Dear John,

Last night, a draft of a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court was leaked to the media and the public. This is unprecedented, and while we don't know exactly what will happen next or if the leaked draft will mirror the final ruling, we do know that the information we have is alarming -- and would seriously impact our families and the LGBTQ+ community. 

The draft opinion would strike down the decisions in both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, eliminating the right to abortion, which is rooted in the broad and sweeping language in the 14th Amendment. 

That language explicitly states:

“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

“Abortion rights might be the unenumerated rights that would fall in this particular opinion, but other essential rights, including the right to marry or to access birth control, hang by a thread as well,” warns Elizabeth Wydra, President of the Constitutional Accountability Center.

PFLAG National affirms that we must protect the right to reproductive health, including the right to abortion. Reproductive healthcare is for everyone, whether you were assigned female at birth, are intersex, are cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary.  When people don’t have access to abortion, studies indicate educational decline, greater mental health problem rates, and economic loss. 

Beyond abortion, the Roe v. Wade ruling is based in the essential right to privacy and bodily autonomy guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. The draft ruling, according to the Constitutional Accountability Center “bulldozes over'' the Constitution on this point. 

PFLAG National cares about this ruling, not only on its face, but because this is also the Amendment upon which the rights gained by LGBTQ+ people rest, including the right to marry, to hold a job, or to get an education. Bodily autonomy and privacy are also key components to keeping LGBTQ+ people safe, including access to gender-affirming care by trans kids with support of their families and medical professionals. 

So, as a PFLAGer, what you can do? 

Here are some actions you can take, right now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead:

• Get Loud: Whether it is on social media or in person, using your voice is important. 
  • Post updates and information from trusted sources. Use social media to repost and uplift others that support reproductive healthcare. Consider following groups like 
    • Planned Parenthood Federation of America
    • The Center for Reproductive Rights
    • Rewire News Group 
    • Power to Decide
    • Constitutional Accountability Center (CAC)
  • Contact your representative and encourage them and others to vote in favor of reproductive rights.
• Get Involved: Starting from the bottom up is how we can make a change.
  • Join the march to protect Roe, whether at your local courthouse or the Supreme Court.
• Vote in every election: We say it every year, and we mean it every time—YOUR VOTES MATTER. Primaries are underway right now in states across the country. 
  • Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Check your voter registration, today.
  • Not registered? Register to vote, today. 
  • Get election reminders to vote in every election. There is no vote too small (as so many of us are seeing in school board and city council meetings). 
  • Help get out the vote, by sharing these resources widely!

Please, take action in any and every way you can on this critical issue. Thank you for your continued commitment to the work.

In solidarity,

Brian K. Bond (he/him), Executive Director
PFLAG National