Family Pride’s Blog

There is a deep and lasting interconnectedness between reproductive freedom and sexual freedom ideologically, socially and politically. Fundamentally, these freedoms are both about access to our own bodies and what we do with them.

In 1973 in the landmark Roe v Wade decision, it was established that the choice whether or not to procreate falls under a fundamental right of privacy guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution under the Liberty Clause of the 14th Amendment.

In 2003, this same right of privacy served as the precedent in the Lawrence v Texas decision which declared that same-sex relations between consenting adults shall no longer be
criminalized; government interference in our private sexual lives is unconstitutional. It is important to note that transgender individuals are not cited in the decision and it is unclear what impact, if any, the decision will have on transgender rights to privacy or reproductive choice.

Our families are families of choice, created through any array of biology, adoption and kinship. Governmental intervention in the reproductive lives of women and men limits not only their ability to make a choice about abortion; it also limits their access to safe and affordable reproductive assistance.

Choice begs the question, what is real access? Abortion and reproductive technology may be technically legal, but are often financially inaccessible. Varieties of safe reproductive services are
inaccessible to insured people, and are unaffordable and completely inaccessible to low income and uninsured people.

Roe v Wade is being attacked in the legislatures and courts. If it gets overturned Lawrence v Texas and all other rulings based on the Roe v Wade precedent will essentially be null and void. Thus, there is a deep and lasting interconnectedness between reproductive freedom and sexual freedom - a connection that we must not only value, but fight to protect.

For additional information, download the at a glance series: choice & our families.

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