Broad Coalition File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Challenge to Texas Abortion Restrictions

Includes LGBTQ, Racial Justice, and Health Groups

Washington, D.C., January 5, 2016—The National LGBTQ Task Force has joined a coalition of LGBTQ, racial justice, and health equity organizations in filing an amicus brief in Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down draconian restrictions on abortion providers enacted by the State of Texas in 2013. If the restrictions are upheld, it would lead to the closing of all but 10 abortion clinics in the state. The brief urges the Court to carefully scrutinize the state’s asserted justification for the law, just as the Court has done with other laws that infringe upon fundamental freedoms

“The movements for reproductive health, rights and justice are indispensable for LGBTQ people. Our work, as repro and LGBTQ advocates, is inseparable as we are working for the right to live our lives fully and the right to choose how we use our bodies,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director. “Today, we proudly join thirteen LGBTQ, racial justice, and healthy equity groups in urging the Supreme Court in upholding its moral obligation of protecting people from government abuse and intrusion. A ruling that favors discrimination under the guise of ‘women’s health’ would negatively impact LGBTQ people. For one, it would severely restrict our ability to control our reproductive health and sexual lives. Many of us — cisgender women, transgender men, interest and gender-nonconforming individuals, among others — can get pregnant and rely on a full range of reproductive health options, including abortion.”