STATEMENT FROM URGE ON THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT’S RULING ON HB 481
Atlanta, Georgia – On Tuesday, the Georgia Supreme Court rejected a lower court’s ruling on HB 481, a bill that blocks physicians from performing abortions after six weeks. This ruling upholds the state’s six-week abortion ban, putting the reproductive rights of Georgians in jeopardy. Shante Wolfe, Southeastern States Field Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, issued the following statement: “The Georgia Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a six week abortion ban endangers the lives of Georgians everywhere by gutting bodily autonomy and decision-making. This is yet another alarming development in the widespread erosion of reproductive rights across our country. “Make no mistake, abortion bans are racist. This decision from the Georgia Supreme Court will disproportionately hurt communities of color in Georgia, a state where the maternal mortality… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON THE 47TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HYDE AMENDMENT
Saturday, September 30, marks 47 years since Congress first passed the Hyde Amendment, banning insurance coverage for abortion for millions of low-income Americans. The Hyde Amendment, passed each year by Congress, and related policies, force people struggling to make ends meet to pay out of pocket for abortion care. Coupled with the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, the Hyde Amendment denies many the ability to make decisions about reproductive health, with the greatest harm befalling young, BIPOC and immigrant communities. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “On the 47th Anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, we solemnly mark another sad day in our nation’s ongoing human rights crisis. The Hyde Amendment is rooted in and continues to perpetuate racist and classist stereotypes… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON THE OHIO ABORTION BALLOT INITIATIVE SIGNATURE CERTIFICATION
Ohio state election officials have certified signatures collected in support of the abortion ballot initiative, making Ohio the only state where abortion will appear on the ballot in November Ohio – Today, Ohio state election officials have validated the hundreds of thousands of signatures collected by advocates across the state, confirming that Ohioans will have a say on abortion this November. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the umbrella organization leading this effort, worked with thousands of young people and volunteers to organize the biggest campaign for reproductive freedom in the nation this year, making Ohio the only state with abortion on the ballot. URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity has been a leading member of this coalition, bringing the voices of young people to the table for this effort… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON FDA’S DECISION TO APPROVE OVER-THE-COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL PILL
On July 13, the FDA approved an over-the-counter birth control pill for the first time in the United States for all people without age restrictions, making it the first birth control pill available without a prescription. This decision will pave the way for easier access to contraceptives for many, especially young people and BIPOC communities who face extraordinary barriers to access. In response to this news, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, said: “We applaud the FDA’s decision to approve an over-the-counter birth control pill, expanding access to contraceptives for young people nationwide. This is a huge win for young people, particularly young people of color as well as queer and trans young folks who face significant barriers in accessing birth control. For… Read more »
Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights File Signatures in Statewide Effort to Place Abortion Rights on November Ballot
URGE, in partnership with reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, today filed signatures in efforts to place abortion rights on Ohio’s November ballot OHIO — Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, in a campaign powered by young people and volunteers from across the state, filed signatures to ensure people in Ohio have the ability to vote on a ballot measure protecting abortion rights in the state. The umbrella organization leading the effort, Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, worked hand-in-hand with young people to organize the biggest campaign for reproductive freedom in the nation so far in 2023. State election officials will review signatures by July 25. URGE will now focus on turning out young voters in the August and November elections, which will be pivotal for the future… Read more »
STATEMENT FROM URGE ON ONE YEAR AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, closing the door on federal abortion protections. The decision to overturn 50 years of legal precedent by gutting the right to abortion opened the floodgates for state-level attacks. Immediately following, more than a dozen abortion bans went into effect — eliminating health care options for millions of people across the country. This erasure of reproductive autonomy is part of a larger ideological and political attack on abortion access, transgender young people and democracy. Reflecting on the one-year commemoration of the Dobbs decision, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, said: “The loss of legal abortion in almost half the country has created a public health and human rights crisis, and, sadly, we don’t… Read more »
URGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RECEIVE MS. FOUNDATION’S WOMEN OF VISION AWARD
New York, NY – Today, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity Executive Director Kimberly Inez McGuire (she/her/ella) will receive the Ms. Foundation’s Women of Vision award. This award is being given to feminist advocates, activists, and thought leaders who ignite policy and cultural change. Kimberly will be honored alongside Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, Wanda Irving, co-founder of Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project, and LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. For the past 50 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has consistently invested in the development of grassroots movements and fighting for gender equity, particularly for communities of color. At URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, we recognize the crucial goals of preserving bodily autonomy, defending the rights of people of color and LGBTQ+ people across… Read more »
URGE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD ALABAMA, YELLOWHAMMER FUND TAKE TO STATE CAPITOL TO ADVOCATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE ISSUES
(Montgomery, AL) – On Thursday, April 27, 2023, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity brought the fight for reproductive justice to Alabama legislators’ doorstep. URGE Alabama partnered with Planned Parenthood Alabama and Yellowhammer Fund to bring together young people from across the state to lobby legislators to support HB 17 and oppose HB 208. BACKGROUND HB 17, introduced by Rep. Christopher England, would repeal the current law that makes it a misdemeanor to induce an abortion, miscarriage, or premature delivery. This bill would be a crucial step toward decriminalizing pregnancy outcomes for Alabamians. HB 208, also known as the Pregnancy Resource Act – introduced by Rep. Jamie Kiel, would provide a tax credit to taxpayers who donate to anti-abortion centers or crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in Alabama. CPCs are… Read more »
URGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RELEASES STATEMENT ON SCOTUS UPDATE REGARDING MEDICATION ABORTION
(WASHINGTON, DC) – On April 21, 2023, the Executive Director of URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Kimberly Inez McGuire (she/her/ella), released the following statement after the Supreme Court issued its decision to stay restrictions on the FDA approval of Mifepristone – a safe and effective drug used for medication abortion. “Every day that people have access to safe and effective options for abortion care is a good day. While we continue to monitor this case closely, it’s good news to people who need medication abortion that this option remains available. No matter what happens, Mifepristone will remain an essential medicine, and will continue to be used in the United States and around the globe for pregnancy-related care.”
URGE RESPONDS TO INITIAL RULING ON ALLIANCE FOR HIPPOCRATIC MEDICINE ET AL V. U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ET AL
On April 7, a federal judge in Texas ruled to suspend FDA approval of Mifepristone, a safe and effective pill used in clinician-guided and self-managed abortion care. Anti-abortion groups initiated this lawsuit just weeks after the FDA expanded access to abortion pills by allowing them to be offered at retail pharmacies and removing the in-person requirement. This case is the latest attempt by extremists to control people’s bodies and further restrict healthcare options, at a time when abortion pills now account for more than half of all abortions in the US. In response, Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director of URGE, said: “Today’s decision has brought more confusion than clarity. However, while we anticipate the final outcome and learn how it will impact people – particularly young Black and brown people and LGBTQ+… Read more »
