Representative Hughes is holding a reproductive justice forum for the Westport community

Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Anne Hughes hosted a forum on reproductive rights Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation for Westport residents to share their frustrations with current legislation.

“‘Why can’t we have nice things?’ That’s the theme,” Hughes said.

She gave residents the floor to talk about reproductive justice, the privacy of bodily autonomy, and how to create community change in an era of economic and racial inequality.

“We may not benefit from it, but we do benefit from a separate medical system, a separate economic system and, most importantly, a separate power system,” Hughes said. ‘We must be an equal partner in setting those policy priorities. “

Hughes noted that to level the playing field when it comes to reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, more people need to participate in the issue — especially people who benefit from white privilege.

“She’s taken the whole thing to the next level by telling the white women, the white people in this group, that it’s their responsibility not to sit back and think about their personal power advantages,” said Sudha Sankar of Ridgefield .

Of the several dozen people who attended, many came away with mixed feelings.

“Well, I’m sorry there were five guys here,” said Randy Burnaham of Westport.

Some were shocked by the reality of the situation. Others were hopeful and ready to continue the fight.

“We may be a blue state, but there is a lot of pain and suffering going on,” Burnaham said. “I feel good that there were five of us. That is five more than was the case at many of these meetings.”

“She has come to Westport, she has come to white people and she is taking her message to communities where she realizes its importance,” Sankar said.