Gender Justice: May 2022 Newsletter
With so much happening this summer on reproductive rights, transgender rights, and more, we invite you to stay connected with breaking news and analysis coming from our team through this biweekly newsletter.
Dear Friend,
This has been a hard week. Our hearts are broken, again, for the families and community in the latest mass shooting in our country. And yesterday marked two years since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis – and the profound grief and anger we carry still at the lack of change we see in our cities since that day.
With your support, we are continuing Gender Justice’s work to advance gender equity – for everyone. With so much happening this summer on reproductive rights, transgender rights, and more, we invite you to stay connected with breaking news and analysis coming from our team through this biweekly newsletter.
Thank you for helping to continue the fight for gender equity in these challenging times.
Preparing for Action after Roe v. Wade is overturned
In a matter of days or weeks, the Supreme Court will officially overturn the federal right to abortion enshrined in Roe v. Wade for the past 50 years. The leaked Supreme Court draft opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson case was no surprise to us – and we will be ready for action when the final decision is announced. Here’s how you can be involved:
- Attend an event for Abortion Rights on decision day. Details will be shared by email and on Gender Justice social media shortly after the decision is announced
- Join us for a Supreme Court legal analysis and chat live-streamed to Gender Justice social media within 24 hours after the decision comes down.
- Donate to local abortion funds, providers, and advocacy groups
Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney Christy Hall on MPR’s Angela Davis
We were thrilled to have Gender Justice Senior Staff Attorney Christy Hall join former clients Hannah and Hildie Edwards on MPR News with Angela Davis on May 24. They talked about how proposed anti-LGBTQ bills across the country affect youth locally, and how Minnesotans are responding. As Christy said during the show, “Gender Justice has represented transgender kids and their families several times, starting with the Edwards family. And every year we get more and more calls from families asking for help. The good news is that schools are learning that doing nothing is not an option.” Listen here.
Doe v. Minnesota Update
As many of you know, First Unitarian Society (FUS) of Minneapolis has been part of the legal challenge to laws restricting abortion access in Minnesota since the case was filed in 2019.
After much deliberation and in conversation with their counsel at the Lawyering Project and Gender Justice, the FUS board voted unanimously to withdraw from the lawsuit as a plaintiff. They decided to withdraw because remaining in case would further delay the proceedings; unfortunately, the Minnesota Court of Appeals halted the case while considering their standing as a religious congregation to bring the suit against the unconstitutional abortion restrictions. The hope is that withdrawing from the case will expedite it moving forward, with the ultimate goal of permanently blocking harmful abortion restrictions in Minnesota. FUS will continue as a proud member of UnRestrict Minnesota. Learn more here.
Oklahoma becomes the first state to ban abortion while Roe is still law
Wednesday night, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed H.B. 4327 into law, a citizen-enforced total ban on abortion that took effect today immediately upon signature. Oklahoma just became the first and only state to ban abortion while Roe still stands. It is the most restrictive abortion ban in effect in the country. This will worsen the abortion access crisis in a region that is already grappling with the loss of most care in Texas. Now, patients will be forced to travel even further for care. This ban along with two others signed by Gov. Stitt this session will be challenged, but unless the Oklahoma Supreme Court takes action, access will remain blocked.