“When the right to abortion is endangered, the fundamental equality of women is threatened.

A woman can never be equal if she is denied the basic right to make decisions

Voice for Choice

for herself and her family.” — NARAL Pro-Choice America

Newsletter of the Kentucky Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Winter 2022

ACLU Of Kentucky Calls On Kentucky State Fair

Board To Reinstate Abortion Billboard
ACLU Press Release October 19, 2021
LOUISVILLE, KY – The ACLU of Kentucky today sent a letter to
David Beck, president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board,
regarding the removal of a billboard message in support of abortion
rights paid for the Kentucky Religious Coalition for Reproductive
Choice (KRCRC). KRCRC is a group of people of faith—clergy,
faith leaders, congregants, and people of conscience—who believe a
person’s right to make their own reproductive choices is sacred and
fundamental to religious freedom.

In April 2021, the billboard message was removed because the

billboard owner, Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB), reportedly
found the content “objectionable.” However, because KSFB
is a state agency, any action restricting speech on that billboard
display is subject to and governed by the First Amendment of the
Constitution of the United States. KSFB is seemingly violating
the First Amendment, both in enforcing an unconstitutional
and vague policy regarding removal of certain billboards and in
removing KRCRC’s billboard. The First Amendment significantly
limits the government’s ability to restrict speech in certain forums
like this, absent some compelling or reasonable justifications for
its restriction on speech. “A state agency cannot suppress speech
based on personal feelings about an issue,” said Corey Shapiro,
legal director for the ACLU of Kentucky. “The billboard should be
reinstated and allowed to run for the originally agreed-upon time
frame in the high-profile location KRCRC originally chose.”

Wayne’s Words
by Wayne A. Gnatuk
The Reverend Wayne A. Gnatuk is Chair of the KRCRC Board of Directors.

We’ve got good news and bad news! The good news is
that KRCRC has received a bequest that will enable us to
hire a full-time staff person. This outreach worker will be
tasked with starting KRCRC chapters throughout Kentucky our legislative advocacy work and in our mission: to
at the rate of two or three a year, and with bringing faith proclaim that yes, indeed, people of deep faith can support
community groups and leaders into the reproductive reproductive freedom.
justice tent. Both those endeavors will make us stronger in
Cont. on page 2.
 In Memoriam:
PAGE 2

Jennifer Allen McComas, 1948-2020

by Ann T. Allen
Ann T. Allen is a KRCRC board member and the editor of Voice for Choice.

Jennifer McComas was a lively and warm-hearted woman For KRCRC, McComas’ bequest opens up new possibilities.
with an irrepressible sense of humor, recalls her friend Don Thanks to her, the group will be able to modernize its
Evans. Her chief passion was animal rights and welfare, communications and to expand its educational and advocacy
and she loved cats. She also cared a lot about KRCRC and work throughout Kentucky. We will start by hiring our first
the causes that we fight for. That’s why she left KRCRC a full-time employee! We thank Jennifer McComas and cherish
generous bequest. her memory.

McComas was born in 1948 in Burksville, Kentucky, and

came to Louisville to attend the University of Louisville as
an undergraduate and as a graduate student in social work.
She served Family Services (now Kentucky Cabinet for
Health and Family Services) as a social worker and later
worked for the Louisville Gas and Electric Company. She
served on the Board of Directors of KRCRC sometime in
the 1990s.

McComas remembered several organizations in her will, of

which Evans is the executor. In addition to KRCRC, her
beneficiaries included Planned Parenthood of Indiana and
Kentucky and Alley Cat Advocates, a group that befriends
homeless cats.
Jennifer Allen McComas

Wayne’s Words Cont. from page 1.

The bad news is that there will be a constitutional I began this column by
amendment on the ballot next November which will put mentioning “good news and
reproductive rights in Kentucky at extreme risk. At the bad news.” You may have
national level, the Supreme Court’s future decisions on heard of the pastor who
abortion are at best extremely dicey, and on top of all that, addressed her congregation
we here in Kentucky have a state legislature that will once one Sunday morning by saying,
again be hell-bent on an anti-woman and anti-abortion “I’ve got good news and bad
agenda. news. The good news is that
we have enough money to
It’s clear that there continues to be a great need for do everything in our mission Gnatuk speaks at
KRCRC to raise the reproductive freedom flag and to statement! The bad news is the October 2 rally
wave it proudly for all to see! Our board of directors is that all that money is still in
awesomely committed to doing so, but we do need your your pockets!”
support.
KRCRC needs you! We’re looking for people to serve on
The aforementioned bequest will support a full-time our state and local boards. We’re looking for people to
staff person for only a limited time. We have a chance volunteer in a variety of ways. We’re looking for people to
here to take a giant step forward, but without financial share their financial resources to further KRCRC’s work.
support from you, we won’t be able to keep it going. In whatever ways you can help, we’ll be delighted to say,
Please remember us in your charitable giving, and consider “Thank you!”
mentioning us in your will!
Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Choice Omnibus Bill

