(projection at the law offices of Speaker Nicholas Mattiello)
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With the recent rallies, we have been speaking out more creatively (and COVID-19 safe) to push to end racism and advance LGBTQ equality in Rhode Island. As you might have seen, we produced videos to push white allies to take action to dismantle white supremacy. Our team has been at numerous protests and rallies, the most recent being the silent walk/vigil with “Dyke and Trans People of Color March.”
We also did a set of projections (see all of them!) on the State House and at the law office of the House Speaker who recently stated that he was unsure that slavery happened in Rhode Island (see above image). This was especially shocking given the fact that it is well documented that Rhode Island played a major role in the horrific slave trade. That is why we are not going to stop projecting (Join us for MORE) and speaking about PRIDE and calling out irresponsibility when it is spoken by our State’s leadership.
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We are showing up and speaking truth to power to push for the values and the vision we have for a more just Rhode Island, but we know that there is no reproductive justice without racial and economic and disability and immigrant and birth justice. They are all intrinsically linked and a key element of securing justice is protecting the right to parent. When sons and daughters are taken from their loved ones by police violence, we call out for justice. When families are separated at the border, we defend the right of families to be together.
We must take action to ensure that every parent has the ability to raise their children with dignity. To do so demands that we rise up to dismantle white supremacy and fix our harmful immigration system, but it also includes addressing the systemic oppression faced by LGBTQ families.
Right now, children born into LGBTQ families in Rhode Island lack equal access to the protections of legal parentage because of problems with our antiquated family law. The Womxn Project is proud to support the efforts of Rhode Islanders for Parentage Equality (RIPE) to address this issue and make sure our state law protects all families.
After years of advocacy, a bill to close these gaps is finally close to the finish line, but we need your help!
TAKE ACTION: Contact your state Representative to let them know passing the Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act (H 7541) is a priority for you. Even if you have reached out in the past – and even if you know your Representative already supports the bill – we need to show the General Assembly that people care about protecting children and establishing parentage fairly and equally! Click HERE to find your representative and then make the call and/or send an email TODAY!
- Sample Message/Email: Hello. My name is ___. I am reaching out to urge you to support the Parentage Act (H 7541) and to let the House Speaker know that you want this important bill passed this session. Families are formed in many ways in our state, and all children need and deserve the security of a legal tie to their parents and protection under our state laws.
This is the year to get this done. Rhode Island families shouldn’t have to wait any longer. Please, contact your House member today to help make a difference on this important issue! Together, we can continue to ensure that every person in our state is treated with respect and dignity and that all families have equal protection under the law.
We are working hard to share resources and calls to action on a wide range of justice issues on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Make sure to follow us to stay up to date and see what our team is up to!
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TONIGHT at 5:30 we are going to hold a special Virtual Happy Hour to learn more about the Supreme Court decision in June Medical Services v. Russo and what it means now and moving forward. Register here.
RESEARCH:
— June Medical Services v. Russo (2020)
— Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016)
— Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)
— Roe v. Wade (1973)
— “Roberts Isn’t a Liberal. He’s a Perfectionist Who Wants to Win,” Dahlia Lithwick, Slate, 6/29/20