ISSUE 45: June 2022

Editors’ Note

Dear Readers,

As the Louisiana Legislative Session wraps up this week, keep an eye out for ways to influence policy decisions. You can take action on a number of bills related to abortion, pregnant and parenting students, and contraception on Lift Louisiana's Legislative Updates page.

Below, you will find an article discussing the implications of the impending SCOTUS decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, as well as numerous resources for learning about and getting involved in reproductive rights, health, and justice issues. For instance, check out Women with a Visions's statement about the need to take an intersectional approach to abortion justice.

If you have any items you would like to include in future ReproNews issues or feedback on how we are doing, please don't hesitate to get in touch: klain@tulane.edu or cdaniel5@tulane.edu.

Sincerely,

Kelsey Lain, School of Science and Engineering, Class of 2023
Clare Daniel, Ph.D., Newcomb Institute, Tulane University
Aliyah Daniels, ReproNews co-founder, Class of 2018

SPOTLIGHT ARTICLE

The Supreme Court’s Expected Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson

Annika Vanderspek, School of Liberal Arts, ‘25

This month, the Supreme Court will deliver its decision in the monumental abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson. The Court considers a Mississippi law called the 'Gestational Age Act' that bans abortion after 15 weeks of gestational age with no exception for rape or incest.

To understand the significance of Dobbs v. Jackson, one must understand the precedent of both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. In 1973, the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before viability (the point at which the fetus can reasonably survive outside the womb) based on the right to privacy in the Fourteenth Amendment. Almost 20 years later, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Court provided that states may regulate abortion pre-viability so long as the regulations do not place an "undue burden" on someone seeking an abortion.

Dobbs v. Jackson is uniquely critical as the State of Mississippi asks the Court not to move Roe's viability line to 15 weeks but remove it altogether. The State asks that the undue burden standard established in Casey be expanded beyond abortion regulations to include pre-viability abortion bans, essentially overruling Roe. As the most consequential case on abortion rights of our generation, the Dobbs v. Jackson decision will likely have an extreme impact on abortion access across the country.

On May 2nd, POLITICO published an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito. The 98-page draft opinion confirmed what many feared- the Supreme Court voted to overrule Roe v. Wade. In the draft, Alito claimed that Roe was "egregiously wrong from the start" and that its reasoning was "exceptionally weak." If the Court overrules the constitutional right to abortion guaranteed by Roe, abortion restrictions and legality will be in the hands of individual states. If Roe is overturned, eighteen states have "trigger" bans or pre-Roe bans that will automatically ban abortion. Four states have six-week bans that will go into effect, and four additional states are expected to ban abortion if Roe is no longer law.

Beyond abortion, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the language and logic of the draft have far-reaching implications. Alito’s argument is that the reasoning behind Roe was "exceptionally weak" and that rights not explicitly outlined in the Constitution must be "deeply rooted" in American history and tradition. Many legal experts are concerned about how this logic may be applied to Griswold v. Connecticut, Lawrence v. Texas, and Obergefell v. Hodges and the rights to contraceptives and same-sex relationships that these cases established.

After almost 50 years of constitutionally protected abortion rights, our country will likely look very different by the end of this month. As abortion law is transferred into states' hands, abortion funds will be crucial for organizing the transportation of people across state lines to receive abortion care. You can support this effort by donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds or giving locally to the New Orleans Abortion Fund.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

Tulane Child And Family Lab Mom Power Study
The Tulane Child and Family Lab is recruiting Moms of kids aged 3-5 who qualify for WIC, FITAP, Medicaid or Headstart to be a part of Mom Power! This program is a 10-week intervention in the form of a support group or informational mailing focused on reducing maternal stress and improving maternal and child mental health. Participants can earn between $150-$300 and interested Mothers should contact Anna at 504-206-2910 or at childandfamilylab@gmail.com

Call for Abstracts!
"The goal of this conference is to explore the range of topics addressed in reproductive ethics. We welcome individuals from all professional fields to create a rich and robust discussion.

We are seeking abstracts for individual presentations, 3-4 person panels, and posters. Please limit abstracts to 250 words for presentations and posters and 500 words for panels. Given recent events, we’ve created a special submission category for abortion, so indicate if you’d like your submission to be considered for this.

Abstracts should be sent to repro.ethics@utmb.edu by August 1, 2022. Submissions will receive a response by September 30."