PAGE 3
by Angela Cooper
Angela Cooper is the communications director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.
The 2022 legislative session is upon us, and it includes first portion of the bill would create even more hurdles to
predictable attacks on reproductive freedom. Last session, judicial bypass despite robust limits already in place. (Judicial
the legislature passed House Bill 91, a proposed amendment bypass is the process by which a minor can seek abortion
to Kentucky’s Constitution that would entirely deny the care with approval from a judge in lieu of parental approval.)
right to abortion care – even in cases of rape, incest, or life- The bill’s sponsor claims this would protect children who
threatening conditions – if Roe v. Wade is ever weakened or have survived trafficking, rape, or incest, by saving them
overturned. from the “trauma of abortion,” but this provision would
force more children to remain pregnant against their will.
Not to be outdone by the 2021 General Assembly,
lawmakers have introduced an anti-choice omnibus bill Second, this bill
that would deploy several restrictions to push abortion care would require
entirely out of reach. While the bill’s sponsor refused to people to have
publicly share draft legislation, we have seen an overview and their embryonic or
are deeply concerned about its potential impact if it becomes fetal tissue either
law. buried or cremated.
This is clearly
First, the bill claims to improve health outcomes for intended to shame
pregnant people, but in fact it would do the opposite. The a person who has

Cont. on page 6.
KRCRC Stands for Reproductive Justice
KRCRC joined other groups on October KRCRC Board
2 to protest the proposed anti-abortion members at
amendment to the State Constitution. The October 2 rally
Women’s March brought about 400 pro- (from left) Elwood
choice Kentuckians to the steps of Metro Sturtevant, Ann
T. Allen, Wayne
Hall. KRCRC’s Chair, the Reverend Wayne A. Gnatuk,
A. Gnatuk, was among the speakers, and Stephanie Comp-
many Board members joined the crowd. ton, Diane Snowa.

KRCRC Outreach Team

by Diane Snowa
The Reverand Diane Snowa is a retired minister of the United Church of Christ
and a KRCRC Board member.
The Fall months were active ones for KRCRC Board members and volunteers. On
September 11th, we staffed a booth at FLEA OFF MARKET, 1000 E. Market St.,
Louisville. In addition to three Board members, our volunteers were busy! The Wheel
was the big attraction.

The PRIDE Festival on the Big Four Lawn on October 8-9 again attracted a crowd.
Carol Savkovich and Diane Snowa set up the booth; Wayne A. Gnatuk was responsible Pride Booth: Joan K., left;
for takedown; and the intervening hours kept Maria, Bernie, Charlene, Chris, and Heather Kethryn S., right
on their toes. On Saturday, trying to make its mark on the PRIDE event, there was a group
of five vociferous opponents reading Scripture and shouting their opposition. As at the FLEA event, KRCRC gained many
names to be added to our e-mail and volunteer rosters.

On October 2nd, National Women’s March day, Board Members Stephanie Compton and Diane Snowa traveled to Glasgow,
Kentucky, where Snowa delivered a requested presentation. A gathering of 50 supporters listened attentively and responded
enthusiastically.
 Planned Parenthood Protects
PAGE 4

Abortion Access in Kentucky

by Heather Bruner
Heather Bruner is the Donor Engagement Officer at Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky.
In March 2021, the Kentucky General Assembly passed an The constitutional amendment is dangerous. There are
amendment to the state constitution with the explicit goal no exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the life of the
of making it easier to ban all abortion in the state if Roe v. mother. We know Kentuckians do not support these extreme
Wade is overturned. The proposed constitutional amendment abortion bans.
stipulates: “To protect human life, nothing in this
Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right By supporting our efforts to defeat the constitutional
to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” The bill will amendment, you’re making an investment in protecting
be placed on the 2022 November ballot for popular vote. abortion rights across the country. This anti-choice
amendment is a strategic move by the right to increase its
Kentucky is already home to some of the most restrictive power in the Commonwealth. If successful, this conservative
abortion access laws in the US. We currently have only two strategy will likely be replicated across the south. But if we
clinics that provide abortions due to these ever-increasing win this fight, we will chip away at the narrative that fights
restrictions. In the past five years, the General Assembly has over reproductive rights in such red states as Kentucky are
passed eleven abortion restrictions, and more are coming. unwinnable.

