One should be concerned about the World Congress of Families, not just because of what they say, but because of what they do: influence domestic and international policy.
“Radical Feminists, Homosexuals and Abortionists are taking over and The Family and National Sovereignty are under threat!” This seemed to be the mantra of several morning sessions on the third and final day of the World Congress of Families.
This week SIECUS is writing a series of live-blogs for RH Reality Check from the World Congress of Families in Amsterdam. Catholics for Choice, also attending the conference, has developed the following set of bios on Catholic participants in the conference program.
The conflict between a faithful or religiously fundamentalist way of
life and secularism has emerged as an underlying theme of this year's
World Congress of Families (WCF) being held this week in Amsterdam,
Netherlands.
In Amsterdam, far right groups seem to be experiencing some kind of identity crisis, juxtaposing ultra-conservative ideas with speakers who may not share the delusional imaginings of the WCF lead organizers.
Right-wing groups, claiming that the “natural family” is under attack by a “terrible cloud of ideologies, “feminism” and “secular liberalism” meet in Amsterdam to plan their strategies.
Last week's World Congress of Families provided an opportunity to hear the same old anti-choice rhetoric. It did not represent the real power of the anti-choice movement, which appears in less obvious arenas.
The final report from an undercover writer at the conservative conference in Poland examines the legislative focus of the Right-Wing and their strategy to achieve the "globalization of pro-family ideals."
The first report from an undercover writer at the World Congress of Families reveals that the speakers blame the "demographic crisis" in Europe on LGBT individuals, educated women, academics, and of course the United Nations.
By Gillian Kane, International Women's Health Coalition
May 10, 2007 - 8:00am
It's no wonder the anti-choice, anti-feminist and homophobic World Congress of Families will be held in Warsaw this week; since joining the European Union, Poland has enacted discriminatory policies towards women and gays.
I'm a transgendered sex worker, and I want to not get killed for who I am or what I do. As our death count rises, I beg that you consider your prejudices around gender, and let us live in peace. I'm literally begging for my life.
In examining rooms, we see women in terrible pain, but their suffering doesn’t count in Stupak/Pitts world. By banishing abortion from the reform bill, the amendment punishes women who need to end unwanted or unhealthy pregnancies.
With the Stupak amendment literally and symbolically stripping women of equal status, the movie "Precious" presents, in grim detail, the way race, class and bias render a woman's body simultaneously invisible and subject to abuse.
Form-based ethics teach the Christian to ask the question “Am I allowed to do this?” Content-based ethics teach the Christian to ask “Am I truly loving the person or persons with whom I am doing this, including myself?”
I agree with Jim Wallis that the truth has become a casualty in this war--because both Jim and the Catholic Bishops have twisted it. And if Jim Wallis and his conservative allies have their way, women will become another casualty.
Two new studies show what many have already argued: Implementation of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment would likely result in the almost total loss of coverage for abortion care, including in situations where life and health are at risk.
A federal employee--barred by the Hyde Amendment from insurance coverage for abortion--incurs costs of $9000.00 to end a pregnancy in which the fetus is missing major portions of its brain, skull, and scalp.
If motherhood is "the only life sentence without chance at parole you can get without committing a crime," low-income motherhood is infinitely harder still. Still, we judge these mothers and make their lives harder, as we force them into it.
The US goes out of its way to deny poor women access to services--including abortion. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in Africa has liberalized its abortion laws and pays for abortion care for women who need it.
A new report, released by Political Research Associates, connects the dots between U.S. conservatives, African churches and a growing homophobia - with frightening results.
After attacking James Dobson and Mitt Romney for not being anti-abortion enough, American Right to Life has set its sights on a new high profile target: ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
In 140 characters, Penelope Trunk started a controversy around how women should react to a miscarriage. Is it best to suffer in silence? Are you ever allowed to be grateful? And above all, are you EVER allowed to discuss abortion?
New statistics released by the National Coalition of STD Directors and the Centers for Disease Control show the public health burden of STDs in the U.S. is worsening at the same time the resources needed to fight them continues to shrink.
In all the fuss over Stupak-Pitts, the fact that both houses of Congress removed mandated coverage not only for contraception, but also STD counseling and pelvic exams went largely unnoticed.
Form-based ethics teach the Christian to ask the question “Am I allowed to do this?” Content-based ethics teach the Christian to ask “Am I truly loving the person or persons with whom I am doing this, including myself?”
Rep. Diana DeGette releases a statement on the Senate bill's exclusion of the anti-choice Stupak Amendment language and her vision for moving forward with health care reform.
