South Dakota isn’t doing enough to protect birth control access.
With access left to the political process, those of us who care about reproductive freedom have to get engaged.
Nearly 60 years ago, the Supreme Court recognized the right to birth control in its landmark decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, ruling that the Constitution protects the right to privacy against state restrictions on contraception.
58 years later, legislators in South Dakota have done little to protect birth control rights. House lawmakers even failed to pass a resolution during the 2023 session that would recognize the right to contraception and support access to contraception for all adults.
Although there are no laws that explicitly ban contraception in South Dakota, that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from trying to undermine our access to birth control. Since 2015, lawmakers have tried five times to pass laws that would have allowed medical providers and pharmacists the ability to deny birth control access to patients based on religious or moral objections.
The legality of birth control is meaningless if your pharmacist has the right to refuse to fill your prescription.
September 26 marks World Contraception Day, a moment for us to shine a spotlight on the crucial role that contraceptive choices play in empowering individuals to take control of their reproductive health. Meaningful access to contraception is integral to our vision of a world in which people are free to express their sexuality, form intimate relationships, lead healthy sexual lives and decide whether and when to have children. It’s critical to an individual’s autonomy, equality, and ability to participate in society.
The ACLU is commemorating this day by asking members of the community to get involved and get active in the fight for reproductive rights.
You are the rightful author of your own life story. No one, especially the government, should be in the business of making personal decisions for us and our families.
