We oppose the Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, released today and authored by Justice Alito, overturning the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade. Roe was the culmination of battles across generations for reproductive and bodily autonomy. It laid the foundation for women and all people who can become pregnant to enter the workforce in greater numbers, become financially independent, and most fundamentally, to choose when—or whether—to start a family. This decision will force people to carry pregnancies to term against their will—and potentially imprison them if they end their pregnancies. As we have in the past, we wholeheartedly condemn this cruel regression on basic human rights.
As the former President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Faye Wattleton, stated: “Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right.” An individual’s right to choose to have a safe, medically sound abortion is the cornerstone of bodily autonomy, protects their right to privacy, and leaves personal medical decisions to individuals, their families and their doctors. Access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, was already far too difficult, particularly for members of historically marginalized communities including the LGBTQ+ community, Brown and Black communities, immigrant communities, and poor communities. And it is these communities who will be the most severely impacted by this egregious decision.
We are also deeply concerned that this opinion poses an extreme danger to individual freedoms beyond reproductive rights, as it undermines the value of precedent and calls into question the existence of a fundamental right to privacy under the 14th Amendment of our Constitution. The Court’s opinion states that the only rights we are entitled to are those expressly stated within the Constitution. We are on the precipice of a dangerous time in history if there is not a concerted effort by organizations, Congressmembers, and individuals to assert and reclaim the right of access to abortion care and fundamental privacy rights.
As history has shown us, taking away anyone’s freedom of choice is in fact putting them in harm’s way. This creates the real risk of people being forced to choose potentially harmful or unsafe options. When legal, safe options are taken away, serious injury or worse, death, will again be a reality for millions of pregnant people across the country. We still see this today and the question we raise is: when will we become pro-their lives?
We urge community members to contact their Senators to demand their support for the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755) and ask that those who can donate to abortion providers and pro-choice advocacy groups that continue to provide immediate help to people seeking care.
Join us at NARAL Pro-Choice California Privacy After Dark event in support of safe abortion access on Wednesday, June 29th at ATWater Tavern in San Francisco. Purchase your ticket here now in support of NARAL California’s critical work of electing champions for reproductive freedom.
This is not the end. The fight will continue.
In Solidarity,
SFWPC Board of Directors
Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
Chinese American Democratic Club
D2 Democratic Club
D11 Democratic Club
Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club
GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA)
Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club
Noe Valley Democratic Club
Rose Pak Democratic Club
San Francisco Berniecrats
San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club
San Francisco Young Democrats
SWANA Democratic Club
United Democratic Club
Willie B Kennedy Democratic Club
Women’s March San Francisco
Resources:
Reproductive Care and Support
- Access to Reproductive Health Care and Services – Easy access to looking up clinics and funds near you
- Abortion Funds – Abortion funds across the United States
- Access Reproductive Justice – (800) 376-4636 – Bilingual ACCESS Healthline to resources for people in need of reproductive healthcare and related supports.
Support Organizations Fighting for Reproductive Freedom
- NARAL Pro-Choice America
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund
- Emily’s List
- The California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom
Mental Health Support
- Access to Mental Health Support Youth Crisis Line: (800) 843-5200
- San Francisco Crisis Line: (415) 781-0500 or Text CRISIS to (415) 200-2920
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 or Send a text message to 838255
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