Projects

On the Other Side of the Fence:
How a Fundamentalist Christian Became a Prochoice Activist

This is a book project about choice in the U.S. that is one part memoir, one part research, and one part call to action for prochoice citizens.

This book tells my personal story of being raised fundamentalist Christian, attending a fundamentalist college, moving to Texas, and becoming a liberal (yes, in that order!). It chronicles my unique journey to my current position of Prochoice Feminist Christian. Interestingly, my conversion is the opposite of Abby Johnson’s, who was a friend and mentor of mine when she left Planned Parenthood to join the Coalition For Life.

The story is not only personal memoir, however. As a graduate student, I have conducted research on the rhetoric of the prolife movement and interviewed key stakeholders about safety, activism, and volunteering for reproductive rights. These studies have been submitted to peer-reviewed journals, and I discuss the implications of them for on-the-ground reproductive activists.

Further, I believe that there is a way forward for prochoice activists, one that includes more dialogue and openness with those on the other side of the fence. Too often prochoice women and men dismiss the prolife activists as “too far gone” or “beyond help.” But I know firsthand that it is possible to break free of fundamentalist dogma.

It is possible to have life-changing conversations, and it’s my goal to show the way to begin those conversations. We can build a stronger movement and a more open movement for the right to choose.