At L4GG, we fervently believe in reproductive rights and health equity, understanding it as a cornerstone of individual freedom and human dignity. Our commitment to fighting for bodily autonomy is grounded in the knowledge that all aspects of the fight, from reproductive freedom to gender-affirming healthcare, are inextricably intertwined with one another. As a movement, we cannot claim success until every person is able to make autonomous choices about their own body and health, free from government intrusion, coercion, or stigma. L4GG specializes in working at these intersections in coalition with affected communities and the organizations that serve them.
policy resource hub for reproductive HEALTH
Since the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, state abortion laws are changing regularly. Doctors, lawyers, and advocates alike need to know what the current status of the law is in every state in order to safely provide care for patients and advocate for equitable reproductive health. L4GG created the “Policy Resource Hub for Reproductive Health” in response to an urgent need identified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
With the support of 1,000 pro bono attorneys and law students, the Hub seeks to demystify the law around reproductive healthcare across the country and support a broader movement to ensure that reproductive healthcare is accessible to all.
The Hub includes:
Abortion Laws by State: A current repository of state laws and legal analyses, available to registered users and updated each business day. Our research includes all relevant reproductive health policies in that state, from state legislation to court and executive orders.
Repro In the News: A curated collection of recent abortion articles, commentary, and other storytelling, categorized by state, making it easier than ever to stay informed about reproductive health news and stories that are relevant to abortion access in a specific state.
Bi-weekly Digest: A bi-weekly newsletter summarizing the latest and most crucial changes in reproductive health law nationwide, which can also be delivered straight to your inbox.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DIGEST
Using the information from the Hub, L4GG also publishes a bi-weekly newsletter called the “Reproductive Health Digest,” which highlights significant changes in reproductive health laws across 56 states and territories. Every issue of the Digest is available in the Hub and on our website, but it can also be delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to learn more and see past issues.
STATE LEVEL RESEARCH & ADVOCACY
In the face of escalating threats to gender-affirming care nationwide, L4GG has fought for the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. Our policy team has conducted research, such as our comprehensive report on attacks against transgender health, which offers a deep dive into the current threat to gender-affirming care.
In collaboration with National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and the Trans Formations Project, L4GG co-authored a report titled “Lives on the Line: The Escalating Attacks on Trans, Non-Binary, Two-Spirit and Intersex People’s Health” about the wave of anti-trans policies that are sweeping the nation. The report finds that transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and two-spirit people — and especially transgender youth — face vicious, highly politicized, rapidly escalating and cunningly strategic attacks on their right to exist that fly in the face of federal and international law, and includes state-specific findings about these attacks.
Furthermore, through rigorous state-level advocacy, we actively work in partnership with affected communities to defend these rights against encroachment. Last year, our policy team’s efforts contributed to two significant “shield law” wins in Maryland and New York:
MARYLAND, MAY 4, 2023: Thanks to dedicated advocacy from L4GG, Governor Wes Moore signed an Executive Order that protects against the encroaching threats faced by transgender individuals, especially in states like Florida and Texas. Not only does this order shield dedicated doctors providing care to transgender individuals, but it also safeguards personal medical information against invasive investigations. Governor Moore's actions, with input and guidance from L4GG and partners like the National Center for Transgender Equality, have solidified Maryland as a haven of rights, marking it the 9th state to robustly protect gender-affirming care.
NEW YORK, JUNE 25, 2023: A year after the Dobbs decision and with L4GG helping to lead advocacy, New York passed legislation that empowers providers with telehealth reproductive healthcare capabilities, while also giving them legal protection against restrictive out-of-state laws. Furthermore, the state has put its foot down against any discrimination based on gender-affirming care decisions, prioritized addiction services tailored to gender identity and expression, and moved toward a more inclusive language in its legal lexicon.
Reproductive rights and health equity blog posts
