OPTION 1 The Luminary Lighting the Way to a Pro-Life VOTE YES ON THE LOVE LIFE AMENDMENT! Together We Can Protect Unborn Babies for Generations to Come!

SUMMER/FALL 2020 page 4: We Are Still Hopeful following Court Decision

page 6: New Law Benefits People Wth Disabilities

Louisiana Right To Life

1.866.463.5433 | www.ProLifeLouisiana.org executive 2,617,651 PEOPLE REACHED INSIGHTS ON FACEBOOK by BENJAMIN CLAPPER, Executive Director

Hurricane Laura passed through Louisiana, leaving a path of destruction in its wake this project is 100 percent supported through donors just like you! statewide. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm. We believe there are more saves just like this that we may not be able to track. Our ads We are grateful that both pregnancy resource centers in Lake Charles, ABC Pregnancy run through a combination of Google search engine optimized searches, Instagram, and Resource Center and New Life Counseling Pregnancy Services, fared very well through a newer mobile-based geofencing system. In 2020 alone, our ads have been seen more Hurricane Laura. But we know people are hurting. than 600,000 times!

To help the Lake Charles community, we have been working with both centers to •Social Media Educating for Life: Once COVID-19 hit we shifted a heavy focus to collect and distribute diapers, formula, water and other supplies. Visit educating on and other life issues on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other www.ProLifeLouisiana.org/hurricanelaura for an update on our efforts to provide relief outlets. From engaging videos featuring personal testimonies to creative posts, our to moms and babies! Facebook page and its posts were viewed by 2,617,651 I know it's a common refrain these days, but COVID-19 has changed all our lives. people, and more than 305,000 While many of our events were cancelled and plans changed, we quickly switched gears people engaged with our page and have continued the pro-life impact across Louisiana. and its posts from March 15 to Sept. 1. Our Aug. 18 post about 2020 SO FAR: In addition to the diaper distribution mentioned in the Pro-Life Gumbo below, here are the number of by parish two other ways your compassionate support made an impact during COVID-19: in Louisiana reached more than 103,000 people! •18 Babies Saved Through Advertise for Life! In 2020 alone, at least 18 babies have 18 CONFIRMED BABIES been saved from abortion through our digital ads reaching women and directing Your support of Louisiana Right them to local pregnancy centers! Recently in Shreveport, a young woman wanted to Life is so critical to allow us to to have an abortion but set an appointment at a pregnancy center after seeing our ad. continue making Louisiana more SAVED FROM ABORTION! When she saw her ultrasound, she chose life! Together, we have saved these lives because pro-life. Thank you!

Federal Candidates Have Stark Differences on Life Issue PRO-LIFE GUMBO The Nov. 3 federal elections will be significant for the pro-life movement, with stark differences among candidates. In Louisiana, we’ll vote on one U.S. Senate seat, all six Congressional seats, and of course, the presidency. Due to IRS rules, Louisiana Right to NOLA-To-Go Baby Bag Life can’t endorse candidates, but here’s an overview of where the Senate and Presidential Giveaway A Huge Success candidates stand on life.