This is a fight we can win Abortion Access is an Equity Issue

Polling from 2019 shows that 65% of Kentuckians, even One in three women of reproductive age already lives
those who identify as pro-life, support access to abortion. in a state that is hostile or extremely hostile to abortion
Cont. on page 5.

Medical Students for Choice

Fill Gaps in the Curriculum
by Ann T. Allen and Miranda Mason
Miranda Mason is a third-year student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
Miranda Mason, though herself still a student, is already an
educator. The Owen County native attends the University Conferences, guest lectures, and financial aid for training
of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM) and is planning are other resources that the group provides. Partly in
a career in pediatrics. Reproductive health is also among her response to students’ demands, ULSOM currently offers
interests. Mason is a past president of Medical Students for elective training at the Louisville’s EMW Women’s Surgical
Choice (MSFC), an international organization founded in the Center to fourth-year students. For those seeking earlier or
1990s that now has more than 220 chapters in the United more extensive training, MSFC offers a variety of options,
States and around the world. including internships with abortion providers across the
country.
At the University of Louisville, as in many other medical
schools, MSFC works to supplement the curriculum in fields MSFC chapters adapt to their environments and situational
related to reproductive health. The organization provides needs. Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the
opportunities to learn about reproductive health and justice, accompanying limitations on public gatherings, the ULSOM
family planning, IUD counseling and insertion, and medical chapter of MSFC has hosted virtual events, on one occasion
and surgical methods of abortion. By providing support training students to work on model cervices and frequently
and education, MSFC helps to make students feel safe to inviting experts in reproductive health and justice to speak.
learn about these topics and pursue opportunities related to MSFC now offers to provide emergency contraception on
reproductive health. the Belknap and Health Sciences Campuses at the University
of Louisville. The group has also advocated for clinic safety
MSFC opposes unnecessary regulations that target abortion zones, free distribution of emergency contraception, sex
providers. For example, Kentucky requires all providers to education, and access to self-managed abortion.
perform ultrasound examinations on abortion patients and
to give them scientifically invalid information, especially In short, MFSC is training a new generation of physicians
about the possibility of “reversing” the effects of medical who will provide and advocate a full range of reproductive
abortions. Along with other advocates, members of MFSC health care. In these young activists lies our hope for the
meet with legislators and send letters supporting access to future.
abortion without burdensome barriers or misinformation.
 PAGE 5
ACCESS Cont. from page 4.
access. That’s 25 million people. The impact of abortion (PKA). The PKA mission is very clear: to bring
restrictions is disproportionately felt by those who together organizations interested in building grassroots
already experience barriers to health care, including young power and winning the campaign to stop the 2022
women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with constitutional amendment on abortion. To date, over
disabilities, those with low incomes, and those who live in thirty organizations, including KRCRC, have signed on to
rural areas or have undocumented immigration status. be members of this coalition.

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians To reinforce our commitment to historically silenced
and Gynecologists, “decreasing women’s access to communities, the PKA leadership committee includes
abortion will likely increase negative health outcomes and representatives of Kentucky Health Justice Network,
complications, including maternal and infant mortality.” Black Birth Coalition, SisterSong, and Sexy Sex Ed of
Kentucky has a higher rate of maternal mortality Eastern Kentucky. KRCRC Chair Wayne A. Gnatuk
than the national average – an issue that has been and board member Stephanie Compton serve on this
completely ignored by the politicians trying to force the committee. This diverse coalition will not only defeat
constitutional amendment on the state. this ballot initiative but also strengthen the networks of
progressive Kentuckians that truly represent the values of
A Diverse Coalition our community.
Over the past several years, Planned Parenthood’s
organizing efforts in Kentucky have been gaining Gifts can be made with either a 501c3 or 501c4 tax
momentum. Since 2015, the database of supporters in designation
Kentucky has grown from 3,000 to 95,000. Coinciding 501c3 designated gifts can be made to: PPGNHAIK —
with that, Alliance Advocates has invested in staff. Our FUNDRAISING/MS 313641, PO Box 3641, Seattle, WA
state director now has three full-time organizers working 98124-3641
out of Louisville, Lexington, and western Kentucky Political 501c4
designated gifts
In this commonwealth, historical divisions are the result can be made to:
of racial injustice, the rural/urban divide, and wealth Protect Kentucky
inequity. For this project to succeed, it must be directed Access, c/o
by people of color and rural activists, the groups most Tamarra Wieder,
disadvantaged by capitalist concentrations of wealth and 842 S. 7th St.,
power. Louisville, KY
40203.
Immediately after the constitutional amendment was
passed, Planned Parenthood rallied with our partners Stephanie Compton and Wayne A. Gnatuk
serve on the leadership committee of
across the state to form Protect Kentucky Access
Protect Kentucky Access.

