Keep your Bullshit out of my Uterus!

The End of KYBOOMU ... at least for now

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:13:28 -0500

Perhaps you have noticed that Keep Your BS Out Of My Uterus has been rather quiet recently. I have a lot of balls in the air and just no longer have the time to run this site.

I can’t yet fully commit to ending KYBOOMU so I am going to say that this is an indefinite hiatus.

I will continue to write about reproductive justice occasionally on my personal blog. And I tweet about it a fair amount.

You can reach me by email, too: scatx [at] scatx [dot] com.

There are many things I can say about what this site has meant to me but I think it would all feel inadequate in the end.

And so, I think what would be most appropriate as my final words here are: THANK YOU.

Thank you for everything you all have taught me. The people on Tumblr - you - have held my feet to the fire, you have forced me to recognize my privileges and the way my language was excluding certain people from the movement, and you have shared with me your stories along the way. While I sometimes found Tumblr to be a space that was hostile, if you ask anyone who knows me, I constantly talk about how it is here that I have learned the most about reproductive justice and being a good ally.

THANK YOU, Tumblr.

And good night.

- Jessica Luther (aka @scATX)

The Texas Senate committee on Health and Human Services passed a...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:51:59 -0500

The Texas Senate committee on Health and Human Services passed a bill out of committee that will, if made law, effectively shut down all but 5 or 6 abortion clinics in the state of TX, a state with 26 million people.

FUCK.

Sen. Rand Paul introduces ‘fetal personhood’ bill to outlaw...

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 15:23:42 -0500

Sen. Rand Paul introduces ‘fetal personhood’ bill to outlaw abortion | The Raw Story http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/17/sen-rand-paul-introduces-fetal-personhood-bill-to-outlaw-abortion/#.UUX0oaX75SI.twitter. - @sitswithpasta

There are only two words that come to mind when I think of Rand Paul: CIVIL LIBERTIES.

Just kidding!

Anti-Choice Legislature in Arkansas and what it means to you.

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:29:57 -0500

fuckyeahsexeducation:

By now you may have heard that Arkansas is receiving an onslaught of proposed bills and new laws that limit people’s reproductive choices. These are just a few of those laws and bills:

               * New Law, currently in affect: a ban on abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of rape, incest, or in saving the parent’s life

               * New Law, not yet in affect: a ban on abortion after 12 weeks except in the cases of rape, incest, or in saving the parent’s life.

               * New Bill (SB1157): Amending the law regarding consent to abortion. Although we don’t know what it all entails yet this usually requires you to look at an ultrasound or have a doctor describe an ultrasound before an abortion is preformed. If the pregnancy is early enough this may require a transvaginal ultrasound.

               * New Bill (SB913): This requires that you take both doses of the abortion pill in the clinic with the doctor there. Usually you take one in clinic and take the other at home as you have to wait 3 days before taking the other pill. This would really affect people who had to travel to get the procedure done. This also allows the “father” and “maternal grandparents” to sue the doctor.

               * New Bill ( HB276): Amending the law regarding waiting periods for abortions. Again, we don’t know the details but this would largely affect those who had to travel or those close to the cut off date.

               * New Bill (HB1098): this changes the definition of child under the child maltreatment act to from the time a fetal heartbeat can be detected to 18 years of age. That means that if a doctor thinks that a pregnant person is somehow abusing the fetus they could file a report.

               * New Bill (SB913): this bans telemed abortions, abortions where the doctor is not physically in the room when the abortion pill is administered, but watches remotely and offers virtual counseling.

