Pay attention, folks.
This week on September 1st, Texas put into effect SB8, an extreme abortion law that not only bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, but also incentivizes individuals to sue – for a minimum of $10,000 – anyone who “aids or abets” a person accessing an abortion, including doctors, staff, drivers, and other community members. This law is designed specifically to intimidate clinic staff and burden people seeking abortions. The Supreme Court has refused to intervene.
SB8 is not only unprecedented; it is cruel and unjust. Black women, people of color, LGBTQ folks, young people, and poor communities will be the most impacted by this abortion ban that further compounds the already imposed barriers to care that are designed to prevent folks from getting the healthcare that they need.
I am exhausted. And most of all, infuriated. I know that our fight for communities of color continues. This is not just about Texas. SB8 has national implications, and we must pay attention. We cannot sit idly by while these attacks on humanity continue to happen across our communities.
Provide remains committed to transforming healthcare by offering trainings about client-centered abortion referrals, resources, and technical assistance to healthcare and social service workers throughout the South and Midwest. In 2013, we began focusing on abortion referral-making; to date we have trained over 10,000 healthcare and social service providers in over 20 states. As pregnant Texans seek counsel and services elsewhere, Provide’s Abortion Referrals Trainings with healthcare and social service providers in neighboring states takes on new urgency. This human rights assault only strengthens our resolve to ensure that ALL pregnant people are treated with dignity and respect and have the freedom to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their families.
This attack in Texas is just the beginning, and we stand in solidarity with our Texas partners as they continue to navigate this law and find ways to help those in need. In this moment, we need the support of people across the country who believe that everyone should be able to get the health care they need without shame, unnecessary restrictions, or outside interference. For those who want to help:
- Donate to Texas abortion funds.
- Visit needabortion.org to help Texans get the abortions they need.
In solidarity,
Fatimah Gifford
Executive Director, Provide