Fight for Reproductive & Gender-Affirming Rights Continues Amid Supreme Court’s Abortion Pill Ruling
Demonstrators gather in front of the Supreme Court as it hears oral arguments in the case of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine on March 26 in Washington, DC.
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At Quest Center for Integrative Health, we believe in the fundamental importance of reproductive care and abortion access for all. Access to safe and legal abortion services, reproductive, and gender-affirming care empowers individuals to take control of their bodies, promoting a sense of agency and self-determination that is essential for positive mental and physical well-being.
We are encouraged to see the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold access to the abortion pill mifepristone, and acknowledge that there is still much to be done in protecting these rights. The abortion pill reduces barriers to many who may live in restrictive states, encounter financial barriers, and allows abortion to be induced at home to avoid healthcare settings that may be traumatizing for marginalized groups.
The 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that ensured abortion rights across the country, has left decisions around abortion legality and access to be determined on a state-by-state basis. We understand and share in the pain and uncertainty that this decision has caused.
For members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, the importance of abortion access is compounded by unique challenges and barriers they may face in accessing reproductive healthcare. LGBTQIA2S+ individuals already navigate a healthcare system that does not always affirm their identities or understand their specific needs. Ensuring access to abortion services that are inclusive, affirming, and free from discrimination is essential in upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals.
At Quest Center, we are committed to providing compassionate, nonjudgmental care that respects the diverse identities and experiences of our participants. We recognize that everyone's journey is unique, and we are here to support individuals in making the decisions that are right for them.
Quest Center advocates will continue working to ensure that Oregonians have safe and legal access to abortion, reproductive health services and gender-affirming healthcare. Quest Center was proud to collaborate and be present in efforts towards the August 2023 signing of HB 2002, which created protections for patients seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care and for providers administering that care, and closes insurance coverage gaps for gender-affirming care. We are happy to share in this success and recognize that there is still work to be done.
We are committed to continue advocating for abortion access, safe, legal, and trauma-informed reproductive care, and LGBTQIA2S+ rights. We look forward to supporting Basic Rights Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon's efforts to enshrine reproductive rights and gender-affirming care into the Oregon Constitution with SJR 33 in 2026 through their Equal Rights for All Campaign. This will ensure Oregon can be a safe haven for those seeking access to these life-changing services, especially those who need to travel interstate for access. The Equal Rights for All campaign is people-powered and needs you to get involved. We’re doing this work for our loved ones, our families, our neighbors, our communities, and ourselves. Sign up now to volunteer to help Basic Rights Oregon collect signatures in November!
Quest Center believes that protecting these rights not only promotes individual well-being but also moves us towards a more just and equitable society where everyone has the freedom to live authentically and access the care they need.