Obama will give federal funding back to family-planning organizations: Can he unite us around this abortion issue?

For those who warned that the country would not change overnight with the inauguration of President Obama, I think it was fair to be cautious that many years' worth of political wounds could be healed by one man in a short period of time. And now, only a few days after taking his oath, several national issues that needed immediate attention have already been addressed by the new president. One of them happens to be high on my own list of priorities and was the most critical election issue to me as a woman: abortion.

President Obama will restore federal funding to family-planning organizations that offer abortion counseling and services, lifting what's known as the "global gag rule." It is not a surprise that Obama intends to lift the restriction, Planned Parenthood Federation of America's President Cecile Richards stated, offering a reminder that he has clearly stated his opposition to it.

The interesting turn is that Obama chose to side step the presidential tradition of making an order related to abortion on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. As the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling to legalize abortion was both celebrated and protested today, there is not yet word on the exact timing of Obama's order, just that it will come and will purposely follow the anniversary.

Here (and here and here and many other places) on Shine - as well as at kitchen tables, in op-ed sections of the paper, on the sidewalks in front of clinics, at book clubs and playgroups and on Capitol Hill -- abortion is debated with the kind of fire that doesn't heat up for many, many other political issues. One of the reasons I enthusiastically voted for Barack Obama is his adamant stance on reproductive justice as a women's health issue that everyone in this country should treat with concern.

But just as you may not have voted for the candidate I voted for and just as you may not agree that women have the right to choose an abortion regardless of the circumstances of pregnancy, you may not agree that placed like Planned Parenthood should get money from the government if they offer any counseling, services or advocacy that includes abortion. There very well could be three big differences in opinion sitting right in the middle of this one order.

Interestingly, President Obama acknowledged that and moved forward swiftly anyway. In what I think was a brilliantly community-building statement on lifting the global gag rule, he said, "While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services."

Maybe that's where, despite the big three differences in opinion, we can get to work in the name of women's health, just as Obama has. Maybe your idea of reducing the number of abortions in this country is to advocate not having them. My preference is to offer abortion as well as a great deal more contraceptive options and facts and resources to people of all ages, so that any sexual health decision we make is well-informed, and supported.

Regardless, I think and I hope that the first important step has been made, making sure that the places that give women the information, resources, and services they need for their health and well being -- abortion included -- will stay funded, open, and available for all of us.

What do you think of Obama's intention to lift the global gag rule and give federal funding back to family-planning organizations that offer abortion services?



Want to hear what bloggers are saying on both sides of abortion on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade? BlogHer has a greatround-up of posts here.

Also, be sure to read these hot topic posts here on Shine:

• Abortion, from a doctor's perspective
• Dear Dr. Kate: I had an abortion. Can I still have a baby?
• One celebrity talks about having multiple abortions