IntraSpectrum Counseling, on Overturning Roe v. Wade

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

IntraSpectrum Counseling is incensed by the June 24, 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 decision. We are equally appalled at Justice Clarence Thomas’ statement that SCOTUS should next reconsider the Griswold, Obergefell and Lawrence cases that, respectively, safeguard the right to contraception, legalize same-sex marriage, and protect the right to private, consensual sex.

The basic freedoms of all Americans are under attack. Women are under attack. LGBTQ+ people are under attack. Black, Indigenous and People of Color are under attack. And we are outraged.

IntraSpectrum stands firmly alongside the Biden Administration, the U.S. Justice Department, and the millions of Americans who support bodily autonomy and access to reproductive justice at the state and federal levels. We will support the vital work to re-establish our constitutional foundation for reproductive justice and the right to privacy. We will never give up.

As Chicago’s leading psychotherapy practice dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, issues surrounding equality and social justice resonate strongly with us. Sharing our position on the SCOTUS decision is important, but our primary goals for this content are to:

provide information & context about the ruling
help people process feelings they may be having
share tactical and support resources

We hope this information is helpful, and that everyone can find the time and space they need to process, feel supported, and move forward.

IntraSpectrum Counseling is Chicago’s leading psychotherapy practice dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, and we strive to provide the highest quality mental health care for multicultural, kink, polyamorous, and intersectional issues. For anyone needing affirming and validating support, please click here or email us at help@intraspectrum-chicago.com.

THE RULING

Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) was a landmark legal decision issued on January 22, 1973, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute banning abortion, and effectively legalized the procedure across the United States. In their ruling, the court held that a person’s right to an abortion is implicit in their right to privacy, which is protected by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion had been illegal in much of the country since the late 19th century. Following the 1973 ruling, some states did move to impose restrictions on abortion rights. The Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 held that there was no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion.

RULING CONTEXT & IMPLICATIONS

The ruling represents a massive setback to long-standing fundamental rights to bodily autonomy & reproductive freedom. For nearly fifty years, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that the right to reproductive freedom was implicit in the right to privacy, which is protected by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The decision to apply the core constitutional principle of privacy and liberty grew out of our country’s tradition of individual liberty – that is, of placing key personal and moral decisions in the hands of individuals, rather than on the government. This ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade undermines that core constitutional right.
Resource: Overturning Roe v. Wade is more than just an assault on reproductive rights
The ruling does not reflect the will of our nation. Six out of 10 Americans (61%) say they support abortion rights, with another 34 percent of saying they oppose abortion rights. And a new CBS News / YouGov reaction poll found that six out of 10 Americans (59%) also disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Resource: U.S. Public Continues to Favor Legal Abortion, Oppose Overturning Roe v. Wade
The ruling has implications for the LGBTQ+ community. In his concurring statement, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that after striking down Roe v. Wade, that SCOTUS should next reconsider the Griswold, Obergefell and Lawrence cases (which, respectively, safeguard the right to contraception, legalize same-sex marriage, and protect the right to private, consensual sex). His belief that, “we have a duty to ‘correct the error’ established in those precedents” represents a serious threat to prior Supreme Court decisions granting rights to gay marriage and same-sex intimacy.
Resources:
The ruling impacts other healthcare procedures. The court’s ruling effectively prohibits medical abortions to complete an early miscarriage, for ectopic & other unviable pregnancies, for medical conditions or complications that makes continuing a pregnancy life-threatening, and for treatments such as chemotherapy or medication that are unsafe while pregnant.
The impact on lives will be immediate and irreversible. The Supreme Court’s decision will disproportionately affect people of color and those of limited financial means. It will affect economic output, increase the need for government support, and cause immediate economic pain in those states where abortion bans are most likely, and where people already face lower wages, less worker power, and limited access to health care.
The ruling suggests this is only the beginning of an open assault on basic freedoms. The Court’s decision to undermine the Constitution’s long-recognized right to privacy also threatens protections for the right to same-sex marriage and private consensual sex. It could also potentially place limits on contraceptive access and criminalize miscarriage. Experts have even raised concerns about the potential limits on data privacy rights (such as internet searches for medical procedures, use of pregnancy / infertility apps), which could serve as a gateway for state law enforcement.

ALLOW YOURSELF TIME TO PROCESS

This is a difficult time for many people, understandably. If you’re feeling emotions, uncertainty or anxiety about the SCOTUS decision:

Give yourself permission to validate that this is a traumatic event
Set aside time to process some of what you may be feeling
If the news triggers past traumas related to bodily autonomy, pregnancy, parenthood, etc., you may need to address those in order to confront the present situation
It is understandable if the ways in which the news is being discussed is upsetting to you, leaving you feeling isolated, or activating gender dysphoria

You can find support in like-minded friends, virtual or in-person support groups, employee EAPs, by speaking with a therapist, etc. If you are already working with a therapist, be sure to speak with them about any feelings you’re having. And remember: you have the right to vet your therapist! Ask them about their position on Roe v. Wade & its implications. They don’t have to answer – but if they do & you don’t like the response (especially if you’re in a state that’s not pro-choice), know that you have the right to request a different clinician.
Resource: Feeling Numb, Angry, or Overwhelmed by Roe v. Wade News? Here’s a 10-Step Action Plan To Take Care of Yourself

MOVING FORWARD

The work to re-establish the constitutional foundation for our reproductive justice and the right to privacy is multi-faceted. It will require millions of engaged Americans advancing issues including voter registration, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, issue advocacy, donations & in-kind support, protests & demonstrations, legislative contacts, grassroots advocacy / logistics and more. We invite you to explore this partial list and discover ways you can help while empowering yourself.

Resources on Social Media:

Forward Midwifery (@forwardmidwifery) and The Meteor (@themeteor) are sharing valuable information on Instagram. See below, or follow them online.