ADVOCACY
Resources for Advocacy Work
As part of UUA’s Side With Love, UU the Vote “organizes on the state and local levels to fight for fair elections, advance voting rights, protect abortion access, and resist the targeting and criminalization of Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.” The website has links to webinars, resource guides, events around getting out the vote, links to where to register to vote, and Congregational Content Plans (with draft newsletter, announcements, and media submissions). It is always important to stay informed regarding voting rights to support a true democracy - even more vital with this election season.
The goal of the Federation is to provide (a) space and resources for learning, (b) hear from experts and activists on the front lines, and (c) connect people with meaningful ways to engage in ways that make sense for them. The priority issues are (1) Women & Work, (2) Women’s Health, (3) Stopping Violence, and (4) Women & Poverty. The Pledge is to engage proactively in justice work with one another; to prioritize action and impact; to use our hands, hearts, and minds in service of justice for all, grounded in anti-racism; to embrace gender expansiveness and recognize the unique oppressions that trans women and gender-expansive people experience; and to continuously build capacity, trust, and interdependence. For the full Covenant, go to: https://www.uuwf.org/covenant.
Get connected with UUMF by joining their resource networks: (1) Join Mighty Networks; (2) Join Community Gatherings [by Zoom]; (3) Join the Federation email list. AND did you know the Federation office is based in Milwaukee at 3322 N. 92nd St., 53222 (office phone 414-750-4404).
Reproductive Justice
Our faith emphasizes all people's inherent worth and dignity and the right of conscience in discerning our choices. We believe that every individual is endowed with the ability to make the best choices for themselves about their own sacred body. As Unitarian Universalists, we embrace the Reproductive Justice framework, which espouses the human right to have children, not to have children, to parent the children one has in healthy environments, to safeguard bodily autonomy, and to express one's sexuality freely.
“Reproductive justice” is different from “reproductive rights.”
The understanding of reproductive justice has evolved, and no universally accepted definition exists. However, all definitions recognize that the need for access to resources goes far beyond abortion alone. These four principles are accepted by many as representative:
People have a right to have children.
People have a right not to have children.
People have a right to raise their children in safe and healthy environments.
People have a right to health and self-determination regarding their bodies and sexuality, free from oppression and shame.
Our faith compels us to advocate for the freedom to choose abortion, as well as comprehensive and affirming reproductive health care throughout the lifespan. This includes providing people of all genders and ages with science-based, developmentally appropriate, affirming sex education, contraception and regular reproductive health care, and skilled pre- and post-natal care.
The Mission of the UUMFE is to be a foundation for spiritual grounding and education that inspires deep practices of Earth care, justice, and flourishing for all. Vision: A world in which reverence, gratitude, and care for each other and the living Earth are central to the lives of all people. Action areas: (1) Empowerment (lifelong learning; skill-building; community); (2) Embodiment (spiritual grounding; worship; earth-centered practices); and (3) Engagement (partnering and spiritual support for activists).
Side for Love: Climate Justice—Side With Love’s Climate Justice Campaign organizes UUs to cultivate thriving communities that advance a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future. For more information, check out Climate & Environmental Justice.
UU for Just Economic Community works for justice, equity, and compassion in our relationships and systemic societal change. We know that the escalation of economic inequality undergirds a thousand injustices, from climate change to homelessness, from mass incarceration to low-wage worker exploitation. Economic inequality also disproportionately impacts people of color. A better world is possible, and we strive to be part of the solution.
Do U know about the UU Mental Health Network?
In 2018, several individual UUs interested in mental health started meeting. They decided that the time was right to form a Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network to work collectively on mental health challenges that affect congregations and society. The Mission: To empower the Beloved Community in honoring each individual’s unique mental health journey towards wellness. The UUMHN “envisions a world where the Beloved Community is a place where all members feel welcomed, understood, and held in love; engage in respectful curiosity to understand emotional distress; welcomes open, authentic, and fearless sharing about mental health; and passionately commits to mental health justice.” To see the full Covenant, video on the focus areas, information on how to join, and resources, go to https://www.uumentalhealth.org/
EqUUal Access
We are Unitarian Universalists living with disabilities, and our families, friends, and allies are coming together for a common purpose: To enable the full engagement of people with disabilities in Unitarian Universalist communities and the broader society. We envision a future where no attitudinal, physical, or communication barriers prevent full participation in the life of our Unitarian Universalist communities and the broader society. Welcome to EqUUal Access.
