Deep in the Heart of Misogyny: What To Know About Texas' New Abortion Law
Update For November 4, 2021:
Soon after the bill was passed on September 1 by the Supreme Court, the Biden administration sued Texas over the abortion ban. The Department of Justice asserts that “no constitutional right is safe” in a nation where such a law is allowed to pass.
Today (Thursday, Nov. 4) is the House Judiciary hearing on this Texas Heartbeat Bill, also known as SB8. Health professionals, lawyers, and those personally affected by the bill are expected to speak in front of the committee.
Watch the stream down below.
What exactly is happening in Texas concerning abortions?
The Supreme Court dropped a bomb on the evening of Wednesday, September 1 that could set up an overturn of Roe V. Wade. This is the 1977 landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled that the Constitution protects a pregnant person’s right to have an abortion.
SB 8, which went into effect after that Supreme Court hearing, was first introduced in Texas courts on March 11 and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 19.
This bill bans abortions after six-weeks gestation, or when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
This is earlier than most people would even realize they’re pregnant.
This law also allows private citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone- patients, physicians, clinicians, volunteers, organizations- who “aids and abets” someone receiving abortion care for an abortion after this six week gestational period. Any person walking the street could sue for $10,000 in damages with evidence provided of an illegal abortion.
This law is currently in effect and makes it even more difficult than it previously was to obtain one. While those who seek an abortion WILL NOT be penalized under this law for seeking an abortion, those who HELP someone seek an abortion may be subject to penalties.
This law makes no exception for instances of incest or rape. This means that if someone is a victim of either (or often, both), they will be forced to carry the pregnancy to full term if a heartbeat is detected.
Late Wednesday evening, the Supreme Court upheld this Texas law with a conservative majority vote of 5-to-4.
Of those five are three Trump-appointed justices:
Brett Kavanaugh
Amy Coney Barrett
Neil Gorsuch
“Because the Court’s failure to act rewards tactics designed to avoid judicial review and inflicts significant harm on the applicants and on women seeking abortions in Texas, I dissent,” said dissenting Justice Sotomayor at the hearing. “The Court should not be so content to ignore its constitutional obligations to protect not only the rights of women, but also the sanctity of its precedents and of the rule of law.”
To read the full opinions of the four dissenting justices who voted to strike down Texas’ abortion law, click here.
Image: The Lily
How can I safely seek an abortion in Texas?
This law has made it increasingly difficult for nonprofits to help those seeking an abortion. Legally they are prohibited from helping those who need an abortion for a pregnancy post- 6 weeks gestational period.
Despite this, know that they do have resources to help you. They can help you come up with a game plan; that might mean locating a Plan C Pill online, organizing a ride to a neighboring state, or accessing a clinic to make sure your pregnancy is in fact past the six-week gestation period.
For discreet, confidential aid please contact the Texas Equal Action Fund or any other organization listed below.
You deserve safe access to this medical procedure.
DO NOT WAIT TO REACH OUT!
Image: dw.com
What can I do to help?
Donate. Volunteer. Educate.
Money is power, and right now Texas organizations need funds to operate at full capacity. Donating what you can to Texas area abortion nonprofits enables them to provide what they can to Texans who need abortions.
Most of the organizations listed below have opportunities to volunteer as clinic escorts, helpline attendants, and ride providers. You can start here with TEA Fund’s volunteer page.
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Share the links we provided below.
Spreading resource lists like these enables pregnant people in Texas to have the tools they need to seek a safe abortion today.
Check out the list below for abortion access resources and ways to donate to each.
TEXAS EQUAL ACCESS FUND
Texas Equal Access Fund provides funding to low-income people in the northern region of Texas who are seeking abortion and cannot afford it, while simultaneously working to end barriers to abortion access through community education and shifting the current culture toward reproductive justice.
Donate here.
FUND TEXAS CHOICE
Since 2013, Fund Texas Choice has helped over 1,500 Texans access safe abortion.
Donate here
CLINIC ACCESS SUPPORT NETWORK
CASN provides transportation, meal stipends, accommodations, childcare assistance, and compassionate care to people seeking abortion services in Houston.Donate here.
THE WEST FUND
The West Fund is a west Texas abortion fund that uses collective resources to uplift border communities.
Donate here.
LILLITH FUND
Lilith Fund provides financial assistance and emotional support while building community spaces for people who need abortions in Texas—unapologetically, with compassion and conviction.
Donate here.
Image: Daily Dot
We wanna be clear…
ALL people across the gender spectrum deserve to have safe, prompt, and free access to this common medical procedure.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out.
We are in this together.