From Ballots to Bodies: Abortion, Trans Rights & the Battle for Bodily Autonomy

Delve into the fierce debate over abortion rights in the U.S. and how recent measures could alter the course of reproductive freedom.

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Description: The 2022 Supreme Court ruling to overturn Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health dramatically changed the political scene. Still, just two years on, we are witnessing another watershed moment in the struggle for abortion rights. This Election Day, 10 states will vote on whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitution. Since 2022, every ballot measure to protect abortion rights has passed while every measure to restrict or weaken those rights has failed. Meanwhile, extremist Republicans are pushing for a total national abortion ban and seem to have Trump on their side. He told Fox News just days ago that a national abortion ban is “off the table,” but “we’ll see what happens.” Joining us to share what’s at stake and what can be done are Nadine Smith, the director of Equality Florida who heads the state's largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Heidi L. Sieck is a Political Strategist & Founder of VOTEPROCHOICE that focuses on reproductive freedom at the state and local levels. And Renee Bracey Sherman, a reproductive justice advocate is the co-author of the just-released book, “LIBERATING ABORTION: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve.” Together they unpack how abortion, access to trans health, contraception and freedom from sterilization abuse are all part of the far Right’s agenda to control bodies. Could reproductive rights leap forward in 2024, not back? Plus a commentary from Laura.

“. . . Just last month we had the Gender Liberation March in DC . . . We had a tent for banned books because as they're banning sex ed, as they're banning trans youth healthcare, trans healthcare and abortion, they're also banning books . . . It's the same people. They're just fighting about a different thing on a different day. And so when we come together, we'll be able to stand against them.” - Renee Bracey Sherman

“We have to remember that this is an infrastructure investment issue . . . For decades, the money on the anti-choice side has been going to investments in these local infrastructure. We don't operate like that on the progressive and political Democratic side. Most of our investments are going into the federal infrastructure, and that is the problem.” - Heidi L. Sieck

“The governor in Florida has been so extreme. He has sent investigators to people's homes for signing the petition that got the constitutional amendment on the ballot that would restore access to abortion in Florida . . . He's threatening television stations that run ads that are in support of the abortion ballot measure.” - Nadine Smith

Guests:

•  Renee Bracey Sherman: Co-Author Liberating Abortion; Founder & Co-Executive Director, WeTestify

•  Heidi L. Sieck: Political Strategist & Founder, VOTEPROCHOICE

•  Nadine Smith: Executive Director, Equality Florida

Music In the Middle:  “Freedom And Progress” by Nicola Conte featuring Zara McFarlane from the album Umoja released on Far Out Recordings.  And additional music included- "Steppin"  by Podington Bear.

Watch the episode at our YouTube channel

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

• Democrats Stave Off Disaster, For Now? YouTube / Podcast

• Post Dobbs Crisis: Visions for Abortion Access & Radical Care: YouTube / Podcast

• 50 Years After Roe, Is Reporting on Abortion Still Too White?: YouTube / Podcast

Related Articles and Resources:

• State Laws & Policies as of October 7, 2024:  State Bans on Abortion Throughout Pregnancy, By Buttmacher

•  Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2024:  The ACLU is tracking 530 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S., ACLU.org

• The Maga Legal Networks That Could Topple Planned Parenthood and Gut Women's Healthcare, by Melissa Segura, October 21, 2024,  The Guardian
• Ron DeSantis accused of ‘intimidation campaign’ against abortion rights, by Joseph Contreras, September 29, 2024, The Guardian

• Florida LGBTQ+ Rights Groups and Plaintiffs Reach Historic Settlement to Roll Back Key Discriminatory Provisions in “Don’t Say Gay” Law, Equality Florida

*Recommended book:

“LIBERATING ABORTION: Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve” by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone *Get the Book

(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)

Full Episode Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more.

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