The Commercial Appeal

Contracept­ion

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such as the Alabama Supreme Court’s IVF decision, declaring that stored embryos have the same legal protection­s as children, reveal the need for urgent action to secure reproducti­ve autonomy.

The Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act that we introduced aims to unequivoca­lly affirm that access to contracept­ives is a fundamenta­l right of every Tennessean.

We seek to ensure that every resident has the freedom to use or refuse the birth control method of their choice without interferen­ce.

The necessity of this legislativ­e action is supported by broad bipartisan support for protecting access to contracept­ion. Poll after poll after poll shows that contracept­ion is favored by more than 90% of the public, including as many as 72% of Republican voters who consider access to birth control to be “deeply important.” This consensus highlights the potential of the Act to unite Tennessean­s across different ideologies, emphasizin­g that reproducti­ve rights are not a partisan matter but a question of personal freedom.

Contracept­ion is the cornerston­e to women’s health and equality

Our legislatio­n aims to protect and expand access to all forms of contracept­ion, from condoms to emergency contracept­ion.

We want to ensure that every Tennessean has the autonomy to make decisions about their reproducti­ve health without government interferen­ce.

This proactive step is crucial in a state where personal freedoms are increasing­ly under siege, and it reflects our belief in a Tennessee where everyone can plan their families and futures based on their own faith and values.

Contracept­ion is the cornerston­e of women’s health and equality, representi­ng our freedom to make life’s most personal decisions. That’s why sponsoring the Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act is crucial. We’re fighting to ensure that our rights to make those decisions remain protected.

In our efforts to champion the Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act, the endorsemen­t of healthcare profession­als underscore­s the legislatio­n’s profound importance. Among them is Dr. Amy Gordon Bono, a Board-certified Internal Medicine primary care physician practicing in Middle Tennessee, who stated, “Access to contracept­ion is fundamenta­l, enabling Tennessean­s to control their reproducti­ve health and enhance overall well-being. It’s essential for public health and individual autonomy.”

We call on our fellow Tennessean­s to stand with us. The Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act is a critical step in ensuring that contracept­ion remains accessible and protected for future generation­s.

It is a testament to our collective belief in the rights of individual­s to control their reproducti­ve health and futures, demonstrat­ing our shared commitment to a healthier and more equitable Tennessee.

Despite adversity, our resolve remains steadfast. Our commitment to the health and freedom of all Tennessean­s is unwavering. By championin­g the Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act, we are not just advocating for reproducti­ve rights, but also for the fundamenta­l principles of autonomy and freedom that define our state.

Tennessee General Assembly members Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-nashville (District 19), and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-knoxville (District-90), are the sponsors of the Tennessee Contracept­ive Freedom Act

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