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This week was quite a whirlwind. Folks who follow my social media have gotten some highlights, but nothing can really capture the incredible experience of being in community with hundreds of progressive legislators and movement leaders as we all prepare to return to session in January. The event was the return of the annual convening of the State Innovation Exchange (SiX), a progressive policy organization that describes itself as “…a national resource and strategy center that collaborates with state legislators to improve people’s lives through transformative public policy.” This has always been an excellent opportunity to connect with legislators and advocates working on similar issues to compare notes, strategize, and collaborate, but at the first reconvening in 4 years heading into what will likely be incredibly impactful sessions on many issues, it was so meaningful to prepare for what’s ahead together.
Since the Dobbs decision was leaked earlier this year, SiX has been convening virtual meetings of reproductive justice legislative leaders across the country. I have found these connections so incredibly helpful and supportive, and I was thankful that SiX incorporated our ongoing work to defend against further attacks in states with restrictions and bans while finding ways to shore up protections in expansive states like ours into the larger conference agenda. Late last week, we got word that a group of us would be headed to the White House to meet with policy staff seeking input on what is happening at the state level and what we need from the administration to best support our success. As I joined with other participants to head to the White House gates Wednesday morning, I learned that the organizers actually wanted me to participate in all 3 of the day’s briefings on Gender Equity, Reproductive Rights, and LGBTQ Issues. As it turns out, my colleague Rep. Lashawn Ford was also in town for the conferenceand participated in a Tuesday evening briefing on his role as a leader in the violence prevention and gun safety space so I had the benefit of his explanation for how the visits worked.
In the Delivering for American Workers: Workplace Discrimination, Care, and Gender Equity briefing, legislators from California, Maryland, Connecticut, Arizona, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania shared their experiences with a wide range of issues under this broad umbrella. Issues included providing survivors of domestic violence with protection under state anti-discrimination laws, improving access to quality affordable childcare, gender responsive reentry facilities in state departments of corrections, caregiver discrimination, paid family leave, funding for technology education to combat online harassment, and so much more. Trust that the notes I took in all of the meetings will be referred to a lot in the months ahead.
Next was the Maternal Health, Reproductive Rights, Abortion, and Contraception group. Senior staff shared that we are currently faced with abortion bans in 16 states, 12 of them with no exceptions for rape and incest but anticipate that we could see that number grow as high as 24 with state legislatures across the country reconvening in January. In advance of that, they reported that Vice President Harris has met with state legislators in 38 states, including Illinois while President Biden has released 2 executive orders affording protections to the right to travel, access to medications, privacy, and clinics. In this group, legislators from Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, and Minnesota shared perspectives from states where Republican controlled legislatures will almost certainly seek to further restrict access to the full spectrum of reproductive care as well as states like ours who are preparing for both an influx of patients from hostile states and anticipated attempts to penalize patients, providers, and families seeking legal care in our state. I was in awe of the resolve of my colleagues heading back into battle facing impossible odds and their capacity for contemplating strategies to mitigate harm.
Finally, I joined the Equality for All: Supporting LGBTQI Communities session. I was interested to learn that the Biden administration has been very intentional in their presidential appointment process with 14% of appointees coming from our community. Joined by members from Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota, and Michigan, it was again striking to hear from members who find themselves in super-duper minority status but undeterred. Members from hostile states shared some thoughts on what they need from both the administration and states like ours, including continuing to build consensus within the business community to discourage states from adopting bans like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and creating resources to help patients and their families find and access safe gender affirming care out of state similar to the practical support organizations helping abortion patients. A significant portion of the conversation was focused on opponents’ use of anecdotes and misinformation to demonize our community and the importance of fighting anecdotes with facts and genuine human stories.
The rest of the week was a series of thought provoking plenaries, practical break out sessions on issues, wellness, and safety, and opportunities for collaboration with like minded colleagues across the country. I was also invited to participate in a national media round table on legislative action post Dobbs. I was joined by Florida Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby and Minnesota Senator Erin Maye Quade as we shared our experience working in reproductive justice and our expectations for the session ahead. None of us were prepared for the question from the Huffington Post about a pending federal lawsuit in Texas that is seeking to rescind the Food and Driug Administrations’s approval of the most commonly used drugs in medication abortion: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Access to medication abortion has been a huge resource, allowing millions of people to access the safest and least invasive form of abortion care. Eliminating that would be devastating, disproportionately impacting communities of color and the poor.
Speaking of medication abortion, the conference also included an amazing exhibit on self-managed abortion, The Abortion On Our Own Terms Stigma-Free Zone. Described by the campaign as “An experiential art installation created by the Abortion On Our Own Terms Campaign invites participants to co-vision a liberatory future for reclaiming abortion. The exhibit tells the story of self-managed abortion now and an empowered vision of safe and supported self managed abortion for the future, with compassion, realness and defiance.” I was excited to see 14th district constituent and Co-chair of the AOOOT Campaign Andi Friedman and got a great tour from her and her colleagues and hope to bring the exhibit to Illinois soon. To learn more, see more of the incredible work they’re doing and get involved, visit abortiononourownterms.org. They also share critical resources for those seeking to manage their abortions or support someone doing so. For medical support, visit www.mahotline.org or www.reprolegalhelpline.org for legal support.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for hanging in! Next week includes some more big issues, including hearings in the House Judiciary Committee on HB5855 which represents the work of the Firearms Safety Working Group led by my colleague Rep. Bob Morgan. We are scheduled to meeting on Monday 12/12 at 11am and Friday 12/15 at 10am to consider both the legislation and a resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the Highland Park Shooting. At the appointed time, this link will take you to the audio/video feed. I’m excited and honoredto head back to Washington DC on Wednesday to participate in the signing ceremony for the federal Respect for Marriage Act.
As we approach the upcoming holidays, if you or your organization are seeking volunteers for events supporting our neighbors, or want to promote a fun even for the community, please email the information asap for inclusion in our next newsletter.
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