Feminism and Reproductive Rights

Novelafemme · 09-19-2011, 11:33 AM

As many of you know, I am a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Gender and Women's Studies. In my senior capstone class we have all been assigned the task of participating in/spearheading an intellectual, activist, and/or creative project that will enable us to put feminist critical analysis and theory into practice. This project can take the form of structured work within the community, such as an internship, historical or activist project and should inevitably compliment my GWS classroom studies.

My idea, and why I am sharing this with my fellow Planeteers, is to interview a variety of feminist minded individuals who feel disenfranchised with global/local/individual reproductive rights/issues women are currently faced with...abortion rights in particular. Specifically, I am interested in hearing from the transgendered mtf/ftm/questioning population. Feminism, as an ideology as well as a practical and theoretical tool of knowledge production, is not a concept that died post second wave. So, how can you/we as a burgeoning population work to insight and catapult change for/into future generations?

If you feel so inclined, please post your responses here or feel free to PM me. Your participation is very appreciated!

iamkeri1 · 09-20-2011, 08:52 PM

Hi. I'm not in the group you are targeting, but I see you have had no responses. I will tell you honestly that I didn't understand what you were looking for even after I read your OP twice. Could you elaborate a little?
I hope you get great responses.
Smooches,
Keri

*Anya* · 09-20-2011, 10:30 PM

I too would appreciate clarification. Thanks!

Novelafemme · 09-21-2011, 01:02 PM

I apologize for my lack of clarity. Basically, I want to create a final project that speaks to the issue of abortion rights (or lack of) in America today. I plan to touch on the history of women's reproductive rights from the inception of roe-v-wade to where we are today as far as systematically curtailing access to safe and legal abortions as well as contraception and pregnancy prevention.

THEN...I would like to (and I'm not exactly sure this can be done, which is why I am opening up a dialoge here about it) hear from various transpeople about their thoughts and views with regard to the above.

For example, just because someone is born with female genetalia doesn't necessarily mean they are aligned with their individual reproductive anatomy. It also doesn't necessitate an alignment with pro-choice ideology. But my questions is WHY? If your gender identity is a fractured (for lack of a better word) part of your overall identity as a human being, yet you adopt particular feminist methodologies into your chosen lifestyle, then where did the disconnect from your fellow "sisters" occur? And feminist theory aside, if you think women's reproductive rights are irrelivant in light of perhaps more important issues at stake in society today - I'd like to hear why and what those more pressing issues are?

I really hope that helps. If not, I can try to unpack it better.

Thanks so much again! I really appreciate it.

Oh, and before I forget...as part of my practicum experience I would like to start a silent protest outside of the only remaining abortion clinic in the city of Tucson. I have to iron out the logistics, but for all practical reasons it will theoretically happen on Saturdays at the same time a group of pro-lifers protest the clinic at the same location.

This being Arizona, and all the crazies that live here...would you think there is a need on my part to be concerned for my personal safety? In other words, is it reasonable for me to be worried about someone shooting me. I'm not scared...really...it's just crazy and unpredictable times we are currently living in.

Dominique · 09-21-2011, 01:39 PM

There is a silent demonstration outside the ONLY abortion clinic in Pittsburgh every day. The address is 700 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, 15222
I don't know the name of the place. (Could it be Planned Parenthood?) Never an incident. Maybe because there is a demonstration every day and people have become used to it. Maybe you can google or something to find out some archived info.

EnderD_503 · 09-21-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

For example, just because someone is born with female genetalia doesn't necessarily mean they are aligned with their individual reproductive anatomy. It also doesn't necessitate an alignment with pro-choice ideology. But my questions is WHY? If your gender identity is a fractured (for lack of a better word) part of your overall identity as a human being, yet you adopt particular feminist methodologies into your chosen lifestyle, then where did the disconnect from your fellow "sisters" occur? And feminist theory aside, if you think women's reproductive rights are irrelivant in light of perhaps more important issues at stake in society today - I'd like to hear why and what those more pressing issues are?

I really hope that helps. If not, I can try to unpack it better.

