On Friday, January 24th, guest presenter Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, shared important information on the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment to Virginia’s constitution.

Here’s what you need to know.
- This amendment will enshrine in the Virginia constitution a right to make one’s own reproductive health care decisions, including a right to abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, and miscarriage management.
- Without state or federal protections, Virginia remains in constant threat of anti-abortion politicians restricting reproductive health care or even banning abortion, taking away our right to determine our own reproductive futures. This amendment will protect generations of Virginians from the fear that in every legislative session their fundamental rights could be at risk.
- Health care decisions, including abortion, should be guided by medicine and science, not determined by politicians.
- Decisions around pregnancy and reproductive freedom, including abortion, contraception, and miscarriage management, are personal and private and should be left up to Virginians and their families.
- At no point in pregnancy is a politician more qualified to make decisions about your health than you and your health care providers.
- Banning abortion makes pregnancy less safe for everyone. We all know someone who has or will have a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, sepsis, or other unpredictable situations in pregnancy where abortion care is needed.
- The bottom line is that Virginians need to be able to make decisions about their reproductive health, and health care providers need to be able to act in the best interest of their patients, without government interference.
- Voters can secure the right to reproductive freedom and ensure that politicians can’t take away this critical health care.
What can you do?
- Right now, sign the pledge to support the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment.
- This week, join the Valentines to Legislators Postcard Event at Golden Cactus Brewery, Thursday, Feb 6, 6 to 8 pm.
- We must win in November! Support Democrats in this year’s elections! Democrats must hold onto their majorities in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly and win the races for Governor, Lt. Gov. and Attorney General. We need Democrats in power to get through this process…

Save the date for Standing Strong Roanoke with Planned Parenthood South Atantic, Apr 30, 5:30 pm at the Shenandoah Club. Ticket information coming soon!
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