In June, the world watched with awe, stunned at the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which opened the door for individual states to decide the fates of their citizens.
According to The New York Times, since the overturning, 13 states have fully banned abortions. Until recently, Ohio was one of the states to have partial bans in place, banning abortions past the six-week mark in a pregnancy.
A small victory for reproductive rights has managed to climb out from the hold of Ohio’s primarily Republican-centered representatives Oct. 7. A preliminary injunction was granted out of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, allowing abortions to resume in the state while litigation continues.
Previously, a temporary restraining order granted abortions again, which would have expired Oct. 12, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Now, thanks to the efforts of action groups like Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and many more, people are able to get a second choice in their right to life, their health and their futures.
For people around the state fearing they’d have to seek out-of-state health care services, the preliminary injunction is providing a sense of relief. A brief remission from feeling disposable, but the injunction isn’t something set in stone. The injunction will only last the length of litigation and could be appealed.
Despite this small breath of air, Ohioans cannot be joyful yet. Reproductive rights are still actively being targeted in and out of the state of Ohio. Ohio has been targeting reproductive rights for years and will not stop anytime soon.
The “Heartbeat bill,” or Ohio Senate Bill 23, was proudly passed in 2019 by Gov. Mike Dewine, despite having zero exception in cases like rape or incest. The bill began to gain movement back in 2011, according to Cleveland News. The bill had been vetoed twice by the previous Governor of Ohio, John Kasich.
Before many of us college students were even able to calculate math equations properly or form coherent essays, the hilarity of legislators guiding an agenda to preserve the life of a fetus before the life of whoever may carry it, was already in motion. Those with privilege and statute determined the path of millions whomst had little say in their own bodies.
Ohio legislators who support the bill wholeheartedly have continued to urge for the health of individuals across the state. They were so happy to protect unborn lives, they forgot about those currently living.
For now, many can relax. A small return of rights has been granted. But the fact they were ever stripped away cannot be forgotten or forgiven.