               * New Bill (HB1899): Would allow doctors and pharmacists to refuse you birth control based on their moral beliefs

               * New Bill (SB818): Would defund Planned Parenthood

Now what does this all mean to people in Arkansas? This could mean that one or more of the Planned Parenthood clinics would have to shut down or reduce programs which could leave people without affordable birth control, STI testing, genital infection testing, infection treatment, wellness exams, prenatal care, post natal care, free condoms, pregnancy tests, the morning after pill, and the abortion pill. If they try to get an abortion or self abort they could possibly be charged with child abuse. They would only be able to get the abortion pill if they are able to go to the clinic twice in 4 days. They would only be able to get a surgical abortion before 12 weeks. This also means that if the parent’s life isn’t in immediate danger they may be forced to carry a dead or non-viable fetus to term which can cause several health problems and be incredibly traumatic.

What does that mean to you? If any or all of these bills are made into laws this sets a precedence. If your state or wherever you live sees Arkansas accomplish all this they may want to start passing other laws. Right now North Dakota Senate just passed a 6-week abortion ban bill. Now many of you may be pointing out that many of these laws are unconstitutional and do go against federal law. This is true, a state Judge in Idaho just struck down a 20-week abortion ban as unconstitutional. However, they are planning to appeal this and take it all the way to the Supreme Court. Not only is this a time and money consuming procedure if Arkansas were to do this, but also until this happens some of these laws are already in affect or going into affect. Also, these people want to take it to the Supreme Court so that they can call into question Roe vs. Wade and try to get it overturned. That’s the main thing, they want abortion to be illegal on a federal level. This is scary considering 20 states have laws that restrict abortion.

Now, what can you do about this? If you live in Arkansas, or any state for that matter, there are a few things you can do.

               1. Educate yourself. Look into what your local laws are, and what the bills are that are coming up. Really look into what they say. Educate yourself on what abortion is, what it does, and why it is used. There are a lot of myths out there, so I’m going to be spreading some posts around to help you.

               2. Talk about it. To everyone! Reblog posts or make posts on social networking sites, talk about it in school or at work. Tell people what’s going on and what they can do.

               3. Write to newspapers and magazines. Write to as many groups as you can to tell them where you stand. Not only does your voice get heard, it encourages others to speak up as well

               4. Call or email your local government. Many people have websites you can comment on, or emails and numbers available. Research who your local representatives are and tell them how you feel.

               5. Make petitions, fliers, and protest. Make a petition on line or on paper and get signatures of people who support your cause. Take the information you learned about and make pamphlets or fliers to spread around town and educate others. Many places are holding protests, in Arkansas we’re having one at the Capitol (in Little Rock) March 23rd at 3:00). You are welcome to come show your support even if you don’t live here and maybe it’ll help you figure out what you need to do for your state. If you do live in Arkansas, if you can please go! It’s very important.

               6. Vote. I know a lot of people say voting doesn’t matter, but this is a great example to show it does. Vote for people who aren’t going to do this to you. Research who is voting for these awful bills and spread the word so people know not to vote for them. I’ll be making a post of all of the politicians involved in these bills later.

“so we are clear, North Dakota just banned abortion less...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:20:29 -0500

“so we are clear, North Dakota just banned abortion less than 2 weeks after a missed period. In a state with 1 clinic. w/24hr wait” - @robinmarty

I think the only appropriate response to this is HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

For more information, click here.

thescribbled: stfusexists: keepyourbsoutofmyuterus: Tweet...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:23:53 -0600

thescribbled:

stfusexists:

keepyourbsoutofmyuterus:

Tweet from @feministing » Breaking: Arkansas bans abortions after 12 weeks: http://bit.ly/107ZWgu Most extreme(ly unconstitutional) law in the country.

TO BE CLEAR: This is NOT about whether people know and can act to get an abortion before 12 weeks. For a lot of poor and low-income ppl, even if they know they’re pregnant before 12 weeks, they may not raise the funds in time.

Like all anti-choice laws, the most vulnerable populations are the ones who suffer the most. If you don’t have access to transportation or time off work or someone to watch your kids, you can’t hop to another state for an abortion at 14 weeks.

Arkansas already has only one abortion clinic remaining.

My heart goes out to the people of Arkansas who need abortions and can’t access them, to the people fighting for that access everyday.

