athenalizzz

[athenalizzz]

Reproductive Justice is not just about cis women!

I’ve noticed a disappointing lack of inclusivity in our conversations about the recent leak on Roe v. Wade. Most of the posts I’ve seen talking about the overturning of this case have talked solely about women and women’s rights. Protests have also been occurring frequently under the title of “women’s marches''. I am all for the protests, but it is important that we remember that women are not the only people who can get pregnant, and not all women can get pregnant at all. To use the term “women” erases gender-noncomforming and trans* people from the conversation in so many ways. For all of the trans men, non-binary people, and other gender-noncomforming people who can get pregnant, please update the way you talk about reproductive justice to use more inclusive language. Terms like “people who might get pregnant”, “people with uteruses'', or even “people of childbearing age” are easy to use and helpful for community building support. Using these terms can help everyone feel included in this issue which affects so many. This case and the effects it will have on reproductive rights are not just limited to cis women, and it is exclusionary and often hurtful to refer to it as if it did. 

The issue of reproductive justice reaches deep into the idea of bodily autonomy, which is extremely important for the trans* community. If people do not have bodily autonomy about abortion or birth control, trans* people’s rights to choose things like hormone replacement therapy, surgery, and pregnancy are also violated. Furthermore, I have noticed way less media concern about recent anti-trans legislation since the news about Roe v. Wade dropped. These legislations are of huge concern and are extremely dangerous for trans* youth, so it is very important that we don’t forget about them in the wake of this new news. I think it is critical that everyone who can get pregnant feel included in this fight and be willing to support one another in movements beyond reproductive justice. 

This news leak and the social media response also begs us to talk about how reproductive justice has been and continues to be a racialized issue. In the aftermath of the leak, I have read hundreds of comments (mostly from white women) comparing this “new reality” to the world depicted in The Handmaid’s Tale. The world depicted in that series is not a fantasy, though, it was based on the injustices and horrors that People of Color have been facing for decades. From forced pregnancies and rape to forced sterilizations, none of this is new, so it is insensitive to act as though it is. These injustices are intersectional in nature and are of course impacted by race, gender identity and expression, (dis)ability, and wealth. 

Reproductive justice must center and value the experiences of all people who have been denied bodily autonomy and the right to choose. This must include trans* people, people of color, disabled people, immigrants, and people living in poverty along with unlimited groups of historically under-represented people. Please make sure you are staying conscious of the intersectionality of reproductive justice. Seek out resources by people of color, disabled people, etc. in an effort to educate yourself, as well as educating the people around you about the importance of this when the opportunity arises. I urge you to donate to abortion funds and trans* support/mutual aid funds in your area if you can, and also make sure to reach out and support your loved ones however you are able.