The MainStream Coalition is particularly alarmed about the heated rhetoric used in civic debates regarding abortion and reproductive rights, especially language that demonizes or de-humanizes those with whom you disagree. One of the reasons that the MainStream Coalition was founded 18 years ago was because the rhetoric and actions of those who oppose abortion rights had become scary, yet claimed religious superiority.

Today, years later, we must reinvigorate our own efforts to expose and condemn the tone and tenor of political discussion that creates an environment in which persons like Dr. Tiller and our own Chairman Emeritus Rev. Bob Meneilly are branded with epithets such as "killer" and "hate monger."

This policy group works on strategies to promote contraception, adoption, family planning, and comprehensive sex education. We partner with other groups around the state to bring attention to the need for a holistic approach to reproductive policies and practice.

With the hope of curbing the hate-filled speech that preceded and perhaps inspired Dr. Tiller’s murder in his church, the MainStream Coalition hopes to practice what we preach by approaching these issues with an open spirit and an invitation to anyone who is interested in advancing policy that respects the rights of all of us to act in ways that reflect our moral and religious understandings. No demonizing; no litmus tests.

Email us now if you want to be part of MainStream's New Voice on Choice.