This blog is part of our Working Better Together series and was authored by Jace Wilder, Health Policy and Advocacy Associate at Tennessee Justice Center. This blog series is intended to provide our Health Law Partnerships with a platform to highlight successes, challenges, and innovative approaches to furthering health access and health equity in the states where they work.
The “Medicaid Experiences” project referenced in this blog series is a collaborative endeavor of the National Health Law Program and eight state-based legal aid organizations. The purpose is to better understand the direct experience of individuals as enrollees and applicants for Medicaid and advocate for improvements.
On June 24, 2022, my roommate knocked on my door and in a defeated voice said, “Roe v. Wade was just overturned…”. Her voice reflected the fear that echoed throughout the country. How far back would policies go, especially in the South where we are? She told me the fears she had for me as a transgender man who was already feeling the impact of legislation targeted towards reversing access to sexual health care in Tennessee. We both had even more fears for the many people in this country who will need reproductive and sexual healthcare and would no longer have access due to trigger laws affecting thirteen states. Some states have enacted abortion bans so extreme that there are no exceptions, including in the case of rape or incest and criminalization of abortive services. Collectively, the weight of the loss was too much to carry.
In the past few years, the American healthcare system has experienced major legal overhauls that impact the foundation of care for millions. Decisions such as Roe v. Wade being overturned have gravely influenced the ability of those who need reproductive and sexual healthcare to safely receive care and trust their providers in the process. Conversely, the expansion of Section 1557, which provides protections from discrimination to patients, has given conflicting efforts. These legal guidelines alongside the changing rules on the state level have created a tangled web of clashing regulations and discussions.
Sexual and reproductive health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity”. Sexual and reproductive health encapsulates a variety of care ranging from sexually transmitted disease prevention and treatment to gender affirming care to pregnancy related care. This also includes access to education regarding these topics for both the providers and the patients. In totality, this form of care influences everyone’s health but, its restrictions most greatly impact women, birthing people, and gender expansive people’s lives.
As we know, narratives revolving around reproductive well-being have been labeled controversial, but the reality is that everyone has a reproductive and sexual health story. Normalizing these public conversations can tear down the systemic stigma and bring autonomy back to all despite ideological alliance.
When it felt like there was nothing to be done, thousands stood up in protest. Here in Nashville, crowds spawned and erupted at the capital. They brought microphones that were cut off but that did not silence them. The crowd only grew louder as the pain of injustice spoke. That was only day one.
There is a slogan that “pride is a protest” and I wanted to see that slogan in action. Nashville Pride happened to be only days after Roe v. Wade was overturned and with all the fire in my chest, I called for pride to be yet again a protest. Hundreds marched up to the Ida B. Wells Plaza where we were met by dozens more rightfully upset patients, doctors, survivors, and supporters. We left signs at the steps of the Tennessee capitol. One read “don’t like abortion? Ignore it like you do foster kids”. Another read “We are in this together” followed by a rainbow. Anger and love spoke that day. These simple words are common in the capturing of stories.
Stories like this may not always change laws but they do change the narrative, a powerful tool of societal impact. How we discuss reproductive and sexual care displays not just hope for the future but aid for those harmed. There are three essential factors to this shaping of community narrative. The first action necessary is acknowledging the collective impact. Standing in the summer heat hundreds of people surrounded me. Men, women, transgender and nonbinary folks, and others all stood together with the purpose of being heard about their dismay with their care or lack thereof. They all had a story of personal impact. The second action necessary is the sharing of power. I led the protest, but I refused to be the only one to speak. I gathered suggestions for chants as we paraded the streets and announced for people to share their story. A woman who struggled with being unhoused and is a rape survivor came and told her story of abortive care. For those nervous about speaking, there was an option to write a letter to the governor that I would send on their behalf creating safety. In total we sent over 100 letters. The last action necessary collective healing. Dozens of people hugged the amazing woman who spoke reminding her of her worth, even if the laws did not reflect it. We joined in final chants to remind people of their right to access their lawmakers and their voice. Many lingered to help with cleanup and to connect with one another. Collective healing includes caring for that shared power and connection made through action. It can lead to the empowerment needed to tell your story.
It was not a joyous day, but it was a healing one. Reproductive and sexual health care requires autonomy, control, respect, and systems of support according to Power to Decide. Shifting the power of stories to be the power of the storyteller ensures that the pillars are achieved and the voice of lived experience is both protected and uplifted. Sexual and reproductive care narratives have proven to save lives as people share their story in front of courts, lawmakers, and to neighbors. These stories create safer clinic experiences, policy practices, and endorse the importance of access for all, not just some. It is the job of those in the space to create opportunities for both prospects to coincide.
