The Reverend Debra W. Haffner is the director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing. She is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister.
Rev. Haffner was the chief executive officer of SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, from 1988 through May 2000. During Rev. Haffner's tenure at SIECUS, she created the Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing; the National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education; the Commission on Adolescent Sexual Health; and the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Kindergarten - Grade Twelve.
Follow her on twitter @revdebra and @religiousinst
Forgive me, if this is "old
news" to you.
The real moral challenge we face is how to ensure access to the means to prevent unintended pregnancies – specifically comprehensive sexuality education, universal access to contraceptive services, including emergency contraception, and education and employment opportunities for young women.
Religious Leaders Respond to the Murder of Dr. George Tiller
It’s not about reducing abortion. The advocates for a new common ground correctly note the correlation between poverty and abortion rates. But they fail to mention how poverty first contributes to unintended pregnancies.
The John McCain campaign says this is a just a private family matter. Sen. Barack Obama says candidates’ families, especially children, are off limits. But when family matters relate directly to policy matters, they are fair for discussion.
Rev. Rick Warren promises to engage Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama in a dialogue dedicated to “civil discourse and the common good of all” at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Saturday. Will those who advocate for sexual and reproductive justice be included in that “all?”
Rev. Wallis, I will do everything I can to work with you on assuring adoption services and high quality prenatal care and parenting support — when will we see you working to ensure women can prevent pregnancies in the first place?
The take-home message from the teen pregnancy boom in Gloucester is clear: we must be prepared to talk openly and honestly about sexuality with our ‘tween and teen children.
The stories of both Christmas and Chanukah resonate with our ministry to promote a progressive religious voice on sexuality issues. We speak out against injustice and for religious diversity.
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing has issued an open letter that calls for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the faith community.
