Reflections on Voting Against a "Sanctuary City for the Unborn"

I can hardly believe I’m writing this in 2021, but last week, I found myself voting against a local measure that aimed to designate the university town I live in as a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.” This ordinance effectively criminalizes abortion at any stage of pregnancy, labeling it as murder. To date, 22 towns in Texas and two in Nebraska have pursued similar designations. The largest of these prior to now was Big Spring, TX, with a population just over 28,000.

Lubbock, TX—a university town famous for Texas Tech University and Buddy Holly—boasts a population of 258,862, making us the largest city in the U.S. to adopt such a law. The pivotal question remains: Are those who voted in favor genuinely pro-life, or are they merely pro-birth?

The Landscape of Lubbock

As you navigate through our small city, countless signs urging residents to “Vote for Life” dot the landscape—adorned on homes, street corners, businesses, and churches. Lubbock has a strong churchgoing community, with places of worship around nearly every corner. These institutions are rallying their congregants and the community to endorse an ordinance that strips women of the autonomy to make choices about their bodies.

What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Life?

What does it mean to vote yes—to claim to be “pro-life?” Does it imply providing support to a woman faced with an unexpected pregnancy? What happens when the mother’s life is at stake? Should her life be sacrificed for the child’s? And in cases of sexual assault, what about the lasting mental trauma that may affect the mother for years?

After the baby is born, what does this vote signify? How do we address the already strained social services that desperately need more foster homes, especially in the wake of COVID-19? What about families unable to support their children without government assistance? What about children born into abusive environments, which plague Lubbock County with some of the highest rates of child abuse in the state? How do we ensure the well-being of both mother and child long after birth?

These questions weigh heavily on my mind as I consider the multitude of “Vote for Life” signs scattered throughout our town. A friend who supports the ordinance recently raised a thought-provoking dilemma, suggesting that to genuinely be pro-life means taking actionable steps beyond simply voting—like fostering, donating, or volunteering. While I strongly oppose her stance, I respect her call for those who vote yes to embody true pro-life values rather than just pro-birth ones, often driven by religious expectations.

The Message from “Vote for Life”

Tonight, I received a mailer from the “Vote for Life” organization stating, “This is not political—we simply want to protect life. It’s about standing up for defenseless babies and their mothers.” As a woman and a mother, I can’t help but feel that protecting life encompasses so much more than just the act of giving birth. It involves ensuring access to quality medical care for both mother and child before and during pregnancy. It means guaranteeing that a child is born into a supportive environment with resources for their future success. It means advocating for adequate nourishment, clothing, housing, and education. It also involves addressing the needs of parents in a country that offers no mandated paid maternity or paternity leave and considering the mental health of mothers. Furthermore, it is essential to provide survivors of sexual assault with choices regarding their own bodies.

Reflections on Autonomy

This situation reminds me of a scene from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” where a character urges her husband to sign a prescription for birth control. It highlights the underlying message that women shouldn’t have autonomy over their own lives and decisions—relying instead on partners, neighbors, and lawmakers to dictate their choices. Even healthcare providers are restricted from making the best decisions for their patients, especially when a woman’s life is at stake.

Instead of channeling resources into pro-birth initiatives, we should focus on educating, supporting, and assisting women who may not be prepared for motherhood. If they choose to bring a child into this world, we must prioritize initiatives that support both the mother and child throughout their lives.

The Importance of Choice

Ultimately, no one else should determine what is best for my life and body. Women need options to make informed decisions. Healthcare professionals should also have the freedom to provide necessary care without fear of legal repercussions. Every woman’s situation is unique, and it’s unrealistic and unsafe to assume that one solution fits all. It is anti-life to impose decisions on others without understanding their specific circumstances.

As a mother who has been fortunate enough to welcome a child into a loving home, I recognize my privilege. Many women lack the resources or support to navigate such a journey, particularly those who may be pregnant due to sexual assault.

By advocating for choice, I believe I am promoting life. This includes educating youth about sex and birth control, providing affordable healthcare, and allowing women to make informed decisions about their bodies. I urge those who think a vote for a Sanctuary City ordinance or strict abortion laws equates to supporting life to truly reflect on what that means. If it’s merely a checkbox at the polling station, are you genuinely pro-life, or just pro-birth? What does it mean to truly support life for both the mother and the child?

Conclusion

Tonight, even though the ordinance passed overwhelmingly, I remain uncertain if its supporters truly grasp its implications. Without the necessary resources and systems in place to assist mothers and their children—not just at birth but throughout their lives—voting yes fails to genuinely support life. If a mother experiences mental health struggles due to being forced to continue a pregnancy, that is not true support for life. We must address the core issues of what it means to vote for life.

For more insights, check out this related post on home insemination. Additionally, for authoritative information on pregnancy, visit this valuable resource. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on insemination, you can find it at Make a Mom’s at-home insemination kit.

Search Queries:

In summary, as society grapples with the complexities surrounding reproductive rights, it is crucial to consider the broader implications of policies that affect women’s autonomy. True support for life must extend beyond mere gestation, incorporating comprehensive care and resources for both mothers and their children.

Reflections on Voting Against a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn”