Pro-Choice
What does it mean to be pro-choice? It means having the freedom to make your own choices regarding your sexual and reproductive health, having the liberty to make decisions for yourself, and having control over your own body.CFSH supports a definition of pro-choice that is inclusive of all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. This can include:
- whether to have children
- when to have children
- how to respond to pregnancy (whether by *abortion, adoption or becoming a parent)
- whether to have sexual relationships and when to have them, and/or
- whether to get married.
Pro-choice also includes having the right to choose:
- which birth control option works best for you (if any)
- which methods you wish to use to practice safer sex
- who you wish to include in making decisions about your sexual and reproductive health
- how you wish to express your sexuality, and
- the right to identify with the gender and sexual orientation of your choice without fear of discrimination.
Lastly, being pro-choice includes respecting the decisions others make regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
CFSH envisions a global society that celebrates healthy sexuality, its diversity of expression and reproductive choice as fundamental human rights for individuals throughout life. CFSH and all its members are pro-choice organizations.
*pregnancy options are listed alphabetically throughout the CFSH website.
Reviewed Mar 2009 CM