(Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant) – Pro Choice Or Pro Life? When it comes to this complicated issue, are things really black and white?
I would argue no.
There are many within the pro-choice movement who, despite supporting abortion, are staunchly opposed to the death penalty. Similarly, there are many within the pro-life movement who fully support the death penalty.
In both instances, there are individuals who support killing a life in one circumstance while fighting to save it in another.
Now anyone can justify their stance around these two movements, but on the face of it, it seems there are plenty of contradictions to go around. However, the truth is there’s plenty of room for nuance on both sides that can lead to such a mixed opinion on how we view matters of life and death.
Lets add a bigger monkey wrench to this issue and include the act of dying with dignity. Now this is where it gets sticky. Some pro-choice proponents are against dying with dignity and some pro-life activists are in support of it. But how is there such disagreement? Isn’t a life a life?
Well, for many, the issue comes down to quality of life.
In fact, a recent statewide poll showed over 70 percent of voters support “dying with dignity” laws, which tells me this is a bipartisan issue where only the outliers on the political spectrum line up against it. The public support this issue, regardless of partisan expectations, in much the same way they support abortion, voter ID and school choice.
And I understand why.
In my previous career I worked in a nursing home as a counselor for those facing the end of their life. It was a heavy burden, but one that I did with empathy. What I learned is that the most important issue for my patients was to have quality time and connection with the people they love and, most importantly, to have their dignity preserved.
I can tell you, however, that at a certain point there is not much dignity to be had with certain end of life care. Your privacy and your freedoms are constantly disrupted under the disguise of organizational policies, procedures and government regulations. When I left that job, after having seen how it works first hand, I told my husband to never send me to a nursing home and just let me take my pills to die peacefully in my home with my dignity intact.
These are my personal views and my personal preferences — and I expect each of us to have our own ideas of what we wish for ourselves and our loved ones at the end of our lives.
Those expectations are, undoubtedly, why so many support the concept of dying with dignity. What if your wife, your mother, your sister, your brother is diagnosed with a terminal illness and two or more specialists have concluded that your loved one has no pathway to a cure and will suffer a painful drawn out journey to death? Would you wish that pain and agony on them? Would you deny them their desire for a dignified end?
I don’t believe any reasonable person would.
The dying with dignity bill is being reintroduced into the 83rd Session, and for that reason I have decided to co-sponsor it. I know there are many within my political base who are going to get mean and nasty over my decision. However, I am doing this for my constituents. I went back to my district after the last session and asked their opinion on how they wanted me to vote on this sensitive and personal issue. The voters I spoke with not only asked me to vote in favor, but even asked me to personally bring that bill this session to ensure it was given another chance at passing.
The constituents of AD23 want the option to have a death that saves them from unnecessary suffering and pain. They want the law to allow them the ability to approach their end with their dignity intact. As their representative, it is my job to respect the will of the people, not be held prisoner by partisan expectations.
And the people of Nevada, including my constituents, have shown they support this important legislation.
Now the loudest of my base will be shooting proverbial arrows, and I say “shoot away.” No one said having this job would be easy or without controversy. What I promised to do was follow what I believe to be right and represent the will of my district without question and without fear.
End of life care, like all life and death issues, raises complex concerns and deeply personal opinions. The least we can do is empower Nevadans with the freedom to face their own end of life decisions with their dignity intact.
For more from Danielle Gallant, a concerned mother and small business owner who stumbled into politics and still can’t quite figure out how she got there—or why she keeps going — follow her Instagram, TikTok or X.com. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