During the midst of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, Senate Louisiana and New Orleans Right to Life’s New Orleans The U.S. Senate race field is crowded, but the Director Sarah Zagorski asked herself a critical question: major candidates are Republican incumbent What do mothers need right now to choose life or help Dr. Bill Cassidy and Democratic Shreveport their children? Her answer: diapers and baby supplies. Mayor Adrian Perkins. Sen. Cassidy has a 100% pro-life voting record, voting with the With that inspiration, Sarah executed two incredibly successful NOLA To-Go Baby National Right to Life position on 16 of 16 Bags diaper giveaway events out of our New Orleans office in April and May that scored votes since elected in 2014. Mayor provided more than 30,000 diapers, 30,000 wipes, and hundreds of books, cans of Perkins does not have a voting record on formula, stuffed animals, and more to New Orleans area mothers in need. life issues, but he has stated publicly that he supports a "woman’s right to choose." Vehicles lined up early and wrapped around city blocks near the Louisiana Right to Life office on Robert E. Lee Boulevard each day of the giveaway. Parents expressed President their sincere appreciation for the donations, especially at a time when supplies ABORTION ON DEMAND: were becoming hard to find and people were suffering through financial hardships President Trump restored the “Mexico City Policy” and has pledged to “veto any associated with COVID-19. legislation that weakens current pro-life federal policies and laws or that encourages the destruction of innocent human life.” New Orleans Right to Life committed initial funds to launching the event, and then more than $10,500 was raised from generous supporters to make the event possible. Joe Biden voted for the Harkin Amendment to endorse Roe v. Wade, which allows Your contributions and the leadership of our abortion throughout pregnancy for any reason. He supports the party platform of staff and volunteers made a difference in the unlimited abortion even through birth. lives of so many families! PAIN CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT: Our friends at pregnancy centers across In 2019, Trump called on Congress to “pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of Louisiana also have stepped up during the 30,000+ children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb.” pandemic to offer increased material and support services to pregnant women and Biden said he would not support this bill and would allow abortion through birth. families in a socially distant manner. Whether DIAPERS DISTRIBUTED it was delivering baby supplies to families in TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTION: need or holding virtual counseling, the pro- TO FAMILIES IN NEED! Trump’s administration issued regulations to ensure Title X funding does not go to life movement was doing what it does best facilities that perform or refer for abortion and cut off funding for UNFPA due to its to meet the needs of families struggling as a involvement in China’s forced abortion program. result of the pandemic. Biden said he supports elimination of the Hyde Amendment, and he voted for taxpayer Another diaper drive funding of overseas pro-abortion organizations. is being planned for the 9th Ward of New Orleans NOMINATIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT: for this fall by Louisiana Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and both voted for Louisiana’s Black Advocates for Admitting Privileges law earlier this year. Life Associate Director Jonathan Burton. Contact Biden pledges that his judicial nominees would “support the right of privacy, on which us if you would like to be the entire notion of a woman’s right to choose if based.” a part of this important outreach! Learn more about the election at www.ProLifeLouisiana.org/elections.

Visit www.ProLifeLouisiana.org for details October 5 COMINGOctober EVENTS 17 October 29 Pro-Life Evening in Mandeville PULSE Crash Course (nola, Shv) Chers Bébés: Acadiana's Soirée for Life

2 | THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life VOTE YES ON #1 FOR THE PRO-LIFE LOUISIANA AMENDMENT!

ELECTION DAY: NOV. 3 EARLY VOTING: OCT. 20-27 ON NOV. 3, PLEASE VOTE YES ON THE LOVE LIFE AMENDMENT by ANGIE THOMAS, J.D., Associate Director

Thank you! Your Support Has Allowed Our amazing supporters have always come together to fight for the Us to Make History in Louisiana unborn and their mothers, and now we need you more than ever!

For the first time in history, Louisiana has the opportunity to vote on a pro-life constitutional amendment called the “Love Life Amendment.” We have all worked hard to make Louisiana a safe place for the unborn and their mothers, and your support has helped bring us to this amazing moment when we are closer to an 1. Vote yes on Nov.HOW 3 (orYOU in early CAN voting GET Oct. INVOLVED 20-27)! abortion-free Louisiana! 2. Spread the word to all your friends and family! We have a chance to take a step closer to this critical goal on Nov. 3, 2020, when on 3. Volunteer on our statewide campaign! the same ballot as the presidential race, this question will be asked: 4. Put a Yard Sign in Your Yard! “Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution?”

Your support has brought us to this moment, and now we must work hard together to get to the finish line. 1. Ask your congregationCHURCHES, to vote YES!WE NEED YOU! 2. Promote the amendment during Love Life Sunday on Oct. 18, Why Do We Need This Love Life Amendment? the last Sunday before early voting. The short answer is easy: This is the most expedient path to ending abortion in 3. Order your Church Outreach Package at Louisiana in a post-Roe era. www.LoveLifeVoteYes.com/churches to receive yard signs and Now, here’s the longer answer. other materials. You, the people of Louisiana, have elected leaders to represent your values and pass great pro-life laws. Nevertheless, abortion advocates challenge many of these laws in Contact Us to Get Involved! 1.866.463.5433 or [email protected]! courts where judges can undo what Louisiana citizens clearly want.

