Kerry On

As my Feministing partners join the million women gathered for the March for Women’s Lives today, I am in New York thinking about the freedoms for which they are demonstrating. I’m also thinking about John Kerry’s defense of women’s rights in the face of the Vatican’s decree that politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion. According to the New York Times, Kerry says he is personally opposed to abortion, but supports a woman’s right to choose and believes in the separation of church and state. At a recent rally, Kerry stated, “I believe that in the year 2004 we deserve a president who understands that a stronger America is where women’s rights are just that: rights, not political weapons to be used by politicians of this nation.”
Kerry’s not perfect on all issues, but demonstrates ideals considerably more woman-friendly than the incumbent President. Then again, anything is better than an administration that champions the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act and the introduction of women’s medical records at the trials of abortion doctors.