Erie County Times

Last week, the Pennsylvania Commissions for Women, African American, Latino, LGBTQ+, and Asian Pacific American Affairs released a joint statement speaking out about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Dobbs Vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Gov. Tom Wolf’s office described the decision as “draconian” as it took away a woman’s constitutional right to have an abortion.

“As a new mother, I am saddened and terrified of the ramifications today’s Supreme Court ruling will have on parents and birthing people across the nation,” said Moriah Hathaway, Commission for Women executive director said in a June 24 release. “Abortion bans harm mothers, their babies, and their families. They do not reduce maternal mortality or improve health care outcomes. Abortion bans also negatively impact communities of color, LGBTQ individuals, young people, and low-income households at higher rates. Thankfully, abortion will remain safe and legal in our state as long as Governor Wolf has the veto pen.”

In the state of Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court decision will not affect women. LaDeshia Maxwell, the executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, thanked Gov. Wolf for his work to keep it this way.

“Our commission is committed to ensuring that abortion access remains safe and a right to all who would like it in the commonwealth,” Maxwell said.

Dr. Tyler Titus is on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs and said that the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade has led to protests and marches across the country. He said most Americans support a woman’s right to choose, and he called for people to come together in opposition.

“As a queer, non-binary person who was assigned female at birth, I am all too familiar with the injustices and inequities within our current healthcare systems,” Titus said. “As a person whose body has created life and brought two children into this world, I call on our leaders to stand with all transgender and gender-expansive people. As we fight for our rights and agency over our bodies, we cannot ignore that not all birthing bodies are cisgender. The time for solidarity has never been more evident as now for those who will be most impacted are those of who exist within multiple intersections of identity and ultimately marginalization.”

Stephanie Sun, the executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission Asian Pacific American Affairs, said it is sad that the Supreme Court is out of touch with the majority of the American public, saying that this decision has dragged the “country back in time, to an era where the lives of so many women were lost.”

“Even with this setback, we as a country and as a people must continue to move forward and strive to make this a better place for all people. It is the hope of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs that the voice of the people will be heard through the upcoming elections and the fundamental human rights of women will be restored and expanded throughout this great nation,” Sun said.

The release by Wolf said that the commissions will continue their work with each other and stakeholders, as well as Wolf himself, to protect healthcare access statewide. They said they stand with Wolf, who has worked to veto three different anti-abortion bills passed in the state General Assembly.