Abortion Rights in Gilead

This morning I will cross the border into the United States, or Gilead as I'm inclined to call it these days. I'm heading to Maryland where I will preside at the memorial service of a beloved aunt who died nearly a year and a half ago. Because of the pandemic arranging an extended family gathering has been a challenge. My aunt lived in the States for more than 70 years but maintained her Canadian citizenship, so it seems fitting that one Canuck nephew will preside while another, my brother Eric will provide music.

I'm relieved that this is the Maryland branch of the family rather than the Texas crew because conversations will be less...fraught?...in this setting. I do wonder whether the news leaked earlier this week about the US Supreme Court decision to strike down what's known as Roe v Wade, the legislation which legalized abortion fifty years ago, will enter into chats. God knows that I've already been pondering what the discussions about vaccinations (a few unjabbed participants will be on hand) and Florida's "don't say gay" law (a couple of Floridians present as well) might reveal. 

I glibly described the US as Gilead because it seems that the Religious Right is pushing the country toward repression and intolerance in ways that eerily mirror aspects of The Handmaids Tale Margaret Atwood's prescient novel from 1985. 

I've been clear that I'm not so much pro-abortion as pro-choice for women and that women should have the ultimate say over their reproductive decisions, not a bunch of legislators pandering to a particular group of constituents. There are already draconian laws in several states which treat women who have abortions as murderers and rewards are offered for those who turn in those who've made this choice.  I've heard that polls show two-thirds of Americans want Roe v Wade left alone, so how can this be happening?

In Canada abortion is not legal, but it's not illegal either -- doesn't that sound Canadian? There is no abortion law in this country, which means that abortion is permissible at all stages of pregnancy. While lots of Canadians disagree with the availability of abortion, all political parties publicly support the status quo. The word is that Conservative Party of Canada Members of Parliament have been instructed to put a lid on comments about the US decision, although one vocal MPP in Ontario has been shooting his mouth off --c'mon Doug, shut him up!

The protests and counter-protests have already begun in the States and will only escalate over time. Pleases say a pray for me as I navigate conversations during this visit, but more importantly, pray for all those women who want the freedom to make the decisions which are best for them when it comes to pregnancy and birth. 

Perhaps we should also pray that Canada doesn't drift toward the right as well. on a number of issues. Here are the reassuring results of a recent EKOS poll of Canadians, if you are wondering what the mood is in this country: 

'Would you consider yourself to be more pro-life or pro-choice?' Pro-Choice: 78% Pro-Life: 13% EKOS / March 22, 2022 / n=1048 / MOE 3% / IVR

Illustration for Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale

by Italian illustrator twins, Anna & Elena Balbuss