The War on Abortion and Women’s Health in Tennessee

Press Conference Remarks
March 7, 2006

by Mark Huffman

We are here today to express our concern about the increasingly cynical efforts by a handful of people who want to take private matters of conscience out of the hands of individual citizens, and put them in the hands of politicians. 

When a woman is sitting in her doctor’s exam room, nervously waiting for the results of a pregnancy test, and that pregnancy is unplanned, a lot of things may be going through her head and heart.  One woman may be calculating what it would take to raise a child--or another child--worried about how she will make ends meet.  Another may need information to clarify what she’s heard about pre-natal care, child-birth, parenting, adoption, or abortion.  Still another may be starting to feel joy, as she discovers that, though she wasn’t planning this, this may be good news after all, and she can’t wait to tell the father.  One may be in turmoil over moral questions—what is the right thing to do?  Another may be wondering if her partner will be there for her.  Still another may be grieving because she and her husband want more children, but her health makes it dangerous for her to have a baby at this time.

What is NOT going through these women’s minds—what they are NOT pondering in their hearts, is “I wonder what my president, I wonder what my governor, I wonder what my state representative, would have me do.  Maybe I should call one of them.”

She may be scared.  She may be happy.  She may be clear. Or she may be in need of information.  But she is not stupid.  She is not immoral. And, with enough information, support, and a safe place to ponder her questions, she is quite capable of making a good, sound, thoughtful and moral decision about what to do.  Some women in these situations choose to parent.  Some choose abortion.  Some choose adoption.  We need to leave it to them to decide, and  we need to respect and support them all.

We know from history—in this state, in the country, around the world—that negative policies that outlaw abortion do not stop abortions from happening.  Prohibition does not work. 

There’s good news, but it’s also ironic news: we all know what does work, yet we don’t get it done.

What works are positive policies that build on people’s intelligence, their integrity, and their desire to prevent unplanned pregnancy in the first place. 

This is not rocket science.  What works is good education.  What works is to giving people access to health care—birth control, yes, but also other forms of health care. What works is helping people make responsible decisions about their sexual lives.  With accurate sex education and access to birth control, people are equipped to make healthy decisions.  With accurate sex education and access to birth control, teens have the skills and motivation to postpone sex, and teens and adults have the means to protect themselves when they do become sexually active.  With accurate education and healthcare, more pregnant Tennessee women will actually look forward to having, and raising, well-loved, well-nurtured children.

There are good, decent people on all sides of this debate.  Common sense says we should be able to find common ground.  Preventing unintended pregnancy should be that common ground.  We should be able to agree on this, and to support programs that actually work to reduce unplanned pregnancy.  If we did, fewer abortions would happen.  If we supported programs that we know work, fewer women and families would be faced with wrenching decisions about what to do in the event of an unplanned pregnancy.

But instead we have name-calling.  Instead, we have political bullying, and dangerous rhetoric.We call on our legislators put down the cynical political games that serve only to heat up the fighting, but do little to get women and men the education and healthcare they need.  We call on extremists to stop the dangerous, judgmental rhetoric that treats pregnant women like criminals and whores, and instead recognize them for who they really are.  Women who are facing unplanned pregnancy are real people, decent people-- our sisters, mothers, daughters, girlfriends and wives--who are trying make thoughtful, life-affirming choices for their families.

We urge Tennesseans to contact their representatives and tell them two things:  First, that unplanned pregnancy is a private matter, and that government should not try to make these decisions for women and their families.  Second, tell your representatives that you want them to fully support accurate sex education, access to birth control, and healthcare for Tennesseans. 

We know what works.  That’s the good news today.  Thorough, accurate sex education that includes information on abstinence and protection works.  Access to healthcare and birth control works.  Support for responsible decision-making works.  We owe it to Tennessee’s women, men and families to take the high road here.  We owe it to them to put away the judgment and the rhetoric, and get behind policies that work.

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