my response...
as some of you are aware, my LJ became quite the shit storm over my open pleasure of the end of the global gag rule yesterday. while there was debate here in my comments (i was away from the computer for most of the day and only got alerts, but could not update my comments from afar) was pretty heated, it was NOTHING compared to what occurred on my facebook page! i wrote a response for my facebook and am cross posting it here. please note that talk about the specific comments are all related to facebook, not the comments here in my LJ. knowing that, this response will make more sense.
i want to thank everyone who participated in this debate (or shit storm, depending on how you look at it).
i am pleased with obama's reversal of the global gag rule and, yes, i did celebrate. for one, i am uncompromisingly pro-choice in my own beliefs. but for me, the global gag rule goes beyond that.
last year, while i was traveling in africa, i had the honor of visiting a volunteer clinic that works to combat south africa's AIDS/HIV infection rate (a problem that is prevalent in most of sub-saharan africa). this clinic does some amazing work, from much needed AIDS/HIV counseling, testing, awareness, treatment to family planning help, another area where much education is needed. the clinic provides birth control and education ("this is how you use a condom" which, believe it or not, is much needed education in this part of the world). this particular area of south africa is suffering from poverty and massive over population. as always, stopping conception before it starts is priority (hence the focus on birth control, especially condoms, which also help to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS infection). however, we all know that birth control can and sometimes will fail (even if used correctly). that is why, in the past, this clinic has muttered the "a word" (no, not abstinence). because in dire circumstances this clinic talked about abortion as an alternative (i'm not sure if they actually performed abortion on premise. my guess is no simply because they didn't have the staff or technology to deal with a more complicated medical procedure), a good part of their funding was stripped in 2000. under the global gag rule.
overpopulation, AIDS/HIV, and other STDs are a massive problem in sub-saharan africa. to me, and many others (including some who i spoke to who are on the pro-life side of the issue), taking away a funding for such an important service is unimaginable. how this clinic has continued to operate is beyond me (countless volunteers, some private funding, and i have to say, it's one of the saddest places i have ever seen). all around the world, there are countless other NGO/volunteer facilities that provide similar services, all in the same predicament. for this reason, and many others, i believe the global gag order is one of the republican party's (and i say republican party because it was signed under reagan, continued under hw bush, repealed by clinton, reinstated by w bush, and recently repealed under obama) most misdirected orders. the AIDS/HIV rates, poverty, and overpopulation continue to rise in parts of the world that are simply already in dire situations. anything to help remedy those factors is a step in the right direction.
in reality, i am very pro life. i care about people who live on this planet tremendously. poverty, environmental concerts, general human rights/comfort are all issues that are near and dear to me. and my belief where life begins differs from some, i know. does that make me an insensitive person who advocates "baby killing?" if that is what you believe, you are entitled to your beliefs. but anyone who knows me knows that i have devoted countless (and sometimes thankless) hours, weeks, years, of my life defending and protecting human rights, promoting equality for ALL humans, trying to gain understanding of how others, from different backgrounds/cultures/countries/etc live (this is why i travel), and doing whatever i can, from my small corner in the world, to help create positive change and (one person at a time) heal this world. it is sad that the abortion issue divides me from a segment of the population, but with such a hot button issue with such strong beliefs from both sides, i suppose that is natural.
when i woke up to the most welcome news of the end of the global gag order yesterday, i did celebrate. i celebrated for clinics, NGOs, volunteer organizations overseas who will hopefully start getting some funding back to get their mission back on track. i celebrated for the countless people in the most impoverished parts of this world who will get a better chance. and i am sorry if some find that offensive.
in the same vein, suggesting that women (here and abroad) who can't afford birth control should simply abstain brings up issues of class ism and cultural sensitivity. i do not think it is fair to suggest that only women with the funds/resources to do so should participate in something very natural (sexual activity). and, to draw that out further, many organizations (like the one i mentioned above) PROVIDE women (and men) in poverty stricken regions with birth control and contraceptive options. but without funding, that kind of work can't continue. also, that completely ignores, and almost blames, women who were victims of rape or other sexually violent crimes. what about them?
i want to thank everyone who participated in this debate (or shit storm, depending on how you look at it).
i am pleased with obama's reversal of the global gag rule and, yes, i did celebrate. for one, i am uncompromisingly pro-choice in my own beliefs. but for me, the global gag rule goes beyond that.
last year, while i was traveling in africa, i had the honor of visiting a volunteer clinic that works to combat south africa's AIDS/HIV infection rate (a problem that is prevalent in most of sub-saharan africa). this clinic does some amazing work, from much needed AIDS/HIV counseling, testing, awareness, treatment to family planning help, another area where much education is needed. the clinic provides birth control and education ("this is how you use a condom" which, believe it or not, is much needed education in this part of the world). this particular area of south africa is suffering from poverty and massive over population. as always, stopping conception before it starts is priority (hence the focus on birth control, especially condoms, which also help to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS infection). however, we all know that birth control can and sometimes will fail (even if used correctly). that is why, in the past, this clinic has muttered the "a word" (no, not abstinence). because in dire circumstances this clinic talked about abortion as an alternative (i'm not sure if they actually performed abortion on premise. my guess is no simply because they didn't have the staff or technology to deal with a more complicated medical procedure), a good part of their funding was stripped in 2000. under the global gag rule.
overpopulation, AIDS/HIV, and other STDs are a massive problem in sub-saharan africa. to me, and many others (including some who i spoke to who are on the pro-life side of the issue), taking away a funding for such an important service is unimaginable. how this clinic has continued to operate is beyond me (countless volunteers, some private funding, and i have to say, it's one of the saddest places i have ever seen). all around the world, there are countless other NGO/volunteer facilities that provide similar services, all in the same predicament. for this reason, and many others, i believe the global gag order is one of the republican party's (and i say republican party because it was signed under reagan, continued under hw bush, repealed by clinton, reinstated by w bush, and recently repealed under obama) most misdirected orders. the AIDS/HIV rates, poverty, and overpopulation continue to rise in parts of the world that are simply already in dire situations. anything to help remedy those factors is a step in the right direction.
in reality, i am very pro life. i care about people who live on this planet tremendously. poverty, environmental concerts, general human rights/comfort are all issues that are near and dear to me. and my belief where life begins differs from some, i know. does that make me an insensitive person who advocates "baby killing?" if that is what you believe, you are entitled to your beliefs. but anyone who knows me knows that i have devoted countless (and sometimes thankless) hours, weeks, years, of my life defending and protecting human rights, promoting equality for ALL humans, trying to gain understanding of how others, from different backgrounds/cultures/countries/etc live (this is why i travel), and doing whatever i can, from my small corner in the world, to help create positive change and (one person at a time) heal this world. it is sad that the abortion issue divides me from a segment of the population, but with such a hot button issue with such strong beliefs from both sides, i suppose that is natural.
when i woke up to the most welcome news of the end of the global gag order yesterday, i did celebrate. i celebrated for clinics, NGOs, volunteer organizations overseas who will hopefully start getting some funding back to get their mission back on track. i celebrated for the countless people in the most impoverished parts of this world who will get a better chance. and i am sorry if some find that offensive.
in the same vein, suggesting that women (here and abroad) who can't afford birth control should simply abstain brings up issues of class ism and cultural sensitivity. i do not think it is fair to suggest that only women with the funds/resources to do so should participate in something very natural (sexual activity). and, to draw that out further, many organizations (like the one i mentioned above) PROVIDE women (and men) in poverty stricken regions with birth control and contraceptive options. but without funding, that kind of work can't continue. also, that completely ignores, and almost blames, women who were victims of rape or other sexually violent crimes. what about them?