FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2022

DELRAY BEACH, FL – The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and turn back the Constitutional guarantee of a right to privacy has galvanized the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. Several of our key leaders provided statements:

Robin Witt, Vice President of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus; and Secretary, Rainbow Democrats of Orange County:

“Overturning Roe v. Wade has never been about saving children. So-called ‘pro-life’ politicians are the same people who watch in silent complacency as thousands of children die each year from gun violence, suicide, domestic violence, neglect, and preventable diseases. There is nothing ‘pro-life’ about the additional lives that will be lost as pregnant working-class people are forced to go through with pregnancies that may kill them or attempt dangerous procedures from unqualified providers. Nothing about this decision is ‘pro-life’; it is supremacy. It is meant to further harm and divide us. We need to stand in greater unison against Republican efforts to take away our right to safe and equitable abortions. We must stay united as that is the only way we will win.”

Sally Phillips, Director of Membership and Chartering and Past President, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus; and President, Hillsborough County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus:

“Legal scholars tell us that with the Roe v. Wade landmark decision, the Supreme Court determined that the US Constitution provides a fundamental right to privacy, and therein protects the right of persons who can get pregnant and deliver children to full reproductive health. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which is based on this right to privacy argument, legal scholars again tell us that other equality and equity-based rulings are in danger, including marriage equality. Elections have consequences and who you vote for really does matter! Sadly, today we see a huge example of why that is true!”

Susanne Raines, Region 2 Director, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus; and President, Volusia LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus:

“The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade today, the latest in a series of attacks on the right to privacy. Abortion is a medical decision, and that decision should be between doctor and patient, not part of a political campaign to roll back our rights. The extremist political activists are celebrating this rollback of rights, and they have other vital healthcare — such as birth control and gender dysphoria treatment — already in their sights.”

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