I'm still not sure I'm entirely understanding your questions. After you give the following examples: "For example, just because someone is born with female genetalia doesn't necessarily mean they are aligned with their individual reproductive anatomy. It also doesn't necessitate an alignment with pro-choice ideology," you ask the question why, which I take to mean you're asking why people would feel either way? So basically, are you asking, as one of your questions, why a trans person assigned "female" at birth based on the outward appearance of genitalia, who does not feel a connection (or feels distress over) with the reproductive anatomy assigned to them, feels that way? In that case, I'm not entirely certain how this will link up to the subject of women's reproductive rights, but moreso into trans issues, trans identities and trans bodies.

Or are you trying to make a connection between being a trans person (or transguy, it seems, in your examples) with body dysphoria and being pro-choice? I guess, I'm partially interpreting what you've written as you asking why someone who is transmale, but was assigned female at birth, would support women's rights and/or pro-choice/reproductive rights issues. In that case, I'm not sure I'm interpreting right, since there are many men in general who are pro-choice and who are supportive of overall women's rights.

I'm also not sure what you mean by adopting "modern feminist methodologies into your current lifestyle," or "where the disconnect from your fellow 'sisters' occurred." I don't understand what you mean, and trying hard not to jump to conclusions with that second bit. But then I also don't get what you mean by a "fractured" gender identity. It could just be personal, but I don't feel my gender identity is "fractured." In many respects I don't really feel I have a gender identity; though I do have a sex identity, which is male. I'm a bit confused, still

As far as your last question about the relevance of women's reproductive rights, I think all rights are entirely relevant. Just because more than one group faces rights issues doesn't mean we need to create hierarchies, nor do we need to ignore others' rights. It's entirely possible to be concerned about, and to tackle a whole slew of rights issues. Women's reproductive rights are a huge issue, imo, and one that I feel extremely strongly about and try to actively support as much as I possibly can. Even though abortion is legal across Canada, there are still a lot of barriers women's reproductive rights face in Canada, and that is a huge concern to me. My own identity really has nothing to do with how disgusted I feel when a governing body tries to control or own the body's of citizens, or to determine what the body's of citizens "are for" or "aren't for." To me it has to do with a woman's right to self-govern her body and her life without dictatorial interference from people who should have no say over whether or not she chooses to reproduce at a given time (or ever).

I really am interested in understanding what you're saying, so hopefully you won't give up on trying to further explain for those of us who don't entirely get it.

Novelafemme · 09-21-2011, 02:21 PM

please feel free to read into, replace words, and generally do with my ramblings as you wish...honestly! this is sort of an open-ended, nameless/faceless amalgamation of thoughts swirling somewhat aimlessly around in my head.

Ok, so...great...the ball is rolling.

the most simplistic version would be, if youre sex identity is male and for all apparent reasons you are male, does your maleness allign with and support your (potential) feminist ideology with regard to women's rights. OR...since your sex identity is male, does that (potential) feminist ideology lessen or pale in comparisson to (perhaps) a more important male formulated ideology. this is all assuming that you were or did at some point allign yourself with some course of feminist thought and/or women's reproductive rights.

i sure hope that's clearer.

if not, i may have to throw in the towel and make this an in real time/life discussion so i can articulate my thoughts better.

thanks for sticking with me, though! i appreciate your time and effort!

09-19-2011, 11:33 AM	#1
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	Feminism and Reproductive Rights As many of you know, I am a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Gender and Women's Studies. In my senior capstone class we have all been assigned the task of participating in/spearheading an intellectual, activist, and/or creative project that will enable us to put feminist critical analysis and theory into practice. This project can take the form of structured work within the community, such as an internship, historical or activist project and should inevitably compliment my GWS classroom studies. My idea, and why I am sharing this with my fellow Planeteers, is to interview a variety of feminist minded individuals who feel disenfranchised with global/local/individual reproductive rights/issues women are currently faced with...abortion rights in particular. Specifically, I am interested in hearing from the transgendered mtf/ftm/questioning population. Feminism, as an ideology as well as a practical and theoretical tool of knowledge production, is not a concept that died post second wave. So, how can you/we as a burgeoning population work to insight and catapult change for/into future generations? If you feel so inclined, please post your responses here or feel free to PM me. Your participation is very appreciated!