Without this constitutional amendment, and even though Louisiana lawmakers have already voted (our 2006 “trigger” law) to make abortion illegal in Louisiana once voters passed an amendment to reverse that court decision. Voters have also passed Roe v. Wade is overturned, the courts could side with the abortion industry and find similar pro-life amendments in , , and . protections for abortion in the Louisiana Constitution. Now, it’s Louisiana’s turn! We have already seen this disturbing trend around the country. Abortion advocates have bypassed the people’s voices in 13 other states, where each state Supreme Court In Alabama, abortion advocates pumped in more than $1.5 million to fight that state’s found a right to abortion in its state’s Constitution. These “mini-Roe” decisions have ballot measure. Their goal was to deceive the public and get them to vote against the been issued in obvious states like California, Vermont and New York and also in largely pro-life amendment. We anticipate that abortion advocates will do the same or more pro-life states like and Kansas. here in Louisiana, so we must counter and cover our state with our message of love for life. This would be devastating for Louisiana, where the decision could enshrine abortion- on-demand through all nine months of pregnancy and strike down common sense By approving this amendment, you have the opportunity to continue being a voice for pro-life laws, like even the basic requirement of parental consent before abortion. the voiceless and to show the world just how pro-life we are. In our state where family means everything and there’s always something to celebrate, it seems appropriate that You have the opportunity to protect Louisiana from this fate through this we call this initiative the Love Life Amendment. We sure do love life…. All life. It’s constitutional amendment. You, our amazing supporters, have always come together time we stand up for life! to fight for the unborn and their mothers. We need you more than ever this fall. The Love Life Constitutional Amendment, if passed, will place language in the Louisiana Everyone has a role to play in passing this pro-life amendment. You have fought hard Constitution that will prevent state judges from taking the abortion issue away from to make this state pro-life, and we are closer than ever to ending abortion in Louisiana. you, the people. The Love Life Amendment, No. 1 on the list of amendments on this ballot, is the final piece of the puzzle to ensure that Louisiana protects unborn babies. Visit www.ProLifeLouisiana.org for details There Is Hope for Louisiana You have partnered with this organization in many years of pro-life work. Now let’s Since state Supreme Courts began handing down these “mini-Roe” decisions, several vote YES on No. 1 and protect unborn lives in Louisiana for generations to come! states have clarified that their state constitutions do not protect abortion. In , for instance, even though the state court found a right to abortion in its Constitution, For more information or to donate, please visit LoveLifeVoteYes.com.

THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life | 3 WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN SUPREME COURT DECISION, BUT HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE by BENJAMIN CLAPPER, Executive Director

Following the June Medical In his dissent in June Medical Services v. Services v. Russo Decision, Russo, Justice Clarence Thomas issued a powerful and honest manifesto for why the the Dial May Be Turning Supreme Court’s protection of abortion has been a disaster from the start. Here are a few Our Way quotes from his dissent:

