Month: September 2012

Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion

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Thanks to Steph Herold on twitter, I found out that today is the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. A little more poking around and I learned that it’s a day that was inspired by activists in Latin America:

Spanish logo for 28th of september

September 28 Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion has its origin in Latin America and the Caribbean where women’s groups have been mobilizing around September 28 the last two decades to demand their governments to decriminalize abortion, to provide access to safe and affordable abortion services and to end stigma and discrimination towards women who choose to have an abortion. The original name of the campaign in Latin America and the Caribbean is Campaña 28 de Septiember por la Despenalización del Aborto, which continues up to this day growing in force and commitment on the part of women’s rights activists in the region. The date – September 28 – was chosen in commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Brazil which is now remembered as the day of the “free womb” demanding for safe and legal abortion for all women.

While we face our own serious battles in the US, particularly around issues of access to abortion, it’s good to be reminded that internationally, in many countries, the situation is much worse. Countries where abortion is completely criminalized, where women who arrive at the hospital with bleeding or a miscarriage can be turned into the police.

We’re not so far from that reality in the US, either historically or in the potential future, but the struggles are distinct. Thinking globally reminds of us this fact, and encourages us to understand this is a worldwide struggle.

For me the battle for access to safe and legal abortion is indicative of a much larger struggle that goes way beyond this one procedure. It’s a struggle for autonomy, for respect, for trust in each of us as individuals to make the best choices for us. It’s a struggle against doctrine, politics and ideology that limits how we live our lives.

Check out actions for today’s event here.

Radical Doula Profiles: Casey Wait

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This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Email me at radicaldoulaATgmailDOTcom.

Casey WaitCasey Wait is currently a student at Bennington College in Vermont where she studies Human Ecology. She hails from the Chicagoland area and began her doula career working with the Chicago Doula Circle as an abortion doula (which was probably the most wonderful experience of her 20-year life). Casey is passionate about radical feminism, queer issues, ecology, herbalism, social activism, and skill-sharing! Though she has yet to see a baby be born, she aspires to become a full-spectrum doula in the near future. At the present, she offers abortion doula support and would love to gain more experience in the birth world.  She is very proud to be a part of the radical doula community. She has a lot to learn, but also a lot to contribute!

What inspired you to become a doula?

I have always been passionate about reproductive health and justice. I am a natural caretaker–since I was little I have always loved providing emotional and physical support to my friends and family. It wasn’t until my second year of college, when talking to my adviser about these interests, that I considered becoming a doula–in fact, I didn’t even know what a doula was until she explained to me why she believed it would be such a good fit for me.

I go to Bennington College, and here we have something called Field Work Term, which is a seven-week term between the fall and spring semesters where every student is required to do an internship in their area of study. For my first Field Work Term I worked as an abortion doula with the Chicago Doula Cirlce, a group of fantastic volunteer abortion doulas. It was during this time that I realized that doula work truly was my calling.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?

I consider myself a radical doula because I am dedicated to offering my services to any person going through any reproductive experience–be they female, male, trans, gender-non-conforming; whether they are carrying the pregnancy to term, choosing abortion, adoption, experiencing miscarriage or fetal loss. I also hope to work with those in lower income communities, to help improve the quality of care offered to these communities. I believe that at the heart of what doula work is about is compassion, and there is not a single person in this world who doesn’t deserve some compassion. I strive to normalize and validate all reproductive experiences.

Continue reading →

Chicago Radical Doula Guide Release Party

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Rad doula supporters at the NYC Radical Doula Guide Launch Party

Chicago Doula Circle

I’m psyched to announce that next Monday, September 17, we’ll be hosting a Chicago Radical Doula Guide Release Party in conjunction with the Chicago Doula Circle, the local full spectrum doula group in the area.

It’s going to be a low-key get together, with opportunities to purchase the guide, get to know local doulas and doula supporters, and raise funds for the Chicago Doula Circle! We’ll have a short discussion about the guide, Q&A and a raffle.

And best of all, we’re bringing together two of my favorite things by hosting the party at the local feminist sex shop Early to Bed. (Those who have been following my writing a long time know that I LOVE feminist sex shops–I even reviewed Early to Bed back in 2009).

Details:

Monday September 17
7-9pm
Early to Bed
5232 N Sheridan Rd Chicago, IL

Facebook event here.

Hope to see you there!

Mega thanks to the Chicago Doula Circle and especially kp Palmer for helping to get this together on such short notice!

Breastfeeding while trans

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Last week for my column at RH Reality Check* I wrote about Trevor MacDonald, a Canadian trans man and father who made headlines for being rejected as a La Leche League (LLL) leader.

In response LLL is reconsidering their policy that leaders must be breastfeeding women because Trevor, in fact, is breastfeeding his son.

I’ve talked before about how few resources exist about trans pregnancy and parenting, so the positive side of this controversy is that more people know about Trevor, his experience and the resources that exist (some he’s created) about breastfeeding for trans parents.

Trevor, despite having had top surgery, has been able to breastfeed his son using his own milk and an at-breast milk supplementation system  supplemental nursing system which is basically a thin tube that is connected to a bottle but is attached next to the nipple so that the baby can latch on to the nipple and the tube at once. This promotes the bonding that comes along with breastfeeding, but also allows the parent’s milk supply to be stimulated by the baby sucking, along with additional nutrition from the supplemented milk (Trevor has been getting this milk through donations from other breastfeeding folks).

Now I’m not a breastfeeding expert, and I can’t honestly remember much about what was covered on this subject at my doula training, but I’m surprised that this is the first I’ve heard about this. Both the fact that some people can produce breast milk post-top surgery, and that there is a way to supplement with other milk that isn’t a bottle.

I can imagine that the at-breast supplementation system might be tricky to use, and some folks would prefer the ease of the bottle. Related question: can you use the at-breast system if you are supplementing with formula?

While I’m not glad that Trevor was rejected as a LLL leader (and I hope they will come around and see that anyone who is breastfeeding should be welcome) I am glad that his story has brought attention and resources to the question of breastfeeding while trans.

For more information, visit his blog or join the facebook group he created for trans parents and allies.

I’d also love to hear from folks, doulas or otherwise, who have experience working with trans parents who chose to breastfeed. Other resources? Tips? Leave them in comments or email me (radicaldoulaATgmail) and I’ll post more later on.

Update: Trevor sent along the link to this fabulous post with tips for breastfeeding for trans folks.

*Transgender is misspelled in the title of the column, which was an error made by the Editor. I’ve contacted them to ask them to fix it, but have not heard back.