Men For Equity and Reproductive Justice
It is time for men to get into the arena! Moving past guilt and shame, we invite men, regardless of race, ability, sexual orientation, class, or age to join our efforts to support womxn- and BIPOC-led reproductive health and abortion rights organizations.
Language Disclaimer: Men for Equity and Reproductive Justice (MERJ) recognizes that people have diverse gender identities and strives to use gender inclusive language in its social media, literature and all other digital materials. Throughout the website, MERJ uses the word “female” and “woman/en/xn” intending to be inclusive of non-binary, gender non-conforming and transgender people. As gender language continues to evolve in our communities, MERJ will regularly reassess its language and will make adjustments immediately.
About Us
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Mission
Our mission is to support birthing people, communities, and organizations leading the reproductive justice movement by empowering men with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to advocate for gender equity, bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom for all.
Vision
We work towards a world where men actively partner with women and people of all genders to dismantle oppressive barriers to reproductive justice―where people can freely choose not to have children, or to have children and raise them in a safe and nourishing environment.
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We empower and organize men to work for reproductive justice by:
Asserting that reproductive justice is a critical human rights issue that needs the advocacy of all people, including men
Learning and communicating the history, values, and priorities of the reproductive justice movement
Partnering and connecting with other local and national reproductive rights organizations
Redistributing their time, talents, and money towards reproductive rights, health, and justice
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In 2021, a few men gathered to end our silence on reproductive justice-based rights. As men we have been noticeably absent from supporting women’s struggles to control their own bodies. With the Supreme Court's decision in Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8), and reactionary legislation and regulation nationwide, we accept the responsibility of pro-active organizing.
Men for Equity and Reproductive Justice (MERJ) originally formed as a support space particularly for organizations led by Black womxn, Indigenous womxn, and other People of Color (BIPOC). MERJ supports full access to abortion and all other reproductive justice (RJ) rights. As a group of men, we commit to unlearning the continued systemic legacy of patriarchy, capitalism and white supremacy, and their threat to body sovereignty.
Reproductive Justice Organizations
Find agencies and organizations that strongly support reproductive justice in your state.
Title IX Timeline
Forty-four years ago, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 became law, mandating the equal treatment of all students, regardless of gender, in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.