Support HB146
"HB 516 by Rep. Mandie Landry and Rep. Aimee Freeman would support young people who are pregnant or parenting. Specifically, it would require schools to adopt policies that would:

Urge school boards to develop written policies on excused absences for pregnancy or parenting related conditions and guidance on how students may make up work missed due to pregnancy and parenting.
Outline other accommodations schools may provide for pregnant and parenting students to ensure they are able to participate equally in the educational setting while managing their health and family needs."

Support HB 1061
"Throughout Louisiana, many emergency care facilities fail to offer women who’ve been raped the treatment they need to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive (EC) pills, sometimes referred to as the “morning-after pill” can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, including rape.

Timely access to EC is particularly important for survivors of sexual assault. Providing EC to survivors during their hospital visit ensures timely access to a time-sensitive medication. It also saves survivors burdensome additional trips to providers and pharmacies at a moment of crisis.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that require hospital emergency rooms to provide information about or access to emergency contraception to sexual assault survivors.

HB1061 by Rep. Jason Hughes would ensure Louisiana survivors have timely access to information and the care they need to prevent pregnancy resulting from rape."

Open Call: My Body/My Choice
"For its annual postcard show—to be held from July 1 to July 31, 2022—A.I.R. Gallery is issuing an open call for submissions that engage with this year’s theme of My Body/My Choice.

We invite artists to participate by donating a postcard-sized work (4 x 6 inches) in any medium relating to the theme of My Body/My Choice. Each original work will be sold for $45 and proceeds will benefit A.I.R. Gallery’s mission to advance the status of women and non-binary artists.

Submissions must be dropped off at or mailed to A.I.R. Gallery (155 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201) no later than June 25, 2022 to be included."

"Ms. is proud to announce we have joined forces with law and policy experts at the Center for Reproductive Rights to publish Beyond Roe: The Fight for Our Future — a series of essays, podcast and video content that explores the legal fight after the Supreme Court rules in Dobbs v. Jackson. The Beyond Roe website also features a robust array of reflections and commentary from more than 70 leaders, colleagues and allies in the reproductive health, rights and justice movement."

Abortion Petition
"We invite all women, whether or not you’ve had an abortion, to sign in order to “help eliminate the stigma” of abortion and to demand the repeal of all laws restricting women’s reproductive freedoms.

We cannot, we must not, lose the right to safe and accessible abortion or access to birth control. Just as in 1972, we will send the signed petition to members of Congress, to the White House, and to the Supreme Court. And we will publish the names in an upcoming Special Issue of Ms. and on Msmagazine.com.

More than 3,000 women have already signed our new petition. You can help us by promoting the petition to your friends, family and others across the country to join our fight to save abortion rights."

Support Abortion Access
In late June, the Supreme Court will decide the future of abortion rights in America. Several activists have created resources and guides on how to protect and support reproductive access. Click here for a guide on how to show up for abortion access and relevant organizations to donate to.

IWES Black Women First Leadership Council
"IWES was selected to participate in a national study that focuses on improving care for cis and trans Black women living with HIV. We're searching for a team of community members, those with lived experiences and other leaders, who represent cis and trans Black women living with HIV Greater New Orleans. Perks of council membership include professional training opportunities, leadership development, professional headshots, and meals during meetings."

Community Listening Sessions
"We are holding a series of listening sessions in Greater New Orleans in partnership with Humana and The Amandla Group. The content of these conversations will inform the direction of the Steering Committee, as well as the strategies and solutions of the workgroups. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their participation. Share widely and email frankie@theamandlagroup.com if interested!"

#MyLASexEd
"Feminist Majority and LIFT Louisiana are reigniting the #MyLASexEd campaign to address the abysmal state of sex education in Louisiana. The campaign is focused on youth storytelling about their sex ed experience and sharing sexual health information. Student organizers will spread the word about the campaign in their communities and we will have a social media campaign to help educate people about the laws surrounding sex education.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are hiring #MyLASexEd Campaign Campus Ambassadors for the spring semester to collect stories on their campus and organize around sex education. We will be choosing soon so please submit the application as soon as possible. Apply Now!

For more information contact Gabby at mylasexed@liftlouisiana.org"

Tulane Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health
Click the link above to follow TulaneMCH and stay up to date on local legislation, jobs, and new research concerning maternal and child health.

