Several states have important ballot measures regarding abortion rights. Others will decide on severely transphobic measures. We all can help by phone-banking in addition to donating to the campaigns. Reaching out to voters is important because many people are confused due to misleading and fraudulent representations by the opponents of bodily autonomy.
Here are brief descriptions of what’s happening, with links to the campaigns mobilizing in defense of reproductive health and human rights for trans people. We urge you to contact them to offer your help. Time is of the essence because votes are already being cast where that is allowed.
Abortion rights issues:
Oppose: In Missouri, there is an attempt to overturn abortion protections in the state constitution that voters passed two years ago. The existing constitutional protections would be replaced with a ban on all abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies and pregnancies resulting from rape or incest — although these would have to occur before 12 weeks of pregnancy. The measure also prohibits gender-affirming case for minors. The opposition campaign is led by Stop the Ban: https://www.stopthebanmo.com/
Support: The Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act is an initiative to establish legal abortion in state that now has one of the strictest bans in the country. The measure would allow abortion through fetal viability. It would recognize the right to reproductive freedom and privacy regarding “pregnancy, contraception; fertility treatment; prenatal and postpartum care; childbirth; continuing one’s own pregnancy; miscarriage care; and abortion care.” The support campaign is led by: United for Yes: https://unitedforyes.com/
Support: Virginia, where abortion is already allowed through the second trimester to 28 weeks, is attempting to enshrine the right in the state constitution. This is the second vote required needed to approve the measure. Contact Virginians for Reproductive Freedom: https://va4reprofreedom.org/ to offer your help.
Support: Nevada voters are also taking a second required vote to add protection of abortion to their state constitution. Abortion is currently legal up to 24 weeks, and the prior vote passed by 64%. Another YES vote is much needed. The campaign is waged by Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom: https://www.nv4reprofreedom.org/
Trans Rights
Oppose: As previously mentioned, the Missouri anti-abortion measure would also prohibit gender-affirming care for minors. The opposition campaign is led by Stop the Ban: https://www.stopthebanmo.com/
Oppose: Arizona‘s Proposition 318 would expand existing state restrictions on trans athletes to include male teams. It would also require athletes to use bathrooms and changing rooms that match their “original birth certificate.” Opponents are concerned that the ban could be extended to all school bathrooms. More info at https://no318.vote/ Unfortunately, the website of Will of the People Arizona, which is leading the campaign against this and other very reactionary measures on the ballot, doesn’t state that it is an attack on trans people. That’s no way to win!!
Oppose: Colorado has two transphobic measures on the ballot. Proposition 134 is another attack on trans athletes. Proposition 135 would make it illegal for doctors to perform gender-affirming surgery on trans minors. Although Colorado currently protects youth access to gender care, the proposition if passed would restrict that to non-surgical care. Opponents are: Hands Off Colorado: https://www.rmequality.org/hands-off-colorado and Families Not Politics: https://familiesnotpolitics.com/
Oppose: A Nebraska constitutional amendment would restrict school sports teams based on “biological sex.” Nebraska already has a sports ban that applies to both girls’ and boys’ teams, but this amendment would enshrine the policy in the state constitution, making it much harder to change. The Fairness for All coalition: https://fairnessforallne.org/ is leading the opposition.
Oppose: Washington has two dangerous initiatives, both sponsored by a billionaire who is also trying to roll back a tax on the mega-wealthy. One is a ban on trans female athletes, that requires every girl who wants to be on a sports team to submit to a genital exam to prove her sex! The second measure would remove the ability of youth to confide issues to school personnel and have their privacy respected. This initiative would “out” queer and trans kids and rat on children seeking support from abusive home situations. The opposition campaign is No Hate in WA State: https://nohateinwastate.org/
Please do what you can to help get voters to do the right thing on these crucial measures! Spread the word, volunteer, and donate.
