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Nathan E. Fosse is currently in his final semester as a social work graduate student at the University of Maine. He has worked previously as a social policy researcher and educator and holds a PhD and master’s in sociology from Harvard.
As someone deeply invested in supporting policies that uphold societal well-being and as a soon-to-be social worker in the state of Maine, I am writing to encourage others to write to their state representatives to support LD 780, a bill presently under consideration in the Maine Legislature. Specifically, this bill proposes a referendum that would amend the Maine Constitution to enshrine the protection of every individual’s reproductive rights, a principle that, while seemingly new or untested, in fact merely affirms the longstanding autonomy granted under Roe v. Wade and currently afforded by existing state policy.
I believe LD 780 is at its core a conservative measure in the truest sense: it does not extend reproductive rights in ways that go beyond merely affirming them in our state’s foundational document. It preserves the status quo by ensuring that Maine continues to respect and protect personal reproductive autonomy as it has done for years already.
This legislation is not only a women’s issue, I contend, but also an issue concerning fundamental and universal human rights for any person’s reproductive autonomy regardless of their sex, gender, identity, or beliefs. As a human rights issue, I think we all must support personal reproductive autonomy, even those such as myself, a cisgender, white man, not because it affects us directly, but because it’s important for everyone.
As well, supporting LD 780 is consistent with many political and ethical philosophies, including libertarian positions supporting freedom from government tyranny and the promotion of states’ rights as well as progressive philosophies based on feminism and gender equality. This policy does not tell us what we can or should do with our bodies; rather, it affirms our freedom to continue to choose what is right for us given our deeply personal ethical values and beliefs. Safeguarding personal choice is a tenet that should resonate with anyone who values individual rights.
Finally, it should be noted that the aim of LD 780 is both practical and popular, as evidenced by numerous surveys and legal precedents (see “Public Opinion on Abortion,” from Pew Research Center in 2022). Implementing LD 780 through a democratic referendum also ensures that any constitutional amendment, such as the one proposed, reflects the will of Mainers and not only the will of distant bureaucrats or policymakers.
Every Mainer has a right to make deeply personal decisions regarding their reproductive health. LD 780 would ensure that right continues to exist. I encourage every Mainer in support of reproductive rights to voice their support for LD 780. This is not just a bill but is a statement regarding our values as a state, including our commitments to liberty and autonomy.