Our hearts were broken on June 29 when we learned “Today a majority of the Court perpetuates the Supreme Court struck down our Unsafe Abortion its ill-founded abortion jurisprudence by Protection Act. But not long after that moment of enjoining a perfectly legitimate state law and grief we began to see a silver lining in the decision, and doing so without jurisdiction.” we’ve already seen positive repercussions for the pro-life movement. While the decision wasn’t exactly what we “Roe is grievously wrong for many reasons, expected, together with you we’ve made progress for life but the most fundamental is that its core at the highest court in our land! While it may sound like holding — that the Constitution protects a wishful thinking, let me explain. woman’s right to abort her unborn child — finds no support in the text of the Fourteenth In 2014, we conceptualized and passed this important Amendment.” law that requires abortionists to have admitting privileges at a local hospital in order to protect the safety of women “But those decisions created the right to from dangerous abortion facilities. Pro-abortion groups abortion out of whole cloth, without a shred challenged the law in court, culminating in the 2020 of support from the Constitution’s text. Our case June Medical Services v. Russo. Through a plurality abortion precedents are grievously wrong decision, the Supreme Court decided our law was and should be overruled.” unconstitutional in light of the 2016 case Whole Women’s Chief Justice Clarence Thomas Health v. Hellerstedt. Even though Chief Justice disagreed with the 2016 decision, he felt his respect of the court’s precedent compelled the court to uphold the law. law constituted an undue burden on a “woman’s right to This gives us reason for cautious optimism. Roberts’ abortion.” While that framework is not ultimately what decision already opened doors, and it could open doors We couldn’t disagree we want as pro-lifers, it has permitted courts to uphold to even more Supreme Court cases in the future that with Roberts’ hundreds of incremental pro-life laws over the past three could further challenge what Justice Clarence Thomas decision more. If decades. correctly called an “ill-founded abortion jurisprudence.” the 2016 Hellerstedt decision was wrong, Some observers felt our analysis was a bit premature and then it is still optimistic. But the proof has been in the pudding. Take wrong in 2020. The a look at these recent legal developments since the June Constitution did Medical decision: not change. • Indiana Gets New Life: Indiana passed a law in But despite our 2017 requiring a judge to notify a parent when a minor Don’t get me wrong. We believe the disappointment, daughter seeks a judicial bypass to have an abortion Chief Justice erred in striking down our after reviewing (under current law, a judge can permit a minor’s abortion the June Medical without the consent or notification of a parent). Under law based solely on precedent. Our law decision further we the Hellerstedt precedent, the 7th Circuit Court of was designed to hold abortion facilities realized there was a Chief Justice John Roberts Appeals struck down the Indiana law. But Indiana up to the same standards as all other silver lining in the appealed the case to the Supreme Court, and on July 2 outpatient surgical centers. The Supreme Roberts’ concurring opinion that now holds precedent. the Court sent the case back to the 7th Circuit, asking Let’s take a step back to 2016. it to review the Indiana law in light of the June Medical Court protected this dangerous loophole, decision. and women in Louisiana remain in In 2016, the Supreme Court, with Justice Anthony jeopardy. But, as it appears right now, Kennedy still on the bench, struck down a Texas pro-life • Louisiana Challenge Dismissed: On July 31, the June Medical Services v. Russo delivered law similar to our Louisiana law in its decision Whole Shreveport abortion facility voluntarily dismissed its legal Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt. In that terrible decision, challenge to a series of safety laws governing Louisiana's a major blow to the long-term pro- the pro-abortion majority placed thousands of pro-life . This is the same lawsuit we mentioned abortion goal of dismantling every pro- laws across America in jeopardy, from informed consent above that came about as a result of Hellerstedt. life law in the country. to ultrasound laws, through their new “benefit vs. burden” test. Pro-abortion attorneys nationwide began • Arkansas Laws Reviewed Again: On Aug. 7, licking their chops. In 2017, they filed a host of lawsuits a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of against numerous Louisiana pro-life laws, even those laws Appeals vacated a 2017 U.S. District Court decision requiring abortion facilities to have sanitary toilets! for a preliminary injunction against four pro-life laws passed in 2017 by the Arkansas Legislature. The appellate But Roberts put an abrupt check on the Hellerstedt judges said the laws should be reconsidered in light of decision in his June Medical opinion. Roberts eviscerated Roberts’ concurring opinion in the June Medical case. On June 29, Louisiana gained ground for the pro-life the benefit-burden test as arbitrary, stating that it allowed movement, and we should celebrate this success. While judges to act as legislators in determining what was a While the outcomes of Indiana and Arkansas cases the decision was not what we wanted, and the delay to benefit and what was not. He shifted the court back to remain to be seen, the Supreme Court has sent a clear get where we want to go is frustrating, to say the least, we the 1992 v. Casey framework that message that they are going in a different direction from hope in time this decision sets the stage for a larger win used a “rationale basis” test to determine whether the Hellerstadt's pro-abortion iron grip. for both life and for women’s health.

LARTL Put Forth Persuasive Message in Media Following Decision Even with the adverse decision, Louisiana Right to Life still worked in the court of public opinion both before and after the ruling. It was our hope to put the best and most persuasive message forward in hopes of turning the hearts of America toward life! To do this, we hired a DC-based public relations firm to secure media nationwide. Together with our close friend State Sen. , an African-American Democratic pro-life state legislator and author of the legislation at the center of the case, we did countless media interviews, released videos, published op-eds, and more. Sen. Jackson appeared on Fox News nationwide and her op-ed that we strategically released right after the decision was published in more than 25 newspapers across the nation, including USA Today online. In final estimates from our PR firm, we reached an audience of 42,339,492 people nationwide!

4 | THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life PROTECTING BLACK BABIES & SUPPORTING THEIR MOTHERS

Your Support is Helping Us Address Tragedy of Abortion in Black Community

Her morning had been chaotic. Her ride bailed, and so did her babysitter. She had a flat, which she changed on the side of the road. Still, she was determined. She said she had been in an abusive relationship for years, had escaped with her son, and was trying to start a new life by saving money for college.

“I can’t carry a child for nine months right now, I just can’t,” the woman told a New York Times reporter last year while sitting in an abortion facility waiting room. “I have to give my son the best life I can. I have to go to college.”

Tragically, many women in crisis view abortion as a solution. This woman’s story is common, especially in the Black community, where each year across the nation lives in the womb are lost to abortion at a far higher rate than the combined total of lives lost to HIV, cancer, and heart disease.

In Louisiana, 60 percent of all abortions occur in the Black community. This means that 1 in 5 black babies in Louisiana are aborted.

While the state’s abortion rate (including the Black community) has decreased since 2014, this percentage of Black abortion hasn’t changed. OF ALL LOUISIANA Because these statistics are so shocking, it’s alarming that many who advocate for racial 60% justice across the nation are not including the plight of the Black baby in the womb. ABORTIONS END THE LIFE OF A BLACK BABY.

These services must continue to expand in underserved communities. To do this, Louisiana Black Advocates for Life recently formed the Alliance for Life in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. These multi-ethnic collaborative teams will provide community-based forums for discussion of issues linked to abortion in the Black community and develop projects to address them.

Pastor Jonathan Burton, left, is shown with South Central Jurisdiction Church of God Nationally, there is also progress in acknowledging the protection of unborn child as in Christ pastors and Bishop Willie Cage (fifth from left) following a meeting in an important issue in the Black community. One new campaign is making a needed Hammond. Burton spoke to the group about what it means to be pro-life in the Black impact! community and how they can get involved. In November 2019, the Church of God in Christ, the fifth largest Christian In 2014, through the support of many of you, Louisiana Black Advocates for Life was denomination in America with 12,000 churches and more than five million members formed to change the sad reality of abortion in the Black community. The group’s goal (mostly African American), publicly declared its dedication to the sanctity of life is to save lives in the womb and help mothers through awareness and increased services through a General Assembly Resolution. At the same time, the church launched in the Black community. If women like the one in the story above can be reached its pro-life Family Life Campaign that has already been effective in neighborhoods ahead of time, Black Advocates for Life can connect them with the support they need around the country. The initiative is connected with a nationwide network of pro-life both before and after birth. crisis pregnancy clinics to reach and serve African American women who might have otherwise sought an abortion. Adoption are It is essential to have exceptional recommended as alternatives to abortion. pregnancy resource centers and other The Family Life Campaign is believed to services located in traditionally Black be the first sustained pro-life campaign communities that can provide support launched by a major Black denomination. for pregnant women and families. If the needs of the women and families aren’t Louisiana Black Advocates for Life Executive met in their own communities, then The Church of God in Christ opposes elective abortions. The Director, Dr. Kathy Allen, and Associate just like the woman mentioned above, issue of personhood has haunted America since the Dred Director, Pastor Jonathan Burton, are now abortion will continue. Scott, Plessy v. Ferguson and Roe vs. Wade decisions. Just as collaborating with local Church of God in Christ pastors to expand this vital effort Just recently, Opelousas Pregnancy slavery was overturned in America, Jim Crow was defeated, which, along with similar efforts to support Center opened its doors in Opelousas, and Nazi Germany was overthrown, it is our prayer that mothers and fathers, will save unborn an underserved majority-minority the heinous industry of abortion will become morally babies. community. The work of this and other reprehensible worldwide. local pregnancy centers will not only There remains a deep tension over race in help save the life of the unborn child, America. But as we struggle as a nation but they also can completely transform a - Church of God In Christ Resolution through this conversation, we must not woman’s life in general, placing her on a on the Sanctity of Life, November 2019 forget the Black unborn child and his or more stable footing for life. her mother. We must speak for and support their lives. One center that has been doing just that for many years is The Women’s To learn more about Louisiana Black Help Center in North Baton Rouge. Advocates for Life visit In addition to offering the important www.lablackadvocates.com. You can also pregnancy related services similar to contact State Director Dr. Kathy Allen at most pregnancy centers, The Women’s Help Center offers other key services to support [email protected] or Associate Director Pastor Jonathan Burton at a woman’s life, including GED education and much more. [email protected] for more information.

THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life | 5 NEW LOUISIANA LAW ALLOWS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY by SANDY CUNNINGHAM, Communications Director

Individual Can Receive Advice and Support While Retaining Decision-Making Authority Louisiana’s new Supported Decision-Making law took intellectual and developmental disabilities two options: effect Aug. 1, and now more people with disabilities can Continued tutorship could be attained when the child was live independent lives and make their own decisions with between the ages of 15-18, and an interdiction could be the support of a team of trusted advisors. attained once the child turned 18.

Known as the Dustin Gary Act, this new law is a far less “These options are very restrictive and very difficult to get restrictive alternative than Continued Tutorship and reversed,” Liz said. “Basically, once these take place, that Interdiction, both which leave the person with a disability person has limited rights or no rights whatsoever.” with limited or no rights and put them under complete control of someone else. It was a decision weighing heavily on the family, as Mike and Liz knew Dustin wouldn’t be capable of making life With a Supported Decision Making agreement, the decisions on his own when he turned 18. They didn’t want individual with disabilities will receive assistance from one to take away all of their son’s rights, but because of his Shown at the signing for the Dustin Gary/ Supported or more trusted friend, family member, professional and/or developmental disabilities, they didn’t think they had a Decision-Making Act are, from left, Kim Basile, Ashley advocate to help them understand the situations they face choice. McReynolds, Katie Corkern, Liz Gary, Kelly Monroe, and the choices and options they have. Crystal White, State Rep. Paula Davis, and State Sen. That is until 2018, when Liz attended the Reinventing . The new law was named after Mandeville teenager Dustin Quality Conference in Baltimore with friend and fellow Gary, whose mother helped bring this option to Louisiana advocate Ashley McReynolds and learned about Supported amendment. I was watching on the computer when they families. Decision-Making. Kelly Monroe, executive director of The amended the bill to be named the Dustin Gary Act. I had Arc of Louisiana, also learned about Supported Decision- no idea until then,” said Liz, obviously proud that her son Making at a different conference in 2018, and the women was recognized but even more excited that her son was When Liz Gary was pregnant with Dustin, she and knew this option would make a huge difference for being given the opportunity to retain the ability to make husband Mike were told that due to underlying Louisiana families. his own decisions. conditions, their baby would die in utero or immediately upon delivery. Her doctor recommended an emergency The women hoped to bring the bill in the 2019-20 The Senate unanimously passed the bill, and Gov. John Bel delivery to try and save the baby. The news from a second legislative session, but time wasn’t on their side. Instead, Edwards held a signing ceremony on June 11. Dustin was opinion was worse, but there was no way this couple was Supported Decision-Making became one of The Arc’s unable to attend because of COVID-19 restrictions, but going to abort their unborn child. legislative agenda items for the 2020-21 legislative session, he did Facetime with Gov. Edwards during the event. and everything was set to go before the coronavirus shut As the pregnancy continued and Dustin continued to down Louisiana. fight, Liz prayed her unborn son would survive. She made Dustin celebrated his 18th birthday on Aug. 24. Before several promises to God, and she promised Dustin that if “I started to panic once COVID-19 hit and we didn’t then he was already starting to put a team together to help he survived, she would fight for him for the rest of his life. think the bill would end up being heard. I needed the him navigate the waters of adulthood. bill this year because Dustin was about to turn 18,” Liz Liz became a fierce advocate for individuals with recalled. Liz acknowledged that a Supported Decision-Making disabilities, and Dustin, who has Down syndrome, has agreement isn’t for everyone with an intellectual or continued to change lives since the day he was born. Legislators eventually returned to Baton Rouge, and bills developmental disability. But she said it provides adults outside the realm of COVID-19 and the state budget, with minor cognitive disabilities a chance to make Today he loves typical teenage things like hanging out with including HB 361, began making their way through the decisions affecting their own lives. friends, listening to music and playing Xbox. He loves Capitol. (Rep. Paula Davis of Baton Rouge sponsored the working outside and going out to eat and is a well-known bill, Sen. Franklin Foil of Baton Rouge carried it in the “This is the less restrictive option than interdiction, and junior at St. Paul’s School in Covington. Senate and Reps. James Nelson and Charles Owens and certainly it needs to be considered before that step is Sens. Patrick McMath, and co-authored.) taken,” Liz said. “Dustin already has his opinions, and “He has touched more people in his 17 years than some we want to work with him in making the best decisions. will in a lifetime,” Liz said. “When our bill passed the House (unanimously) and got With a little help from his team, he’ll be able to do a lot of Previously, Louisiana offered families of persons with to the Senate Judicial A Committee they asked for an things that weren’t an option for us before.” what you

NEEDSupported Decision-Making TO KNOW: – now enacted in 20 states – is a tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices.

