I strongly encourage voters to read Jinelle Hobson’s My Turn from the Monitor’s Opinion page (10/28) titled “Municipal Leadership is Critical to Protect Rights.” Hobson, the executive director of Equality Health Center in Concord, makes clear why elected local officials are so important in protecting reproductive rights. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision last June, which eliminated federal abortion protection nationwide, we have seen a barrage of anti-choice activity in communities throughout the country. Our Executive Council defunding Equality Health Center and Planned Parenthood clinics throughout NH for several years now, serves as a prime example of local politics obstructing reproductive freedom.
Equality Health Center has provided reproductive and sexual healthcare for 50 years, including contraception, STD/STI testing and treatment, preventive health exams, gender-affirming care, behavior health services, as well as abortion care. As Hobson writes, to protect these critical services, we must mobilize the support of the local Concord community and call for engagement from our Concord leaders. We need to elect a mayor and city councilors who will stand up for reproductive freedom and basic health care services. We should know how our candidates stand, and stand behind those who support women’s health and freedom.
Oge Young
Concord