UCE Ministers Response to Leaked U.S. Supreme Court Draft Opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health 

We know that many of you are struggling, as we are, with the leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that appears to overturn the decision in Roe vs. Wade establishing the right to an abortion. The viewpoint in the leaked draft opinion is a direct threat to many of the values we hold dear as Unitarian Universalists. It would overturn the decision in Roe vs. Wade, which established the right to an abortion as a privacy right guaranteed by federal constitutional law. In addition to impairing reproductive rights (which are human rights) for many people, particularly marginalized people, this opinion would create a threat to all other privacy rights critical to maintaining our liberty. In this climate where our Unitarian Universalist values are so deeply politicized, it is hard to feel safe and easy to feel defeated. But we must work to stay together, to support each other and those who are most vulnerable to the stripping away of human rights. Let us work together to stay engaged and emboldened in protecting and advocating for our values in the world, in whatever ways we can.   

Here are some resources you might find useful:  

  • Attend the We Won’t Go Back Rally this Saturday, May 7, 2022, at noon at Federal Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn, Chicago: https://fb.me/e/1ES4xL5hD. Meet Rev. Susan and Rev. Eileen at 11:45 am outside Garrett Popcorn, 27 W. Jackson Blvd, and walk over to Federal Plaza together. 
  • Train to help provide resources in Illinois, a state that is an oasis of reproductive rights:
    Self-Managed Abortion and the Law Training, Wed May 11 from Noon-1:30 CST , REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/UuuKH1bgnDL2zgy7A
    More info: Knowing that Illinois will become a critical source of access to abortion for surrounding states if the Supreme Court rolls back Roe v. Wade (which is expected in late June), faith communities are organizing to identify what we can do–and the potential legal risks of doing so. This training on Self-Managed Abortion and the Law will be provided by If/When/How, a national organization of lawyers dedicated to reproductive justice. https://www.ifwhenhow.org/.

You are not alone with your sorrow and worry, Beloveds. Please reach out to either one of us if you want to talk, cry, rage, or move into action.  

~ Rev. Eileen and Rev. Susan