A person selects trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters. The supporters agree to help the person with a disability understand, consider, and communicate decisions, giving the person with a disability the tools to make The Gary family includes, from left, Liz, Dustin, Mike, Abby and Cameron. his or her own, informed decisions on things such as finances, medical care, living arrangements, etc.

Some benefits of Supported Decision-Making include: • Individual is always at the center of decision-making. • Individual decides who offers support. • Individual retains legal rights. • Individual is more independent and better adjusted.

Of course, Supported Decision-Making is not for everyone. There will still be situations where interdiction is the most appropriate option for an individual. But the new law does say that before a petition for interdiction is approved, the petitioner must prove to the court that a less restrictive means was tried, or if not, he or she must state the reason why.

For more information, visit www.thearcofla.org.

6 | THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life LARTL SUMMER INTERNS GROW IN PRO-LIFE COMMITMENT, LEADERSHIP

Interns Elise Cresson, Nick Lemoine, and Reece Shelby Thanks to Your Generosity, We Are Able to Train Students are shown with Youth Programs Co-Director Mia Bordlee. to Become Pro-Life Leaders in their Schools, Communities This summer, in light of COVID-19 outbreaks canceling our normal statewide pro-life youth outreach events, Louisiana Right to Life welcomed a diverse group of summer interns to join us in our New Orleans and Lafayette offices to grow in their pro-life commitment and leadership. Here is what four of these students had to say about their pro-life convictions, their summer experience, and how they plan to bring their love for life back to their campuses this fall.

Louisiana State University Sophomore ELISE CRESSON Member of Pro-Life LSU I have always been pro-life but became especially interested in high school, where issues were discussed more in-depth in the classroom and during assemblies. These presentations made me contemplate important questions regarding human rights and the lack thereof for babies in the womb. I was left feeling restless and heartbroken at the blatant disregard for the dignity of unborn babies and their right to life.

My dissatisfaction with the current culture of abortion began a chain reaction in my pro-life activism. I traveled to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., attended the PULSE Leadership Institute, and joined the pro-life club at LSU.

While interning at Louisiana Right to Life I acquired a greater understanding of the legislative process and pro-life legislation. I had knowledgeable mentors available to me every day to answer the questions about past and present pro-life laws and court cases. I feel confident returning to school in our state’s capital city with this newfound pro-life knowledge.

This fall I intend to become more involved in Pro-Life LSU. During my freshman year I did not do much beyond attend club meetings, but this year I hope to offer ideas regarding how we can become a greater presence on campus. My summer internship has inspired me with ideas as to how we, as a club, can offer more opportunities to PERSUASION TIP: club members and other students around campus, such as hosting pro-life speakers, sponsoring pro-life/pro-choice debates, etc., to further the pro-life movement at LSU. Answering the Question St. Thomas More High School Graduate Through Philosophy: CHRISTINE DORÉ University of Louisiana at Lafayette Student I have a passion for the dignity and intrinsic value of human life. I am part of the 1 percent whose Human Beings vs. mother’s life was in danger during pregnancy. While my mom was pregnant, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and the diagnosis was terminal. She was advised to have an abortion Human Persons to prolong her own life. But she declined the doctor’s advice, and we both survived and prospered. What do you do if you encounter someone who I applied for the summer internship because I wanted to become more involved in the pro-life movement and says, “Well, they may be humans, but they are not meet like-minded individuals. Throughout the summer I learned of the multitude of resources available to help persons.” What does THAT even mean? Some women — pregnant or not — and men in recognizing the dignity of all human life. supporters of abortion rights will divide the human community into those who are persons and those This fall I plan to join and become active with Ragin Cajun Catholics. Through this organization I want help who are mere “human beings.” By doing so they further the culture of life on campus and in Lafayette. I plan to compile a list of resources that help women during deem “non-persons” as less valuable, and therefore, their pregnancy and make a brochure to give local OBGYNs and other doctors. able to be discarded through abortion.

