A statement from True Colors United and members of the National Youth Forum on Homelessness on the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson:
In a time when anti-LGBTQ legislation is sweeping the nation, a Supreme Court decision overturning the right to an abortion would come as yet another attack on the right to bodily autonomy. These aren’t isolated incidents but parts of a larger pattern of chipping away at the rights of all Americans. Should this decision become official, it will impact everyone – but the burden will fall hardest on people who already face systemic racism and discrimination – including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people experiencing homelessness.
Reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights are linked at their core.
We believe that everyone deserves the right to:
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Bodily Autonomy
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- Everyone deserves the right to govern what happens to their body without external influence or coercion. Whether you need trans-affirming health care or reproductive services, you and you alone should decide what happens to your body.
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Self-Determination
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- Everyone should have the ability to make their own choices and manage their own life. Whether it’s who you love, how you identify, or whether or not to have children – it should be up to you.
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Health Care
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- Abortion is health care, and health care is a human right. No one should ever be denied health care for who they are, yet that’s what’s happening right now. Restricting abortion rights makes everyone less free and creates unnecessary health risks for pregnant individuals.
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The freedom to decide if, when, and how to start a family without government intrusion.
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- The decision of if, when, and how to have children should be up to you – not forced on you. LGBTQ people are no strangers to this battle – having fought and won the rights to marry and adopt. Should Roe be overturned, we may see a slew of anti-LGBTQ court efforts as well.
How will this affect LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness?
Read our new blog post to learn more about this Supreme Court case and its implications for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
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Ways to take action in support of abortion rights.
If you’re in or around DC: Voters of Tomorrow will host a youth-led rally this Saturday, May 7 at 2PM at the Supreme Court. Please RSVP here. They’re also looking for support/cosponsors!
Mutual aid initiatives to support:
- Abortion Funds in Every State.
- The Buckle Bunnies Fund – The Buckle Bunnies Fund is a queer-led reproductive organization that’s been raising money to provide abortions across Texas, dating back to 2020.
- Here is a list of local abortion funds in trigger law states. A trigger law is a law in a state’s statutes or constitution which cannot be enforced because a court decided it is illegal, usually because it conflicts with federal law or constitutional rights. Radical anti-choice activists have worked to pass trigger laws banning abortion but which can only go into effect if SCOTUS overturns the rights secured in Roe v Wade.
- Holler Health Justice – a BIPOC and queer led racial, economic, and reproductive non-profit in West Virginia
- The Afiya Center (TAC) – The Afiya Center (TAC) was established in response to the increasing disparities between HIV incidences worldwide and the extraordinary prevalence of HIV among Black womxn and girls in Texas. TAC is unique in that it is the only Reproductive Justice (RJ) organization in North Texas founded and directed by Black womxn.
Signed,
Members of the National Youth Forum on Homelessness:
- Jha’asryel-Akquil Bishop
- Maddox Guerilla
- Sakichi Hayashi
- Nova Mirari
- Osimiri Sprowal
The Staff of True Colors United:
 Dee Balliet |
 Gregory Lewis |
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 Christa Price |
 Eziah Blake |
 Anthony Ritosa |
 Angel Brown |
 Nick Seip, CAPM |
 Justina Burton |
 Phoebe VanCleefe |
 Twiggy Pucci Garçon |
 Francis Dylan Waguespack |
 Tiffany Hart |
 Coco Wheeler |
 Morgan Jenkins |
 Jordan Wiggins |
 Aleya Jones |
 Dana White |
 Selina Lee |