09-20-2011, 10:30 PM	#3
Anya Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Lesbian non-stone femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Committed to being good to myself Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Coast Posts: 8,258 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39,306 Thanked 40,456 Times in 7,283 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I too would appreciate clarification. Thanks! __________________ ~Anya~ Democracy Dies in Darkness ~Washington Post "...I'm deeply concerned by recently adopted policies which punish children for their parents’ actions ... The thought that any State would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." UN Human Rights commissioner

09-20-2011, 08:52 PM	#2
iamkeri1 Member How Do You Identify?: femme woman Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: solo Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 905 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 302 Thanked 2,152 Times in 659 Posts Rep Power: 16642920	Hi. I'm not in the group you are targeting, but I see you have had no responses. I will tell you honestly that I didn't understand what you were looking for even after I read your OP twice. Could you elaborate a little? I hope you get great responses. Smooches, Keri

09-21-2011, 01:02 PM	#4
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	I apologize for my lack of clarity. Basically, I want to create a final project that speaks to the issue of abortion rights (or lack of) in America today. I plan to touch on the history of women's reproductive rights from the inception of roe-v-wade to where we are today as far as systematically curtailing access to safe and legal abortions as well as contraception and pregnancy prevention. THEN...I would like to (and I'm not exactly sure this can be done, which is why I am opening up a dialoge here about it) hear from various transpeople about their thoughts and views with regard to the above. For example, just because someone is born with female genetalia doesn't necessarily mean they are aligned with their individual reproductive anatomy. It also doesn't necessitate an alignment with pro-choice ideology. But my questions is WHY? If your gender identity is a fractured (for lack of a better word) part of your overall identity as a human being, yet you adopt particular feminist methodologies into your chosen lifestyle, then where did the disconnect from your fellow "sisters" occur? And feminist theory aside, if you think women's reproductive rights are irrelivant in light of perhaps more important issues at stake in society today - I'd like to hear why and what those more pressing issues are? I really hope that helps. If not, I can try to unpack it better. Thanks so much again! I really appreciate it. Oh, and before I forget...as part of my practicum experience I would like to start a silent protest outside of the only remaining abortion clinic in the city of Tucson. I have to iron out the logistics, but for all practical reasons it will theoretically happen on Saturdays at the same time a group of pro-lifers protest the clinic at the same location. This being Arizona, and all the crazies that live here...would you think there is a need on my part to be concerned for my personal safety? In other words, is it reasonable for me to be worried about someone shooting me. I'm not scared...really...it's just crazy and unpredictable times we are currently living in.

09-21-2011, 01:39 PM	#5
Dominique Member How Do You Identify?: Female/Lesbian/half the athlete I used to be Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Dates Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So proud to be a Pittsburgher Posts: 1,484 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,645 Thanked 3,730 Times in 1,166 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	There is a silent demonstration outside the ONLY abortion clinic in Pittsburgh every day. The address is 700 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, 15222 I don't know the name of the place. (Could it be Planned Parenthood?) Never an incident. Maybe because there is a demonstration every day and people have become used to it. Maybe you can google or something to find out some archived info.

09-21-2011, 02:21 PM	#7
Novelafemme Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ........ Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ........ Posts: 2,402 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,981 Thanked 8,925 Times in 1,834 Posts Rep Power: 0	please feel free to read into, replace words, and generally do with my ramblings as you wish...honestly! this is sort of an open-ended, nameless/faceless amalgamation of thoughts swirling somewhat aimlessly around in my head. Ok, so...great...the ball is rolling. the most simplistic version would be, if youre sex identity is male and for all apparent reasons you are male, does your maleness allign with and support your (potential) feminist ideology with regard to women's rights. OR...since your sex identity is male, does that (potential) feminist ideology lessen or pale in comparisson to (perhaps) a more important male formulated ideology. this is all assuming that you were or did at some point allign yourself with some course of feminist thought and/or women's reproductive rights. i sure hope that's clearer. if not, i may have to throw in the towel and make this an in real time/life discussion so i can articulate my thoughts better. thanks for sticking with me, though! i appreciate your time and effort!