What’s the Difference?Whenever you are faced Iron Will Enterprises Homeschool Group with a person ascribing different value to persons MADDIE MATURIN University of Louisiana at Lafayette Student and non-persons, always ask, “What’s the difference I am pro-life, not only because of my religious beliefs, but also because of the lies the pro-choice between a human being and a human person?” At movement tells women. Pro-life is about protecting the innocence of the unborn, and I am this point you will be given a list of qualities that proud of the lives I have touched through conversations about abortion and other pro-life topics. determine personhood, and therefore, determine a human being’s worth. This list includes such things I heard about interning at Louisiana Right to Life during a PULSE Weekend Immersion and wanted to get more as self-determination, rationality, consciousness, involved in what we do in the pro-life movement. During my internship I saw how passionate the LARTL staff is emotions, etc. in striving to do anything for women in need and protecting the innocence of life! Any list of these “personhood” qualities has two I will continue to be involved with Pro-Life Cajuns at ULL and look forward to having more conversations on problems: pro-life topics. 1. They exclude obvious examples of persons: If self- E.D. White Catholic High School Senior awareness is the determining quality, does that President of School’s Pro-Life Club exclude infants or those who are asleep or in comas? REECE SHELBY In order to be consistent, should their worth be I am pro-life because the moral compass in my heart guides me to believe that all life is valuable. removed? Is it acceptable to kill those in stages of I know in my heart that all life, born and unborn, is beautiful. lack of self-awareness?

I chose to intern with Louisiana Right to Life because it gave me a chance to grow in my pro-life 2. They include obvious examples of non-persons: If journey and as a person while working with a group of amazing people. I believe it is my duty as president of my consciousness and/or intelligence is the determining school’s right to life club to be as educated as possible in this movement. quality, aren’t computers more intelligent than babies? In order to be consistent, should computers I learned so much about the pro-life movement during my internship. The important lessons included that the have more worth than babies? small victories are just as important as the big victories. I learned that this movement is remarkably diverse and calls upon people from all backgrounds to be a voice for life. Most reasonable people would not associate themselves with any of these “personhood” I will bring the pro-life message to campus this fall in the best ways I know how — through meetings, activities, requirements if they followed them to their logical and gatherings. I will also continue to keep my club and school involved in services with our local pregnancy outcomes. Ethicist Joseph Fletcher, for example, center in order to spread the pro-life message, with not only our words but also our actions. believed that humans with an IQ below 40 may not be persons, and humans with an IQ below 20 are definitely not persons. Princeton philosopher Peter Singer believes that since patients with Alzheimer’s WANT TO JUMP START YOUR PRO-LIFE ACTIVISM? and infants up to the age of 24 months are not Students interested in completing their service hours with Louisiana Right to Life persons, it is not wrong to kill them. can contact their regional Youth Programs Director at the emails listed below. LAFAYETTE: Amanda Montesano | (337) 524.0044 | [email protected] The difference between human beings and human persons is arbitrary. It is not adequate to SHREVEPORT: Kandace Landreneau | (318) 218-7030 | [email protected] disqualify a human’s value simply by labeling him NEW ORLEANS: Mia Bordlee | (504) 835-6520 | [email protected] or her a non-person.

THE LUMINARY: A Publication of Louisiana Right to Life | 7 VOTE ON NOV. 3

The Luminary is a publication of Louisiana Right to Life, the state's premier pro-life organization founded in 1970 to restore the right to life in Louisiana through education, legislation, service, and activism. Louisiana Right to Life is a non- partisan and non-sectarian organization.

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Louisiana Right to Life Louisiana Right to Life Across the State Board of Directors: Celie Clark, James B. Statewide toll free number: 1.866.463.5433 Godchaux, M.D., Michelle Gorney, Frank New Orleans Hoffmann, Peg Kenny, John Nickelson, Sharon Rodi, Ryan Verret, William Watkins, and Robert 200 Robert E. Lee Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70184 Winn, founder and ex officio board member 504.835.6520 Executive Director: Benjamin Clapper Lafayette Managing Editor: Sandy Cunningham 600 Jefferson Street Suite 506, Lafayette, LA 70501 Follow us on Twitter @LARighttoLife 337.524.0044 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LARighttoLife www.ProLifeLouisiana.org