April 25, 2002: A Victory for the moment - SJR110 - Carving out an Exception to the Right to Privacy and Abortion

Dear Friends,

Amidst a standing room only crowd, the Health Access Sub-Committee voted to ask the House Judiciary Committee to review SJR110 before the sub-committee voted on it. The House Judiciary Committee has until March 2003 to share their recommendations - this basically means that the resolution is no longer a threat to women and choice supporters for the 102nd TN General Assembly (TGA). Supporters of SJR110 will have to begin again in the 103rd TGA.

The House Sponsor, Rep. Jamie Hagood still is committed to trying to get SJR110 revived. If anything happens that requires your voices we will let you know.

Former Chief Justice Lyle Reid of the TN Supreme Court and Professor Ellen Wright Clayton of the VU Law and Medical Schools appeared before the Sub-Committee and were brilliant in their analysis of SJR110; they did a great job explaining why carving out an exception to a privacy right in the Tennessee Constitution is so dangerous.

For the moment, we can celebrate our victory - but there is no question pro-choice advocates have their work cut out for them. The other side was present and very vocal in their support of SJR110. Years ago ACLU spearheaded the formation of the Tennessee Alliance for Choice (TAC) – we need to reactivate. If you are a member of an organization that would like to join the Tennessee Alliance for Choice and help mobilize opposition to anti-choice initiatives, please contact me.

Many thanks.
Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director