FEATURED NEW RESEARCH

Reproductive Rights Syllabus, Duke University Press, May 2022

Obstetric Gaslighting and the Denial of Mothers' Realities, Social Science & Medicine, May 2022

Workplace Leave and Breastfeeding Duration Among Postpartum Women, 2016–2018, American Journal of Public Health, November 2021

Maternal Mortality in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Rapid Systematic Review, Global Health Action, November 2021

NEWS ITEMS

Campus/Local

A Louisiana Senator Defends His Statements on the State's Black Maternal Health, NBC, May 23, 2022

Louisiana Department of Health Offers Tips for Mothers Struggling to Find Formula, WDSU, May 18, 2022

National OB-GYN Group Cancels New Orleans Conference, Citing La. Abortion Stance, nola.com, May 16, 2022

La. Republicans Weaken Bill that Would Have Charged Abortion as Homicide, The Washington Post, May 13, 2022

Guest Column: Anti-abortion Advocates Aren't Prepared for a Post-Roe Louisiana, The Advocate, May 6, 2022

New Orleans Launches Pilot Guaranteed Income Program: $350 Monthly for Young People, nola.com, May 5, 2022

National and International

The Hotline that Became a Lifeline for Expectant Mothers, CNN, May 31, 2022

When Mothers Suffer, Babies Suffer. It's Time the World Realized This, Say Maternal Mental Health Experts, CNN, May 26, 2022

Why Don't Companies Stand Up for Abortion Rights?, Substack (Jill Filipovic), May 18, 2022

What the U.S. Could Learn from Abortion Without Borders, The New Yorker, May 17, 2022

If ‘Roe’ Falls, More Female Students Could Face the ‘Motherhood Penalty’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 16, 2022

Women of Color Want Reproductive Justice, Not Just Abortion Rights, The Washington Post, May 12, 2022

Feminist Pedagogy After Roe, Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online, May 10, 2022

‘High and dry’: Abortion Bans Could Be Riskiest on Women in Maternal Health Care 'Deserts', USA Today, May 10, 2022

Abortion’s Last Chance in the South, Mother Jones, May 5, 2022

What Would Alito’s Draft Opinion Mean for Women’s Rights?, Ms., May 5, 2022

‘Uncharted Territory’: What the Overturn of Roe v. Wade Could Mean for Colleges, The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 3, 2022

Read Justice Alito's Initial Draft Abortion Opinion Which Would Overturn Roe v. Wade, Politico, May 2, 2022

EVENTS

Campus/Local

June 2022 Liberate Abortion Caravan
Liberate Abortion
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
June 13 - 17, 2022
"This June, Liberate Abortion is organizing a caravan through Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi to fight back and fight forward to ensure abortion justice for everyone.

Abortion is under attack. The leaked opinion memo has confirmed what we already knew: The conservative members of the Supreme Court are planning to overturn Roe. While abortion is currently still legal, there has never been a more important moment for everyone to join together to ensure it stays that way.

That is why Liberate Abortion is organizing a caravan through key states this June to raise awareness about the abortion crisis in this country. The caravan will start in Texas and end with a rally in Jackson, Mississippi on June 17th. There will be events and actions all along the way, as well as ways to engage from afar."

Teen VIBE Conference
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
11:00am - 4:00pm CDT, June 17, 2022
"Join PPGC’s second annual Teen V.I.B.E conference designed for teens, by teens — and it’s more than just sex ed! This is Virtual, Inclusive, Bold Education.

PPGC believes in a holistic approach to health and well-being for all people. That’s why Teen V.I.B.E. will offer teens (ages 14+) a deep dive into a range of topics on sexual health and self-empowerment - for free! Gift card drawings will take place throughout the event!"

ProFrequency
Creative Community League
10am CST, Thursday

"Produced and hosted by Amy Irvin, ProFrequency is a weekly radio program that covers culture, reproductive and sexual health, and other feminist issues, utilizing recorded stories and live interviews with local advocates and artists. Co-host Amanda Sanfilippo (aka Dj Vjj) is a local sex educator who answers all your most burning sexual health questions. Join Creative Community League for ProFrequency at 10am CT on Thursdays on 102.3 WHIV FM New Orleans. Or stream it from https://whivfm.org/listen. For further info, follow the CCL on Instagram at @creativecommunityleague"

Upcoming National/Regional

The Law And Evidence On Self-Managed Abortion Virtual Panel Series
Temple University
9:00am EST, June 2, 2022
"For decades, people have effectively self-managed their abortions without the supervision of a health care professional. Self-managed abortion (SMA) offers an alternative model of care that can serve people living in both restrictive and more liberal legal settings. SMA has been recognized for its potential not only to reduce harm caused by abortion restrictions, but also to contribute to personal agency and reproductive freedom, shifting power away from the formal medical system and into the hands of women and other pregnant people.

A growing body of evidence shows that self-managed medication abortion is safe and effective in early pregnancy, as well as in later pregnancy provided individuals can access post-abortion care if needed . Yet legal risk remains, as laws and policies fail to protect people who self-manage their abortion and those who help them.

Presented by the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law, O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center, Ibis Reproductive Health, & If/When/How Lawyering for Reproductive Justice. Future panels in the series will take place over the next six months."

Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Persons in Clinical Trials - A Workshop
National Academies’ Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation.
June 16 - 17, 2022
"This public workshop will provide a venue for stakeholders to examine the current state of evidence for drug products used by pregnant and lactating persons, and discuss the barriers and opportunities for including these populations in clinical trials."

Midwifery Today Conference: Birth Revolution
Midwifery Today
Berkeley, CA
June 19 - 22, 2022

"We really need a birth revolution to change birth to the way it was designed to be. What is the future of midwifery and birth? What can each of us do to create a better future? What is your vision? We envision a future where every woman gives birth as she chooses and every baby is welcomed in gentleness and love. A future where all women have optimal pregnancies and births and every baby is healthy. A future where every family starts with this sacred and safe beginning. How do we get there from here? That is what our Birth Revolution is about!"

Women travelling to seek abortion care in Europe: the impact of barriers to legal abortion on women living in countries with ostensibly liberal abortion laws
Europe Abortion Access BAR2LEGAB
Barcelona, Spain
June 22 - 23, 2022
"Research findings will be shared and discussed with abortion providers, advocates for reproductive rights, stakeholders, policy-makers from different countries in Europe as well as with representatives of international organisations such as the WHO, IPPF, CRR, and Women Help Women."

Let's Talk About Sex
SisterSong & AfiyaCenter
August 25 - 28, 2022
"Let's Talk About Sex! is the largest Reproductive Justice conference in the nation. This year we will feature panelists, speakers, activists, entertainers, and leaders throughout various social justice movements and across sectors who unapologetically stand up for our reproductive and sexual freedom.

LTAS 2022 will begin on August 24th with pre-conference institutes - invitation only. And our official programming will begin on August 25th and conclude on August 28th. Our intentionally curated workshops, plenaries, keynotes and events will inform, educate, tantalize, and inspire us to take action!

The 2022 Let’s Talk About Sex National Reproductive Justice Conference is for everyone and will be full of many firsts. It's our first hybrid (virtual and in-person) conference; our first conference in Texas; and our first conference to strategically align RJ with our other social justice movements in order to build our collective power.

SisterSong’s mission is to center the needs, experiences and leadership of communities and individuals who have been historically pushed to the margins. Our in-person convening will prioritize the attendance of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, gender non-conforming, those living with disabilities, and youth leaders. This critical moment in our movement demands it. We are investing in a meaningful virtual experience that will anchor our wider constituencies from across the country. Thank you in advance for allowing our in person gathering to focus on the most affected. "

See all events on the Tulane Reproductive Justice Calendar. This calendar is maintained by Kelsey Lain (Tulane School of Liberal Arts ‘23), so please email her your event information at klain@tulane.edu.

JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

See Job + Opportunities Board

*We have recently changed the Repronews Job Board. Click here to give anonymous feedback on the new format.

JOIN YOUR SCHOOL’S STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Students United for Reproductive Justice, Newcomb Institute, Tulane University undergraduates
Students for Sexual Health Equity, Tulane University School of Public Health
Social Workers United for Reproductive Freedom, Tulane University School of Social Work
Medical Students for Choice, Tulane University Medical School
If/When/How, Tulane University Law School

Newcomb’s reproductive rights/health/justice-related activities are supported by the Donna and Richard Esteves Fund for Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health, the Bonnie and William Chapman Fund for Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health, and the M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation. Read about what our Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health Interns are up to!

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