You are not incapable of making your own decisions.
You are not without power.
You are not disposable.
You are not alone.
Today the federal government stripped the protection of our rights to abortion and bodily autonomy. In case there was any doubt in your mind, patriarchy, toxic masculinity, and racism are thriving in our highest court and in the halls of Missouri’s State Capitol. The most vulnerable in our communities are now more vulnerable, and at grave risk. Elections have repercussions, and decisions made by life-time appointees make that clear. When we vote at the local, state, and federal level we open doors to the future.
This morning, AG Eric Schmitt enacted Missouri’s trigger ban immediately, ending abortion access in our state. In Missouri, that means survivors of rape or incest no longer have the right to make their own decisions on how to proceed with health care. That said, Planned Parenthood’s health centers in the St. Louis metro area and in Southwest Missouri will remain open for all other reproductive health care. Gender affirming transgender health care, birth control, and emergency contraception remain legal and accessible at Planned Parenthood.
Our LGBTQ+ community, and especially transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive kids, are already under fierce attack–we are seeing grave assaults to people’s basic liberties across the board. From denying reproductive freedom to school censorship laws and efforts to criminalize doctors and parents for supporting their children with gender affirming health care. The overturn of Roe is akin to government efforts banning or limiting transgender health care and controlling the lives of those facing historical discrimination–often the most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community. Because emails have already been coming into PROMO’s inboxes, let’s be clear, Obergefell does not fall with the reversal of Roe. Marriage equality remains the law of the land.
Today we feel our rage and hold our loved ones close.
Tonight we rally and protest with PROMO’s coalition partners.
Tomorrow we grow even deeper in solidarity with our partner advocates in sexual health and reproductive justice. This moment calls on us to be thoughtful, creative, strategic, and authentic in building the community for which we hope. Please support our partners at Pro-Choice MO, Jamaa Birth Village, Planned Parenthood of STL and SWMO, the MO Abortion Fund, and ReproAction.
In Solidarity,
Katy and the PROMO team