The Roe v. Wade Reversal: How We Got Here, Where We’re Going:
A Community Conversation about the Roe v. Wade Reversal
SANTA BARBARA – An inclusive educational and experiential community conversation will be held on Oct. 1 to ponder the context and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision in June. The Court’s ruling overturned the constitutional right to abortion that had been in effect since 1973, handing over that decision to the states.
The event’s collaborators include Catalysts for Civil Community Conversations (catalystforconversations@gmail.com) and the Santa Barbara County Psychological Association.
The day-long symposium will begin with educational sessions to provide facts about abortion within the context of six key subject areas:
- Medical
- Historical
- Legal
- Sociological/Psychological
- Economic
- Theological
Following lunch, attendees will break into facilitated process groups with titles such as “Telling Your Story,” “Taking Action,” as well as break-out sessions to further discuss the topics outlined during the morning.
Among the participants are local physicians, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, attorneys, historians, economists, and members of the clergy.
“We all care about life,” said organizer Cecile Lyons, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist who also holds advanced degrees in theology. “This decision raises questions about autonomy and the quality of life for individuals as well as society. It seems wise to gather as a community to understand the facts and context with regard to reproductive rights, to ask the difficult questions, and perhaps find common ground.”
Details: The symposium will be held Oct. 1 from 9:30 am to 3 p.m. at All Saints by the Sea Montecito, 83 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara. Pre-registration is required (https://sbcpa.org/event-4963335). Attendance will be limited to 150 people. Cost is $20 per person, which includes lunch. For scholarship inquiries, please contact catalystforconversations@gmail.com.
For SBCPA members, please note that this is not a Continuing Education event.
