Reproductive justice advocates, community leaders, youth activists, educators, parents and families from across Alabama will gather at the Alabama Statehouse on Tuesday, February 10 for Our Bodies, Our Futures Advocacy Day, a coordinated effort urging lawmakers to oppose legislation that restricts sexual health education and reproductive freedom.
The day will begin with a press conference and rally from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the steps of the Alabama Statehouse, followed by legislative advocacy meetings throughout the day. The event is organized by URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity in partnership with Yellowhammer Fund, the ACLU of Alabama, Alabama Values Progress, the Alabama Reproductive, Health, Rights, and Justice Coalition and other statewide partners.
Participants are calling on legislators to oppose Senate Bill 3, a bill that would require abstinence-only-until-marriage instruction and limit access to comprehensive, medically accurate and LGBTQ+ affirming sex education. Advocates say the bill would restrict access to critical health information and negatively impact youth across the state.
“Many times, we have descended our young people on the Alabama State House in the name of reproductive justice, and we are so excited to continue this work as we advocate in opposition to SB 3,” said Courtney Roark, MPH, Southeastern Regional Movement Building and Policy director at URGE. “Youth deserve medically accurate, comprehensive, LGBTQ+ affirming sex education.”
Speakers at the press conference include Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values Progress; Courtney Roark, Southeastern Regional Movement Building and Policy director Alabama and Georgia of URGE; and JaTaune Bosby-Gilchrist, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama.
“Advocacy Day is our reminder that Alabama’s communities hold the power to push back against harmful narratives shaping bills like SB 3,” said Hardy. “These policies are designed to limit knowledge and control futures. Reproductive justice is essential to our freedom.”
Bosby-Gilchrist said the legislation would put young people at risk.
“Passage of SB3 is unnecessary and misguided,” she said. “Policies that withhold medically accurate, age-appropriate information do not protect youth, they put them at greater risk.”
Following the press conference, Yellowhammer Fund will lead a rally featuring youth, educators, parents and Alabamians directly impacted by reproductive health and education policies.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants will take part in advocacy training, policy briefings and meetings with lawmakers. Attendees will deliver messages and leave-behind materials urging lawmakers to support comprehensive sex education and reproductive autonomy.
