As Pro-Choice Connecticut Sunsets, Reproductive Equity Now Launches Advocacy Work in Connecticut
Former Pro-Choice Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson to lead Repro Equity Now’s effort
Press conference to be held at 10AM on south side of CT State Capitol building
HARTFORD, CT (September 26, 2023)—Reproductive Equity Now, Massachusetts’ leading reproductive health advocates, today announced it will officially expand its advocacy work into Connecticut. The Connecticut expansion will be led by former Pro-Choice Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson, as that organization sunsets this fall. Reproductive Equity Now and Pro-Choice Connecticut will hold a press conference at 10:00AM this morning on the south side of the Connecticut State Capitol building to announce the changes for abortion advocacy in Connecticut.
Founded in Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now has a long and proven record of relationship building, policy expertise, and passing bold laws that will inform its growth and impact throughout New England. The organization aims to build the first regional model for reproductive equity advocacy and make New England a leader in protecting and providing reproductive health care for all. Reproductive Equity Now, which is also expanding into New Hampshire this fall, will be investing resources to build collective power around reproductive health care advocacy.
“We strongly believe that Connecticut is key to making New England a regional block for abortion access, and this expansion reflects the urgency we face as a region in demanding, protecting, and expanding reproductive equity for all,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “Pro-Choice Connecticut has been a longtime partner of ours and we are thrilled to be able to work with Liz to help expand the capacity of advocates in the state. Together, we can build a regional powerhouse for abortion access and ensure those in, or traveling to, New England are able to access the health care they want and need.”
Connecticut has been a leader in mobilizing and organizing at the state level for bold reproductive health care policy, electing pro-choice majorities in the State House and State Senate, passing laws that expand access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, and most recently, enacting the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, one of the first shield laws successfully passed post-Dobbs to protect providers and those seeking care in Connecticut.
“Connecticut has seen firsthand what happens when we mobilize and organize at the state level for bold reproductive health care policy. Now, we’re growing our team and our footprint to expand our advocacy capacity in the state,” said Reproductive Equity Now’s Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson. “I’m thrilled to be working with Reproductive Equity Now to carry on Connecticut’s long record of reproductive health care leadership and continue to break down barriers to abortion access throughout the state.”
Reproductive Equity Now’s wins in Massachusetts include:
Securing the right to abortion care in state law through the ROE Act
Creating the New England Abortion Care Guide
Passing legislation to protect providers and patients following the fall of Roe
Securing nearly $20 million to support abortion access and infrastructure after the fall of Roe
Launching the Abortion Legal Hotline in partnership with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and partners
Releasing the Beyond Roe Agenda in partnership with Planned Parenthood and the ACLU
As part of its regional expansion, Reproductive Equity Now will also be expanding its Board of Directors to include members from Connecticut and New Hampshire.
“Connecticut is on the frontlines of protecting abortion rights — thanks in no small part to the inspiring and impassioned advocacy of champions like Liz Gustafson,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “The ongoing attacks on reproductive freedom across the nation underscore the urgent need to safeguard and protect the right of every person to make their own health care decisions and I am pleased to see Reproductive Equity Now expand its work in Connecticut with Liz at the helm.”
“As long as I am governor, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Connecticut remains a leader and safeguards access to reproductive care,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “I am incredibly appreciative to have such a strong, vocal group of advocates in our state to help lead this charge, and I remain committed to working with them to prevent government from restricting reproductive rights.”
“A year ago, the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, and since that moment we’ve watched coordinated, extremist attacks on abortion access taking place in legislatures and courtrooms across the country,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “Connecticut has served as a national leader in the fight for reproductive justice, and our accomplishments in protecting access are made possible by the tireless efforts our advocates. Today’s announcement is the future of abortion rights advocacy - a coordinated, regional approach to ensuring that patients have access to the care they need.”
“We are in the midst of a sustained attack on reproductive freedom, with extremist legislation and litigation cropping up nationwide to criminalize the healthcare decisions of women, patients, and providers. Abortion is safe, legal, and accessible in Connecticut, and it’s going to stay that way because of the vigilance of dogged advocates like Liz Gustafson and her work with Pro-Choice Connecticut, along with so many fierce legislators, leaders and advocates. I’m going to keep fighting in every court, in every case where reproductive freedom is under threat. I look forward to working alongside Liz and Reproductive Equity Now to make sure Connecticut remains a safe state,” said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.