Absolutely unbelievable. Not only is this going to cost people who need abortions access to a legal medical procedure, it is going to cost everyone in the state of Arkansas when the federal government (correctly) takes them to court for it.

Minor correction: We have two clinics, but only one can do surgical abortions.

This is such a waste of time and money. Even a lot of anti-choice groups disagree with it. I’m entirely disgusted with my home state right now.

Thank you for the clarification!

With New Evidence in Hand, Texas Lawmaker Files Bill To Eliminate Waiting Period For Abortion

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:35:16 -0600

With New Evidence in Hand, Texas Lawmaker Files Bill To Eliminate Waiting Period For Abortion:

Andrea Grimes, bringing us some good news.

Choice without access is no choice at all. #ReproductiveJustice

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:27:24 -0600

Choice without access is no choice at all. #ReproductiveJustice

Tweet from @Hegemommy: So the Arkansas law will test the limits...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:08:47 -0600

Tweet from @Hegemommy: So the Arkansas law will test the limits of Casey. Does providing a woman a 1 week window to get an abortion represent an undue burden?

[NB: more people than just cis women need and want access to abortion.]

Tweet from @feministing » Breaking: Arkansas bans...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:07:07 -0600

Tweet from @feministing » Breaking: Arkansas bans abortions after 12 weeks: http://bit.ly/107ZWgu Most extreme(ly unconstitutional) law in the country.

TO BE CLEAR: This is NOT about whether people know and can act to get an abortion before 12 weeks. For a lot of poor and low-income ppl, even if they know they’re pregnant before 12 weeks, they may not raise the funds in time.

Like all anti-choice laws, the most vulnerable populations are the ones who suffer the most. If you don’t have access to transportation or time off work or someone to watch your kids, you can’t hop to another state for an abortion at 14 weeks.

Arkansas already has only one abortion clinic remaining.

My heart goes out to the people of Arkansas who need abortions and can’t access them, to the people fighting for that access everyday.

"Q: How would you characterize your activism? In my mind, I think of you as a Lakota reproductive..."

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:21:26 -0600

“

Q: How would you characterize your activism? In my mind, I think of you as a Lakota reproductive justice rockstar. Is that accurate? Why or why not?

A: I would characterize my activism as bringing awareness about the injustices and atrocities that Indigenous women (which also boils down to all women) have faced historically, as well as currently. Specifically I feel it’s necessary to have my focus of discussions about Native women as I’ve always felt left out of mainstream media and culture because I am a native woman.

Q: What are one or two pressing issues that you wish people were paying more attention to? Why?

A: I wish more people were paying attention to the Violence Against Women Act with provisions for tribal women, immigrants, and LGBT communities. I also wish more people paid attention to the exploitation of lands the world over, as it is a direct exploitation and assault against women’s bodies.

Q: What do you love about South Dakota?

A: I love the land in South Dakota. We have a vast prairie, with one of the largest natural prairie eco-systems in the world; the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. I love listening to the Western Meadowlark, with its cheerful song that celebrates the summers on the prairie. I love seeing various birds of prey on any given day, sitting alongside the road or flying high in the sky, searching for their meal. I love the Red-Tail Hawk’s piercing song. I love the prairie sunsets with various colors of pastels streaming across a never ending sky over a sea of golden grass. I love the summer time in South Dakota.

”

- Jessica Luther, “Practical Feminism With Sunny Clifford,” Flyover Feminism 2/25/13 (via racialicious)

"You are a sorceress, and if your husband consents to your use of contraception, he is a sorcerer! ..."

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:50:23 -0600

“You are a sorceress, and if your husband consents to your use of contraception, he is a sorcerer! One cannot practice sorcery and genuinely believe in Christ.”

- A comment on the most amazing advice column ever written. It’s all about the evils of contraception and birth control.

