Terry REINTKE

Resolution on the European citizens’ initiative entitled ‘My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’

The adoption of this resolution is a historic moment worth celebrating and a big step forward for the protection of abortion as a fundamental right in the EU. However, I object to the statement regretfully adopted within the context of this resolution, stipulating that 'only biological women can get pregnant and bear children'. First, one thing should be obvious to every lawmaker: there is a difference between sex and gender. While most people who get pregnant are women, some people identifying as men, non-binary or any other gender also have the necessary anatomy to carry a pregnancy. This is a medical fact, not an ideological statement. Denying the lived realities of trans people does not make you 'pro-science'; it just makes you confidently wrong. Second, I regret that colleagues to the right decided to turn this important resolution – which responds to the direct demands of European citizens of all genders – into an arena for voicing transphobic sentiments and anti-trans ideology. It is not worthy of this House, nor of the significance of this initiative. Decisions taken in the European Parliament should be based on facts, evidence and science, not fear-based myths and prejudice. Lawmakers should know the difference.