Healthy Teen Network stands in solidarity with the eight women’s health care associations who issued a joint statement opposing the recent threats to Title X services.  The Trump Administration’s proposal to extend the international ‘gag’ rule banning clinicians working in federally funded clinics from offering full options counseling to domestic Title X clinic patients is yet another example of this administrations seeming obsession to control women’s bodies. Full options counseling—that is informing a pregnant client of their options to abort the pregnancy—or carry it to term with plans to either adopt or raise the child, is a critical component of this incredibly effective service and removing it is shameful.

I have worked in reproductive health since 1970. I have seen the legalization of abortion, and I had friends who had harmful experiences obtaining illegal abortions before Roe v. Wade.  I have seen the wide-spread acceptance of the pill and then more and more effective methods of contraception and know that they have given women (and men) a liberty and responsibility to choose parenting carefully, for it is not for everyone.  I know from first-hand experience as a clinical provider of reproductive services and academically through advanced degrees in Public Health that what is happening under this administration as regards sexual and reproductive health is neither rational nor reasonable and is totally based in fear and contempt.

As I’m sure many of you are feeling…I’m frustrated. But I know that frustration doesn’t mean that we stop fighting…even if the fight is to continue the resistance and slow their progress until it can be stopped all together.

It feels as if reasoned arguments will not help. Continuing to cite our data will not help. But I have to believe that continuing our resistance, #StandingStrong, and making noise can help if enough of us make enough noise and to the right people. We’ve been #StandingStrong, and together, we must not let up because the changes keep coming and the apparent goal is not in the best interest of any of us.