Coalition Working for SouthCoast Reproductive Justice

Our Bodies Our Lives Coalition for Reproductive Justice and Bodily Autonomy is working to establish more abortion services here on the SouthCoast.

Co-Chairs Andrew Pollock and Gail Fortes spoke this week on Townsquare Sunday about the coalition's campaign.

For many months after the June 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the only communities where you could obtain a legal abortion in Massachusetts were Attleboro and Boston. The SouthCoast was labeled an "abortion desert."

Since then, an organization called Health Imperatives announced it would offer medication abortions at its New Bedford facility, a move the coalition calls a significant step forward for SouthCoast residents.

The coalition is also reaching out to other providers, including the area's largest healthcare provider, Southcoast Health.

"We are waiting for answers," Pollock said. "Some are sympathetic, others just don't respond."

Southcoast Health is in the process of bringing in a new CEO. The coalition anticipates ongoing discussions with Southcoast Health about reproductive services for area residents.

The coalition is focused on a number of reproductive health issues, abortion services, transgender health, access to contraception and maternal care.

Pollock said he's concerned about 400 pieces of legislation around the country targeting transgender men and women, including bans on gender-affirming care for young people.

"There are thousands of trans folks who are facing violence, discrimination, poverty and poor health care," Pollock said. "Between 40 and 50 trans women are murdered in the U.S. every year."

The coalition is inviting the public to attend a ceremony on the steps of the New Bedford Downtown Library on November 20 marking National Transgender Day of Remembrance. It will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The complete interview with Pollock and Fortes can be heard here: