What’s happening in Virginia?

We have had a lot going on this month at Latina Institute and  our team down in Virginia has also been busy! You can read more about what’s going on in their January Newsletter here.

Recently, during the Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance’s (VREA) advocacy day, members from the Latina Institute and coalition sat in on the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee to testify in support of the Contraceptive Equity Act.

The bill, patroned by Senator Ghazala Hashmi, would ensure that Virginias have affordable and equitable access to contraception. The bill ultimately passed through committee on the senate side and is expected to be heard in the house very soon.

In addition to this the Virginia team had the opportunity to meet with Sec. Becerra to discuss repro rights!

In an interview with the Richmond Times Dispatch, Khenia Haro-Perez, our Virginia State Policy Advocate, said “the national shifting landscape on abortion care reminds her of the barriers her undocumented mother faced in accessing a range of health care and called the matter personal to her.”

We can’t forget that January also would have been the 51st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. That’s why some Latina Institute staff members attended Bigger Than Roe 2024, hosted by Women’s March, to remind everyone that this fight is bigger than Roe.

Here at Latina Institute, we know that Roe v. Wade never made the ‘right’ to abortion a reality or accessible for Latinas/xs, Black people, communities of color, those with low incomes, im/migrants, young people, people with disabilities, or the LGBTQ+ community.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade 18 months ago, the impact has disproportionately harmed Latinas/xs, im/migrants, and all communities of color. Access to care has gone from bad to worse, and abortion bans and misinformation are contributing to a climate of fear and uncertainty for our communities.

Lastly, Latina Institute Virginia hosted a Get to Know Latina Institute specifically for those of us in VA! Look out for more state specific events soon!