Position on Choice
The California Women’s List supports pro-choice Democratic women running for office. We
define pro-choice as agreeing with the constitutional right to choose guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.
1. What does “choice” mean to you?
Choice means having the right to choose what to do with your body. Reproductive health is a
human right, and women should have autonomy over their bodies.
2. The central premise of Roe v. Wade is that a woman has the right to terminate a
pregnancy before viability and after viability if, in consultation with her doctor, an
abortion is necessary to preserve her life or health. Do you agree with the central premise
of Roe v. Wade and will you vote to preserve it?
Yes, I agree and I will vote to preserve the central premise of Roe v. Wade.
3. There have been numerous attempts in state legislatures and in the U.S. Congress to
restrict access to abortion (for example procedure bans, parental consent, waiting periods,
making it a crime for someone to accompany a minor across state lines). Do you favor any
legislation restricting access to abortion? If so, what?
No, I do not favor any legislation or other attempts to restrict access to abortion.
4. Do you support public funding of abortion services without restrictions for low-income
women who depend upon the federal/state Medicaid program for their health care?
Yes, I support public funding of abortion services and other reproductive health services for all
women, especially for low-income women, women of color, and women who depend upon the
federal/state Medicaid program for their health. Reproductive services, including but not limited
to pre-natal care, birth control and abortion, are a basic public health right that all women should
have regardless of their socioeconomic status or income level.
5. Do you support family planning services for women who need them, and medically
accurate age appropriate sex education in schools? Do you support comprehensive or nondirective options for counseling and referral services (including abortion and adoption) in
health centers?
Yes to both questions.
6. What actions have you taken to protect or advocate for a woman’s right to choose?
One of my most notable accomplishments, recognized in the Washington Post, was my
leadership in barring misleading advertisements by San Francisco’s Crisis Pregnancy Centers
(CPC). These faith-based nonprofits had misleading advertisements implying that they provided
full family planning services, including abortion services and referrals, even though no such
services were offered. CPC advertisements targeted low-income and vulnerable women in order
to communicate anti-choice messaging once the woman walked through their doors. I cosponsored a bill that required CPCs to be transparent about actual services offered and their
position on abortion. The bill was implemented and serves as an example for other cities.
In 2013, I also co-sponsored, with San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, legislation that
established a 25-foot buffer zone around reproductive health clinics, to prevent anti-abortion
protesters from harassing individuals entering the clinics. Last year, we amended the ordinance
in compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision in McCullen v. Coakley, ruling that the free
speech rights of protesters who enter or remain in a buffer zone should be protected. The
amended ordinance shifted focus from the buffer zone itself to the conduct of the individual
within the buffer zone. People engaged in “quiet, consensual conversations” are allowed in 25foot the buffer zone, while those who choose to shout or speak with amplifiers must stand 50 feet
away. This ordinance protects a woman’s right to choose, while balancing anti-abortion activists’
First Amendment right to free speech, within the legal parameters set forth by McCullen.
Most recently, I was the primary author of a resolution supporting continued funding for Planned
Parenthood nationwide and committing local funding support in the event that the San Francisco
Health Center, operated by Planned Parenthood Northern California, was defunded at the federal
or state level. This provision commits the City to prioritize this funding and ensure that there is
no interruption in the services provided by the San Francisco Health Center.
7. Is there anything in your record that is inconsistent with your above positions?
If so, please explain.
No.
/s/Jane Kim
Signature of Candidate
Jane Kim
Printed Name
11/6/2015
Date
CA State Senate, District 11
Office Sought