Live Action founder and President Lila Rose recently spoke with Connecticut state legislator Treneé McGee. As a pro-life Democrat, McGee offered her unique perspective on what it’s like to fight for life as a young Black woman within the Democratic party.
McGee explained that though she doesn’t remember explicitly discussing abortion growing up, her parents always emphasized the value of life. Once she studied human development and abortion for herself, she decided there was no way she could be silent on it. As a Black woman, she felt called to challenge the racism in the abortion industry. She wanted to call attention to that racism, but also educate and empower women so they don’t feel that abortion is their only option.
“If I stand for true equity, that means I am advocating for resources that empower women to choose life,” she explained. “We don’t have the say to determine whether or not a person lives or dies.”
She also dismissed the prevailing message that tells women experiencing poverty that abortion is the solution to their problems, calling it “elitist.”
“It’s saying, ‘You don’t deserve to parent because you don’t have the resources.'” Instead, she wants to make sure that women do have the resources to choose life.
When Rose asked McGee how she reconciles the platform of the Democratic party — which is completely pro-abortion — and being a pro-life Democrat, McGee said she’s used to being different and not having people agree with her on things. “It’s given me the opportunity to combine all my intersectionalities — I’m young, I’m Black, I’m a woman, I’m pro-life… let’s have a conversation. Because maybe from this, I can learn from you and you can learn from me.”
Being a pro-life Democrat has also given her the opportunity to educate people she says previously weren’t being reached. “I’ve seen hearts and minds changed, and it’s been tremendous,” she said.
Part of her goal is to educate women to feel empowered to be mothers and follow their dreams, saying, “There’s this notion that you can’t have success or be in a position of power or authority and have children.”
“If we shift the narrative on what really empowers women, I believe that is essential. even to the basis of the Democratic party.”
Looking ahead to the future of the pro-life movement, McGee thinks it’s important to recognize that not everyone who is pro-life is going to think the same way or have the same beliefs.
“The movement is moving in a direction where so many people feel empowered to say, ‘I’m pro-life’ from all walks of life, and we have to be okay with that. We have to figure out a space for everyone in our movement, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on all issues. Especially if it’s about protecting life.”
