Sometimes it is assumed that faith leaders are not pro-choice. So let me be very clear that I fully support a woman’s right to choose her health care and plan her family.

Part of that support includes a right to safe and legal abortion.

Part of the support includes access to birth control, education, health care, housing, etc.

When women have true choices, we thrive.

I was a 16 year old single mother and I understand the support and hard work that is required to raise a child. It was a choice that I am so glad I had the resources to make even though we struggled. Thankfully I had a supportive family and the networks that come with privilege because I can’t imagine my life and my family without my daughter and her children. And without that network, I’m not sure we would have survived let alone thrived (and there were times that I wasn’t sure how we would make it).

As a Christian leader, I also recognize the ways that Christianity has been corrupted to legislate women under the guise of “pro-life” but then passes law after law that reveals the reality that only some lives matter to them after all.

I’ve seen references to extremism in a different faith when it comes to these anti-abortion laws but make no mistake that this extremism is coming out of a white nationalist Christian ideology.

I am pro-choice.

I am Christian.

I am a mother and grandmother.

I believe in a woman’s right to choose and support policies that give her a full range of true choice.

I am not “pro-abortion” but I offer support, compassion and understanding to anyone who has to make this difficult choice whichever decision she makes. #WeWillNotGoBack