LSRJ Chapter Leaders & Alums Are Speaking Out...Help Us Support Their Advocacy!

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We know most of you have seen the picture making its way around the internet that speaks volumes about the complete lack of awareness on the part of the some of legislature when it comes to preventive health care. In case you haven't, here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Panel 1 at the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform Hearing on 2/16/2012

What you're looking at is the first panel to speak at today's hearing entitled "Lines Crossed: Separation of Church & State: Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion?" brought to you by the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform.

Your eyes are not deceiving you. There is not one woman on that panel discussing the importance of access to no co-pay birth control. Instead, what we got was five men discussing their right to refuse to provide birth control to American women.

The worst part? Former Georgetown LSRJ president (and current LSRJ member) Sandra Fluke was invited to speak as the sole minority witness, but she was DENIED as a witness because she did not have the "appropriate credentials" nor was she "fully qualified" to speak on the matter. While the hearing was characterized as one of religious liberty, all witnesses and many of the Committee members focused their remarks on contraception. 

We ask: who is better qualified to speak on the issue of birth control? A woman who attends a Catholic university and has seen firsthand the detrimental (and life-long) effects that denying access to birth control can have...or a man? This does not mean men can't advocate for the importance of preventive health care, including birth control. What it means is that at least ONE woman should have been able to speak for the millions of women across America who use birth control and who support the Obama Administration's decision to require insurance companies to cover the cost as part of necessary preventive health care.

So, what can you do?

Read Sandra's testimony that she was not able to give today, or watch her give the highlights!

Watch Sandra and former UC Hastings LSRJ chapter leader (and current RJ Fellow) Keely Monroe speak at a press conference held last week (at 14:30 and 23:45).

Read a summary of Fordham LSRJ's fight to clarify the birth control prescription policy and their subsequent decision to host their own birth control and sexual health fair, written by Fordham LSRJ chapter leader Emily Wolf. Check out the write-up by the NY Times on Fordham, including quotes from Fordham LSRJ President Bridgette Dunlap.

Peruse some great write-ups in The Washington Post, Huffington Post and RH Reality Check. 

And most importantly? Consider donating to LSRJ so that we can continue to support leaders like Sandra, Bridgette, Keely, and Emily, who are fiercely advocating for their rights and the rights of others!

By the way, this is what it looks like when one recognizes the importance of lifting up voices and honoring the work of a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.

Members and alumna at Reproductive Freedom Day in March, 2011

Cari Simon ('11, Harvard Law School) presents at the 2010 Leadership Institute