Action Hub: Protecting Abortion Access in Virginia

The recent overturn of Roe v. Wade is a devastating blow to the rights of women and pregnant people in our country. We believe that the decision on if/when/how to carry a pregnancy to term is a healthcare decision, not a political one, and we’re prepared to initiate advocacy on every level – through our legislature, our communities, and our courts to ensure that Virginia remains a safe haven for abortion rights and reproductive justice.

READ OUR FULL STATEMENT ON THE OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE

Our values:

  • Our access to abortion shouldn't depend on where we live, how much money we make, or who we are. We should be able to make the best medical decisions for ourselves and our families.
  • The ability to access an abortion has been central to women and other people’s efforts to achieve equal status in the workplace, and to their ability to make critical decisions about their lives, families, and careers
  • The impacts of pushing abortion out of reach fall disproportionately on the same women and other people who have always faced systemic barriers to care — communities of color, people living on low-incomes, undocumented immigrants, young people, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. 
  • We all deserve the power to control our bodies and decide if and when to have a child — regardless of where we live.
  • No one should be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will and face the life-altering consequences of being denied essential health care. 

Your rights:

  • Abortion is still legal in Virginia. If you have an abortion scheduled, show up to your appointment – you can still legally have an abortion here. 
  • Medical providers must obtain written consent from someone before they can perform an abortion. If a person is unable to legally give consent, then their parent, guardian, conservator, or whoever else has the ability to consent on their behalf must agree. 
  • If you are under 18 and need abortion care, but do not want to involve a parent or guardian, you can request a judicial bypass. To seek a judicial bypass, you need to go to court and answer questions before a judge to show that you are mature enough to make your own decision or that having an abortion is in your best interest. If you need help seeking a judicial bypass, email intake@acluva.org

Get involved:

Donate to local abortion funds.

Doing so helps them to keep their doors open, get people the resources they need, and provide abortion services to people in our Commonwealth and beyond:

Contact your legislator. 

It takes less than three minutes and it's already written it for you (but you can add your own thoughts, as well). Our lawmakers need to hear that this is an important issue to you, and that you will not vote for anti-choice candidates in upcoming elections.

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