Today, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled nearly 50 years of precedent and stripped millions of Americans of reproductive rights, specifically the right to obtain an abortion. The ability of pregnant persons to make decisions about their bodies had been a bedrock legal principle for generations. EQNY condemns this erosion of bodily autonomy.
More chilling still, the reasoning behind the decision is nothing short of full fledged assault on American constitutional liberties. The Court’s majority undermined the concept of substantive due process which enshrines rights such as the ability to use contraception, same-sex sexual activity, and marriage equality.
Time will tell if the Court will extend this reasoning to other areas that Americans understood to be off limits from government intrusion.
As New Yorkers, we are fortunate that abortion rights and marriage equality are codified by our state’s laws. The ability of Transgender New Yorkers to obtain gender-affirming medical care and have identity documents in their correct name and gender are secure. The erosion of the constitutional rights at the federal level will have less impact on our state. However, as an organization, we stand in solidarity with our siblings who live in states where they will directly experience the harm from this and future decisions.
While we may feel helpless, there are ways you can support:
- Vote: make sure to get out and vote for pro-choice, pro-equality, equaity minded, and other progessive values in candidates in your community.
- Volunteer & Donate: Locally at your closest Planned Parenthood and nationally The Center for Reproductive Rights to help make sure our protections are being worked on nationally year around. And help pregnant persons obtain the abortion care they need by donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds.
In Solidarity,
Equality New York