A guest speaker at the Catholic University of America (CUA), who describes herself as an “abortion doula,” made the controversial claim in a ‘Lifespan Development’ class that men can give “birth” as seahorses do. Rachel Carbonneau, a pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQ activist, was invited by the lecturer, Melissa Goldberg. During her lecture, Carbonneau purportedly called abortion a comfortable space and urged students to normalize the notion of men getting pregnant.
The university administration condemned the lecture, stating it did not reflect the institution’s mission and values committed to honoring the dignity of life at all stages. One CUA nursing student found Carbonneau’s speech unsettling, questioning the appropriateness of a pro-abortion speaker in a class focused on understanding human development from conception to natural death.
Carbonneau’s own practices, including supporting women in getting abortions and use of the New Age “healing” practice Reiki, contradict Catholic teachings. Her lecture and views raised concerns around the sanctity of human life and the belief in distinct male and female genders as per the Catholic doctrine.
EDIT: The faculty member of CUA who invited Carbonneau to speak has been fired.