LPAC & Arizona LGBTQ Officials Denounce Arizona Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion, Vow to Amplify Fight for Reproductive Rights
Yesterday, in a decision that starkly undermines reproductive freedoms, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to enforce a 160-year-old law that criminalizes abortion and penalizes healthcare providers who perform the procedure. The civil-war era law, predating Arizona's statehood, strips women and birthing persons of their autonomy and rights, setting a regressive precedent that endangers the health and well-being of countless individuals. Janelle Perez, Executive Director of LPAC, the nation's leading and only organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, alongside Arizona Representatives Patricia “Patty” Contreras (LD-12), Analise Ortiz (LD-24), and Lorena Austin (LD-9) released the following statement in regard to the ruling.
"Yesterday marked a dark day for Arizona, witnessing the rollback of women's and birthing persons' rights to a time when they had no voice – no right to vote, own property, or live independently of their husbands and fathers. This decision drags us back 160 years, into the shadows of oppression and silence,” stated Janelle Perez. “As the rights of so many are slowly stripped in this country, LPAC stands immoveable in its support for the Arizona abortion ballot petition and will do everything we can to support these efforts as well as our endorsed, pro-reproductive freedom officials and candidates who tirelessly fight for reproductive rights. This issue touches everyone, extending its impact to LGBTQ+ communities, who are often overlooked when considering the impact of these cruel and hateful policies which seek to strip away individual autonomy."
“Today is a definitive day for Arizona. The Arizona Supreme Court ruling has enacted an 1864 CIVIL WAR ERA ABORTION BAN. A time when people were still enslaved and only men could vote. Make no mistake, the people of Arizona will make their voices heard in November because this is not 1864, this is 2024, and everyone deserves the right to life-saving healthcare. This healthcare includes the members of our LGBTQ+ community who are often left out of the conversation surrounding abortion. Abortion rights are LGBTQ+ rights, said Representative Austin. “We must live in the reality that now the lives of people who experience pregnancy will face unnecessary stress and difficulties when pregnancy should be met with compassion and qualified care. We CAN and MUST do something. This November we must elect pro-choice candidates and take unapologetic action to codify abortion rights through Arizona's Abortion Access Ballot Initiative."
"The Arizona Supreme Court issued a decision to uphold the draconian 1864 abortion ban that will prevent people from getting important and life-sustaining healthcare. This ruling also puts our medical professionals in a difficult situation where they will be forced to decide whether to help their patient or be subject to criminal penalties,” said Representative Contreras. “Since our Republican led legislature is not willing to protect us, I am collecting signatures for the Arizonans for Abortion Access citizen initiative to put access to reproductive healthcare on the ballot. I will fight for our rights in the legislature and on the campaign trail. Arizonans will not let this ruling stand."
“No one should be forced to give birth against their will nor should they have to travel out-of-state to access healthcare. And they most certainly should not have to risk their lives due to a lack of access to abortion,” remarked Representative Ortiz. “Republicans have made their end game clear: they won’t stop until they control every aspect of our reproductive lives.”
LPAC applauds the decisive action taken by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who last year issued an executive order assigning the enforcement of abortion laws solely to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, rather than county prosecutors. This strategic move underscores the critical role of elected officials in safeguarding reproductive rights. Attorney General Mayes, a 2022 LPAC-endorsed candidate and the third openly lesbian woman to be elected as a state Attorney General in the United States—following Maura Healey and Dana Nessel—represents a beacon of hope and resilience. Mayes is also the second openly LGBTQ+ person elected to statewide office in Arizona after Kyrsten Sinema.
The enforcement of this obsolete law not only threatens the fundamental rights of Arizonans but also poses a direct challenge to the progress made in the fight for equality and justice for all. LPAC is committed to standing in solidarity with those at the forefront of this battle, advocating for the rights and freedoms of women, birthing persons, and the LGBTQ+ community.