Bodily Autonomy

Bodily autonomy—the idea that each person has the right to make decisions about their own body—is at the center of many of today’s most heated debates in law, medicine, and ethics. In this discussion, we’ll explore the different ways this principle shows up in society, from abortion access and reproductive rights in a post-Roe v. Wade America, to vaccination mandates and the balance between public health and personal freedom. We’ll also look at the growing legal and cultural battles over gender-affirming care, especially for minors, and examine issues surrounding consent, medical freedom, and the limits of state intervention in deeply personal decisions.

The phrase “My Body, My Choice” is invoked across the political spectrum—but what does it really mean, and does its meaning shift depending on the issue? We’ll consider how federal and state laws define or restrict bodily autonomy, how court decisions shape the boundaries of those rights, and what happens when personal freedom collides with social responsibility.

This session is an open space to reflect, question, and discuss where the lines are drawn—and who gets to draw them—when it comes to control over our own bodies.