take over-the-counter pain medicine to control it. To me, these messages indicated that the doctors had no clear understanding of what was occurring in my reproductive organs, nor did they want to take the necessary actions to come to a clear and concise conclusion. Their lack of due diligence has negatively impacted my reproductive health. The passing of SB 8, the Texas Heartbeat Bill, takes away bodily autonomy and further divides the upper, middle, and lower classes. Healthy Texas Women is a program that offers free women’s health and family planning services to eligible, low-income women. The Texas Heartbeat bill directly impacts low-income women, whether they are part of the HTW program or not. SB 8 has caused Healthy Texas Women to remove Planned Parenthood from the approved clinic list. This directly impacts low-income women because other local clinics that focus on reproductive health have waitlists of two months or more to get an appointment to be seen. I learned this from my own experience of needing to see an OBGYN doctor but not having the means to, as the available providers had waitlists of two months or more. Advocating for abortion access aligns with principles of bodily autonomy, equity, and reproductive justice because it revolves around individuals making decisions that are best for their life circumstances. Allowing people to have access to abortions is allowing them to have autonomy over their life decisions. It is vital that Texas’s elected officials thoroughly understand the impact of anti-abortion policy and how it further marginalizes those who are already marginalized and kept from resources to help bridge the wage and opportunity gap. Dmitra-Dejahnae Lucas is a native Californian experiencing life in Houston, TX. She has used poetry and creative writing as a form of artivism to speak about the wrongs done by society, the wrongs she has done to others, and the wrongs she has done to herself.

Empowered Choices: My Experience with Reproductive Justice

As a young woman, sister, daughter, and niece, I have seen firsthand the immense mental and physical toll that Senate Bill 8 has had on women battling gynecological diseases. With the passing of this bill, the state of Texas has not only prohibited women enduring ectopic pregnancies from taking the medical procedures necessary to save their lives, but it has also prompted the restriction of contraceptives. Our elected officials have strategically made reproductive rights a polarized issue to hide the fact that this legislation is a violation of women’s rights to adequate health care. My story begins with the struggles of my beautiful sister, who was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 15. Throughout her young adolescent years, she suffered through immense menstrual bleeding, unbearable internal pain, and mental strain from uncontrollable hormonal imbalances. For those of you who might not be familiar, Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder that causes irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, and complications during pregnancy. My sister’s severe pain landed her in the emergency room at various times, where the doctors seemed to have no answers. My family and I later found out that Endometriosis is not a common disease, and the only way to treat it is to actively take contraceptive medication. After years of suffering, my sister was finally able to begin to live her life more at ease. Until the passing of Senate Bill 8, in which her gynecologist revealed that the State of Texas had begun implementing restrictions on contraception and the price of it would now drastically increase. It was at this moment that my passion for reproductive justice emerged because I refused to allow a Texas legislator who has not had to anxiously sit in waiting rooms, watch their loved ones wince in pain, or feel useless at the thought of not being able to help, make decisions for me or the amazing women around me. Currently, Texas legislators have expanded Senate Bill 8 to not only ban access to abortion but also to restrict many forms of maternal and gynecological health care. What elected officials do not realize is that this legislation has deprived women of basic health care and resulted in mental, physical, and economic hardships that increase the chances of medical dangers. The reality is that Senate Bill 8 is actively depriving medical equity, rights to bodily autonomy, and women’s pursuit of a healthy life. In my opinion, reproductive justice is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it is a human rights issue. Texas legislators need to realize the immense harm that they are evoking on low-income families like mine, who do not have the economic resources and available transportation to obtain life-saving contraceptives and gynecological medical treatment. As I stand here today, I reflect on the pain and suffering of my family, the women around me, and my Texas community as a whole. I would like to ask Texas legislators to look past the idea of reproductive rights being “immoral” and realize how they are causing physical and mental torment for women who are facing gynecological diseases entirely out of their hands. I request that Senate Bill 8 be blocked by federal courts and for the immediate halt of influx prices for contraceptive medication. As for my Texan society, I would like to ask us all to look past ourselves, look to the women in our lives, and begin to eliminate the degrading stigmas that surround reproductive justice. Jessaly Chavez is a Latina born and raised in Houston, Texas. Her advocacy journey began at a very young age when she was exposed to the social and political disparities that her low-income, minority-based community faced. She uses her community as her motivation because they all deserve a voice.

