Fordham law students organize birth control clinic

November 30, 2011

Law Students for Reproductive Justice, a Fordham University student organization, has organized an off-campus birth control clinic because “our Catholic university prohibits the actual prescription of contraception at its health centers.”

“Students often learn that the health centers have religiously-based prohibition on contraceptive care only after purchasing university health insurance or seeking care,” complains Bridgette Dunlap, a Crowley Scholar in International Human Rights at Fordham Law School and the president of Law Students for Reproductive Justice.

Dunlap writes:

The university's position seems to be "What do you expect this is a Catholic school?" Well, I knew I went to a Catholic school, but I didn't know I went to that kind of Catholic school. And, other students don’t know about the Catholic aversion to birth control or don’t expect it to affect health care for a religiously-diverse student population …

The law school student body and faculty have been extremely supportive; they are grateful and proud of our efforts. Students have shared their stories with us of how the university's practices have affected their lives and health and an important conversation has begun on campus. And, the university seems to be taking our concerns a bit more seriously since we decided to take matters into our own hands.

Law Students for Reproductive Justice’s projects “include brownbags with reproductive rights activists, an ongoing escort program in partnership with Planned Parenthood of New York City, a research partnership with local pro-choice legal organizations, and internship opportunities,” according to its website.

 

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Further information:

• Law Students Fight Fordham University's Bait and Switch on Coverage of Birth Control (RH Reality Check)
• Fordham Students Protest Hidden Anti-Birth-Control Policy (Jezebel)
• Law Students for Reproductive Justice (Fordham University)