Dear John,

With the Supreme Court overturning our constitutional right to abortion, we need legal protections for abortion access now more than ever. This decision has demolished our right to health care and bodily autonomy, all while state legislators are working to gut trans peoples’ access to gender-affirming care.

D.C. legislators have proposed two bills that will expand protections for abortion rights, and increase gender-affirming care in D.C., as well as protecting other rights:

1. B24-0808 would protect patients and providers from Texas-style civil lawsuits and criminalization, as well as make D.C. a safe haven for trans youth seeking gender-affirming care and protect other critical LGBTQ+ rights.
2. B24-0726 would expand existing protections from punishment and criminalization for those who self-manage their abortions to those who help others self-manage their abortions.

Both bills are essential to keeping our communities safe and ensuring our neighbors can make important decisions about their health and future.

Reproductive care and gender-affirming care have been demonized—and are being criminalized—in states across the country. That’s why we are asking that you sign up to testify about the importance of these bills. Anyone wishing to testify can sign up here or by phone at (202) 741-8593 by the close of business on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

Don’t have time to testify? You can still share your story! Share your written testimony by submitting it to [email protected]. All testimony received will be made part of the official record. The hearing on these bills will take place on Thursday, July 14 at noon ET if you would like to tune in and watch.

Will you join us by sharing your testimony and helping get these bills passed?

In solidarity,

Caitlin Panarella
(she/her/hers)
Campaigns Associate
National Women's Law Center