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You can be giving KRCRC a financial boost, at no cost to you!
Two simple steps:
1.Go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards.
Create an account or sign in.
2.Follow the instructions to select an organization.
KRCRC is #SU106.
Now you’re ready to help KRCRC every time you shop! Just use your Kroger
card (including at the gas pump), and KRCRC will receive a small percent of
your purchases. Thank you!
 Our Health, Our Flourishing:
PAGE 6

Individual and Community Values

in Reproductive Health Care
by Annica Gage
Annica Gage is a Resident Chaplain at University of Louisville Hospital and a Candidate
for ordination within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
November, 2021 marks thirty-one months that citizens in protection methods against CO-
Kentucky have attempted to live as safely as possible with VID affects not only their own
COVID-19, an airborne virus with an unnervingly wide health and safety, but also the
range of manifestations, from short-term flu-like symptoms rest of their family, community,
to long-term or even terminal lung damage. Because of and nation. Annica Gage
the viral nature of COVID, Kentuckians have been urged
from the beginning to tackle it communally, thinking of November, 2021 also marks three months since the Texas
precautions as methods not only to avoid catching the state Senate passed SB 8, a bill that prevents pregnant people
disease, but also to avoid transmitting it to neighbors, co- in Texas from obtaining abortions after the sixth week of
workers, and loved ones. gestation—long before many women even know they’re
pregnant. The political precedent set by Texas poses a threat
Both the politicization of the virus and the deeply ingrained to citizens in other states, where legislatures may follow suit.
American tendency to think and act as an individual rather SB 8 is currently valid in only one state, but its ramifications
than as a neighbor in a larger community has made that and the nation-wide response it has generated has shown
easier said than done. A large faction of Americans, insist- that an individual state’s policies can affect not only its own
ing that their exposure risk is theirs alone to negotiate, still population, but also countless families beyond its boundaries
spreads the virus. Individual and public health, however, are
inextricably linked. An individual’s embrace or rejection of “My body, my choice” has long been a popular slogan within
Cont. on page 7.

Anti-Choice Cont. from page 3.

already made the private decision to seek abortion care. The bill’s sponsors also rely on a racist narrative that
People can already make the decision to bury or cremate, became prominent at the start of the pandemic by
if they so choose. This provision could also create barriers claiming the FDA is purchasing black market pills
to care for patients experiencing miscarriages or other “manufactured in China.”
negative pregnancy outcomes. Requiring this already
optional measure would force physicians and clinics to In addition to threatening Kentuckians’ health, this bill
expend resources and time, regardless of the patient’s would also waste tax dollars by opening the door to costly
wishes, reducing the time and resources dedicated to litigation. When lawmakers pass unconstitutional laws,
patient care. they are on the hook for the legal fees of both sides when
they lose in court. Our communities are already vulnerable
Third, this bill would threaten funding for health care and facing extraordinary challenges. Knowingly instituting
providers, social workers, shelters, and more. The “gag unconstitutional laws flagrantly ignores the real needs of
rule” would prohibit any organization or agency that Kentuckians for cheap political points.
receives any public dollars from referring people for
abortion care, or even explaining that abortion care is We are continuing to review legislation for the 2022
an option. This would put politicians between patients session. We will keep our members and supporters
and their health-care providers and force many essential informed of further attacks on reproductive freedom,
agencies and workers to choose between their funding progress we are able to make in the current political
and what is best for the people in their care. Kentuckians climate, and how they can get involved.
should be able to receive comprehensive care and
information before making life-altering decisions. To join the fight for reproductive freedom in Kentucky,
follow @ACLUofKY on Facebook, Twitter, and
Fourth, this bill fundamentally misunderstands medication- Instagram, sign up for email action alerts at ACLU-KY.org,
assisted abortion care. The bill’s sponsors make inaccurate and become a member for just $5 at ACLU-KY.org/Join
claims about FDA approval of these medications and or make a tax-deductible donation at ACLU-KY.org/Give.
claim people are receiving abortion pills in the mail,
something that is not happening anywhere in Kentucky.
Blowing It All Wide Open:

PAGE 7
Panel Imagines Kentucky after Roe v. Wade
by Ann T. Allen
The Texas abortion law “blows everything wide open,” assistance for abortion, 2) the existence of medication abor-
declared Laura Landenwich, a lawyer who specializes in tion and websites for learning about it, and 3) helping them
reproductive rights, to a meeting of the Women’s Political connect with groups assisting with travel to neighboring
Council on October 25 at the University Club. Before Texas states for an abortion. KRCRC will also continue its advo-
S.B. 8 was passed in May of 2021, it would have been almost cacy work, particularly by engaging religious congregations in
inconceivable that legal abortion could become unavailable support of reproductive rights.
in vast areas of the country. But in addition to restricting
legal abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy (before There will also be new ways of seeking and providing medi-
many women know they are pregnant), the Texas law adds cal care. During the COVID pandemic, medical providers
a uniquely cruel provision by deputizing citizens to sue expanded telemedicine services and sometimes followed up
anyone involved in an “illegal” abortion and promising these a consultation by sending medication abortion pills by mail.
vigilantes a bounty of $10,000. Now we face the possibility Though such services will probably be illegal in Kentucky,
that state legislatures will enact similar measures throughout they may be available in nearby states.
the entire southeast region of which Kentucky is part.
Above all, the speakers emphasized, we must build a move-
This sad dilemma calls for new thinking and action. In ad- ment. Abortion is often considered an embarrassing subject
dition to Landenwich, the speakers included Carol Savkov- that people would rather not discuss. People who seek or
ich, vice-chair of KRCRC, Kate Cunningham, president of have had abortions are harassed and intimidated. But unless
A Fund, Inc., and Jamie Abrams, a faculty member at the we break our silence, the opposition—which does not hesi-
Brandeis School of Law. They asked how we will deal with tate to speak through legislatures, courts, religious organiza-
such a situation, should it occur in Kentucky. tions, and demonstrations—will control the discourse. Now
is the time to speak, act, protest, and organize.
A Fund, which helps to fund abortions for women in finan-
cial need, has hitherto worked chiefly in Kentucky, but also
sometimes provides partial funding to patients who need to
travel to clinics in other states. Cunningham predicted that
the number of patients who visit these out-of-state clinics
may increase if abortion is further restricted in Kentucky.
Many may go to Illinois, the nearest state that we can rely on
to preserve reproductive choice.

KRCRC engages in education, advocacy, and organizing. If

legal abortion becomes inaccessible in the state, Savkovich (from left) Virginia Woodward, Carol Savkovich, Jamie Abrams,
said that KRCRC will expand its educational mission by Kate Cunningham, Laura Landenwich
informing Kentuckians about 1) how to obtain financial

Our Health Cont. from page 6.

the movement for reproductive justice. And while that workplace participation, and familial wealth. These effects
slogan does neatly summarize the fact that reproductive ripple out well beyond the individual. They also affect the
health needs vary from person to person and family to stability and prosperity of the families, workplaces, and
family, it also reflects our tendency to reduce problems of communities created by citizens who are empowered to
health and health-care access to individual challenges. The grow families on their own time.
deeper truth is that individual and public health are deeply
intertwined—and the damage done can become cata- We know, in other words, that the freedom to make
strophic when even a relatively small portion of a commu- reproductive choices benefits not only the individual who
nity rejects one or both. exercises it but society as a whole. “My body, my choice”
is a crucial starting point, but it’s not the end-all, be-all
COVID-19 and SB 8 have made this truth particularly vis- of public health access. If embraced in good faith and
ible, but it is not a brand-new revelation. Just as we’ve long bold grace, it also lays the foundation for “our health, our
known that airborne viruses are highly contagious through flourishing.”
shared touch and air, we’ve long known that access to Source: Anna Bernstein and Kelly Jones, “The Economic Effects of Abortion Access: A Review of the
abortion correlates to increases in educational attainments, Evidence,” by the Center for the Economics of Reproductive Health, 18 July 2019. Accessed 14 Nov 2021.
https://iwpr.org/iwpr-issues/reproductive-health/the-economic-effects-of-abortion-access-a-review-of-
the-evidence/.
 Kentucky Religious Coalition
for Reproductive Choice
PO Box 4065
Louisville, KY 40204

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Religious Community in Support of an Individual’s Right to Choose!

Newsletter Editor:
Ann T. Allen
Design & Layout:
Jennifer Shank

Voice for Choice is a

publication of the
Kentucky Religious
Coalition for
Reproductive Choice.

Tel: 1.866.606.0988
Email: info@krcrc.org
Web: www.krcrc.org
Twitter: @Ky_RCRC

KRCRC
PO Box 4065 The Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson
Louisville, KY 40204 Women’s Health Organization December 1, 2021, and we expect a decision in spring of 2022.
This decision could overturn or weaken Roe v. Wade.