Reproductive Justice and New Jersey

This blog will focus on reproductive justice issues in the state of New Jersey, and beyond. The term reproductive justice was coined by women of color, specifically the amazing women from SisterSong. The term is meant to be an expansion of the reproductive rights paradigm which focuses on the issues of birth control and abortion rights.
Reproductive Justice uses the experiences of women of color as the point of entry to discuss issues of reproductive rights and health. This shift in center more clearly puts into focus the ways that the interrelated systems of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation work to limit women's ability to gain and maintain control of their reproductive lives.
The reproductive justice framework facilitates a more nuanced discussion of issues such as access to abortion, health care, birthing, the right to reproductive health, eugenics, population control, and the many reproductive technologies that exist. I have great respect for the women who claimed the term Reproductive Justice and use it with care, especially as a white woman who has worked hard to understand the ways white privilege has affected her life and choices.

I look forward to an open dialogue about important issues in our community, and welcome comments both critical and affirming.


Thursday, March 17, 2011

isterSong Denounces Georgia SB 210, the Tort Abortion Bill

SisterSong Denounces Georgia SB 210, the Tort Abortion Bill
  
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, GA- March 17, 2011 - Late last night the Georgia Senate passed SB 210, a tort bill that would allow a woman or her family to sue a physician for wrongful death even if the physician followed all Georgia laws regarding abortion, including having the woman's written consent. The bill passed by a vote of 36-21 with the Democratic Senators staging an impressive defense on behalf of Georgia's women.
 
If passed SB 210 would do the following: 1) allow a woman or members of her family to sue an abortion provider for damages equal to that of an adult person even if the woman doesn't consent to the suit; 2) is contradictory to Georgia's Tort Reform Laws passed within the last decade; and 3) allows doctors to be sued for 'legal' procedures in Civil Court.

SisterSong and allies worked most of the day to craft amendments and prepare Senators to speak out against the bill. Senators Curt Thompson, Nan Orrock, Jason Carter, Emanuel Jones, and Horacena Tate offered compelling arguments against the bill and four amendments to protect women and doctors.

"This bill would allow anyone to sue Georgia providers for a procedure that a woman consented to under Georgia law. Our opponents are determined to either make abortion illegal at any cost, including putting doctors who already comply with Georgia's onerous laws at a greater risk of being sued by individuals outside of the doctor's care," states Loretta Ross, National Coordinator of SisterSong.

The bill now goes to the Georgia House and will likely be assigned to committee within the next week. "SisterSong will continue to oppose the bill until the end of session because it harms women of color in Georgia who already have limited access to doctors, whether they provide abortions or not. This bill will make doctors fearful to help women most in need of reproductive health services," states Heidi Williamson, National Advocacy Coordinator.
Posted by Mandy Restivo at 1:51 PM

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