WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 4, 2014 — The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, the nation’s oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy organization, is outraged by the passage of a Tennessee ballot measure that will eliminate access to affordable and safe abortions.
“We are extremely disappointed with the passage of Amendment 1, which will give local lawmakers broad authority to eliminate Tennessee women’s access to affordable and safe abortions.
“As our nation emerges from the most devastating economic recession since the Great Depression, hardworking people continue to struggle to provide for themselves and their families. Currently, nearly a fifth of Tennessee women live in poverty. Nationwide, 18 million women live in poverty—a rate that is much higher among LGBTQ women and women of color—which makes it impossible to access affordable and life-saving medical procedures, such as an abortion.
“Denying women the fundamental freedom to safe, affordable, and life-saving health care is unconstitutional and it will not hold in a court of law. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund worked with Tennessee volunteers on the ground to defeat this outrageous law and we will continue advocating for access to affordable, medically necessary, and culturally competent healthcare for all.”
— Rev. Darlene Nipper, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Deputy Executive Director.
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CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org