The first Thursday of May, today, marks the National Day of Prayer. It’s a day established by Congress in 1952 as a day when “the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” This year, it comes just days after a leaked draft brief suggests the U.S. Supreme Court intends to strike down Roe v. Wade. While today was intended to honor the power of intentional introspection for people of all faiths –and even those of non-faith – the day is often co-opted by the religious right to push forth their political agenda which unfailingly centers on an evangelical version of Christianity. But there are progressive faith voices who believe differently. […]
Reproductive Rights
Texas has become a laboratory for bad ideas when it comes to reproductive rights. In recent years state lawmakers have passed some of the toughest anti-abortion measures in the country, essentially making the procedure almost inaccessible for many Texas women.
The Texas Freedom Network supports efforts to ensure women have access to abortion and other reproductive health care services. That access requires adequate state funding and broad availability of birth control, especially for low-income women.
Resources
- Just Texas: Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice
- Just Say Don’t Know: Sex Education in Texas Public Schools (2009 report)
- Sex Education in Public Schools: Progress in the Lone Star State (2011 report)
- Texans Stand Up for Access to Birth Control: Results from a Statewide Survey of Texas Voters (2013 report)
Just Texas Reminds Us All People Are Worthy and Beloved This National Day of Prayer
The first Thursday of May marks National Day of Prayer. Begun as a day meant to honor the power of intentional introspection for people of all faiths–and even those of non-faith–the day is often co-opted by the religious right to push forth their political agenda which unfailingly centers an evangelical version of Christianity. The religious right using faith as a political tactic to control the masses is nothing new. But this National Day of Prayer comes just days after the leaked draft of the Supreme Court majority opinion was released that suggests the U.S. Supreme Court intends to strike down Roe v. Wade. Once again, we are seeing how the far right’s boundless cruelty inflicts harm upon the communities that people of faith are meant to care for.
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Statement: The Leaked Draft Supreme Court Opinion Is a Call to Action for Congress as Our Civil Rights and Control Over Our Bodies Are Under Attack
The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would be a devastating blow to those who need this vital healthcare, and the extremely radical brief the world is now seeing shows why it’s up to us to fight back to protect safe and legal access to abortion and all of our constitutional rights. Today, abortion is still legal. Regardless of the shameless actions that may come from our nation’s highest court. We know that most Texans and the majority of the country oppose abortion bans. Still, far-right politicians continue using our bodies for political power and control. […]
Beyond Believing Survivors: Turning Awareness into Action
April is Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, giving us the intentional space to join together as a community to go beyond believing survivors and turn awareness into action. We all have a part to play in supporting survivors, uplifting their voices, believing them, and de-stigmatizing the way we talk about sexual assault in our everyday lives. But one of the most powerful ways we can shift the cultural response to sexual assault and the treatment of survivors is to support and champion legislation and community initiatives that provide tangible resources and unburden the path to justice and healing for all survivors. […]
“Shouting Down Midnight”: How Wendy Davis, Carole Wall, & Sadie Hernandez Found Hope, Built Movements, and Inspired Generations of Activists
At face value, Shouting Down Midnight was about Davis’ historic 2013 filibuster to prevent a vote on SB 5, which would’ve wiped out access to abortion for most Texans. The 13-hour speech, which required Wendy to have a catheter inserted the morning of, is more than worthy of the praise and space of a documentary–but this day was about so much more, and so is Shouting Down Midnight. June 25, 2013, was about the collective power we hold as a community. The movements we can power with our rage. The change that can be harnessed through hope. […]