“Connecticut has been a leader on reproductive equity, including by passing its first-in-the-nation shield law for abortion and gender-affirming care, the 2022 Reproductive Freedom Defense Act,” said State Representative Matt Blumenthal, Co-Chair of the General Assembly's Reproductive Rights Caucus. "I've been honored to work with Liz and Pro-Choice Connecticut on increasing and protecting access to reproductive healthcare in the past, and look forward to working with Reproductive Equity Now to guarantee that Connecticut continues to take measures to ensure every individual has safe, affordable, and convenient access to the reproductive healthcare they need and deserve."
"I am so grateful to Liz Gustafson and the team at Reproductive Equity Now for focusing on the sustainability of advancing reproductive justice in Connecticut and the region," said State Representative Jillian Gilchrest, Co-Chair of the General Assembly's Reproductive Rights Caucus. "As we have seen in the aftermath of Dobbs, we need strong partnerships to combat restrictions and ensure that individuals can access the care that they need. I look forward to working with Reproductive Equity Now in Connecticut and across New England!"
“As Connecticut’s sole independent abortion provider, Hartford GYN Center is incredibly grateful to Pro-Choice Connecticut for their many years of partnership, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration with their team as they join forces with Reproductive Equity Now,” said Roxanne Sutocky, Director of Community Engagement for The Women’s Centers, a group of providers with Centers in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. “As more people travel to New England for abortion care in a post-Dobbs world, we need partners who will advocate for our patients and staff, help coordinate a regional strategy to protect and expand abortion access, and ensure that Connecticut remains a place where people feel safe and protected providing and obtaining compassionate care. We know Reproductive Equity Now will be that partner and friend in this next chapter for Connecticut reproductive health advocacy.”
"Pro-Choice CT has been an important, long-term partner in working to protect the fundamental right to sexual and reproductive health care in our state and expanding reproductive freedom for all,” said Gretchen Raffa, Vice President of Public Policy, Advocacy, and Organizing at Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut. “We are excited and proud to continue this partnership alongside Reproductive Equity Now and look forward to all that we will be able to accomplish together in the fight to ensure that all people have full control of their bodies, their lives, and their futures."
“We are grateful for Pro-Choice Connecticut’s many years of partnership and service for reproductive freedom in Connecticut, and we look forward to working alongside Reproductive Equity Now in the fight for access to abortion in our state,” said Claudine Constant, ACLU of Connecticut Public Policy and Advocacy Director.
"The REACH Fund of Connecticut is excited to support the expansion of Reproductive Equity Now into Connecticut, and is proud to continue our work alongside their team in effort to address barriers to accessing abortion care here in the Nutmeg State,” said Jessica Puk, Board President of the REACH Fund of Connecticut. “While Connecticut has more protections for abortion access than many other states, there is still work to be done to ensure equitable access to care. Reproductive Equity Now, with their track record of policy wins and community-centered values, will be a positive force for our local and regional communities, and we stand ready to work together.”
“She Leads Justice, formally known as the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), is grateful to Pro-Choice Connecticut for being incredible partners in the fight for reproductive freedom, access, and equity across our state. Under State Director Liz Gustafson’s phenomenal and bold leadership, Pro-Choice Connecticut has helped our state take strides in reproductive freedom, especially as we continue to navigate the Dobbs decision. We are excited to continue our work to bolster reproductive health care in the state alongside Reproductive Equity Now. Together, we can provide a wider net of support services to Connecticut, the New England region, and beyond,” said Nicole Sanclemente, Policy Director at She Leads Justice.
Learn more about Reproductive Equity Now’s work in Connecticut.
Based in New England, Reproductive Equity Now works to make equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care a reality for all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, zip code, gender, age, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation, or religion. Advancing reproductive justice and eliminating barriers to safe, legal abortion care are central to the organization’s mission.
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