LGBTQ Task Force: Cisgender Men Should Fight for Reproductive Freedom
The National LGBTQ Task Force has assembled a group of straight and queer, transgender, and cisgender men for a campaign to persuade cis men to support the fight for reproductive freedom.
The campaign, “Ban the Reproductive Binary,” consists of several short videos from a diverse set of male-identified voices, was released ahead of the midterm election to emphasize why reproductive rights affect cis men. The project was produced with funding from the Pop Culture Collaborative.
The recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and its guarantee of abortion rights nationally, has called into question constitutional law about the freedom to marry and the freedom to form intimate relationships with other consenting adults. Indeed, in his concurring opinion in Dobbs, Justice Clarence Thomas said the rulings that recognized those rights should be overturned.
Attacks are likely to widen as opponents start proposing new limitations on marriage or new restrictions on sexual intimacy, the Task Force notes. The group has long worked to protect and fortify sexual freedom, bodily autonomy, and access to family planning and safer sex interventions.
"If cis men — LGBTQ+ or not - think this decision will not affect them, they need to think again,” Task Force Executive Director Kierra Johnson said in a press release. “Restrictions on a person’s access to abortion is a willful denial of their humanity, their intelligence, and family circumstances. Restrictions on access to Prep is an implied devaluing of our health, safety and a passive attempt on our lives. Outlawing love, relationships, and the building of families is an outright assault on our children and the spirit that binds our communities. These laws, rules, and statutes are all attempts by extremist politicians to conquer our spirit, and claim sovereignty over our bodies … our lives. Access to health care is a racial justice issue. Living free from discrimination is an LGBTQ+ issue. Having full access to participate in and thrive in our democracy is a civil rights issue. Our fundamental rights are at stake. We need the power of our collective community to mobilize and respond to current attacks and actively participate in the long-term struggle for agency, freedom and justice."
Those participating in the videos are actor and singer Dyllon Burnside, who appeared on Pose; Star Trek star and activist George Takei; trans advocate Aydian Dowling; Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls, the son of two mothers; and futurist Rob Smith.
The first two videos released feature Dowling and Wahls. Watch below.
