Body autonomy/reproductive justice 

Rooted in the legacy of SisterSong and other reproductive justice organizations led by women of color, OBOM defines reproductive justice as the right to maintain personal bodily autonomy while maintaining the right to make decisions whether to parent or not to parent, and the right to parent the children we have in a safe and sustainable communities and environments. We reclaim the values of freedom and family through the kaleidoscopic lens of gender justice, racial justice, economic justice, disability justice, and LGBTQ rights, aspiring to a reality in which all Mississippians are loved and cared for, including the most marginalized. 

We define bodily autonomy as an individual’s ability to make decisions about their body, including what to wear, how to care for themselves, and when and whether to have children. Because it is deeply connected to freedom from discrimination, bodily autonomy is the foundation of reproductive justice.

The work always begins with our community, actual Mississippians. We listen and learn about their needs, hopes and lives. We build trust by teaching our folks about the full range of reproductive justice. We create educational resources, like our Abortion Bill of Rights, that highlight our rights and reduce the stigma to abortion access and reproductive care. We work strategically to create visionary plans that map out what we believe we can achieve in the long-term. And because we are Mississippians who care deeply for our state and our community’s wellbeing, we are reshaping the narrative about what a Mississippian is, what we care about, and how we can work together to bring about change, especially when it comes to our reproductive rights.

Reproductive care is more than abortion. We all have sexual and reproductive organs that, outside of procreation, require medical attention and treatment. Many cisgender men have serious questions about their fertility and overall sexual health, and they need spaces to explore their options as well. Additionally, transgender and nonbinary people are often the targets of state violence when it comes to reproductive policies. Whether the state wants to recognize these folks’ humanity or not, they are still people with reproductive systems. They should have the right to ask questions and make decisions for their bodies, without outside intervention.