The Sports World Reacts to the Overturn of Roe v Wade in the US
July 1, 2022
Beyond Sport firmly support a person's right to make their own decisions about their bodies and lives - an extremely personal choice and one that is protected by international human rights law. We strongly condemn actions that obstruct human and reproductive rights and impede gender equality and health equity. The US Supreme Court's rulings on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which effectively invalidated Roe v Wade on June 24, will have an especially negative impact on already marginalized populations and puts lives in danger. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email or on social if we can help amplify advocacy efforts on this issue and we have also included potential ways to take action at the end of this article.
In response to the US Supreme Court's decision last Friday to end nearly 50 years of constitutional protections for the right to abortion, many in the sports sector have been raising their voices on the serious rollback on human rights and gender equity and the resulting dangers and implications for bodily autonomy, health and well-being, physical and domestic violence and the pursuit of careers.
Determination is now in the hands of state legislatures and the Guttmacher Institute has stated that 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion. Nearly all abortions have now been prohibited (some temporary blocks in place) in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin with states such as Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming soon following suit.
From statements to actions, numerous leagues, athletes, coaches, teams and sports brands reacted to the ruling that came just one day after the 50th anniversary celebrations of Title IX:
Celebrated striker Megan Rapinoe shared an emotional plea to "please let this be the siren you need to act" during a press event. "Obviously you can understand from an individual perspective how difficult it is to live in a country where you have a constant, unrelenting, violent tide against you and onslaught as a woman. And it would be as a gay person and as a non-binary person, as a trans person, whoever this is going to affect, because it affects a lot more than just women, or cis women."
American Olympic bobsled medalist and World Champion Elana Meyers Taylor, spoke on implications for athlete participation in sport: “For elite Olympic sports your body is your livelihood...There are so many ramifications of reproductive care and that affects not only female athletes but all women. It definitely has the potential to change the landscape of what female athletic opportunities look like and who is able to pursue them."
Several organizations announced support for employees. Senior leadership of DICK'S Sporting Goods announced that they will be providing up to $4,000 in travel expense reimbursement for employees needing to travel to access an abortion. The WNBA and NBA issued a joint statement saying that they firmly believe people have the right to make their own personal decisions regarding their health.
Reactions also came in from other countries, including from British seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton who stated: “Disgusted by the decision made by the Supreme Court in the US today. I don’t understand why some in power pushed and continue to push to strip rights away from millions of people. This decision will impact the most vulnerable among us. Women, people of colour, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and so on."
As the US comes to grips with the shocking development and hopefully develops a plan of action to counter, here are some organizations and actions to consider supporting as applicable.