Here’s a gem from the article itself:

Let’s begin by making a few things clear. Contraception artificially blocks the life-creating potential of the sexual act between a man and woman. There are many ways contraception can do this. Acondom blocks fertility by keeping the man’s sperm from entering the woman’s body. The pillchemically blocks fertility by keeping the woman’s body from ovulating. There are many forms ofchemicals (spermicides, implants such as the IUD) that either kill sperm or impede a woman’s natural fertility cycle. There is also vasectomy that unnaturally blocks tubes that are designed to carry sperm out of a man’s body.

Happy weekend to you all!

scatx: . @maehemsez made me the most awesome shirt!...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:19:41 -0600

scatx:

. @maehemsez made me the most awesome shirt! #RepealHyde

A shirt my good friend made for me.

Why we need to repeal Hyde.

Take Root 2013: red state perspectives on reproductive justice

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:21:00 -0600

[cross-posted from my blog]

This past weekend I was excited and honored to participate in the Take Root conference in Norman, Oklahoma. It was the 3rd annual conference to focus on red state perspectives on reproductive justice, something near and dear to my heart.

There were activists there from at least Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Virginia, Minnesota, Missouri, and Alabama.

The conference was spearheaded by the group from OK4RJ (Oklahomans for Reproductive Justice), which is a favorite site of mine (and I often talk about wanting to directly copy their effort but do TX4RJ down here). Sandra Criswell, who is executive director of OK4RJ, said that Take Root was started after a group of students from the middle of the country traveled to the CLPP conference in Amherst, Massachusetts one year and they came away from it realizing that the problems and solutions offered up there did not mirror the problems and solutions in the red states. That even the urban/rural divide, which is real even in so-called blue states and an issue that needs to be pursued more, is different in the low-density states of the middle and southern US.

Part of what was so exciting for me about this particular conference was that I was finally able to meet a lot of people whom I’ve had lots of contact but never met in person, like Shark Fu, Tannis Fuller, Erin Matson, Robin Marty, and a whole lot of the OK4RJ crew including Sandra Criswell, Jen Cox, Pearl Olsen, and Mallory Carlberg.

The highlights for me were the keynote address by the amazing Loretta Ross from Sister Song and the final thoughts given by the inspiring Deborah Small from Break the Chains.

Here are some things that I heard over the weekend that I have been thinking about ever since:

Loretta Ross defined reproductive justice this way: “the right to have a child, the right not to have a child, and the right to raise your child in a safe and healthy enviroment.”

Ross discussed how the reproductive justice framework, which was drafted by 16 women of color in the mid 1990s, was based not on the US idea of equality but on the idea of human rights. As the Sister Song site explains: “Human rights provide more possibilities for our struggles than the privacy concepts the pro-choice movement claims only using the U.S. Constitution. Reproductive justice emerged as an intersectional theory highlighting the lived experience of reproductive oppression in communities of color. It represents a shift for women advocating for control of their bodies, from a narrower focus on legal access and individual choice (the focus of mainstream organizations) to a broader analysis of racial, economic, cultural, and structural constraints on our power.” Ross stated that in the US the idea of “equality” masks the very real way in which different people will need different things in order to have their human rights honored. Treating everyone “equally” will not result in everyone’s human rights being met.

Reproductive justice is a big umbrella. Valencia Robinson, an activist in Mississippi who is the executive director of Mississippi in Action, spoke about the initiatives in Mississippi last year for both personhood and voter ID. As someone who cares about reproductive justice, Robinson recognized that BOTH issues were human rights issues and needed to be fought in order for justice to occur. Many people in the reproductive rights movement, though, were only interested in personhood. In the end, personhood was defeated, which was good, but voter ID passed and for Ross and Robinson, this was NOT a win.

I was on a panel with Shark Fu (Pam Merritt) and she said, “reproductive health is not reproductive rights. And reproductive rights is not reproductive justice. And that’s okay.” In fact, she argued, we need all three, we just need to recognize the difference between them and not conflate them. Planned Parenthood does reproductive health and they have a lobbying arm that does reproductive rights. But PP is not reproductive justice. That’s okay as long as we are all aware of that. As Loretta Ross said, “We didn’t design reproductive justice to replace pro-choice. If you’re doing abortion rights work, pro-choice is a fine frame.”

