U.S. Representative Joe Walsh recently proclaimed that the issue of birth control is "not about women." Nor is it about contraceptives. According to him, it's "about religious liberties."
Rep. Walsh issued this statement addressing last week's all-male panel on President Obama's new birth control coverage plan. President Obama's plan would no longer allow religious establishments to deny their female workers birth control coverage in their healthcare.
This plan in no way infringes on the freedom of worship. It merely allows women to opt or not opt to use birth control, instead of being outright barred from making these decisions for themselves.
Sign this petition to send a message to Rep. Walsh that women's individual decisions are not up for debate by men who are looking to limit their choices and take away their freedoms.
Dear Rep. Joe Walsh:
I am writing in regards to your recent statement that the issue of birth control is "not about women", nor about contraceptives, but about "religious freedom."
Providing the option of birth control in no way threatens one's freedom of worship at all--it merely allows women to opt or not opt to use birth control, instead of being outright barred from making these decisions for themselves.
The proposed plan actually has nothing to do with religious liberties, yet, it has everything to do with control over a woman's body and her rights.
Birth control is a basic part of women's health, and denying a woman access to it can affect her for the rest of her life.
Religious freedom is not being threatened; it is women's rights, their freedoms, and their lives that are being affected by your anti-woman, cavalier approach towards restricting access to birth control.
[Your comments here]
I urge you to change your judgment of birth control "not being about women" and publicly acknowledge that women do need to be in on this conversation, as this is a matter that directly impacts them.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