Unveiling Reproductive Justice 

As a woman of color born in Texas, my journey with abortion advocacy began as soon as I could recognize the injustice faced by many due to biased lawmakers. Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), passed in September 2021, further exacerbated the challenges individuals faced in accessing safe and credible abortion services. The discussion of reproductive health was often taboo and shrouded in secrecy, highlighting the disconnect between public opinion and political action. Understanding the perspectives of individuals who hold more conservative views on reproductive rights has been crucial in advocating for reproductive autonomy. While many blame conservative ideologies for restrictive legislation, it’s essential to recognize the influence of traditional upbringing and cultural taboos surrounding reproductive health. While not justifying restrictive laws, this understanding sheds light on the motivations behind such policies. My advocacy journey has focused on educating individuals, both supporters and opponents of abortion access, on the factual basis of reproductive health care. This includes scientific information on fetal development and expanding the conversation beyond abortion to encompass comprehensive reproductive health services. By promoting education and awareness, we can garner support for stronger reproductive rights. As a Muslim woman of color and a part of a marginalized community, my advocacy is grounded in my upbringing and values. I am grateful for the guidance that has shaped my mindset and passion for advocating for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. With this mindset, I am committed to expanding my advocacy efforts, reaching out to diverse communities and promoting the protection of public health across all spheres. In conclusion, my journey in abortion advocacy underscores the importance of understanding diverse perspectives, promoting education, and advocating for the protection of fundamental human rights. By working together, we can create a society where reproductive autonomy is respected and upheld for all individuals. Suraiyah Syed, is currently a second-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Law, Justice, and Society, and a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. They hope to utilize their undergraduate education to help them on the path to becoming a leader in a community of science and art, promoting the protection and improvement of health, and building a foundation for a career investigating and combating health disparities faced by communities that are often underrepresented.

Advocating for Bodily Autonomy

Despite being told that I am in the “prime of my life,” each passing year feels like a nightmare rather than a time of joy. My moments are constantly undermined by politicians who dictate what I can and cannot do with my body. As a person who can get pregnant, the stress is overwhelming. I never imagined that my rights could be so easily stripped away. Growing up, I knew I never wanted a baby. The responsibility felt too daunting, especially in our unstable climate. Yet, I always knew that if I were to become pregnant, I had the option of seeking nearby care and getting an abortion. I had a choice, a decision that would be mine alone, over my own body. In my classes on health and society, we often discuss social determinants of health. One study by Michael Marmot stands out to me, which found that higher social class correlates with lower risk for heart disease and other major causes of death. This correlation boils down to one crucial factor: control. Having control over fundamental aspects of life, such as where you live, your job, and what you eat, can significantly impact health outcomes. Not having control over our own bodies is not just costly, but potentially fatal, robbing us of years of life expectancy. So, I learn. I strive to gain more social and economic control by pursuing a degree and raising my awareness as an advocate. I participate in protests and rallies, lending my voice to the cause because I refuse to relinquish control over my own body. Every time I speak into a microphone, hear another story, or push back against oppressive policies, I reclaim a sense of control. Every voice that cries out, “My body, my choice,” adds strength to our collective resistance. With every step taken in orange, I feel empowered. I find power in the solidarity of those who refuse to be silenced, knowing that our voices cannot be ignored. A Texas advocate with a lot of stories and a lot of heart.

Embracing Advocacy: My Journey for Reproductive Freedom As a Woman of Color 

As a Hispanic woman living in Texas, the issue of abortion access and reproductive rights hits close to home for me. Growing up in a conservative community where discussing reproductive health was often taboo, and shrouded with stigma and silence, I found myself grappling with conflicting narratives about women’s autonomy versus religious and societal expectations. My journey began with the stark reality of limited access to contraception. As a woman of color, the fear of being denied abortion care due to systemic barriers loomed large, as well as the financial constraints. It was a sobering realization that propelled me into the realm of activism, determined to dismantle the oppressive structures that disproportionately affect women of color. My journey towards advocating for abortion access really takes flight with a pivotal moment – attending the Women’s March for Reproductive Freedom. It was my first-ever protest, and the energy pulsating through the crowd was electrifying. Surrounded by people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and walks of life, I felt a sense of unity in our collective fight for bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. The speakers shared stories of resilience, courage, and the importance of standing up for what we believe in. It was a turning point for me, igniting a fire within me to become an active advocate for reproductive rights. But advocating for abortion access wasn’t just about attending protests; it also involved having difficult conversations with conservative family members. I vividly remember the tension that filled the room as I tried to explain the importance of reproductive health care and the right to choose. Despite their opposing views, I remained steadfast in my beliefs, knowing that access to safe and legal abortion is essential for women’s health and autonomy. Another instance that propelled my journey towards activism for abortion access was knowing someone close to me who experienced the lifesaving health care that is abortion access. Witnessing their journey brought the issue into stark reality, reinforcing my commitment to advocating for policies that prioritize women’s health and well-being. No one should be denied access to essential health care services based on political ideologies or restrictive policies. As a Hispanic woman, I am acutely aware of the social impacts that intersect with reproductive health care. Women of color, particularly those from marginalized communities, often face compounded barriers to accessing health care services. Structural inequities, systemic racism, and economic disparities disproportionately affect our ability to make informed decisions about our bodies and futures. Advocating for abortion access aligns with principles of bodily autonomy, equity, and reproductive justice. It is not just about the right to choose, but also about ensuring that every person has the agency to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. By centering the voices and experiences of those most affected by restrictive policies, we can work towards a future where reproductive health care is accessible, affordable, and free from stigma. In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to join the fight for reproductive rights and justice. Together, we can challenge harmful narratives, dismantle oppressive systems, and create a world where every person can exercise their fundamental right to control their reproductive destinies. It is a reminder that our struggles are interconnected and that our collective liberation is bound together. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the words of Audre Lorde: “Your silence will not protect you.” It is only through speaking out and taking action that we can dismantle the oppressive systems that deny women of color their rightful autonomy and agency over their bodies and futures. A Hispanic woman with a passion for making the world a little better every day. She is a political science student at the University of Houston, and she is on the pre-law track.