The draft decision, which appears poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, could have a far-reaching impact on LGBTQ+ youth and families
Washington, D.C. – In response to the leaked draft of the majority Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson, which would eliminate the constitutional right to abortion established nearly fifty years ago in Roe v. Wade, Family Equality releases the following statement:
“First, know this: The Supreme Court has not yet ruled in this case. This draft is not final. Abortion is still legal, and as of today, it remains your constitutional right. But if the Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it will open the floodgates for states across the country to ban access to reproductive healthcare and disproportionately harm BIPOC and low-income people who can become pregnant.
“Central to Family Equality’s work is the belief that everyone—including people assigned female at birth, people who are intersex, people who are cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary—should have the right to affirming, inclusive reproductive healthcare. We recognize that abortion rights are LGBTQ+ rights, and we commit to protecting everyone’s freedom to find, form, and sustain their family however they choose.
“Of course, this case is about access to reproductive healthcare. But it’s also about personal autonomy, privacy, liberty, and long-standing Supreme Court precedent that make up the foundation of the freedoms we’ve fought for the past 50 years to secure. We know that the leaked opinion was unsettling and raises concerns about the Court dismantling other rights related to LGBTQ+ families, including marriage equality. And, of course, we will fight to preserve and protect those rights we fought so hard to win.
“But, let’s be clear. The threats to our families aren’t ‘up next.’ They’re happening right now, with hundreds of bills appearing across the country that seek to deny LGBTQ+ youth and families of their rights to things like healthcare or to erase our existence in classrooms. What we need now, more than ever, is action. So to our families who are concerned about the ongoing impact of this potential decision, know this: In solidarity, strength, and spirit, we will fight back.”
About Family Equality
Family Equality advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality believes every LGBTQ+ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
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Press Contact
Anna Libertin,
Chief Communications Officer/
646-880-3005 ext. 157
communications@familyequality.org