Sexual and Reproductive Justice

Summary

The speaker shares her journey to reproductive justice, highlighting her challenging birth experience as a Medicaid recipient and the lack of autonomy in medical decisions. She discusses her sexual assault experiences and the absence of representation in reproductive health conversations, emphasizing the importance of inclusive sex education. The narrative touches on the historical coercion of contraceptive choices and the need for trans-friendly services. It concludes with a call for community healing through inclusive dialogue on sexual and reproductive justice, acknowledging the disparities faced by black women in maternal health.

Takeaways

• 🤰 The speaker's journey into reproductive justice began with their experience of giving birth, not having an abortion.
• 💡 During their pregnancy, decisions were made without their input, and they felt ignored as a Medicaid recipient.
• 😔 The speaker experienced four incidents of sexual assault, leading them to self-medicate before seeking help or counseling.
• 😲 They were surprised to see another Asian woman during their first abortion, highlighting a lack of community representation in reproductive health spaces.
• 🧑‍🏫 The speaker wished for comprehensive sex education that included visibility for LGBTQ+ relationships, especially between black women.
• ⚖️ Reproductive justice could have changed the speaker's self-worth if they had been exposed to it earlier.
• 🛑 There's a history of women being coerced into contraceptive choices without full understanding or consent.
• 🩺 The speaker felt dehumanized during their cesarean surgery, which turned the experience into something traumatic.
• ⚕️ Black women in New York City are 12 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, highlighting serious health inequities.
• 📣 The speaker emphasizes the importance of including all voices to address sexual and reproductive justice issues and calls for community healing.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience with reproductive justice?

The speaker's initial experience with reproductive justice was not related to having an abortion but rather her experience of giving birth while being a Medicaid recipient during law school, where decisions were made about her without her input.

How did the speaker feel about the lack of representation in reproductive health conversations?

The speaker felt alone and isolated because she did not see her community or her stories reflected in conversations related to reproductive health.

What was the speaker's reaction when she saw another Asian woman in the waiting room during her first abortion?

The speaker was shocked to see another Asian woman in the waiting room, indicating a sense of rarity and lack of representation in such settings.

Why did the speaker feel the need for sex education in schools?

The speaker wished for sex education in schools to provide visibility and understanding for people like her, especially to see representations of love and relationships that reflect her own experiences.

How did the speaker's immigrant background affect her access to healthcare?

The speaker's immigrant background meant there were limited trans-friendly services and a lack of trans-knowledgeable doctors, which affected her access to appropriate healthcare.

What is one of the inequities highlighted by the speaker in the context of pregnancy-related deaths?

Black women in New York City are 12 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, which is an inequity that a sexual and reproductive justice framework aims to address.

What was the speaker's experience with sexual assault, and how did she initially cope?

The speaker experienced four instances of sexual assault in her life and initially coped by self-medicating before seeking counseling, feeling guilty and as if it was her fault.

How did the speaker feel about the cesarean surgery she underwent?

The speaker found her cesarean surgery traumatizing and frightening due to being treated as a non-person, which was unnecessary.

What is the speaker's stance on personal autonomy over one's body?

The speaker is firm in her belief that her body is her own, and no one, including clinics, boyfriends, or parents, should make decisions for her body.

What does the speaker suggest is a necessary step for community healing?

The speaker suggests that for community healing, it is necessary to hear from everyone, emphasizing the importance of every individual's voice.

Why is it significant for government agencies to gather input on sexual and reproductive justice?

The speaker views it as a significant step for government agencies to bring people together to hear their thoughts on sexual and reproductive justice, as it shows a willingness to address and correct existing inequities.