Web Exclusive: Texas + Future of Reproductive Rights

By: Emi Levine, Selim Kim, Safira Schiowitz, Clark Wu

The Academy considered the Texas Heartbeat Act (Senate Bill 8), which banned abortions around the sixth week of pregnancy, after the Texas Legislature passed the bill on Wednesday, May 19. 

Currently, New Hampshire’s parental notification law states that any person under the age of 18 must have their doctor notify at least one parental guardian before an abortion can be performed. The law also has a process where an individual can ask a judge to decide whether a parent or guardian must be notified before an abortion is performed. 

According to National Abortion Federation, abortion services are available in four health centers in the state of New Hampshire. The service closest to the Academy is Joan G. Lovering Health Center located in Portsmouth. While the Planned Parenthood Health Center at Exeter does not provide abortion service or care, the health center is available for referrals. 

Rebecca Fisher, physician assistant at the Academy, emphasized that “the health center supports students with all medical needs.”

Fisher continued that professionals at the Lamont Health Center are prepared to provide “judgment-free support and referrals for students to an array of specialty medical providers, OB/GYN included.” Fisher detailed that the Lamont Health Center staff are also available to speak to students about various contraceptive options.

As the Texas Heartbeat Act primarily pertains to those who live outside of the health center’s referral base, Fisher believes the law may impact Exonians from Texas when they are in their home state.

Some students from Texas shared fears for their personal health and safety when the law was implemented. Outside of campus, senior Mali Rauch lives in what she described as “the overwhelmingly conservative suburbs of Houston.” 

“More and more often I find myself running through scenarios in my head. My period is late, a test comes back positive,” Rauch said. “It could be the result of an accident, an assault, or faulty contraceptives. As a 17-year-old planning to attend college, I do not want to raise a child anytime soon, nor do I want to sacrifice my body for 9 months and deal with the trauma of adoption.”

“Running through the situation in my head, I can see myself sneaking out of state for medical care,” Rauch added. “More disturbingly, I can see myself turning to the internet and reading articles like 20 Tips On How To Induce A Miscarriage Naturally At Home that instruct desperate people to ingest copious amounts of supplements, exercise excessively, and order unofficial medications online. For me, at this point in my life, the decision is not whether I will carry a fetus to term; it is whether I will obtain an abortion safely or not.”

Lower Asena Gursel felt “outraged” when the law passed. “It’s devastating that so many women are losing the right to their own body’s. Carrying a baby to term really changes the entire course of someone’s life, and it’s shocking that it isn’t even their decision anymore,” she said. 

A resident of Texas and upper Ava Yu agreed and shared that she felt “genuinely shocked” that the law had been passed and put into effect. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she said.

However, Yu remained positive that the severity of the law will bring about change. “Considering the amount of people we’ve had the past week standing outside in the Texas heat protesting the bill, I think this will hopefully inspire more and more people to join the fight for abortion rights,” Yu said.

Lower Sofia Contreras shared how she was “disappointed but not shocked.” “The whole Congress is made up of a bunch of white CIS men and I didn't expect anything else because of everything that's been going on for the past year,” she said. 

Other Exonians had anticipated the bill or one similar to it.

 Senior Keona Edwards said she “wasn’t surprised when hearing the news of the bill.” Edwards continued on by saying, “I was definitely disappointed and indignant, but I had heard about the heartbeat bill last spring while doing research on abortion for my social ethics class.” 

Senior Cecilia Treadwell feared that the bill may “open the gateway to” restrictive abortion laws in other states. “I feel like there’s always been a war on women in this country, and now it feels like there’s a war on women specifically in Texas,” Treadwell said. A part of me feels that if I was from Texas, I would almost feel a sense of embarrassment. And I wouldn't feel proud if I was coming from Texas right now.”

Lower Solei Silva-Carin had similar thoughts, saying she was “extremely upset” when she found out Texas had implemented the bill. “I think that it's not the place of a state to say whether or not people with uteruses are allowed to get abortions,” she added. “Making it so that no one can get an abortion isn’t going to stop people from getting them. People are going to continue to get abortions, but they're going to do it in a riskier way or will go to different states, which is just so unnecessary.”

Feminist Union and Democratic Club co-head and upper Jennifer Finkelstein noted that the bill will carry various implications to those who are both directly and indirectly affected. “I think this bill will mean different things to everyone it reaches. I would urge residents of Texas (and states who are looking to pass similar bills) to educate themselves on this bill, and while it is still legal and accessible to us at school, make use of hormonal birth control and have backups such as Plan B,” she said.

Finkelstein continued by also mentioning the significance of creating conversations about the bill in club meetings. “I find it important to discuss this bill in both Democratic Club and Feminist Union, but it will definitely require a different approach in each. I imagine the Fem Club discussion will take a greater focus on reproductive health and how it disproportionately affects oppressed groups. I could foresee the Dem Club taking a greater focus on the logistics of the law itself,” Finkelstein said.

Other leaders of clubs on campus had different viewpoints on whether the bill will be discussed in club meetings. 

Democratic Club co-head and senior Riley Valashinas recognized that some club members may want support while grappling with the current state of reproductive rights in the U.S. “We often talk about personal or difficult topics in our meetings, and so we try to create an environment in which people are comfortable by encouraging people to be kind and respectful, listen attentively, and take care of their mental health,” Valashinas said.

Republican Club co-head and upper Montana Dickerson emphasized that “respecting the autonomy of those with uteruses should be a priority for everyone.” 

“Republican Club has historically tried to avoid certain discussions that are especially personal,” she continued, while also acknowledging that “politics is inherently personal.” She feels that discussions about abortion may devolve into “disrespectful and unproductive” confrontations.

Fellow Republican Club co-head and lower Leo Braham agreed. “We want to see productive and meaningful discussions take place. I think we as Exonians are able to temper our feeling, for women in particular. And this is obviously a big subject for them,” Braham said. “The feelings are there, but we don’t want to stir the pot. We don’t want to create drama on purpose.”

Braham additionally expressed his concern for the students living in Texas. “I honestly don’t know what this might mean for them. I think it might be a worrying prospect for young people who admittedly do not have as much autonomy over their lives. This is a big wrench in the cogs of their lives, and I imagine this is rather disruptive,” Braham said. “I do hope that no one finds themselves in that problematic position. No Exonian should have to face such a prospect that would disrupt academics or their future endeavors.”

Finkelstein acknowledged that the bill is a “heavy exposure of the state of our country” and that students should be sure to take care of themselves. “It is important to prioritize your mental health in these situations, so recognizing what you need is important,” Finkelstein said. “If you are best served reflecting, take the space you need, if you are best served talking about it, we are here to talk about it with you. [Whether] you want to take action, write legislators or phone bank… know you are supported however you choose to process.”