Shark Fu also discussed the reality that when you are working in reproductive justice and you have privilege (I’m looking at you, white cis hetero women), know that you will at some point fuck things up. She asked that when this happens and someone else points it out to you, that you respond with open ears and listen, apologize, move forward, and change your behavior. This seems simple but I have seen so many people in the short time that I have been a part of the movement respond to good faith criticism with defensiveness and they dig in their heels. That changes nothing and only perpetuates a harmful, unjust system.

Ariel Dougherty from the Media Equity Collaborative talked a lot about how we need better media here in the red states and that one way to achieve that is to create alliances among activists in conservative states so that we can build networks. I want to do that. How do we start?

Wyndi Anderson spoke about the special space that those of us who grew up in or have lived for a long time in these traditionally conservative places occupy: we can navigate in between the conservative and the progressive because we understand both sides, we care about people on both sides, we exist in “the spaces that are split.” As she said, “I don’t wanna be at choir practice. I want to be in the spaces in between.”

Deborah Small used the final talk of the conference to discuss how we each approach the activism we do and about the hard work of self-awareness that is key to this work: “You are reflected back to yourself the things you see wrong in the world. Where am I unjust? Where am I unfair? Where am I oppressive?”

Small also talked a lot about love: loving each other, loving our selves. Small said: “I want to be the strongest link that I can be in the chain of justice.” Small encouraged us to ground our activism not in anger but in love: ”It is up to us to provide something different. And that something different is rooted in love.”

It was the perfect end to this wonderful conference.

Overall, it was a great, challenging, thought-provoking, and fun weekend. I hope to be at Take Root 2014. Hopefully you’ll join me there.

UPDATE:

Here are the links to the storifies of the panels, workshops, and addresses (I *seriously* suggest you take the time to at least read through the one for Loretta Ross’ keynote address):

Queer Health Workshop: This workshop helps to educate participants on queer and trans* terminology, HIV/AIDS prevention, and related issues. This is our guide to why queer health IS part of our fight for reproductive justice and helpful ways to talk about it in your work and activism.

Nothing About Us Without Us: Red State Narratives in New Media: This roundtable discussion addresses new media platforms and strategies that are transforming RJ conversations and organizing approaches.

Plenary: Red State Perspectives on Reproductive Justice: This large session addresses all Take Root participants about red state challenges and solutions in reproductive justice, reflecting the organizing principles of the conference.

Keynote Address: Loretta Ross

Reproductive Justice Policy Roundtable: This roundtable discussion covers current pro and anti-reproductive justice legislation trends in red states along with strategies to address them.

New Tools in the Box: Remote Organizing in Flyover Country: This panel features stories and strategies from organizers in red states who take virtual organization beyond the symbolic and into the applied realm.

Depriving People of their Personhood: This mixed format session features discussion and individual panelist presentations about dehumanization experienced during pregnancy, transition, travel, and documentation processes.

Reproductive Justice At Any Stage in Life: Health and Service Provision within RJ Framework: This panel explores the ways in which service providers are giving comprehensive and full-spectrum care in least accessible and hostile states.

Consent, How Does It Work? Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Workshop: This workshop helps educate participants on how to negotiate consent, disclose STI status, and develop concrete communication strategies for healthier relationships.

Hostile Attitudes, Hostile Environments: From tense conversations with neighbors to clinic violence, how we all negotiate standing for reproductive justice in hostile environments.

Stories from the Movement: Powerful stories from members of all ages in this movement toward reproductive justice; wisdom from every step of the way, whether you’re just beginning or you’ve been here from the start.

Closing Remarks: Deborah Small

While $5 may not seem like a lot to you, to a person in crisis trying desperately to get the abortion they need, it can be everything.

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:00:43 -0600

While $5 may not seem like a lot to you, to a person in crisis trying desperately to get the abortion they need, it can be everything.:

I am asking today, if you have just $5 that you can spare, please consider donating to Lilith Fund, the central/south Texas abortion fund. They help fund abortions for low-income Texans who cannot afford the entire cost of an abortion (which normally runs from $430 and up).

I am participating in their annual bowl-a-thon fundraising effort and would appreciate your donation. But I don’t really care if you donate through me, someone else, directly through the website, whatever. Please donate if you can.

I wrote this once in a post after working the phones for my...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:00:45 -0600

I wrote this once in a post after working the phones for my local abortion fund, The Lilith Fund. It’s forever true.

I am now raising money for the Lilith Fund. If you can donate, please consider it. Even just $5 can make a difference.

Thanks!

Want to make a direct, immediate difference in the fight for reproductive justice? DONATE TO AN ABORTION FUND.

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:04:14 -0600

Want to make a direct, immediate difference in the fight for reproductive justice? DONATE TO AN ABORTION FUND.:

I’ve written multiple times in this space about my love of abortion funds, which are organizations around the country that help people pay for abortions who otherwise can’t afford them.

Abortion funds are amazing non-judgmental, caring spaces. The work they do saves people’s lives. Most people who call are already parents, they have taken drastic actions to raise money (like beg friends and family, work extra hours, pawn TVs, sometimes forego utilities), and they just need someone’s help.

Abortion funds give people access to the reproductive health care they otherwise wouldn’t have any access to. And choice without access is no choice at all.

The thing about this is that the $$ you donate to an abortion fund goes directly to these people who need it. And while $5 may seem trivial to you, to someone who is literally scraping together whatever money they can find, it can be a lifesaver.

The link above takes you to my fundraising page for the annual bowl-a-thon that the National Network of Abortion Funds puts on. The money I raise will go towards my local abortion, The Lilith Fund, which serves central/south Texas.

If you want to donate to an effort closer to home, you can check this page for funds that are participating.

My goal this year is $3000 because, let’s face it, poor people in Texas need all the help they can get, especially when it comes to reproductive health.

Really, just $5 can make a difference.

Thanks!

vegansexy: So we are NINE DAYS away from the Take Root: Red...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:53:25 -0600

vegansexy:

So we are NINE DAYS away from the Take Root: Red State Perspectives on Reproductive Justice where LORETTA ROSS is giving the keynote speech and I’m so stoked I could cry.

The conference is FEBRUARY 15-16 in NORMAN, OKLAHOMA at the University of Oklahoma. You’ll get to hear from other speakers like PAMELA MERRITT (Shark-Fu), LYNN PALTROW, RICKY HILL, JESSICA LUTHER, BLOGGERS FROM OK4RJ, and a whole bunch more omg.

It’s $25 for students, $40 for non-students. You can pay at the conference site if you have to! But you MUST REGISTER so that your dietary needs are accommodated.

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

We are now only FOUR days away and I am the Jessica Luther they mention as being one of the speakers at this year’s Take Root Conference, sponsored by one of my most favorite sites on the internet — OK4RJ.

If you in or around Norman/Oklahoma City, OK, I hope to see you there.

I’m still on a break. I’ve been fighting a pretty substantial bout of depression and...

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:50:00 -0600

I’m still on a break. I’ve been fighting a pretty substantial bout of depression and anxiety and I’ve found that paying attention to the horrific state-level anti-choice/anti-repro health legislation being pushed through right now does not help my recovery. It’s bad, guys. Alabama, Mississippi, South Dakota, etc.

But I’ve logged back on because I have started fundraising for the my local abortion fund (they do a bowl-a-thon each year) and last year, Tumblr peeps, you helped me raise so much money.

I miss this space and I still hope to be back soon. Keep fighting the good fight.

TEXANS: Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade at the...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:49:12 -0600

TEXANS: Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade at the capitol on Tuesday. 11:30 - 12:30p

[NB: more people than just cis women need and want access to affordable reproductive health care, including abortion.]